Having been a big 90210 Fan, not only was I happy to see that Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth had been reunited in the newest ABC Family show, Mystery Girls. I was also happy to actually be interviewing them as well!
Yes, while in LA last week I stopped by the set of Mystery Girls (more about my post in a future post) but I actually got to see them film scenes for their season finale episode and chat with them.
Here’s what Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth had to say…
How did you come up with the idea for the Mystery Girls?
Tori Spelling: I had done a Christmas movie for ABC Family and I knew they were looking for comedies and I used to be a huge fan of mysteries in the eighties and my dad’s shows and I loved Remington Steele and I just wanted to pair that with comedy…
So was it automatic for Jennie to play the other part?
Tori Spelling: …I was praying that she would wanna do it. And when I thought of the idea, I was like no one else could do this…
What’s it like to work together?
Jennie Garth: …We have so much fun and it’s just really easy. You know, we know each other very well so..we’re past all the awkward getting to know each other and we kind of know each others ups and downs…we’re very familiar with each other already and we already have that built in chemistry too as actresses…
Tori Spelling: Yeah. [LAUGHS] But it was a no brainer that we could do comedy together, but then when we tried it…we just fit right together and it was perfect…anyone can do a female buddy comedy, but I feel like the bond we have, over twenty years of a friendship…you can’t replace that. I don’t feel like anyone else could really have that back story.
How do you relate to your characters in real life?
Tori Spelling: Obviously we’re different than our characters but I think there is a part of both of us in our characters. Like the relationship we have in real life…I feel like I’m in real life very trusting of everyone and I go into everything kind of full force and I don’t really take into consideration what’s going on, and in our friendship, Jen always kinda stepped in and protected me over the years. I feel like that’s what Charlie and Holly are like too.
Jennie Garth: Yeah. I’ve always been more of protector, a big sister to her since the very beginning. I’ve always been a little tougher physically [LAUGHS] You know I can, I can take care of myself.
Do you plan on having any cameos from the 90210 cast?
Tori Spelling: We would like that. We think so. I think in the first season we’re establishing the show and the reunion of us from 90210 and should we go a second season…we would want to have a cameo or two from our 90210 group stars.
Are you considering Shannon Doherty?
Tori Spelling: Shannon or Luke.
Jennie Garth: Yeah, Luke.
How do you manage your schedule with your children?
Tori Spelling: It’s definitely a change of pace and it’s the first time I’m acting away from them full time. So, it’s been different. Luckily they can come to set…
How would you describe your parenting styles?
Jennie Garth: …There’s like two sides to every coin on that. Because I believe in structure…I’m a little bit strict and a little bit structured and I protect my girls as much as I possibly can. I keep them as young as I can for as long as I can.
But on the other side of that, people would say, “Oh, let them be free and run and do what they want”…I try to blend that and let them be expressive…but I do provide structure and meals together every day and set bedtimes and curfew for my oldest and I don’t let them control me. I’m definitely the person in charge.
Tori Spelling: I definitely got so much advice every time I was pregnant that I was paranoid before. I was like, [GASP] “I’m supposed to do this,” “I’m supposed to do that.” And I realize now with four kids…to trust your instincts and what you do, it might not be what everyone else tells you…So I just try to go with my own instincts. I over-love probably.
We definitely talk a lot about our feelings ’cause that’s not something I was accustomed to, so I really try to make that a thing in our household that if something is wrong we talk about it a lot. They’re probably sick of me talking about it but [LAUGHS] I believe in that…I definitely could be a little more strict.
How do you choose which parts to play?
Jennie Garth: …what feels right, what works with your schedule and for me, what works with my kids schedules…where it shoots is a big deal. When you have kids, your priorities definitely change. For me, it’s always where do we shoot? I won’t go out of town or if I have to go out of town, is it when they’re in school?… Material comes second now.
Don’t forget to tune in today at 8:30pm ET/PT on ABC Family because “Joe E. Tata (“Nat of “Beverly Hills, 90210”) will guest star on today’s episode.
Be sure to check back for more about the Mystery Girls set visit, I have some fun photos to share with you.
*Thanks for the pictures ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless
How fun for you! I bet you had a blast! We’ve had a few “behind-the-scenes” encounters with a few stars over the years ~ it’s so cool to have experienced that!