Normally, a “Beverly Hills 90210″ spinoff pitched in the year 2008 would sound ridiculous and kind of sad, much like the mid-’90s “Get Smart” series with Andy Dick and a ravaged-by-the-sands-of-time Don Adams. But given that “Veronica Mars” mastermind (who had nothing to do with “I Don’t Wanna Be Lonely No More”) Rob Thomas is apparently spearheading the project, it becomes a lot more interesting.  Based on his track record, Thomas will be able to deliver a high school show that’s actually different, rather than the myriad of “90210″-esque teen soaps that have come since the show went off the air in 2000.

Which begs the question - why make it connected to “90210″ at all? More than likely, Thomas will have a better chance at success without being under the guise of a “90210″ revival. Though a “90210″ spinoff will obviously get some curiosity views, it’s also going to run into a couple of problems: bitter “90210″ superfans that will be upset that it’s not enough like the show they loved, and people who associate the “90210″ brand with ’90s cheesiness (and people in their mid-30s pretending to be high school students) that won’t give the new show the chance. The current “Battlestar Galactica” revival is a good parallel, and even though that show has found success with critics and fans (deservedly so), it’s also still battling those same two forces. And that’s at least in the nurturing bosom of cable TV, where it’s had more of a chance to develop and find an audience, than the fast-paced arena of network TV. Of course, it still might be a hit, but much like “BSG,” it’ll have a bit of an uphill climb.

That said, the report that there will be one old school “90210″ character as part of this show’s cast is certainly intriguing. Since Thomas has said that the Peach Pit will be a part of the new show, fingers crossed for Nat! Joe E. Tata would probably be psyched to get the call.

Normally, a “Beverly Hills 90210″ spinoff pitched in the year 2008 would sound ridiculous and kind of sad, much like the mid-’90s “Get Smart” series with Andy Dick and a ravaged-by-the-sands-of-time Don Adams. But given that “Veronica Mars” mastermind (who had nothing to do with “I Don’t Wanna Be Lonely No More”) Rob Thomas is apparently spearheading the project, it becomes a lot more interesting.  Based on his track record, Thomas will be able to deliver a high school show that’s actually different, rather than the myriad of “90210″-esque teen soaps that have come since the show went off the air in 2000.

Which begs the question - why make it connected to “90210″ at all? More than likely, Thomas will have a better chance at success without being under the guise of a “90210″ revival. Though a “90210″ spinoff will obviously get some curiosity views, it’s also going to run into a couple of problems: bitter “90210″ superfans that will be upset that it’s not enough like the show they loved, and people who associate the “90210″ brand with ’90s cheesiness (and people in their mid-30s pretending to be high school students) that won’t give the new show the chance. The current “Battlestar Galactica” revival is a good parallel, and even though that show has found success with critics and fans (deservedly so), it’s also still battling those same two forces. And that’s at least in the nurturing bosom of cable TV, where it’s had more of a chance to develop and find an audience, than the fast-paced arena of network TV. Of course, it still might be a hit, but much like “BSG,” it’ll have a bit of an uphill climb.

That said, the report that there will be one old school “90210″ character as part of this show’s cast is certainly intriguing. Since Thomas has said that the Peach Pit will be a part of the new show, fingers crossed for Nat! Joe E. Tata would probably be psyched to get the call.