Unless I really missed the mark, you hopefully got a few Dawson’s Creek vibes from the town of Carson’s Cove. But Prime Time Romance was an homage to more than just DC. It was a nostalgic nod to all of the teen dramas that shaped my formative years. If you didn’t catch them during your read (or get a funny inkling), here are the teen drama Easter eggs I planted, changing just enough details to not get sued.
Carson’s Cove: The picturesque seaside town with tiny inlets perfect for a nighttime paddle (or row) is a definite nod to the picturesque New England town of Capeside.
The Bronze: Buffy fans, I know you caught this one! Sherry’s bar was named after the Scooby Gang’s favorite underage hangout. What a perfect place for Seth and the Hungry Dingos to play (a not-so-subtle nod to Seth Green’s character, Oz, and his band, Dingoes Ate My Baby).
The Ms. Lobsterfest Pageant: You might be thinking I’m going back to the Creek with this one, but you’d be wrong (partially wrong). The annual pageant was a staple for most TV dramas that wanted an excuse to pour their beautiful talent into a sparkling evening gown. (I’m looking at you, Ms. Mystic Falls and the Vampire Diaries.) But Ms. Lobsterfest was very much inspired by the Malibu Sands Miss Liberty pageant from Saved by the Bell. (Side note: Lisa Turtle and her red mini were robbed IMHO.)
Poppy Bensen: Cherry Bomb, Addison Montgomery, Chuckie. I love a redhead ready to stir up some shit. Although I definitely had Riverdale’s Cherry Bomb in my head as I was writing, I was channeling Brenda Walsh energy. The show 90210 was notorious for the “you are my best friend, but I will still stab you in the back” plotlines that were staples for ’90s teen dramas. Bonus points if you caught the parallel backgrounds (both Poppy and her brother, Peter, and Brenda and Brandon were the new kids from Minnesota).
Pop’s Diner: This fifties-themed location was inspired by Pop’s in Riverdale but also the cult classic Pleasantville, which heavily inspired the plot of Prime Time Romance.
The Alanis Morissette song playing in the diner: Along with this Easter egg, you are getting a little history lesson. When Dawson’s Creek originally aired, the producers wanted Alanis’s “Hand in My Pocket” as the opening theme song but couldn’t get the rights worked out. Then, when DC aired on Netflix internationally, they ran into international licensing issues and used “Run Like Mad” by Jann Arden outside the US. Jan and Alanis were my go-tos for unrequited love sing/sob sessions, and it gave me immense pleasure to give my fellow Canadians a nod.
Forehead kisses and hair tucks: You know how in The Great Gatsby, the grass is green and the ceiling looks like a wedding cake, and your high school teacher insisted it was symbolism? Well, the forehead kisses and hair tucks are my symbolism. I may have overdone it with the forehead kisses, but that was Pacey Witter’s signature move, and I think it’s the perfect way to show true and genuine love and care. Spencer, on the other hand, loved to tuck Sloan’s hair behind her ear, and I used this to show that a) it’s an overused and cliché move, just like our boy Spencer; b) it’s kind of annoying, especially as hands are greasy; and c) it’s superficial. If you love someone, just let their hair do its own thing.
Character Names: All of my characters had unique combos of the best (and worst) characters from prime time television. Poppy’s boyfriend “Chad Michaels”—I had to reference Chad Michael Murray somewhere! Poppy’s surname is a nod to Pretty Little Liars’ Ashley Benson. Little Chuck (our bouncer) is a reference to the iconic Chuck Bass. I feel like there are even more that crept their way from my subconscious to the page. Bonus points if you can spot them!