Expert: Mel - 1/24/2008

Question
QUESTION: hey, mel...you told someone that the episodes of beverly hills 90210 are on youtube....well, now, only a few are now...a couple days ago i went to youtube to finish the episode "the party fish", and at the top of my computer, it said "this video is currently unavailable due to a copyright claim by CBS Broadcasting, Inc." what does that mean??? also, now it just says, "there are no results to this video". but, you can still watch the episode of "spring dance" on youtube. i've tried several others, and they all say the "copyright claim" notice...the only other episode i saw was "isn't it romantic?" what's happening? i thought paramount was in control of the copyright, or when copies of the show are made and sold. is CBS saying they own it? WHAT'S GOING ON? and, why is it that i can watch only a few episodes?? is there anywhere else i can watch episodes?  can i find complete scripts anywhere? is it about money? how?

ANSWER: Hi Kayla,

Well, I'd say, yes, it is always about money.  LOL.  Definitely.  And in the media business, there are many acquisitions and contract amendments taking place all the time.  In January of 2006, Viacom and CBS Corp split into two separate entities after having previously been joined.  In the deal, all of Paramount's television properties (owned by Viacom) were transfered to CBS and housed under the division of CBS Paramount Television.  So yes, they own the copyright.  Any broadcast of the program without their permission is a violation.  That's also why I can't, as I mention in my profile, give out download links (though I think this site edits web addresses anyway).  There are still a couple episodes available for viewing perhaps because they were uploaded on channels with significantly less posted and that are, therefore, less known for having them.  They could easily be removed too.  Complete scripts are only available on auction sites as of now.  I'm sure there are some fans, though, on forums that wouldn't mind typing up a scene or two for you.

Thanks for the question!

All the best,

Mel

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so....who ownes the copyright-paramount pictures, or cbs broadcasting, inc.???? do you know if seasons 4-10 are out on dvd??? how come it's taking so long??? seasons 1-3 are out, but it's taking forever for the other seasons to be released. what year were the first 3 seasons released??? also, how were the walsh's able to move to beverly hills? you have to be rich to live there, right?? and during the whole ist season, brandon and brenda say that the kids here are rich and they're normal. does that mean they're between poor and rich? they have enough money to live, but can't buy, like, a shirt that costs $500 like the other kids can?? does that mean that when their dad's company transferred the family to beverly hills, he was given a raise? also, what happens in "the party fish?" sorry, but the whole business thing between the companies and separating really just confuse me. the whole money thing..do u think the company that owns the copyright is gonna make viewers download, a.k.a., BUY the episodes to watch them?? is that why they were taken off the internet?? thx

Answer
Hi again,

To answer your questions individually ...

CBS owns the copyright.  Seasons 4 through 10 have not yet been released to DVD.  It's taking so long for each set because most of the original music is being replaced with songs that cost less for them to license.  The right to use the original pop songs, etc for on-air broadcast has been established, but not the right to use them for DVD releases.  I can't say if the show will be available for online viewing or legal download but, yes, it could be in the future and that is one reason for episodes to be purged from YouTube.  

The Walshes were only 'poor' by Beverly Hills standards.  Jim had a very lucrative accountant/personal investment position with his company and, like you suggest, the family could afford to move there and sustain the basic cost of living, but not to let their children buy $500 shirts.  In "Home Again", the S1 finale, Cindy says, "The company's lease on this house ends June 1st, so I guess that's our moving day."  I take this to mean that they had some financial support should they temporarily not be able to make ends meet.  It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume Jim was offered a raise for moving out West at the request of the company because he's offered that and much more to go back (his salary doubled, a new car, and the role of Executive Vice President).  

Please ask about "The Party Fish" separately and be more specific.  I don't know if you're asking about one plotline or just how things ended for all characters, since you mentioned you were in the middle of watching the episode (and this is already a lot of questions).

All the best,

Mel