Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Jennie Garth Sad To See '90201' 'Taken in a Direction I Was Not Proud of'/Patty Duke Yearns To Jump Back into Series Game

Jennie Garth's departure from the current CW manifestation of "90210" has been reported as both her decision and as a producer decision.

But now, she makes it clear, "I had a little problem with the producer they had chosen to do season two of the show. I didn't care for her or her creative ways. I was happy to part ways. But as an original cast member, I was sad to see the show being taken in a direction I was not proud of."

Garth — forever to be thought of as key character Kelly Taylor by "90210" fans — doesn't mind admitting she no longer watches the show. She also says, "I don't imagine Kelly ever coming back to that world."

The actress' priority is her three daughters, who range in age from 13 to four, and her husband, Peter Facinelli. The "Twilight" and "Nurse Jackie" actor wrote and produced Garth's latest movie — the charming romantic comedy "Accidentally in Love," which premieres on the Hallmark Channel Feb. 12.

Her next big undertaking? Supervising the building of the family's planned eco-friendly "green" house. "That's going to be our focus," she says.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD: She has honorary doctorates, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an Oscar, Emmys and numerous other awards. Now Patty Duke would like more work.

"I would love to be on a series again," she declares.

Duke, who was a top series star as a teen with her self-titled show back in the 1960s, notes that she loves the energy she gets from working — not to mention, "I'd like to make a few more shekels so that when I do retire, I can do so with a little bit of comfort and style. I can't be Betty White," adds Duke, 64. "But I'm so thrilled for her. Look at her — look at all she's doing. She must be exhausted. She is such an inspiration to me."

Duke has certainly kept busy with TV movies, stage work and personal appearances, in addition to doing speaking engagements centered on mental health issues in recent years. She left behind the Hollywood roller coaster for a simpler life in Idaho almost 22 years ago. But even now, "I asked someone, while interviewing managers, 'Do you think that being in Idaho has had a negative effect on my career?' And they said, 'Absolutely; you have to be in L.A.' I was sorry I asked the question.

She's also actively involved in the lives of two of her granddaughters, "the Thursday and Friday pickups from dance class and such. It's wonderful. My God, though, what energy they have." She laughs. "It's my second or third chance to get this mothering-grandmothering thing right."

Even if she made some sort of part-time living arrangement that would bring her back to Tinsel Town, she'd be very unlikely to give up her current digs.

"I enjoy the ease and the comfort of small-town living," she says.

A YOUNGER VERSION: The Farrelly Brothers, in preproduction on their "Three Stooges" movie, are looking for Moe, Larry and Curly — as boys. A casting call has gone out for 8-to-12-year-olds who can handle the roles. Just thinking about that audition call is scary! Hey, look! Boink!! As far as the big question of who will play the Stooges as grown-ups, the Farrellys have put the kibosh on Internet stories that Andy Samberg and Johnny Knoxville were cast as Larry and Moe, respectively. Not so. The project, in development for a decade, has seen actors including Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Jim Carrey come and go, but the wait will soon be over for the new Stooges. The Farrellys are planning an April production start.

Now that Broadway actor Benjamin Walker has been tapped to play Abraham Lincoln in the highly anticipated film of the popular book "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," the production is looking for someone to play young Abraham, at about age 11. Walker (aka the fiance of Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter) starts shooting the flick in New Orleans in March.

INDUSTRY BITS: With Keanu Reeves' big-screen take on the classic Japanese tale "47 Ronan" en route to the cameras, forces on the film are auditioning Japanese men with experience in Kabuki theater and dance for a special segment.

MTV is looking for the "ultimate family" for a reality TV show that starts shooting this summer, hoping to find a real-life clan as crazy as the Kardashians, as modern as "Modern Family" — loud, complicated, easy to love and hilarious, per casting notices. They're asking for viewers whose families fit such a description to let them know.

And the new "Charlie's Angels" is still looking for their Bosley. You may recall they have a dashing fellow worthy of GQ in mind.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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