Grant Show Reflects on His ‘Creepy’ Moment in ‘90210’

There is a new rewatch podcast for the hit 90s series Melrose Place featuring some of the show’s past stars. The first episode welcomed former star Grant Show, who played Jake Hanson. However, one moment from the show’s inception has sparked renewed discussion.

Grant Show discussed the controversial scenes that began with his character’s crossover from Beverly Hills, 90210, where a relationship between Jake and Kelly Taylor (played by Jennie Garth) was introduced.

For those who may not recall, Melrose Place had a backdoor pilot in an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. In that episode, Jake is hired by Kelly’s family to build a gazebo, and Kelly, a high school senior, quickly becomes smitten with him. The two shared a kiss, an act that would later lead into Kelly’s brief appearance on Melrose Place before she returned to 90210.

This storyline contributed to the launch of Melrose Place, where Jake’s character resided. The brief relationship with Kelly, who was 18, was portrayed despite the significant age gap—Jake was in his twenties. Show acknowledged this dynamic would be deemed “illegal” today. He remarked, “I think we only kissed, but still, you know, not good.” Show added, “How odd is it that we are more, sort of, prudish now than 30 years ago?”

The podcast hosts suggested it wasn’t about being “prudish” but recognizing that the relationship didn’t age well. Courtney Thorne-Smith noted, “It just didn’t age well. Grant is such a straightforward, ethical guy that he would never do that today. But at the time it was romantic. We forget how badly those things age.”

While Show appeared dismissive at first, he later clarified his understanding of the problematic nature of the depiction. He acknowledged that both he and Jennie Garth were adult actors—Jennie was 20 during the filming. However, the portrayal of their characters’ age difference presented the issue.

Show elaborated, “She was a grown-up, professional actress.” But he admitted that the fictional context made the relationship inappropriate. “When I watched it, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, look at that.’ … It’s different.”

An interesting aspect of this controversy involves Luke Perry, who was only four years younger than Grant Show in real life. Perry’s character, Dylan, also had a romantic relationship with Kelly, which fans remember fondly. However, because Luke Perry’s character was closer in age to Jennie Garth’s, this relationship didn’t receive the same scrutiny.

What are your thoughts on Grant Show’s comments about Jake and Kelly’s short-lived relationship on 90210 and Melrose Place? Does reflecting on it now change your perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below.