'90210': The Next Generation

One of the things the producers and the network clearly have agreed upon is capitalizing on the original show's audience by bringing back plenty of blasts from the past, beginning with Garth. ''Gabe and Jeff started telling me what was going to happen and I was like, 'Oh, my God, no!' I was shocked,'' says Garth of some of the racier story lines. She agreed, but had a few conditions: Kelly would be a guidance counselor, not a school board member, and she wouldn't jump into bed with a guy, as was originally planned in the pilot. ''I thought it would make her kind of sad,'' says Garth, ''like she hadn't gone anywhere in her life.''

But the biggest 90210 coup was snaring former bad girl Shannen Doherty. ''When I heard Shannen was going to be on the show I wanted to scream,'' says Wilds, ''but I had to keep my manhood intact. So I just smiled really big.'' Doherty — who left the show in 1994 after spats with cast and crew — agreed to reprise Brenda for four episodes, in which she'll direct West Beverly's musical production of Spring Awakening. Producers were also close to luring Tori Spelling back until she abruptly pulled out, reportedly because she'd learned Doherty and Garth would be earning more per episode. Well, if Donna Martin is gone, and David Silver (Brian Austin Green) is busy on Fox's The Sarah Connor Chronicles, maybe Steve Sanders will step in? ''We keep hearing Ian Ziering wants to be on,'' says Judah. ''But how much do you want to see him?'' [Cue the crickets.] ''Exactly.'' (A rep for Ziering says he has not contacted producers about appearing on the show.) Sachs sent word to Luke Perry that he's free to bring Dylan on set anytime, and Garth says Jason Priestley has no plans to return. Could one of these former 90210 hunks end up being the father of Kelly's son? ''We don't know who the father is,'' says Garth. ''I have a feeling whichever guy shows up on the show first, that's who the father will be.''

But even if no more old-school 90210ers reappear, little pieces of Beverly Hills history may inadvertently find their way back. Sitting in her trailer, eyeing a pair of yellow-and-black stiletto go-go boots she'll wear in a bowling alley scene later, McCord contemplates her future. ''It's very scary to think of committing to any show for six years,'' she says of the contract she and her costars signed. ''It's not my MO, but your lawyer always tells you there's a way out. 'Just act like a brat. That way, they'll write you out.''' The more things change...

More 90210:
'90210' premiere ratings prove nostalgia pays
90210's debut episode: The EW review
90210: Meet 10 New Faces
90210: Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth talk about their reunion
90210: Behind the scenes with Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth at their EW photo shoot