PLATFORM : ‘90210’ Fumbles

Last week’s episode had West Beverly cancel a football game because it was scheduled to play at Shaw High School, where a shooting had occurred. The story echoed a similar incident last year where Banning High School refused to play Dorsey High School.

While the show is imaginative and widely watched, it has little similarity to the real Beverly Hills High. Beverly does play in some areas where crime is not unknown, but the team is always escorted by police and precautionary measures are strictly enforced.

(Students) of several host high schools have verbally harassed the team and fans. But as one football player told us, “Sometimes we get a little nervous when we play in more dangerous parts of L.A., but you have to ignore any fear, and go out and play your best game.”

We commend the show for attempting to address the issue of gang violence, but the solution they offered was unrealistic. Canceling a game gives the message to gangs that they have won.