Luke Perry cast as AARP cover boy, and we all feel ancient
Old school. Fans who remember when the "Beverly Hills, 90210" star graced Tiger Beat's covers instead are living in denial on social media.
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Luke Perry, nooooo! If you're 50, that means we're, uh, well, never mind.
Oh, AARP, you're toying with us.
The nonprofit group aimed at Americans over 50 (known before 1999 as the American Association of Retired Persons) knows very well what it's doing, slapping "Beverly Hills, 90210" bad boy Luke Perry on a special birthday cover of its magazine.
Perry played sideburned hottie Dylan McKay, who bounced between dating Minnesota twin Brenda Walsh and her best friend, Kelly Taylor, on the 1990s Aaron Spelling hit show.
Sure, Perry kind of looked 35 back when he was first cast as a high-schooler (he was 24), but he was still Dylan, the angsty, motorcycle-riding, mountain climbing heartthrob whose soulful pout graced a million junior-high lockers.
A youthful Luke Perry with fellow "Beverly Hills, 90210" stars Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty.
Did AARP really have to rub it in by making him their cover boy? "Welcome to the 902-5-OH," some smart alec of a cover designer wrote next to Perry's photo. Ha ha ha boo hoo hoo, AARP.
Those who once tuned in every Wednesday night to the goings-on at West Beverly had plenty to say, and mostly they would like to request that the AARP get off their lawn.
So in summary, thanks a lot, AARP. Next you're going to be telling us 1990 was nearly 30 years ago.