"Beverly Hills, 90210" gave us something to talk about...like Luke Perry

I was going to write about Lindsay Lohan this week and how she needs to just disappear. I'd hope you're just as tired of hearing her antics on prime-time news as I am. She's done. She isn't even a great actress, so why do we care so much about her? Yes, "Mean Girls" was great, but not because of her. The side players made that movie, from Gretchen Weiners to Ms. Norbury. We don't need Lindsay Lohan in the world anymore! So please, stop caring about whether she failed her latest drug test or how much jail time she did or didn't serve. She was cute in "The Parent Trap," so remember her for that and get on with your life.

I'm glad I got that out.

Now on to bigger and better things -

Da-na-na-na. Da-na-na-na. Dun. Dun.

Oct. 4 marks the 20th anniversary of the premiere of "Beverly Hills, 90210." I know, important stuff, right?

But it is - without "Beverly Hills, 90210," you wouldn't have your "Gossip Girl," your "OC," or your "Dawson's Creek." And don't you pretend none of these shows aren't your secret guilty pleasures.

"Beverly Hills, 90210" - not to be confused with the awful remake/continuation/spin-off or whatever you call it currently airing on the CW network - was big for it's time.

Back in 1990, no show dared tackle such taboo topics as rape, cocaine, AIDS, gambling, alcoholism - the list goes on and on - in dealing with teens. It just wasn't brought up.

Even the core topic associated with character Donna Martin - her wish to not have sex until she was married - was a very hot topic in the '90s. It united girls all over the country who weren't ready to have sex in high school or even college, for that matter. Donna Martin made it ok to be a virgin and girls looked up to her for being brave enough to admit that.

And of course, the stars made the show, or maybe the show made the stars - heck, most people can rattle the characters names off - nice guy Brandon Walsh, bad-boy Dylan McKay, funny man Steve Sanders - or sweetheart Kelly Taylor, vixen Valerie Malone - moreso than they can the actors' names. They were teen idols in every way, and Aaron Spelling made them.

Yet, after 10 seasons on the air - the longest running teen drama, I might add - that idol-sensation turned into a curse for some. Every character was so well-known that many of the actors had trouble finding work after it ended - being pigeonholed into their long-running character. Some made it out just fine (Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry, Tiffani Thiessen have all had steady work) - others (many) went on to "Dancing with the Stars," and one married Meghan Fox. Lucky for Brian Austin Green.

But despite all that, those actors were part of a show bigger than themselves.

I was three when the series originally premiered, but I remember watching it with my parents growing up. It was cheesy and soap-opera-eske, but for the '90s that was what worked - you were always there to tune in. I was devastated when it went off the air in 2000 - maybe because I was 13 and wanted Dylan McKay all to myself - but it was also time for a new generation of teens with a whole new set of problems. It was the new millennium, and audiences were ready for something fresh.

If only they knew that that something fresh would be reality TV.

The Runaways: It may be 35 years too late, but I'm diggin' 'em

I've been on a kick. A Runaways kick.

A few weeks back I watched the newest biopic pic based on the late 1970s all-girl rock band, starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. Ever since watching that movie, I've check out the documentary "Edgeplay: A film about The Runaways," bought the band's "best of" album and even made their biggest hit "Cherry Bomb" my ring tone. Something about this band just totally does it for me. Maybe it's the women's empowerment of it all - teenage girls who took no (insert word suitable for print here) from anyone in an age when female rockers weren't taken seriously or given the time of day.

Technically the first all-girl punk-rock band, The Runaways isn't a band name that rings a bell like The Go-Go's or The Bangles. Those later bands are often assumed to be the first because of their commercial success, but The Runaways took charge before the days of MTV.

A History Lesson: The original line up of The Runaways included Joan Jett (rhythm guitar/back-up vocals), Cherie Currie (lead vocals), Lita Ford (lead guitar), and Sandy West (drums), with various bass players coming into play throughout their years. Jackie Fox was the most noted bass player - she joined during the ban's golden years.

Another name synonymous with The Runaways is record producer Kim Fowley, who had a hand in forming and managing the band, as well as finding girls at local night clubs and bars to audition. He was their sort-of recruiter. The Runaways wrote and created most of their own music, but Fowley managed to pen the band's so-called signature song "Cherry Bomb" on the spot with Jett at Currie's audition. He would also produce the band's first three albums.

