The TV Zone

And...she'll play a "guest director" for the high school musical at West Beverly Hills High. The CW announced this morning (Saturday) that Shannen Dearest signed on for multiple episodes.

So far, everyone seems to be getting along just fine.

But it's early.

I say, give it a few weeks.

In any event, I jest. "Beverly Hills 90210" showrunners Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah -- both "Freaks and Geeks," and "Life as We Know It" alums -- seemed pretty happy about the new edition this morning before the ink-stained Assemblage here in Beverly Hills, and no wonder. Shannen Doherty's addition -- rumored for many days -- is what you call "promotable."

Not that this spin-off needs much more attention.

Judah told us this morning that castmembers from the Original -- at least those few who have agreed to sign up -- will be "used organically" in the spin-off. I take this to mean that they won't have fully independent storylines, or that their storylines from all those years ago will probably not be resolved in this edition. (Both producers were a little circumspect on this point.)

Of Doherty, we now know this much: She will reprise her role as Brenda Walsh (who as you recall disappeared to London for an acting career, while leaving the love of her life behind...) The CW told us this morning that Brenda became a "successful theater actress, splitting her time between New York and London. The character soon transitioned into directing for theater and had equal success in that career." Her alma mater asked her to guest direct the high school's musical...

No one asked this morning about Jason Priestley or Luke Perry, but I think you can reasonably assume they will not be joining (Perry has already said no.) Jennie Garth returns as high school guidance counselor (Kelly Taylor), and Tori Spelling, too. (Donna Martin.) Also, Joe E. Tata is back too, as Nat, owner of the Peach Pit.

The Peach Pit? As Judah explained, it has metamorphosed into an Internet cafe "and a cool coffee house. It's not going to be like the old days, 'hey, Color Me Badd!!'"

A good chunk of the new cast was up on stage this morning -- Ryan Eggold (Ryan Matthews), Rob Estes (Harry Wilson), Lori Loughlin (Debbbie Wilson), Shenae Grimes (Annie Wilson), Tristan Wilds (Michael Lee, from "The Wire," here as Dixon Wilson); Jessica Stroup (Silver), Dustin Milligan (Ethan Ward), AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi Clark), Michael Steger (Navid Shirazi), and Jessica Walter (Tabitha Wilson).

However, there wasn't a soul up there from the original cast.

Interpretation: That the showrunners didn't and don't want to shift the spotlight from the classic characters to the newcomers, who will, after all, have to strike out on their own when the show launches Sept. 2, as a two-hour premiere.

Or maybe they just realized that Jennie and Shannen couldn't share the same stage together...

Judah said the spin-off will have "a strong point of view, that kids need boundaries, need rules..."

Basic plotline: Wilson moves his family from Kansas to the Zip, where he will be WBH prinicipal. A fish-out-of-water tale ensues...