What's on TV? It's back to Beverly Hills in '90210'; TNT begins 'Raising the Bar'
What's on TV? It's back to Beverly Hills in '90210'; TNT begins 'Raising the Bar'

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By Penny Soldan

Published: August 31, 2008

Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh were best friends at West Beverly High School in the series "Beverly Hills, 90210,” which aired 10 seasons on Fox.

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Now, Kelly (Jennie Garth) is a guidance counselor and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) is a theatre director in the spin-off "90210,” which premieres at 7 p.m. Monday on CW.

Both series have similar beginnings, as well.

In the original, Brenda's family, which included twin brother Brandon, moved to Beverly Hills from Minnesota due to their dad's job transfer. In "90210,” Annie Wilson' family, which includes adopted brother Dixon, moves to Beverly Hills from Kansas due to their dad's job transfer.

Annie (Shanae Grimes from "Degrassi: The Next Generation”) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds from "The Wire”) have it worse off, though. Their dad is the new principal at West Beverly Hills High School.

Rob Estes from "Melrose Place” plays their dad, Harry, and Lori Loughlin from "Summerland” is their mom, Debbie.

Cast as their classmates are Dustin Milligan (Ethan, the jock, who is pictured on the cover), AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi, the rich girl), Michael Steger (Navid, the school reporter) and Jessica Stroup (Silver, the rebel).

The series opens with a two-hour premiere that will repeat at 7 p.m. Thursday. Viewers can also catch 24 hours of "Beverly Hills, 90210” on SoapNet (channel 170 on Cox Digital Cable, 188 on Dish Network, 262 on Direct TV). The marathon begins at 11 p.m. Sunday with the two-hour pilot.

Other programs worth watching:

SUNDAY

•"The 43rd Labor Day Telethon” (11 p.m. on CBS): Jerry Lewis continues his battle against muscular dystrophy during this 19-hour show originating from South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. Sharing hosting duties with Lewis are Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos”), Jann Carl ("Entertainment Tonight”), Alison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives) and Nancy O'Dell ("Access Hollywood”).

•TCM Summer Under the Stars — Spencer Tracy: Among his 13 films airing in the festival today are 1936's "San Francisco” (5 a.m.) and 1945's "Without Love” (1:30 p.m.).

•"Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Julie Brown ("Camp Rock”) guest stars as Alex's teacher, Miss Marinovich, in the new episode "Art Museum Piece.”

MONDAY

•"America's Toughest Job” (8 p.m. on NBC): The 12 remaining contestants head to the frozen tundra of Deadhorse, Alaska, where they go through extensive training and attempt to operate an 18-wheeler above the Arctic Circle.

•"Anthony Bourdain: No Reservation” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): In season four, Anthony Bordain spans the far reaches of the globe and offers honest observations while relishing the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the world.

•"The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): Barry Corbin ("Beer for My Horses”) and Frances Sternhagen ("ER”) guest star as Brenda's parents. They are on their way to Alaska in a recreational vehicle when they decide to pay Brenda a surprise visit.

•"Curious George” (7 a.m. on OETA-13): The curious little monkey goes green in a new set of earth-science themed adventures that open the third season.

•"Depth Charge” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Eric Roberts ("Less Than Perfect”) stars as a U.S. nuclear submarine captain who plans an attack on Washington. Jason Gedrick ("Windfall”) plays the ship's doctor who wages an internal war against the captain.

•"Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): In the second-season premiere, Madchen Amick ("My Own Worst Enemy”) guest-stars as a married woman who has been hooking up with Nate. Also guest-starring are author Jay McInerney and socialite Tinsley Mortimer.

•"One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): In the sixth-season premiere, Brooke faces a reunion with her mother, Lucas pursues his dream with the woman he loves, and the news of Dan's accident is beginning to spread.

•"Prison Break” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the two-hour, Season 4 premiere, brothers Michael and Lincoln are reunited with the gang and receive an offer from a Homeland Security agent that they cannot refuse. Michael Rapaport ("The War at Home”) joins the cast in the role of the government agent.

•"Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): This new series starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Saved By the Bell”), Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle”) and Gloria Reuben ("ER”) covers both sides of the legal process, from the viewpoints of young prosecutors and public defenders, their bosses and the judges who hear their cases.

TUESDAY

•"The Shield” (9 p.m. on FX): After a 15-month absence, the police drama returns for its seventh and final season. According to CCH Pounder, who plays Capt. Claudette Wyms, corrupt detective Vic Mackey (played by Emmy winner Michael Chiklis) will get what's coming to him in the show's final 13 episodes.

•"The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): New Kids on the Block perform live on the 12th-season premiere. Guests for the week include Maura Tierney ("ER”) on Wednesday, Terrence Howard ("Crash”) on Thursday and Adrian Grenier ("Entourage”) on Friday.

•"Wanna Bet?” (8 p.m. on ABC): George Wendt ("Cheers”) and Mo'Nique ("The Parkers”) are among the celebrity judges for the first-season finale. Stunts being attempted include identifying four out of five crushed cars and lighting matches in two minutes using yo-yos.

•"Wow Wow Wubbzy!” (12:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): The animation series for preschoolers returns for a second season. Guest-starring in the new season are Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan as the voice of Wubblympics record-holder Michelle Kwanzzleberry and Ty Pennington ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) as the voice of Ty Ty the Handy Guy.

WEDNESDAY

•"America's Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): Cycle 11 kicks off with a two-hour premiere, as 30 girls compete for a spot in the Top 14. One of the models causes a stir when she reveals that she is a transgendered person.

•"Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Season 4 opens with a two-hour episode set in the United Kingdom. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) is giving a lecture at Oxford University and Booth (David Boreanaz) is speaking at Scotland Yard when they are asked by local officials to lend their expertise to a high-profile murder investigation involving a young British heiress.