The new installment of “90210” isn’t short on steamy sex or backstabbing beautiful high school students – or at least actors playing high school students.

More surprisingly, “90210” is sort of funny – with Jessica Walter (Lucille from “Arrested Development”) playing the alcoholic grandma and a script that’s splashed with a few witty lines, the show is a definite upgrade from the original series.

But, it’s still a borderline soap opera – except with better acting and better music, which makes it a fun way to kill an hour.

The drama isn’t just for the kids, either. The adults have their own drama, complete with secret paternities and old flames. Luckily, you don’t have to be an avid fan of the first “Beverly Hills, 90210” to keep up – in fact, you don’t have to know anything about the first series at all.

The new “90210” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the CW, but you can catch up on old episodes anytime at the CW’s Web site.