The all-teenage Runaways hit the height of their popularity in 1977, embarking on a sold out show in Japan.At the time The Runaways placed forth in imported music acts in Japan in terms of album sales and popularity, only being outdone by ABBA, KISS and Led Zeppelin. No doubt, that's some pretty good company to be in, so one could only imagine the amount of fans being in that show produced.

But it would also be the catalyst to their undoing, the beginning of their end. Right before the show, Fox quit. And after the show, Currie quit after not being able to deal with the struggles of fame and drug addiction at the young age of 16.

From there, Jett took over on lead vocals, Vicki Blue replaced Fox and Fowley departed as their manager. Two more albums were made before the band called it quits in 1979 due to "creative differences."

Tragic, huh?

Released on DVD in July, 35 years after their start, "The Runaways" movie is based loosely on Currie's book "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway."

Many complained - the movie is based more on the relationship between Jett and Currie than on the band as a whole. It isn't a bad side of the story to see, it just doesn't do the whole story of the band justice. Of course, that may have to do with the fact that Jett was an executive producer of the film.

Whereas, with the "Edgeplay" documentary, Jett had no role in the film whatsoever - no comments, no music, no appearance at all. She was the only member of the band to not give her honest view on The Runaways lifestyle. If the two films were combined, perhaps making a movie in faux-documentary style, maybe the full-on story of The Runaways would be realized.

But if the biopic is all you can get your hands on, at least the actors fit the roles to a T and not just in terms of dead-on look-a-likes. It doesn't hurt either that Stewart, 20, and Fanning, 16, are teens playing teens; it just makes it so much more believable.

Stewart as Jett fit the role like a glove. This is the type of stuff Stewart should be doing. Her acting was enjoyable to watch, and she really seems to have put a lot of effort into portraying Jett. Heck, she even learned how to play the guitar chords.

"Twilight" may have given her the push to be a leading lady, but she's so much better - and seems more comfortable and well-suited - for non-franchise, indie film acting.

Fanning is superb, as always. She's been a favorite actress of mine since she first portrayed Lucy in "I Am Sam" at the age of 7.

Now 16, Fanning made a bold move. And it played out for her.

She was able to potray Currie - all the sex, drug and alcoholic behavior included - without us losing respect for her as an actress. And she did a great job at it. Fanning also got to showcase her vocal chops in the film and really shadowed Currie's stage performance. Fanning truly was Currie. Let's hope Fanning never succumbs to the child-acting plague - which typically ends in early actor failure - and continues to move in the right direction.

Unfortunately, The Runaways couldn't find the direction they needed to get their feet off the ground long enough for most people to notice. But it's never too late to take a listen.

In Memoriam: "My Boys"

And as the Fall season arrives, we also have to see another sad departure of a show not worthy of cancellation. "My Boys" on TBS got the news Wednesday of it's demise, but they must have seen it coming.

The season finale on Sunday sure felt like a series finale, but I didn't want to believe it. Yes, it's on TBS. Yes, it was buried in the 10 p.m. time slot on Sundays. And yes, there was too much time lapsed between seasons, so most people lost track of it.

But as a devoted fan, I can say that after four seasons, "My Boys" was in its prime. And I'm heartsick to see it go.

It followed PJ, a female sports writer for the Chicago Sun Times and her group of guy friends. It was great to see a female lead not swooning over guys, talking about babies or fussing about fashion. PJ was down-to-earth and just one of the boys. Her favorite pastimes were sports, having a beer a Crowley's, the local bar, and hosting poker games.

She was a guy's dream.

And Jordana Spiro was able to create a character that both men and woman adored.

PJ may have been the basis of the show, but it was her lovable, goofy guy friends that made the show so easy to watch. Mike, Kenny, Brendan, Bobby (oh Bobby, so adorable), and brother Andy (played by funny man Jim Gaffigan) were all easily relatable to and their friendships seemed effortless. Their quirks offset each other - they were the gang everyone wanted to be a part of.

I admit some basic cable comedies are great (all hail "Modern Family"), but many are not and have been on for way past their prime (ahem, "Two and a Half Men"). Viewers should explore the upper numbers on their televisions. There's funny stuff elsewhere; you just need to give it a chance.

But I digress.

I just hope the actors of "My Boys" go on to bigger and better things because they all deserve it. So here's to "My Boys," an undeserving casualty that deserved at least one more round of drinks.

