The ‘90210’ Rule That Producer Aaron Spelling Enforced And Why It Eventually Changed

Fans of Beverly Hills, 90210 got nostalgic when the original cast reunited at the 90s Con. On March 29, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Gabrielle Carteris, and Ian Ziering gathered at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford for a lively Q&A session.

The event was moderated by PEOPLE’s Breanne L. Heldman, and brought together familiar faces who still share a strong bond decades after the show ended.The show ran for 10 seasons from 1990 to 2000,and became a defining teen drama of the era.

What was the item banned from ‘90210’?

During the discussion, the cast was asked about a long-standing rumor: Did Aaron Spelling really ban sunglasses on the show? Jason Priestley quickly confirmed that the rumor was true. Spelling, one of the most influential TV producers of his time, had a specific reason for the rule. He believed that eyes were the gateway to a character’s emotions, and he wanted audiences to connect fully with the actors.

According to Priestley, Spelling often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Tori Spelling nodded in agreement, confirming that her father insisted on this rule throughout most of the series. Ian Ziering, who celebrated his 61st birthday at the convention, added that the show’s cinematography was designed to ensure both eyes were always visible.

The sunglasses ban on ‘90210’ set was eventually lifted

As time passed, this strict rule started to loosen. Gabrielle Carteris pointed out that Spelling’s filming style favored clear, expressive shots, but it eventually became more flexible. Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth, who co-host the 90210MG rewatch podcast, noted that by season seven, sunglasses were making their way onto the screen.

Though no one knows the exact reason for the change, it was obvious that the shift gave the cast more creative freedom. The rule may have helped establish 90210‘s signature look in its early seasons, but as the show grew, there was more flexibility in how characters were portrayed.