About
"If I had more of a typical career, I probably would have just stayed on 90210 for 10 years and never left. Because I think that's what you're supposed to do. You're not supposed to ever leave a hit show. But I was too young and just had too much of a creative appetite to do that and so I just chose to always take risks and try new things and that's what I keep doing."
In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, Darren Star talks about his college years studying writing at UCLA and his first industry job, as an assistant at the public relations firm, Guttman & Pam. He discusses his early successes as a screenwriter, and how he transitioned to writing for television with his show Beverly Hills, 90210. Star details working with Aaron Spelling and the immense success of Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as creating his next hit show, Melrose Place. He talks about his break from Spelling Entertainment and creating two series about the glamour of New York City: Central Park West and the cultural phenomenon, Sex and the City. For Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Sex and the City he talks about censorship issues that arose from the shows' often controversial subject matter, as well as his favorite moments and episodes. He also details the casting of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City, plus the legacy of each show. Star concludes by discussing his then-most-recent series, Younger, and giving advice to aspiring writers. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview on October 6, 2015 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on the development of Sex and the City
Darren Star on Chris Noth as "Mr. Big" on Sex and the City and the real-life inspiration for the character
Darren Star on not allowing success to inhibit you in your career choices
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his first industry job at the public relations firm Guttman & Pam
On selling his first screenplay; on how Beverly Hills, 90210 was developed
On casting Beverly Hills, 90210; on the difference between being a screenwriter and being the creator/writer of a television show
Chapter 2
On some of Beverly Hills, 90210's controversial storylines; on creating Melrose Place
On some of Melrose Place's controversial storylines; on the success of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place
On creating Central Park West; on the development and casting of Sex and the City
On the importance of New York City and fashion to Sex and the City; on the Sex and the City writers room
Chapter 3
On the way sex was depicted on Sex and the City; on the men of Sex and the City
On the legacy of Sex and the City; on other television projects: Grosse Pointe and Kitchen Confidential
On his years producing shows at Sony; on Younger
On his writing process; on advice to aspiring writers; on his proudest career achievements and his career regrets
Shows
Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on how Beverly Hills, 90210 was developed
Darren Star on why the school was called "West Beverly High" instead of "Beverly Hills High School" on Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on developing the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210 with Aaron Spelling
Darren Star on wanting Beverly Hills, 90210 to be a modern, honest take on being a teenager or "thirtysomething for teenagers"
Darren Star on casting Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on why and how Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled social issues, particularly at the start of the series
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on Beverly Hills, 90210's rise to popularity
Darren Star on working with the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on why Shannen Doherty left Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on creating Melrose Place and its relationship to Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on the legacy of Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
Central Park West
Darren Star on creating Central Park West
Melrose Place
Darren Star on creating Melrose Place and its relationship to Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on a memorable moment on Melrose Place: "Kimberly Shaw" taking off her wig
Darren Star on his favorite relationships and characters to write on Melrose Place
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
Darren Star on the development of Sex and the City
Darren Star on casting Sex and the City
Darren Star on the Sex and the City writers room and the comedy of the show
Darren Star on having characters address the camera on Sex and the City, and eliminating the device in later seasons
Darren Star on how the writers plotted out the first season of Sex and the City
Darren Star on the intended audience for Sex and the City
Darren Star on the way sex was depicted on Sex and the City
Darren Star on his favorite gags and storylines on Sex and the City
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Darren Star on Chris Noth as "Mr. Big" on Sex and the City and the real-life inspiration for the character
Darren Star on the men of Sex and the City
Darren Star on the Sex and the City series finale
Darren Star on the legacy of Sex and the City
Younger
Darren Star on the themes of Younger, which is based on a book, and why he was interested in making it into a TV show
Darren Star on Younger being on TV Land and the changing landscape of television
Topics
9/11
Darren Star on Sex and the City winning the Emmy right after 9/11
Advice
Darren Star on trusting your own instincts as a writer and not allowing the audience to influence your choices
Darren Star on not allowing success to inhibit you in your career choices
Darren Star on advice to aspiring writers
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Darren Star on words of encouragement he received from his college writing professor, Brian Moore
Criticism of TV
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Emmy Awards
Darren Star on Sex and the City's Golden Globe and Emmy wins
First Big Break
Darren Star on how his first industry job, as an assistant at the public relations firm Guttman & Pam, led to his first break: selling a film script to Warner Bros.
