I know everyone reading this has done this. Have you’ve ever watched a TV show or a movie with friends and called out which character you would be? If you haven’t, you are probably lying.
My journey with this movement started when my parents let my brother and me watch Beverly Hills 90210. Before we get into everything, my dad let me sneak an episode or two of Melrose Place in as well.
My mom never knew about it. She used to take her nightly bath right when 90210 ended. My dad and I both loved Heather Locklear and we were both Team Billy. I would have 100% been Billy Campbell. I’m getting off track. Back to 90210…
My brother and I argued relentlessly over who was Dylan McKay(rest in peace Luke Perry). I was definitely more of a Dylan than my bro—he was totally Brandon Walsh. Or maybe he was Steve Sanders, definitely not Dylan.
If you didn’t watch Beverly Hills 90210, this is going over your head so go back and watch it. It’s probably on Netflix!
We still argue about this subject today. Literally, the other day we argued about who would be Tony Soprano if we had to choose.
First off, neither of us are full Italian, second, we aren’t in the mob, and third, I would definitely be Tony Soprano over my brother. He would totally be Christopher Moltisanti.
I’m betting you did the same thing. Sex and The City, Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mean Girls, The Breakfast Club, Cheers? We all did it.
Why? I don’t know. My dad loved the show Dallas when it first came out in the 1970’s and when it was revived in 2012, we got to watch it together. While we were watching, he said “I would totally be Bobby Ewing.”
We watched the revival of the show for a while until it got weird. I always wondered if my dad watched Happy Days and said he was the Fonz. That would be pretty cool.
My brother George is still reading this and yes, I’m still Dylan McKay and you are Nat from the Peach Pit from 90210.
Growing up, we were friends with Joey and James Dyton, and we all loved the Ninja Turtles. Joey was the oldest and wisest, so he claimed Leornado of course. James who was the funny and crazy one took over the Michelangelo spot. My brother, who was the second oldest, was named Donatello.
Here’s where I question our decision making. My name is Donnie and I don’t get Donatello? I call a party foul! I was the youngest so I took Raphael in stride.
They all said I was rebellious and was the youngest, so if I wanted to play with them, I would have to be Raphael. I wanted to play, so Raphael it was. Being the youngest was the worst!
What other shows did we act like we were a part of? I was definitely Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell. I have blonde hair and still think I’m super cool. My brother would oppose and say I’m Screech.
Moving on… My mom would jump into our wannabe arguments and say, “You are neither of them, go do your homework.”
Mom was such a Principal Vernon from The Breakfast Club. One of my last columns was about the movie Four Brothers. My brother and I still think we should both be the Mark Wahlberg character.
He will win this argument because of the pure fact that he is older. It doesn’t matter, because I’m definitely Zack Morris!
Donnie Black was born and grew up in Ewing Township. He currently works at radio station XTU in Philadelphia as a producer, on air personality and promotions director.
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