Simply titled 90210, the CW's new Tuesday night drama is a spinoff of Beverly Hills 90210 – a Fox show that made a ZIP code, and a group of actors, famous.

"It's not a remake," executive producer Jeff Judah told television critics earlier this summer. "It's a brand new show based on an original show."

There are some familiar elements: A family moves from the Midwest to the West Coast, and the teens in the family must adjust to the culture shock.

In the spinoff, which launches with a two-hour premiere at 7 tonight on Channel 33, the Wilsons – dad Harry (Rob Estes), mom Debbie (Lori Loughlin), daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) and her adopted brother, Dixon (Tristan Wilds) – have relocated from Kansas to Beverly Hills, Calif. Dad grew up there, and the family has returned to his roots to help care for his mother (Jessica Walter), a former television star who is trying to stay sober.

Oh, and Dad is now the principal of West Beverly Hills High School.

There also are some familiar faces from the original Fox series that aired from October 1990 to May 2000.

Jennie Garth returns as Kelly Taylor, now a guidance counselor at the high school; and Shannen Doherty is scheduled to reprise her role as Brenda Walsh, now a guest drama teacher directing a musical at the school.

Joe E. Tata will be back as Nat, owner of the Peach Pit, which has been updated to a cool coffeehouse, said Gabe Sachs, a 90210 executive producer who also worked with Mr. Judah on Freaks and Geeks.

Earlier it was announced that Tori Spelling, who played Donna Martin, would return, but days before the launch date, no agreement had been reached.

While some of the original characters will be incorporated into the spinoff, Ms. Loughlin said: "I think it's important for viewers to know that it is a new group of kids at West Beverly High that they're going to be focusing on. And it's new teenagers and new teen`age issues."

Another difference is that the spinoff will have a more focused adult story line, with a strong point of view on parenting.

"We feel like this central family, this core family, moves into Beverly Hills, and it's how do they hold onto their, sort of, moral center," Mr. Judah said. "We have a strong point of view that kids need boundaries, need rules, and that's one of the things that's going to influence the show."

90210

Tuesday at 7 on the CW (Channel 33).

1 hr.