Beverly Hills Teens (1994 TV series)

Beverly Hills Teens (also known as BéCéBéGé in France, and Beverly Hills Teen Club) is an American-French animated series based on the 1987 series of the same name. It made its debut in 1994 on FOX and later Green Daze and Fox Family. Created by Maliaka McCain and produced by Barry O'Brien, Lillian Rainbow, and Frederick Donahue. The series made its debut on September 14, 1994, on FOX as a part of the Fox Kids programming block. Despite moderate success due to low ratings, the series moved to Green Daze in 1996 and Fox Family in 2005 for reruns. The series concluded on April 14, 2001, with a total of 6 seasons and 122 episodes.

On all three networks, BHT was seen as a rather successful show for both preteens and teens alike. The series also became the sixth highest viewed show on Fox Kids due to the success it has among older audiences. The series was also seen to be fairly popular on Green Daze and Fox Family as well. It gained more popularity during it's run on Green Daze, it was the most popular show on Green Daze due to its' diversity in the cast. The series received a series of direct-to-video movies. As of 2021, it still reruns on Fox Family.

Setting
The series takes place in Beverly Hills, California, and follows a fictional "Teen Club", consisting of a group of wealthy teenagers, shown to be approximately sixteen years old. Common settings include the teens' palatial high school, the country club, the local salon and spa, and the shopping thoroughfare on Rodeo Drive. The lead protagonist is Larke, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed high school student and fashion model who is shown to be kind and generous to her friends, but is not afraid to call out anyone on their behavior. Her romantic lead is handsome heartthrob Troy who, like Larke, is shown to be genial and likable but often sarcastic, and is often the object of affection for the other girls.

Providing much of the series' conflict is raven-haired beauty, Bianca, who views Larke as her primary rival for everything from the lead in the high school play, to the title of Homecoming Queen, and, most importantly, Troy's affections. Sharing her disdain for the perfect coupling is Pierce, an effeminate and narcissistic boy who presents himself as a "ladies' man", but resents Troy's relationship with Larke. Storylines frequently involve Bianca or Pierce, or sometimes both working together, plotting and/or manipulating events in an attempt to sabotage Larke and Troy's romance, as well as various other relationships within the Teen Club.

The other girls of the Teen Club include rocker girl Jett, cowgirl Blaze, aspiring actress Nikki, fabulous psychic Meredith, southern belle Tara, Teen Club President Shanelle, and gossip columnist Switchboard. The other boys of the Teen Club include rocker boy Gig, surfer boy Radley, talented chef Antoine, self-promoter Buck Huckster and Bianca's chauffeur Wilshire. In addition to their peer group, the teens are often accompanied by two youngsters, boy genius Chester and Pierce's little sister Jillian, while the rivalry between Larke's cat "Tiara" and Bianca's poodle "Empress" frequently provides the series with its more traditional slapstick comedy elements.

Main

 * Antoine Miller - A kind-hearted and athletic baker who loves to cook and bake delicious treats and deserts for the Teen Club. Antoine is Alaska Native.


