The Least Popular Character on Beverly Hills 90210: The Unpopular Scott Scanlon

Beverly Hills 90210, a television series that captivated audiences with its portrayal of high school life in Los Angeles, featured a main cast with memorable characters. However, among them was a character who was perceived as less popular due to his unpopular traits and the overall negative reception: Scott Scanlon, played by Douglas Emerson. This article delves into the character of Scott Scanlon, his role, and the reasons why he was deemed unpopular by the audience.

Introduction to Scott Scanlon

Scott Scanlon, a character who rose to instant notoriety during the early seasons of Beverly Hills 90210, was often seen as an outlier among the main characters. His storyline and the reception he garnered are a testament to the varied and sometimes complex nature of teen dramas and the characters that populate them. Douglas Emerson, the actor who brought Scott to life, played a pivotal role in establishing the character's antagonist persona as the series progressed.

The Character of Scott Scanlon

Scott Scanlon, portrayed by Douglas Emerson, was introduced in the first season of Beverly Hills 90210 as the younger brother of one of the show's main characters. While other characters such as Kelly, Donna, Dylan, and Brenda enjoyed enduring popularity, Scott Scanlon's journey was marked by less favorable reception.

The Early Reception

The early first season of Beverly Hills 90210 saw Scott Scanlon as a high school kid trying to break into the cliche within the teenage drama genre. Despite his initial efforts, Scott's attempts to fit into the narrative framework of popular teenage characters eventually fell flat. The series' audience and writers quickly identified Scott as a character whose presence was not only unnecessary but also detrimental to the show's overall storyline and viewer engagement.

Reasons for Unpopularity

Scott Scanlon was often judged for his numerous negative traits, including a lack of charm, poor decision-making, and an overall aura that made him an unsympathetic character for the audience. The character's constant bad behavior and his interactions with other characters, particularly with Kelly Taylor ( played by Shannen Doherty), contributed to his diminished popularity. Viewers and critics alike found Scott's character to be a burden on the show's narrative, leading to his eventual demise in the storyline.

Writer's Perspective

From the writers' perspective, Scott Scanlon presented a challenge. His character's unpopularity was not only a reflection of the audiences' preferences but also a commercial and creative dilemma. Writer's meetings and discussions about Scott's character often included concerns about his negative impact on the show's success. As the series progressed, it became evident that Scott's character needed to be jettisoned to maintain the show's quality and audience engagement.

Addressing the Writer's Dilemma

The writers agreed that Scott Scanlon's character was a significant liability and had to be removed from the storyline. Their discussions were not just about the character's popularity, but also about the plot's direction and consistency. A critical moment in Scott's character's arc came when they decided to have him overdose on something—a dramatic and final move to eliminate him from the show's narrative.

This decision was made to salvage the narrative integrity of the series and to address the negative aspects associated with Scott Scanlon. The storyline leading up to his demise emphasized his negative traits and his unsympathetic nature, which culminated in his tragic departure. The character's final scenes served as a pivot point for the show's direction, allowing the writers and creators to focus on developing other characters whose stories resonated more with the audience.

Conclusion

Scott Scanlon's journey on Beverly Hills 90210 stands as a textbook example of a character who was created with intentions but ultimately did not fit the mold. The character's portrayal by Douglas Emerson, while affecting, did not withstand the scrutiny of the audience and critics. The lesson learned from Scott Scanlon's story is a reminder of the importance of character development and audience engagement in the success of a television series. Ultimately, the writers' decision to kill off Scott Scanlon was a strategic choice that helped the show move forward and maintain its quality and popularity.