Like many of my fellow Gen Xers, I watched the original Beverly Hills 90210 religiously every Wednesday night on FOX. I cut my hair like Kelly Taylor, hung out with guys like Steve (minus the money) and even briefly dated someone who looked like Dylan.
And when I imagined life beyond the elderly age of 30, I pictured myself as a mom like Jackie Taylor. She was laidback, loose with her rules and understood the pressures of being a teen. But I would NEVER, under any circumstances, be a mom like Felice Martin. She was AWFUL.
But that was then and this is now. And after 34 years of life experience, I see things a wee bit differently.
Like why would I want to date a guy like Dylan? Did he ever even work a day in his life? And my naturally wavy beach blond hair never looked like Kelly’s glossy platinum locks, no matter how much I soaked it in Sun-In.
However, what really perplexed me is why would I ever want to be a mom like Jackie Taylor? Jackie had a drug problem!
Which brings me to a recent viewing of Season 4, Episode 2, The Girl from New York City. Within one of the subplots, Kelly, Donna and Donna’s sex-starved boyfriend, David, are planning to move into a beachfront rental together while they attend college. Of course, Donna’s overbearing mother would never approve, so Donna decided to keep the living arrangement with Kelly and her boyfriend a secret.
Back when the episode aired, I agreed with Donna. Mrs. Martin was so lame and super overprotective. Plus, Donna was 18 years old! An adult! Old enough to decide who she would like to live with. Back off, Felice.
Boy was I wrong.
Sure, Felice was not perfect, but Donna was not acting like adult. Far from it. And how was Felice supposed to trust Donna after the drunken prom incident? Donna almost didn’t graduate! Plus, Felice was paying for this place, right? She had the right to know who else was living there. And why would she support her living with David? Especially since David spent his days begging Donna to bang him.
Therefore, Donna, I think you should be honest with your mother about your living situation. I’m sure you two can create some sort of compromise. Remember, your mama loves you just like you’ll love your own kids one day.
— Keri Kelly
Keri Kelly is an award-winning comedy writer and children’s author. Her latest children’s joke books published by Capstone, Wanna Hear a Pet Joke?, Wanna Hear a Dinosaur Joke? and Wanna Hear a Pirate Joke?, are available in August wherever books are sold. When she’s not creating, she loves to draw and surf with her family and friends. Check out Keri’s comedies, books and art at www.kerikelly.org.