'Riverdale' Honoring Luke Perry in Season 4 Premiere, with Shannen Doherty to Guest Star

Riverdale executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa announced at Sunday's Comic-Con 2019 panel that the season four premiere will feature a special tribute to Luke Perry. Perry's longtime friend and former costar Shannen Doherty will guest star in a special role in the episode, which will air Wednesday, October 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Entitled "Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam," the season premiere will reflect Luke Perry's enduring legacy and the indelible imprint his character, Fred Andrews, had on Riverdale.

The casting of Doherty continues her long association with Perry, which started in 1990 on Beverly Hills, 90210, and continued for nearly 30 years. Perry and Aguirre-Sacasa had long planned for Doherty to appear on Riverdale. Her presence on the series "is something that Luke wanted to happen since season one," said Aguirre-Sacasa. "They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible, and so we asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super-emotional role. She read the script and immediately said 'yes.' It's very impactful."

It was also announced at the show's Comic-Con panel that Kerr Smith (The Fosters, Life Unexpected) will play Riverdale High's new principal, Mr. Honey, in a recurring role. Smith will first appear in the second episode of season four, entitled "Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fast Times at Riverdale High." Aguirre-Sacasa describes Smith's character as "a bit of a hard-ass who takes a harder line with the students this year, especially with the seniors."

Riverdale stars KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Marisol Nichols, Madelaine Petsch, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan, Skeet Ulrich, with Madchen Amick.

Jed Allan Dead at 84

Jed Allan, known for his roles on soap operas Days of our Lives and Santa Barbara, died Saturday in Palm Desert, CA. He was 84.

His son Rick Brown wrote on Facebook, "so sorry to post the very sad news of my father's passing tonight. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others."

Allan spent many years working on daytime dramas, starting with the role of Ace Hubbard on Love of Life in 1964. He then played Paul Britton on The Secret storm from 1964-1965. He joined Days of our Lives in 1971 as attorney Don Craig, and played the role until April 17, 1985.

"My fondest memory is of the time when Marlena and I got together when she first came on the show," Allan said of his Days experience. "We had a great rapport and great comedy sense. Those five years were quite wonderful, and stand out as one of those better times in my career."

Deidre Hall, who still plays Dr. Marlena Evans, poignantly shared her thoughts on Allan's passing.

Luke Perry Dead at 52

Actor Luke Perry passsed away on Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California, after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52.

Perry was taken to the hospital on Wednesday, February 27, after he had a stroke at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. His rep told Us at the time that the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum was "under observation at the hospital."

A spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department told Us that paramedics responded at approximately 9:40 a.m. after a 911 call. Perry was transported via ambulance to the hospital.

The Riverdale star’s 90210 castmates sent messages of support after news of his condition broke. Shannen Doherty, who played his character Dylan McKay’s love interest Brenda Walsh, shared a throwback photo of herself and Perry hugging via Instagram. “My friend. Holding you tight and giving you my strength,” she wrote on Thursday, February 28. “You got this.”

Today in Soap Opera History (October 4)

1985: General Hospital's Frisco broke Felicia's heart.
1990: Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX.
2001: Chuck Pratt's primetime soap Titans premiered on NBC.
2010: Camila Banus debuted as Gabi on Days of our Lives.

"The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) took Burke and Dr. Woodard down to the basement to show them the coffin, but it was not there.

1976: On Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Mary (Louise Lasser) recuperated at Fernwood Psychiatric Hospital after her nervous breakdown during her guest appearance on "The David Susskind Show." Mary received flowers from Susskind, and praise for pioneering new developments in nationally televised dementia. Meanwhile, Charlie recuperated from his operation after a recent shooting, and Loretta made an eerie discovery about one of his wounds. Later, Mary tried to pass herself off as a sane person by watching television, but she made an awesome, empowering discovery about the psychiatric ward's television set instead.

1979: On As the World Turns, despite Tom's (Tom Tammi) objections, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) left Oakdale with Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1974: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) went on a picnic.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 4)

1985: General Hospital's Frisco broke Felicia's heart.
1990: Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX.
2001: Chuck Pratt's primetime soap Titans premiered on NBC.
2010: Camila Banus debuted as Gabi on Days of our Lives.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) took Burke and Dr. Woodard down to the basement to show them the coffin, but it was not there.

1976: On Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Mary (Louise Lasser) recuperated at Fernwood Psychiatric Hospital after her nervous breakdown during her guest appearance on "The David Susskind Show." Mary received flowers from Susskind, and praise for pioneering new developments in nationally televised dementia. Meanwhile, Charlie recuperated from his operation after a recent shooting, and Loretta made an eerie discovery about one of his wounds. Later, Mary tried to pass herself off as a sane person by watching television, but she made an awesome, empowering discovery about the psychiatric ward's television set instead.

1979: On As the World Turns, despite Tom's (Tom Tammi) objections, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) left Oakdale with Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 4)

1985: General Hospital's Frisco broke Felicia's heart.
1990: Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX.
2001: Chuck Pratt's primetime soap Titans premiered on NBC.
2010: Camila Banus debuted as Gabi on Days of our Lives.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) took Burke and Dr. Woodard down to the basement to show them the coffin, but it was not there.

