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Is '90210' finally casting a character we can fall in love with?
"Veronica Mars"' Logan Echolls. "Friday Night Lights"' Tim Riggins. "Gossip Girl"'s Chuck Bass. These are the names that first come to mind when I think of charming, swoon-worthy men of the small screen. It's characters like these that make a series great and it's characters like these that "90210" is currently lacking.
But, perhaps, not for long.
Sure, the show added Liam (Matt Lanter) to the cast towards the end of last season and, yes, he's hot. But, as any true TV fan knows, it takes more than good looks to create a star. Some combination of expertly written dialogue and solid comedic timing is necessary as well and, I don't know, "90210" may just be catching on to that formula with the forthcoming addition of "Teddy."
Last week, we told you that "90210" will welcome a recurring character in the fall, a high school tennis champ with a movie star pops who possesses "Clooney-esque" charm. I didn't think much of this at first, but a friend just floated me the audition material for this kid and, I must say, I already kind of want to make out with him.
In the scene I read, Teddy is one-on-one with Silver, who he manages to keep on her toes. He seems funny, smart, sweet, not over-the-top, yet not underwhelming. He calls her out during their little chat, but in a laid back, non-threatening sort of way. And with a smile.
I mean, who knows, maybe I'm being stupidly optimistic. Maybe this kid will fall sort of flat like so many of the other boys on the show. But I'm telling you now that there is hope.
At this point, I believe The CW and the "90210" producers are still auditioning a slew of dude actors for the role and this is obviously a key part to the puzzle. But I caution the casting team, don't get caught up in pretty faces who can simply deliver a line sufficiently. Teddy must possess something special. After all, guys like Jason Dohring, Taylor Kitsch and Ed Westwick are not traditionally handsome men. But their charm and humor elevates their sex appeal to a whole 'nother level. Of course you can't drop the ball on the dialogue you're writing for this character either, that's perhaps the most important part of the equation. So, yeah, I hope you guys are adding a smart new scribe or two to your staff this summer as well.
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First off, it truly IS amazing how every male originally cast on 90210 turned out so completely boring and "not hot." There'd better be some new blood doing the casting this time around, or all hope is lost.
That said, Matt Lanter is a walking wet-dream! I mean, name me a hotter guy in all of TV. It should be criminal to be that gorgeous.
Of the 3 other actors you mention (Dohring, Kitsch & Westwick), only Kitsch is truly HOT. The others are simply fan faves, for truly unknown reasons. Bad boy syndrome? That's why Lanter is the total package, if the writers will give him some actual words, rather than grunts, to utter.
Honestly, the show needs more than just Matt and the new Clooney-esque guy. I still scratch my head in wondering how TPTB screwed up the casting of this show so badly. Rebecca Kirschner certainly has her work cut out in fixing the mess others created.
90210 is awesome show and I hope the Producers cast the right actor.
The guys are not the problem on the show in the first place: it's the girls. They screwed up casting (besides Adrianna) so they keep adding and subtracting the guys to serve as crutches for the lackluster girls
Spencer you are wrong wrong...Jason Dohring is HOT HOT.
I saw him upclose in only boxer briefs during filming of an episode of VM..HOLY COW!!
i think they should give dustin diamond a call.
he's free.
Yeah Liam is the hottest guy on the show. They definently need an Ed Westwick type though.
oh yeah Dustin Diamond ! Too funny...LOL, with him i could finally watch a teen soap opera.
Dohring,Kitsch are not actors for teen soap, they are too subtle and charismatic.
Westwick is maybe the exception and make GG watchable (with Leighton Meester) but sometimes his acting is too over the top.
It would be great if 90210 could get a character who is as interesting and charming as Logan. The problem is finding the right girl to play against him. They are lacking great female characters- Silver and Adrianna are the best the have. Naomi and Anne are so awful- a combination of terrible casting and one dimensional writing. Teddy is going to need a strong female love interest to make him work.
Tim Riggins is pretty...
Or like Logan Huntzberger.