Darren Star on the serendipitous events early on his career that led to his first big break, including working at Showtime for Peter Chernin, who later became the decision maker on Beverly Hills, 90210 at Fox
Historic Events and Social Change
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on Sex and the City winning the Emmy right after 9/11
LGBTQIA+
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
New Media
Darren Star on Younger being on TV Land and the changing landscape of television
Pivotal Career Moments
Darren Star on how his first industry job, as an assistant at the public relations firm Guttman & Pam, led to his first break: selling a film script to Warner Bros.
Darren Star on the serendipitous events early on his career that led to his first big break, including working at Showtime for Peter Chernin, who later became the decision maker on Beverly Hills, 90210 at Fox
Pop Culture
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on a memorable moment on Melrose Place: "Kimberly Shaw" taking off her wig
Representation on Television
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Sex & Violence
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Television Industry
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on trusting your own instincts as a writer and not allowing the audience to influence your choices
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Darren Star on the challenges of having a show on a network versus cable
Darren Star on not allowing success to inhibit you in your career choices
Darren Star on Younger being on TV Land and the changing landscape of television
Darren Star on advice to aspiring writers
Professions
Show Creators
Darren Star on the difference between being a screenwriter and being the creator/writer of a television show
Darren Star on adapting books for television
Writers
Darren Star on trusting your own instincts as a writer and not allowing the audience to influence your choices
Darren Star on what he likes about writing
Darren Star on his writing process
Darren Star on advice to aspiring writers
Genres
Comedy Series
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
Darren Star on developing Sex and the City
Darren Star on casting Sex and the City
Darren Star on the Sex and the City writers room and the comedy of the show
Darren Star on having characters address the camera on Sex and the City, and eliminating the device in later seasons
Darren Star on how the writers plotted out the first season of Sex and the City
Darren Star on the intended audience for Sex and the City
Darren Star on the way sex was depicted on Sex and the City
Darren Star on his favorite gags and storylines on Sex and the City
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO objected to
Darren Star on Chris Noth as "Mr. Big" on Sex and the City and the real-life inspiration for the character
Darren Star on the men of Sex and the City
Darren Star on the Sex and the City series finale
Darren Star on the legacy of Sex and the City
Darren Star on the themes of Younger, which is based on a book, and why he was interested in making it into a TV show
Darren Star on Younger being on TV Land and the changing landscape of television
Drama Series
Darren Star on how Beverly Hills, 90210 was developed
Darren Star on why the school was called "West Beverly High" instead of "Beverly Hills High School" on Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on developing the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210 with Aaron Spelling
Darren Star on wanting Beverly Hills, 90210 to be a more modern, honest take on being a teenager or "thirtysomething for teenagers"
Darren Star on casting Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on why and how Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled social issues, particularly at the start of the series
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
Darren Star on Beverly Hills, 90210's rise to popularity
Darren Star on working with the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on why Shannen Doherty left Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on creating Melrose Place and its relationship to Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
Darren Star on a memorable moment on Melrose Place: "Kimberly Shaw" taking off her wig
Darren Star on his favorite relationships and characters to write on Melrose Place
Darren Star on the legacy of Beverly Hills, 90210
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
Darren Star on creating Central Park West
People
Chris Albrecht
Darren Star on a Sex and the City gag that HBO executive Chris Albrecht objected to
Kim Cattrall
Darren Star on casting Kim Cattrall as "Samantha Jones" on Sex and the City
Peter Chernin
Darren Star on the serendipitous events early on his career that led to his first big break, including working at Showtime for Peter Chernin, who later became the decision maker on Beverly Hills, 90210 at Fox
Kristin Davis
Darren Star on casting Kristin Davis as "Charlotte York" on Sex and the City
Michael Patrick King
Darren Star on the Sex and the City writers room, working with Michael Patrick King, and the comedy of the show
Cynthia Nixon
Darren Star on casting Cynthia Nixon as "Miranda Hobbes" on Sex and the City
Chris Noth
Darren Star on Chris Noth as "Mr. Big" on Sex and the City and the real-life inspiration for the character
Sarah Jessica Parker
Darren Star on casting Sarah Jessica Parker as "Carrie Bradshaw" on Sex and the City
Luke Perry
Darren Star on how and why Luke Perry's Beverly Hills, 90210 character, "Dylan McKay," was created
Jason Priestley
Darren Star on casting Jason Priestley on Beverly Hills, 90210
Tori Spelling
Darren Star on Tori Spelling as "Donna Martin" on Beverly Hills, 90210
Aaron Spelling
Darren Star on his first meeting with Aaron Spelling
Darren Star on developing the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210 with Aaron Spelling
Darren Star on the style of Aaron Spelling's office
Darren Star on his break with Spelling Entertainment in 1995
Darren Star on Aaron Spelling acting as his mentor