 * Bianca Dupree - A scheming, raven-haired beauty who believes she comes first above all things. This arrogant diva can often be seen riding around in her long pink limo, with her dog Empress and her chauffeur Wilshire Brentwood. She dislikes nature in favor of the clean house and conditioned air, although in one episode she was excited about a camping trip - if for no other reason than the shopping required. She is very jealous of Larke Tanner's relationship with Troy Jeffries and is constantly scheming to ruin it, since Bianca is in love with him as well. Bianca is not above sabotaging her other peers, either; she once tried to ruin Tara's entry into a beauty pageant. She is not completely without conscience however, when on one occasion she learned her latest scheme might lead to Larke's death, she risked her own life to rescue her, and later withdrew from the competition. Wilshire is desperately in love with Bianca, but she steps all over him, despite the gang's efforts to match them up. Oddly, while Bianca sees nothing wrong with her own habit of mistreating Wilshire, she does not allow anybody else to do the same. Bianca is Japanese-British. As the series goes on, Bianca becomes more generous but still is a foil to Larke.
 * Blaze Summers - A dark blonde cowgirl who could pass for Larke Tanner's sister, both in looks and in personality. Blaze is folksy, laid-back and friendly to everyone - even Pierce Thorndyke. She has a horse names Stardust. Ultimately, her charming nature attracts the attentions of a prince, with whom she falls in love.
 * Buck Huckster - As his name implies, he is a slick shyster always looking to make a fast buck. Ultimately, Buck's obsession with money and wealth is derailed by a nightmare which shows him what his future will be like if he does not change. Buck is Native American.
 * Chester McTech - A prodigy's prodigy, Chester has skipped several grades to become a 10-year-old freshman and honor student at Beverly Hills High School. He's got his own science lab at home, complete with a dress-designing machine. He can, and does, assist many upperclassmen with their various dilemmas; nobody is ever more grateful for his help than Larke Tanner. Because of Chester's great intelligence and ingenuity, he is often pressed into service by Pierce Thorndyke or Bianca Dupree to further their own (typically separate) agendas. Brenda "Switchboard" McTech is his elder sister. Nothing makes Chester's day like a big hug and kiss from Larke, which is often his reward for getting her out of a jam.
 * George "Gig" James - A brown-haired male rocker who plays alongside Jett. He is outspoken, with a distinct British/Aussie accent. A real ladies' man, Gig once dated both Larke Tanner and Tara Belle at the same time, until Jett revealed his secret. He and Jett have agreed not to date each other, despite this, Gig has feelings for her. He often becomes jealous if she expresses interest in someone else or vice versa.
 * Jolene "Jett" Azarian - A blonde female rocker with extremely big hair and an exaggerated Valley girl accent. She disapproves of Gig's womanizing, despite being a flirt in her own right; it turns out she herself is smitten with him. Ultimately (in the series' next-to-last episode) both she and Gig earn a recording contract from Vic Vinyl of Starstruck Music. Jett is of Armenian heritage.
 * Jillian Thorndyke - Pierce's annoying younger sister, who tries to be much more adult than she is. Jillian, like most of the gang, isn't nearly as impressed with her brother as he is with himself. She ultimately falls in love with Chester McTech, in part because she's far too young to date Troy Jeffries. Jillian is of Russian heritage.
 * Larke Tanner - The blonde-haired, blue-eyed teen queen of Beverly Hills. She is (mutually) head-over-heels in love with resident jock Troy Jeffries. She drives a bright pink Ferrari, usually accompanied by her pet cat Tiara. A part-time model, Larke wins many of the contests that she enters, although Bianca Dupree tries hard to sabotage her. A straight-A student. Kind-hearted and sweet to the core, Larke is basically the anti-Bianca; Larke also has a strong sense of justice, and is nothing afraid to call people out on their behavior. She's also a proud surrogate sister to Chester McTech, who has bailed her out of numerous fixes. Larke is Scandinavian.
 * Meredith Aolani - Fashionable and snarky, Meredith loves to tell fortunes and read tarot cards. A born psychic, Meredith can see the future and often communicates with the supernatural. Aside her psychic abilities, she has a strong fashion sense and loves to go shopping. She often hosts fashion shows at the country club. Meredith is Native Hawaiian.
 * Nikki Darling - An aspiring model/actress with a very dramatic demeanor, especially against unfairness (perceived and otherwise) in the fashion/entertainment world.
 * Pierce Thorndyke - Pierce is egotistical, girl-crazy, snobbish and blissfully unaware that he is not the Casanova which he believes himself to be. He often teams up with Bianca Dupree in her ultimately-unsuccessful schemes to come between Larke Tanner and Troy Jeffries, because, while Bianca wants Troy, Pierce wants Larke - although he also woos Tara Belle on occasion. Despite the aforementioned personality issues, Pierce does have his endearing moments. He carries around a wisecracking pocket-computer named C.A.D. (that is, Computer Assistant and Datemaker) which holds all of his most embarrassing secrets. He is the elder brother of Jillian. Pierce is of Russian heritage
 * Radley Skyes - A surfer dude who is fluent in the lingo, and who has raised tanning to an art-form. Anywhere a wave can be had, Radley is there. His credo; "to surf is to live; to quit is to die". Was seen to have studying problems due to this single-mindedness. He is close friends with Troy Jeffries, Antoine, and Gig.
 * Shanelle Spencer - Intelligent and level-headed, with a wry sense of humor, she is the voice of reason among her peers. She is also president of the local country club for teenagers. A natural born leader, she sticks to the rules and never misuses her prestige. Shanelle is best friends with Meredith and Tara. Shanelle is African-American
 * Brenda "Switchboard" McTech - The self-dubbed "Guru of Gossip". There's nothing Switchboard won't do, and very little she hasn't done, to find the latest "dirt" and dish it out at the teen country club. However, she is very reluctant to spread "false" gossip. Her younger brother is ultra-precocious Chester.
 * Tara-Belle Barnes - She possesses a pronounced Deep Southern accent (al least once, she referred to "folks back home on the bayou") and sports a more demure look than most of her peers, showcasing pearls, ruffles and the like. Polite and ladylike to a fault, Tara's demeanor sometimes is mistaken for naivete. Tara is of Louisiana Creole heritage. Tara's best friends are Meredith and Shanelle.
 * Troy Jeffries - A jock's jock, Troy is the most popular boy in Beverly Hills, for all the right reasons. He is adored by every girl at Beverly Hills High School - particularly his female counterpart Larke Tanner, with whom he often seems to be in an official relationship (although, according to him, they are "not going steady") Troy is also the apple of Bianca Dupree's eye, but he (understandably) takes her in stride. Troy often makes cynical and blunt comments. Troy is of Egyptian heritage.

Supporting

 * Tiara - Larke Tanner’s fluffy Persian cat. Like her owner, Tiara is playful and well-mannered. However, she is easily intimidated by Empress.
 * Empress - Bianca Dupree's small pink poodle, whose nasty bark is comparable to Bianca's attitude. She often helps Bianca make Larke Tanner's life harder, such as destroying the usb stick drive containing Larke's homework. Empress's archenemy is none other than Larke's cat, Tiara. Empress also hates Wilshire Brentwood. According to one episode, Empress hates water so much Bianca dry cleans her.
 * Florence "Fifi" LaBouff - This hair-salon owner is the most sought-after stylist in Beverly Hills.
 * Duchess - Meredith Aolani's adorable Himalayan cat. Like Meredith, Duchess is adventurous and playful. Unlike Tiara, Duchess is not intimidated by Empress