Ausiello Scoop: Jessica Walter Joins 90210 Update - Ausiello Report

Jessica Walter by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com It isn't Kelly Bishop, but this will do rather nicely: Sources confirm to me exclusively that Arrested Development's grande dame, Jessica Walter, has been cast as hard-drinkin', faded, '70s-movie-star Tabitha Mills on the CW's fast-tracked-for-fall 90210 update. To recap: Tabitha is the grandmother of the show's central teens, siblings ~~Brenda~~ Annie (Shenae Grimes) and ~~Brandon Walsh~~ Dixon Mills. As I reported yesterday, Lori Loughlin will play the pair's mother. The role of the dad (and Tabitha's son) has yet to be cast. I don't know about you, by my excitement about this show just swelled tenfold. This Just In: Dirt's Ryan Eggold has snagged the role of Ryan "the teacher." Related: • Hilary Duff Out, Degrassi Teen In at New 90210 • Exclusive: Lori Loughlin Is 90210's New Cindy Walsh Leave a Comment
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Posted by Michael Ausiello Apr 29, 2008 11:55 AM Report Abuse

Wheeeeee! Love me some Jessica Walter! And yesterday's news about Lori Loughlin joining. Now I'm looking forward to this!
Posted by DCJim Apr 29, 2008 12:16 PM Report Abuse

Yeah, between Jessica Walter and Lori Loughlin, I'm way more excited about this remake than I was.
Posted by Blondehorizon Apr 29, 2008 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Not to rain on anyone's parade but wasn't the Mill's clam origionally supposed to be black? What happened to the promised cultural diversity? So far the cast is still lilly white like the origional.
Posted by Lawler1976 Apr 29, 2008 1:47 PM Report Abuse

So many bad ideas in one show! This should kill the network for sure!
Posted by mtvcops Apr 29, 2008 2:18 PM Report Abuse

Actually Lawler1976, I believe just Dixon will be non-white. And with the additions of Lori and Jessica I'm officially sold on this show. And I'm more excited about the adults than the kids.
Posted by P3freak90 Apr 29, 2008 2:59 PM Report Abuse

Jessica Walters?? Ooh I might just have to watch this show if it is picked up..
Posted by abbeyroad21 Apr 29, 2008 3:28 PM Report Abuse

Now that Jessica Walter's on board, I just might give this show a shot.
Posted by zortil Apr 29, 2008 3:54 PM Report Abuse

Yay! Anything with Lucille Bluth in it is good enough for me.
Posted by aloha_princess16 Apr 29, 2008 4:22 PM Report Abuse

There's no guarantee we're going to get Lucille Bluth. In fact, it's unlikely. I want to get excited by Jessica Walter's addition to any new series, but it was Mitch Hurwitz who made Arrested Development what it was. You just have to look at the dreadful series Jeffrey Tambor has done in the past few years to see that a smattering of Bluths across the dial doesn't necessarily mean wall-to-wall quality TV.

On weekends, when I'm in the mood for some really bad TV, I occasionally put the dial on Three's A Crowd, the mercifully short-lived Three's Company spinoff, which had Jack Tripper moving in with his girlfriend and having to deal with her parents, Robert Mandan and Jessica Walter. I wish each of you could see a scene from that show right now, before you start popping champagne corks!

:8}

And I think your dog's ugly, too!
:^O

(Sorry...I just realized what a downer I'm being...but I feel it needs to be said.)

Posted by TV Gord

Apr 29, 2008 4:36 PM

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GANGEE LIVES!!!!!!
Posted by hamactor1 Apr 29, 2008 5:08 PM Report Abuse

At the very least, this show will have a good cast. Let's hope the writing matches it.
Posted by Lester/DryedMangoez Apr 29, 2008 5:32 PM Report Abuse

I really can't decide if I'm excited or disgusted by this show. But, even though I lean toward the latter, I know I'll watch.
Posted by oatbranbh Apr 29, 2008 6:55 PM Report Abuse

2 days ago there was no way in HELL I would watch this. Suddenly, they lost Duff and gained an old clap trap. Winner!
Posted by missbrooke06 Apr 29, 2008 7:46 PM Report Abuse

Wouldn't it be awesome if they were to get that guy who played Nate from the diner back? I always loved his character.
Posted by das101868 Apr 30, 2008 1:21 AM Report Abuse

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