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Pancreatic Cancer UK: Reading Half Marathon 2009: team profiles and 2009... pancreaticcancer.org.uk |
Melrose Place is an American television series for The CW Television Network,[1] that premiered on September 8, 2009.[2] The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama Melrose Place, featuring a group of young adults living in a West Hollywood, California apartment complex.[3][4][5] Smallville producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer are show runners of the series.[4][5] According to Entertainment Weekly, the first half of season 1 will feature a murder mystery involving characters Sydney Andrews (Laura Leighton) and Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) from the original series, as well as a crop of new residents.[6][7]
[edit] DevelopmentOn September 23, 2008, Marc Malkin of E! Online reported on the possibility of a new Melrose Place spin-off in the vein of the 2008 Beverly Hills, 90210 spin-off series 90210, quoting original series star Lisa Rinna saying, "I've heard a rumor of them bringing back the show like they did 90210... I heard that it's somewhere at The CW."[8] However, Malkin also reported that "a rep for the CW insists there are no plans to bring back Melrose Place."[8] On October 11, 2008, TV Guide quoted original Melrose Place creator Darren Star, who said that the spin-off was a possibility he would be interested in pursuing, acknowledged that it had been talked about, but also noted that no "official" discussions about the spin-off had taken place.[9] Later that month, The CW and CBS Paramount Network Television said they were "exploring" the possibility of creating a new version of the series, to potentially debut in the 2009-2010 TV season and targeting their "prized demographic: young women."[10][11][12] On October 31, 2008, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello reported that One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn had been approached about running what was being called "Melrose 2.0."[13] The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on December 14, 2008 that Schwahn was in negotiations to write the initial script for the potential series.[14][15][16] In January 2009, The CW's entertainment president Dawn Ostroff discussed the network's plans to develop a Melrose Place update, stating that she had yet to identify a writer, and that the proposed project would include both returning and new characters.[17] She noted that the 1992 Melrose Place television pilot had taken place "at a time not unlike what we're going through now ... they talked about the building being foreclosed on, people not having jobs. It took place in a very similar time, a time when the economy was in a downturn."[17] Ostroff also told reporters that unlike the original series, the new version would try to capture life in the Los Angeles Melrose neighborhood.[17] When asked whether the new series would be the "earnest Melrose of season one or the nutty Kimberly-blowing-up-the-apartment-complex of later years," Ostroff explained, "In the beginning you've got to get invested in the characters, but I also think it can't be so dramatic and sleepy that not enough is going on. Our fans really love that heightened drama as you can see when you watch One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. So the job is to get them emotionally invested in the people and then do storytelling and have twists and turns and surprises you wouldn't have expected."[17] With Schwahn officially off the project, on January 19, 2009 Ausiello reported that The CW were talking with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin of Smallville about helming the new Melrose Place.[18] On Feb 6, 2009 Ausiello confirmed that Swimmer and Slavkin were officially hired as the show runners of the spin-off, and previewed some of the show's characters, yet to be cast.[19][20] The Hollywood Reporter reported on February 23, 2009 that The CW had greenlit a pilot episode for the new Melrose Place written by Swimmer and Slavkin, which would "follow the original formula and chronicle a new group of twentysomethings dwelling in Los Angeles' perpetually trendy Melrose neighborhood."[4][5][21] Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) was announced as the director and executive producer of the pilot.