Darren Star
The "in" crowd on "Beverly Hills 90210," the 20-something set on "Melrose Place," and those ladies looking for love on "Sex and the City" - many of today's most memorable TV characters have been born in one man's mind.
Darren Star says, “When you have a hit show it always takes you by surprise.”
Star got his start working for legendary producer Aaron Spelling, where the ambitious young writer still in his 20's, created "90210" and the spin-off hit "Melrose Place." He says, the idea of a teenaged audience was sort of a new concept at the time.”
At the time, Star revealed there were casting considerations that could have changed the course of TV history. Imagine "90210" with a different Brandon. Star says, “We didn’t cast Jason Priestly until a couple of days before we started filming.”
Imagine Courntey Cox moving into "Melrose Place" instead of her "Friends" apartment. Star says, “I remember meeting with Courtney Cox, for Courtney Thorne Smith's part. For whatever reason, it didn’t happen, but I think things worked out for her.”
And they worked out for Darren again when he went to HBO with the idea that would become his latest success. He says, “I think people like ‘Sex and the City’ because they like to be shocked.”
Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon say Star is a visionary writer and producer who has got his finger on pop culture's pulse. Cynthia says, “The pungency of his humor, there's a real outrageousness to it.”
Kim adds, “To have someone writing specifically for you, and know you and stretch you, it's really a wonderful gift.”
In a town of one-hit wonders, it's a gift that makes Darren a true star.
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