Q&A'S WITH GABRIELLE

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DRUG ABUSE, date rape, eating disorders - such issues have been the landscape of Fox's highly rated "Beverly Hills 90210" for five years. Now, L.A. actress Gabrielle Carteris - who plays 90210's social conscience, Andrea Zuckerman- is exploring the reality of these and other tough issues in "Lifestories With Gabrielle Carteris," premiering this week (check local listings). The show, hosted by Carteris, combines docudrama with in-your-face discussion that aims to introduce more options to teens. Carteris, 33, talked recently to USA WEEKEND about "90210"'s cast, her own teen years and [sic] her impending motherhood (she's due next month).

Q: What makes you an authority on youth issues?
A: I care. I wish I'd had support when I was younger. My mom worked full time. I needed to hear, "You're OK. Don't worry." Young people need to feel they're not alone.

Q: Where was your father?
A: My parents got divoriced when I was 6 months old. I don't know if he was dead or alive till I was 8. Then we saw each other on and off for a couple years. Now, we socialize.

Q: What were you like in high school?
A: At one time, there was too much partying, there was experimentation [with drugs] going on. A lot of yelling, a lot of "I'm leaving; I don't need this." I left [home] only once - overnight - but there was this feeling that I was going to. And I was a good student; to be a good student and have problems is much more difficult to detect.

Q: Who are you closest to among your 90210 co-stars?
A: I'm close to Jason [Priestley] because for the first year, I hardly worked with anyone else. Ian [Ziering] and I both came from New York without any family, so we spent Jewish holidays together. Luke [Perry] is really special; he tries to get involved in issues that mean something. Jennie [Garth] helped me find my first apartment here; she's very talented. Tori [Spelling] is like a little sister. Brian [Austin Green] and I don't work much together, but he's a nice guy.

Q: That leaves . . .
A: The woman who won't return! Shannen [Doherty], when she focuses, can be a very good actress. But her direction is definitely different than most of the other cast members.

Q: Given the serious nature of "Lifestories," do you think "90210" is as responsible as it should be?
A: I think "90210" is really responsible. A lot of girls who are 12 years old are getting pregnant. We have to talk. We can no longer pretend kids live a milk-and-cookies life.

Q: Your husband, Charles Isaacs, was your stockbroker in New York. Is the fact that he's not in show biz appealing?
A: He has an emotional stability that a lot of actors don't have.

Q: Considering the chaos of modern times, how do you feel about bringing a child into this world?
A: Very hopeful. [At] times I get frightened, but my husband and I are honest, loving people, and I hope our child will truly make a difference in the world.