Given Fox's proclivity for outrageousness, Beverly Hills, 90210 (the number refers to the California city's ZIP code) is like totally tame, dudes. Though its premiere does include a teenage champagne-fueled romp in a hot tub, a near loss of virginity, and much conversation about sex, it treats the subject with uncommon sensitivity and understanding. [4 Oct 1990, p.C19]

A stylish but familiar high school story, one that's considerably easier to take than two of this TV season's other back-to-school efforts: "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and "Ferris Bueller". And, it's less frenetic than "Hull High". The show's greatest assets are Priestley and Doherty, who are appealing even when the storylines aren't. [4 Oct 1990, p.G1]

The result, to borrow a phrase from that generation, is totally bogus. But not totally without merit, due to a cast, headed by Shannen Doherty, that's generally better than the material. [4 Oct 1990, p.E1]

It is based on the assumption, so common among show-biz people who meet each other for lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel, that they are not only the cultural center of the Western world, but the envy of everybody who is not part of their glittery ZIP code. The whole production just reeks of L.A. smugness. [4 Oct 1990, p.C-11]

One of the fall's most forgettable series. ... Isn't this the kind of stuff The Simpsons was created to destroy forever?

It's less surprising that it's so dull...So let's have a round of applause for these kids. And then change the station, because there's absolutely no drama here. [4 Oct 1990, p.68]

It's apparently part of a new experiment in comatose television -- a show where things almost happen but never quite do. You keep checking your pulse to make sure you haven't died. (...) They've created a vacuum, a perfect void, a black hole in the already vast and empty TV schedule. Not so much a black hole actually as a beige one. [4 Oct 1990, p.D12]