1976: On Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Mary (Louise Lasser) recuperated at Fernwood Psychiatric Hospital after her nervous breakdown during her guest appearance on "The David Susskind Show." Mary received flowers from Susskind, and praise for pioneering new developments in nationally televised dementia. Meanwhile, Charlie recuperated from his operation after a recent shooting, and Loretta made an eerie discovery about one of his wounds. Later, Mary tried to pass herself off as a sane person by watching television, but she made an awesome, empowering discovery about the psychiatric ward's television set instead.

1979: On As the World Turns, despite Tom's (Tom Tammi) objections, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) left Oakdale with Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 4)

1985: General Hospital's Frisco broke Felicia's heart.
1990: Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX.
2001: Chuck Pratt's primetime soap Titans premiered on NBC.
2010: Camila Banus debuted as Gabi on Days of our Lives.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) took Burke and Dr. Woodard down to the basement to show them the coffin, but it was not there.

1976: On Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Mary (Louise Lasser) recuperated at Fernwood Psychiatric Hospital after her nervous breakdown during her guest appearance on "The David Susskind Show." Mary received flowers from Susskind, and praise for pioneering new developments in nationally televised dementia. Meanwhile, Charlie recuperated from his operation after a recent shooting, and Loretta made an eerie discovery about one of his wounds. Later, Mary tried to pass herself off as a sane person by watching television, but she made an awesome, empowering discovery about the psychiatric ward's television set instead.

1979: On As the World Turns, despite Tom's (Tom Tammi) objections, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) left Oakdale with Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).

'The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story' Sneak Peek

Abby Ross (“Tori Spelling/Donna Martin”), Michele Goyns (“Gabrielle
Carteris/Andrea Zuckerman”), Ross Linton (“Brian Austin Green/David
Silver”), Samantha Munro (“Shannon Doherty/Brenda Walsh”), Jesy
McKinney (“Luke Perry/Dylan McKay”), Abbie Cobb (“Jennie Garth/Kelly
Taylor”), David  Lennon (“Ian Ziering/Steve Sanders”) and Max Lloyd-Jones
(“Jason Priestley/Brandon Walsh”) star in the all-new Lifetime movie, The
Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story, premiering Saturday, October 3,
at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Photo by Scott Schaffer Copyright 2015

Lifetime's latest "unauthorized" movie premieres on Saturday, October 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story stars Dan Castellaneta as Aaron Spelling, Max Lloyd Jones as Brandon Walsh/Jason Priestley, Samantha Munro as Brenda Walsh/Shannen Doherty, Abbie Cobb as Kelly Taylor/Jennie Garth, Jesy McKinney as Dylan McKay/Luke Perry, Abby Ross as Donna Martin/Tori Spelling, David Lennon as Steve Sanders/Ian Ziering, Ross Linton as David Silver/Brian Austin Green, Michele Goyns as Andrea Zuckerman/Gabrielle Carteris, and Alyssa Lynch as Valerie Malone/Tiffani Thiessen.

The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story reveals the roller coaster ride behind the show's first four seasons, highlighting the drama between cast members and producers both on and off-set as they journeyed together from near-cancellation to unparalleled fame and success.

The first part of the movie focuses on the series came together, from Aaron Spelling's initial rejection of the idea to Tori's involvement with the casting. The cast is appealing and story is engaging. I'm not sure how much of it actually happened, but it's an enjoyable watch and the producers approach the story in a fun and respectful way.

Watch a sneak peek below:

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

NEWS: Crystal Hunt, Early 2014 TV, David Tennant, Diversity Hires, Carrie Preston, Holiday TV Roundup

Former GUIDING LIGHT and ONE LIFE TO LIVE Actress Crystal Hunt Tells Her Side of Bar Fight Story
“Crystal was confronted by an inebriated woman who walked up to her and became confrontational, aggressive and menacing,” her attorney Shepard Kopp told TheWrap. “Crystal was disturbed by the woman’s erratic behavior and got up from the bar and moved over to a table in the corner, approximately 30 feet away. The woman followed her and continued her harassing behavior at the table.

“At that point, Crystal asked that security personnel in Pearl’s have the woman removed from the bar, at which point they asked the woman to leave, but she refused. She continued to approach Crystal in the same menacing and aggressive way. Afraid for her personal safety, Crystal acted in self-defense.”

UK-Bound 2014 Pilot Season? ABC Comedy GALAVANT To Film There, Will Others Follow?
Comedy series have been immune from runaway production, with only dramas making the trek to other countries, mostly Canada. That is about to change. ABC/ABC Studios' single-camera pilot GALAVANT, a comedy fairytale written by Dan Fogelman, will shoot in the UK, including Wales, employing some 150 locals. This is the first U.S. broadcast pilot to film in the UK since the country in April approved a tax credit that provides a 25% rebate on 80% of the production budget spent in the UK.

Why 100 new TV shows are launching in early 2014
More people watch TV from January to March than at any other time of year. The TV industry has known this for years, which has led networks to add more shows. Because there's more to watch, more viewers watch -- or so the thinking goes. A basic yardstick appears to bear this out: 115.1 million people watched prime-time TV at any given moment last year, from January through March, according to Nielsen. That compares to 106 million during the summer. Usage is expected to reach record levels next month -- surpassing last winter's record level.