Cheers!

Fall TV Preview

It's that time of the year again. No more reruns! No more "Wipeout"! All your favorite friends are back. And some new characters are there to join them.

While medical dramas are so five years ago, cop dramas are so in today. "Blue Bloods," "Chase," and "Detroit 1-8-7" are just some of the many. If only my beloved "Southland" (TBS) didn't have to wait for a return in January...

Also hot on the menu: remakes. Both "Hawaii Five-O" and "Nikita" are getting rave reviews for amping up shows that weren't particularly good in their original.

With many, many new shows to come, it was a tough job to sort through them all, but here are six shows that I think will be worth your while to check out:

$#*! My Dad Says

(9/23, Thursday, CBS, 8:30 p.m.)

Based on the very successful Twitter feed of Justin Halpern, CBS brings us the live-action version starring the one-and-only William Shatner. The premise revolves around his character, Ed, and his two sons, Henry and Vince, played by Jonathan Sadowki and Will Sasso. When Henry moved back in with his parents, he learns some new life lessons from dear-old-dad. What's great is Ed speaks the truth and doesn't care. It's wonderful. With Shatner on board, and two MAD TV alums (Sasso and Nicole Sullivan, who plays Vince's wife, Bonnie), this should be one comedy that will be sure to give you quotes galore to revive the next day at work.

My Generation

(9/23, Thursday, ABC, 8 p.m.)

Shot in faux-documentary style, "My Generation" follows the Class of 2000, 10 years later. With a cast of nine players, it could be tough to tie in story lines, but it's an interesting concept that I'm willing to see through. And a little nostalgia never hurt. Cast members that stand out include Keir O'Donnell, best known for being the creepy brother from "Wedding Crashers," and Mehcad Brooks, Eggs from Season 2 of "True Blood."

Raising Hope

(9/21, Tuesday, FOX, 9 p.m.)

"Raising Hope" is the one show that looks like it could keep the laughing going throughout an entire season. When 20-something-year-old Jimmy, who still lives with his parents, finds out he's the proud father of his former girlfriend's son - she was a wanted felon then, she's in jail now - he takes on the role of single dad. Newcomer Lucas Neff looks like he can hold his own in the show, but it'll be the crazy family that surrounds him, including his grandmother (played by Cloris Leachman) that will help the laughter along.

No Ordinary Family

(9/28, Tuesday, ABC, 8 p.m.)

I'm not entirely sold on this show yet, but it has Michael Chicklis from FX's "The Shield," and Julie Benz from "Dexter," so I feel like I have to give it a shot. It reminds me of a real-life version of "The Incredibles."

After the family takes a trip to South America, their plan crashes into the Amazon River. When they return home, thankful for being safe-and-sound, they realize each has a super power. Dad, Jim, has superhuman strength; mom, Stephanie, has super speed; daughter, Daphne, can read minds; and son, JJ, is a pure genius. Fans of "Heroes" will enjoy this show I'm sure, and it seems to be a real family comedy. This could pan out well.

Better With You

(9/22, Wednesday, ABC, 8:30 p.m.)

"Better With You" follows the lives of three couples: Maddie and Ben have been dating for nine years; Maddie's younger sister, Mia, has been dating Casey for seven weeks; and parents Vicky and Joel, have been married for 35 years. It's all about how each relationship deals with problems that arise for one couple. It'll be easily relatable for any age group. Plus, it airs in between the successful ABC Wednesday comedy lineup, among high hitters "The Middle," "Modern Family," and "Cougar Town," so I'm pretty sure people will stumble upon it whether they plan to or not. Also, Vicky is played by Debra Jo Rupp, best known as Kitty on "That 70's Show," and Kurt Fuller plays Joel. Both should add to the show a perfect kooky mix.

Boardwalk Empire

(9/19, Sunday, HBO, 9 p.m.)

"There has always been a love-hate relationship with gangsters. It's the dark side of the American Dream," said Marty Scorsese on HBO's Web site about "Boardwalk Empire," in which he directs the first episode. Set in the 1920s in Atlantic City during the prohibition-era, it follows the undisputed city leader Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), a politician by day and a gangster by night. Audiences have always been intrigued by gangsters and their lives, whether fictional or real, and I'm sure this show will be no different. It also comes from one the writer-producers of "The Sopranos," so there's another plus.

