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Preview: The 'Melrose Place' remake
Published Wednesday, May 6 2009, 06:10 BST | By Dan French | 3 comments
Day Three of our Pilot Preview week and we present to you The CW's Melrose Place remake. With Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Katie Cassidy as the two female leads, this sexed-up version of the original has an obvious appeal. Laura Leighton is also back, adding a touch of nostalgia by reprising her role as Sydney Andrews.
Interested? Keep reading! (If you're not, please be polite and keep reading anyway. We work hard on these pieces).
What is it?
Come on - everyone has at least heard of Melrose Place, haven't they? This right here is a remake of the 1990s series, spawned from the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. Perfectly timed, since The CW has just revived 90210 as a trendy new series.
Who's in it?
Heading up the cast is singer-turned-actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Admit it - you're as curious as us to see her break away from Pete Wentz's arm and try her hand at acting. FYI: she's been cast as the charming Violet, who is also a "secret sex kitten".
Who else?
Also on board issuper-sexy Supernatural star Katie Cassidy (you might also recognise her from Harper's Island), who will play an ambitious publicist called Ella Flynn. In addition, Michael Rady, Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) and Home And Away's Stephanie Jacobson are confirmed for the project.
Are any of the old cast returning?
The first original Melrose-r to sign up is Laura Leighton, who will return as the scheming Sydney Andrews. Lisa Rinna (Taylor McBride) is also said to be interested in making a reappearance on the show, and, as was the case with 90210, it's safe to assume more of the original cast will get involved shortly.
What about Heather Locklear?
Heather Locklear (Amanda Woodward in the original) has reportedly turned down a return to the show, and Marcia Cross - aka Desperate Housewives' Bree Hodge - claims she's "too busy" to reprise her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw. Still, her character was killed off in 1997, so maybe it's not too much of a surprise that she won't be popping up again.
Who should watch it?
Any fan of teen dramas. There are strong comparisons between the Melrose remake and Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and of course 90210. And let's not forget the huge trip down memory lane for first-time Melrose Place fans.
Anything else to sell it to me?
Well, The CW's president has promised the show will stray from the original (as much as remakes can). That means no more sensational blowing-up-buildings storylines - at least not in the pilot.
Previously...
> Pilot Preview #1: Flash Forward
> Pilot Preview #2: The Gossip Girl spinoff
Check back in tomorrow for the next of our Pilot Previews!
What do you think about a Melrose Place remake? Is it one revamp too many? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry!
Interested? Keep reading! (If you're not, please be polite and keep reading anyway. We work hard on these pieces).
What is it?
Come on - everyone has at least heard of Melrose Place, haven't they? This right here is a remake of the 1990s series, spawned from the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. Perfectly timed, since The CW has just revived 90210 as a trendy new series.
Heading up the cast is singer-turned-actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Admit it - you're as curious as us to see her break away from Pete Wentz's arm and try her hand at acting. FYI: she's been cast as the charming Violet, who is also a "secret sex kitten".
Who else?
Also on board is
Are any of the old cast returning?
The first original Melrose-r to sign up is Laura Leighton, who will return as the scheming Sydney Andrews. Lisa Rinna (Taylor McBride) is also said to be interested in making a reappearance on the show, and, as was the case with 90210, it's safe to assume more of the original cast will get involved shortly.
What about Heather Locklear?
Heather Locklear (Amanda Woodward in the original) has reportedly turned down a return to the show, and Marcia Cross - aka Desperate Housewives' Bree Hodge - claims she's "too busy" to reprise her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw. Still, her character was killed off in 1997, so maybe it's not too much of a surprise that she won't be popping up again.
Any fan of teen dramas. There are strong comparisons between the Melrose remake and Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and of course 90210. And let's not forget the huge trip down memory lane for first-time Melrose Place fans.
Anything else to sell it to me?
Well, The CW's president has promised the show will stray from the original (as much as remakes can). That means no more sensational blowing-up-buildings storylines - at least not in the pilot.
Previously...
> Pilot Preview #1: Flash Forward
> Pilot Preview #2: The Gossip Girl spinoff
Check back in tomorrow for the next of our Pilot Previews!
What do you think about a Melrose Place remake? Is it one revamp too many? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry!
Your Views
3 Comments
Your Responses
Marek, Galway, on May 6th, 2009
Melrose Place was the best prime time drama ever. It was amazing for season 3 and 4. Absolute 100% addictive guilty pleasure material. If the remake can recapture the magic of those two seasons, then we are all in for a huge treat! Lets give it a chance. We are all too quick to condemn shows these days without giving them a chance.
Melrose Place was the best prime time drama ever. It was amazing for season 3 and 4. Absolute 100% addictive guilty pleasure material. If the remake can recapture the magic of those two seasons, then we are all in for a huge treat! Lets give it a chance. We are all too quick to condemn shows these days without giving them a chance.
Simon, London, on May 6th, 2009
As much as I loved Laura Leighton (as Sydney) and am thrilled to see her character back on TV with her hilariously camp, bitchy schemes; its' gonna take some rather creative writing to stage this particular comeback; considering she died on screen, when she was famously run over & killed on her wedding day.
As much as I loved Laura Leighton (as Sydney) and am thrilled to see her character back on TV with her hilariously camp, bitchy schemes; its' gonna take some rather creative writing to stage this particular comeback; considering she died on screen, when she was famously run over & killed on her wedding day.
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What I would like to know is are they any plans for any of the British networks to show Melrose Place maybe e4 since it also broadcasts 90210?