Jennie Garth Joins Tori Spelling in ABC Family's MYSTERY GIRLS Pilot as Star and Executive Producer

ABC Family has cast Jennie Garth to join former BEVERLY HILLS 90210 co-star Tori Spelling in the network’s comedy pilot, MYSTERY GIRLS. Both Spelling and Garth will also serve as executive producers. The casting marks a reunion of the two from their days on the hit series.

MYSTERY GIRLS, starring Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth, follows a former starlet who is roped into solving crimes with her former mystery TV show co-star when a witness to a crime will only speak to the Infamous ‘Mystery Girls,’ which was the highest rated program of the 90’s. Spelling will play Holly, who is desperate to regain her former fame and plans to resurrect her life by using her acting skills and crime "experience" to open a detective agency. Now she just has to get Charlie (played by Jennie Garth), her former co-star-turned suburban housewife and mother, on board with the plan.

Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Maggie Malina (SINGLE LADIES) will serve as executive producers.

The story is by Tori Spelling and Shepard Boucher. The pilot was written by Shepard Boucher. MYSTERY GIRLS is scheduled to shoot in November.

NEWS: Chandler Massey, Crystal Chappell, Jason Priestley, New ARCHERS Editor Sean O'Connor

Chandler Massey on leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES once his contract expires
"It began at the Emmys, where I commented that I want to go back to school, which I do, and everyone just assumed I’m leaving," Massey explains. “This is what I meant! My contract is up in December. Right now, I will tell you that no decision has been made. I will weigh all my options and hopefully work it all out. I will tell you, I love the show. I love the story and Will. No matter what decision I make, Will is always going to be a part of my life. But at this moment, nothing is official."

NEWS: Ziering Reunites with Doherty & Garth at Chippendales Show; Twitter Sundays; Holographic TV; Lynn Herring; Rob Kazinsky

Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty Reunite With Shirtless Ian Ziering at Chippendales Show
Ian Ziering got a blast from the past on Sunday, June 30, when his former BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 cast mates Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty showed up at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip to catch the end of his run as a guest headliner for famed male dance revue Chippendales.

TRUE BLOOD's Rob Kazinsky: Nude Scenes Are 'Really Fun'
"The idea of being naked on screen was really intimidating," the British actor, 29, tells PEOPLE about filming love scenes for his new role as the "half-fairy," Ben Flynn, on the HBO vampire hit. "But after your first time it becomes really fun and incredibly freeing and empowering."

Why is Twitter so awful on Sundays?
“I try to avoid Twitter on Sunday nights because of precisely what you describe,” Jacob Silverman, a journalist working on a book about social media, told me. “It gets a little suffocating. What you see a lot is people forming their own tribes or communities, and as the same people start talking to each other, there’s a lot of mirroring of speech, with the same jokes and tics.”

SOAPnet To Air BEVERLY HILLS 90210 Independence Day Marathon

SOAPnet celebrates the 4th of July with the "Life's A Beach: BEVERLY HILLS 90210 Independence Day Marathon" on Thursday, July 4 (10 a.m.-7 p.m. ET/PT). The 9-hour marathon centers on everyone's favorite exclusive hot-spot -- the Beverly Hills Beach Club. The sun is shining, the volleyball nets are up, and the drama of being a teenager never stops.

Episodes:

10 a.m. - Episode #1992-22 - "Beach Blanket Brandon" - Brenda is shaken by a pregnancy scare and breaks up with Dylan. Brandon gets a job at the Beverly Hills Beach Club.

11 a.m. - Episode #1992-23 - "The Party Fish" - Brandon pursues Sandy, a beach club coworker, and to his dismay discovers that she's involved in an affair with one of the club's wealthy members.

SOAPnet To Air "Real Mothers of Beverly Hills 90210 Mother's Day Marathon" On May 12

SOAPnet celebrates Mother's Day with the "Real Mothers of Beverly Hills 90210 Mother's Day Marathon" on Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The four-hour marathon features mother-themed episodes of BEVERLY HILLS, 90210.
BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 followed the lives of two transplanted Minnesota twins, Brandon and Brenda, as they Made their way through Los Angeles amongst the privileged rich kids. Even though the show was known for its fabulous cars and clothes, the series covered many important issues, such as teen pregnancy, suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, rape, integrated families and domestic violence.

Episodes:

Ring In The New Year with SOAPnet’s "New Year’s Day After-Party" Featuring VERONICA MARS, ONE TREE HILL & BEVERLY HILLS 90210

Ring in the New Year with SOAPnet’s “New Year’s Day After-Party,” featuring nine party-themed episodes from “VERONICA MARS,” “ONE TREE HILL” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The marathon airs on Tuesday, January 1 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. EST/PST. The episodes are:

10 a.m. – VERONICA MARS Episode #VM2005-15 – “Ruskie Business” – Veronica’s busy solving multiple mysteries, but stumbles on the most unexpected clue while attending the big 80’s dance at school.