Degrassi The Next Generation Episodes

Jessica Stroup: Top Secret on “90210″

Jessica Stroup, soon to gain attention on the CW’s hotly anticipated “90210,” tells us the production has been “unlike anything” she’s experienced before. “They’re keeping it so secret,” says the actress, whose credits range from a recurring role on “Reaper” to the big screen “The Hills Have Eyes II.”  Stroup, who plays teenage YouTube show star Erin Silver — just Silver to her friends — on the new show, says that at first mention of a contemporary “90210″ spinoff, “I kind of shrugged it off, like, ‘Really? That’s amazing, if it’s done with the right people.’

I auditioned for the Annie role” — that went to Shenae Grimes of “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” “I was told they were going a different way, but I got the option to try out for Silver, which went through multiple changes.”

That was especially as the show changed hands, from creator and former “Veronica Mars” producer Rob Thomas, who stepped down due to other commitments — “I have the utmost respect for him” — to Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah of “What About Brian” and “Freaks & Geeks” fame. The duo subsequently rethought the “90210″ pilot. “Gabe and Jeff are absolute geniuses,” Jessica enthuses. “They listen to what you have to say as far as input into the character. When they got hold of the reins, they changed mine a lot. I’m thrilled with her.” Adds Stroup of the Sept. 2-debuting “90210,” “They wanted to be sure they were being loyal to the old fans while creating a show the new generation was going to tap into.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If anyone thinks Americans don’t stand up and express their concerns, host of “Trading Spaces” Paige Davis, who was fired from the show and later brought back, can attest that there are some passionate people out there. At least when it comes to their viewing preferences. “People love their TV. I wish people would write as many letters and get so upset about different things in government instead of when their host is gone from their favorite show,” says Davis about the tremendous amount of support she got after being ousted from the show. “To have that kind of support helped me get through that. People would say, ‘Oh, I don’t watch the show anymore because you’re gone.’ I don’t even know if that is true, but it makes you feel good.”

CATCHING UP: Robby Benson is busy with post-production on his latest directorial project, the movie “Billy: The Early Years,” which tells the story of the youthful career of evangelist Billy Graham, and is expected to hit some 300-plus theaters Oct. 10, in celebration of Rev. Graham’s 90th birthday. Arnie Hammer — grandson of late oil tycoon Armand Hammer — plays Graham. Benson and wife Karla recently performed his “Open Heart” play with music in Iowa, having already done an off-Broadway stint with the show inspired by the actor/director/author/musician and NYU professor’s treacherous history of heart problems and surgeries.

Download Degrassi The Next Generation