Jason Priestly: Joy Turner Would Kick Brenda Walsh’s Butt

By Sara A. Bibel
Fancast.com

Jason Priestly is an accomplished writer and director. He has starred in critically acclaimed, albeit short-lived series. He’s directed episodes of hit shows and a documentary about the Bare Naked Ladies. He’s currently directing several episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager and will direct 90210 in January. But to 99% of Americans he is, and always will be, Brandon Walsh, Beverly Hills, 90210’s self-righteous hero. Priestly seems at peace with the legacy of Brandon. He’s guest-starring on this week’s episode of My Name Is Earl as Earl’s hunky backpack model cousin. Fancast couldn’t resist asking him about a potential 90210/Earl crossover.

If Joy Turner and Brenda Walsh got into a catfight, who would win?
My money’s on Joy. She’s tenacious. She’s wiry. She’s a tough kid.
You’re directing both The Secret Life of The American Teen and 90210. 90210 gets all the hype, but it appeals largely to Gen Xers, while Secret Life is wildly popular with teens despite getting little media attention.

Why do you think the two shows attract different audiences?
Secret Life just really speaks to today’s teens. It speaks their language. It all comes down to [showrunner] Brenda Hampton and the stories that she’s telling. She’s really telling stories for young people. She’s really speaking their language and they just really respond to the show. That’s the age old question. Why do certain shows appeal to certain people? You really If it was easy to figure out, every show would be a hit. It’s really about Brenda, and her writing on the show.

It’s always about Brenda on your shows.
I’ve got a lot of Brendas around me. With 90210, it’s a part of pop culture. I think the reason that older people are watching it is because they watched it when they were younger. It’s a pretty simple answer.

Catch up on last week’s My Name Is Earl before you watch Jason model backpacks tonight on NBC at 8:30 PM.