The Good, the Bad and the Emmys

I'm a sucker for awards shows. I practically watch them all, no matter how pathetic or drawn-out they are. Anything from the "MTV Video Music Awards" to the "Guys' Choice Awards" on Spike TV. I'm there.

And so, as most know, the Emmys started off the awards season Sunday. And I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Usually there are a few laughs here and there, the award recipients are predictable, and it drags on for what seems like forever. But all of those statements rang false this year. Overall, there was more good than bad. Here's my recap of the star-studded night.

THE GOOD

• Jimmy Fallon: He stuck to what he does best - musical parodies. Just as he did when he hosted the "MTV VMA's" back in 2002, he did it just as well here. From the opening Bruce Springsteen opening number, to his farewell songs to "24" (Elton John's "Candle in the Wind"), "Law & Order" (Boyz II Men's "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday) and "Lost (Green Day's "Good Riddance"), Fallon pulled it off.
  
  
• "Modern Family": It's one of the best new comedies out there, if not the best. I absolutely adore this show, and each and every cast member is funny in their own way. It's one of the few shows that will make you laugh out loud. And I'm glad to see the Academy gave credit where it's due. Major awards went out to Eric Stonestreet for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series; Chris Levitan and Christopher Lloyd (Yes, the same Christopher Lloyd currently performing at The Weston Playhouse) for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series; and Outstanding Comedy Series.
  
  
• George Clooney: For his humanity work, he won the Bob Hope Award. For his comedic work, he pulled off a wonderful skit involving the cast of "Modern Family." For "Family Guy" lovers out there, Stewie Griffin plays a small role in the skit too. YouTube it; you won't regret it.
  
  
  
• Jon Hamm and Betty White: The "Mad Men" star and White took part in some risky dance moves together in the opening number in order to prep for a "Glee"-inspired performance, along with Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, Hurley from "Lost," and Joel McHale of "Community," among others.
  
  
• This joke from Jimmy Fallon: "NBC asking the host of 'Late Night' to come to Los Angeles to host a different show ... what could possibly go wrong?" Fallon asks. A quick pan to Conan O'Brien, Fallon continued, "Too soon?"
  
  
• Ricky Gervais: His witty banter is always top notch. And he gave out free beer.

THE BAD

• Tweet Intros: Fallon tried out a new gag. Let's have people send in what they think of the presenters, and we'll read them out loud before they go on stage - Tweet style (under 140 characters or less). Didn't work as well as everyone had hoped. Turns out fans aren't that funny. At least they scrapped the gag half way through the show.
  
  
• Cutting off acceptance speeches: I don't care how long the show goes, no matter who the recipient is, I always stand by the fact that everyone should get their time to thank whomever they wish without getting rudely interrupted. I think we can all handle it. Unfortunately, "Mad Men" writer Matthew Weiner was a casualty of the night when accepting for Outstanding Writer for a Drama Series.

MODERATE

• Jane Lynch wins Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role as Sus Sylvester on "Glee": I love Jane Lynch. And I love her character on "Glee." But I don't love "Glee." It just doesn't do it for me, sorry. Yes, the cast can sing well. And I get that Ryan Murphy (the show's creator) is trying something new out, so bravo to that. But the plot lines are weak, and the musical covers, meh. Anywho, cheers to Lynch, she deserves it.
  
  
• The made for TV movie "Temple Grandin" winning back-to-back-to-back-to-back awards: It's a great story based on the autistic professor and doctor of animal science, but the four wins in a row, with repetitive acceptance speeches, made me want to take a snack break. Congrats on the wins, but the Emmys need to find a better way to space out similar categories.
  
  
• "Mad Med" winning for Outstanding Drama Series: I love "Mad Men" as much as the next person. It's classy. But I love "Dexter," "True Blood," and "Breaking Bad" so much more. Those shows are darker, gritter and more fun.
  Unfortunately, the Academy is stuck in the '50s for this category. Luckily, "Dexter" picked up Outstanding Director in a Drama Series and Brian Cranston of " Breaking Bad" won his third Emmy in a row for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as Aaron Paulso winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. So I guess things even out.
  "True Blood" didn't have the same luck though. Maybe next year.
  

• "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" winning for the eighth time in a row for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: I love Jon, but share the wealth.
  
  

Hopefully the Emmys start off a precedent of well-done awards shows to come this season.