[4][5][21] [edit] Casting Ausiello's February 6, 2009 character preview introduced the series' seven new characters: David Patterson, son of the previous version's Jake Hanson "with the taut abs and thick black book to prove it;" his "omnisexual sometime lover" Ella Flynn, "a PR whiz whose tongue is as sharp as her stilettos;" Jonah Miller, an aspiring filmmaker; Riley Richmond, his "sickly-sweet schoolteacher fiancee;" Auggie Kirkpatrick, a "hunky hippie" and recovering alcoholic; "straight-arrow" med student Lauren Bishop, forced by hard times to "trade sexual favors for financial ones;" and Violet Foster, a small-town teen who is "fresh off the turnip truck" but knows how to "play the sex kitten" when necessary.[19] On February 25, 2009, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the first actor cast in the new series was Michael Rady, whose character Jonah was compared to Andrew Shue's Billy Campbell from the original Melrose Place.[22] Variety announced on February 27, 2009 that Katie Cassidy had landed the role of Ella,[23][24] whom Ausiello had previously compared to Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward.[19] On March 9, 2009 Ausiello reported that singer/actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz had been cast as Violet, and quoted an unnamed inside source saying that talks with Locklear to reprise her role were "looking good."[25] The Hollywood Reporter announced on March 17, 2009 that Jessica Lucas had won the role of Riley.[26][27] The next day Entertainment Weekly broke the story that despite The CW "aggressively pursuing" her, Locklear had passed on the Melrose Place update, purportedly because "There wasn't a way to bring her back that made sense."[28] On March 24, 2009, Colin Egglesfield was cast as Auggie, and Stephanie Jacobsen as Lauren.[29][30] The Hollywood Reporter reported on April 3, 2009 that Shaun Sipos had landed the final regular role in the series – Jake's son David – now described as a rich kid whose "bad-boy behavior has cut him off from the family's money."[31][32][33] On April 5, 2009 The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that Laura Leighton would be joining the series as her original Melrose Place character Sydney Andrews.[33][34][35] Though Sydney had seemingly been killed off in 1997 at the end of the original show's fifth season, the new pilot finds her alive and now the landlord of the titular apartment complex.[33][34][35] TV Guide noted that Leighton would also continue in a recurring capacity should the updated Melrose Place be picked up.[33] People reported on April 6, 2009 that Melrose Place original cast member Thomas Calabro would also reprise his series-long role as the duplicitous Dr. Michael Mancini, now established as the father of new character David (Sipos).[36][37] [edit] ProductionOn April 14, 2009, Simpson-Wentz announced via Twitter that filming on the pilot would commence that week.[38] Ausiello reported on May 19, 2009 that the series had been picked up by The CW.[39] Presenting its 2009-2010 season schedule on May 21, 2009, The CW announced its intention to air Melrose Place after 90210 on Tuesday nights, in the same way their parent shows had been paired when the original Melrose Place debuted on Fox in July 1992.[1][40][41][42] Ostroff added that there would likely be some character crossover between the two shows.[1] Sipos's, Cassidy's, and Jacobsen's characters had also been renamed "David Breck," "Ella Simms," and "Lauren Yung" in the press release.[41][42] With the series in production, the Los Angeles Times noted on August 30, 2009 that the new Melrose Place intends to reflect life in Los Angeles beyond the way the original did by filming "everywhere from skid row to Sunset Boulevard and using popular venues, such as the Cinerama Dome and Walt Disney Concert Hall, as well as opulent mansions in Malibu and the so-called bird streets of the Hollywood Hills."[43] Executive producers Slavkin and Swimmer both grew up in L.A., and wanted to update the series "in a really cool, relevant way and not just slap the name Melrose Place on it."[43] Concerned about repeating the same difficulties which occurred when incorporating original series characters in the 90210 update, The CW's Ostroff was drawn to Slavkin and Swimmer's intent to "create a new world but also hang on to what was special about Melrose originally ... I wanted to make sure that we used the old characters in the right way, in a way that made sense to the new characters as well."[43] Swimmer added, "We felt the only way to incorporate the old characters into the new show was for it to feel like it was part of the story and came from the story."[43] On September 23, 2009, Variety reported that The CW had ordered an additional six scripts for the series, despite its ratings thus far being a "disappointment."[44][45] On October 21, 2009, The CW officially ordered five more episodes of the series, bringing the total to eighteen.[46] A day later in an interview with Ausiello, Slavkin and Swimmer announced that Egglesfield, Simpson-Wentz, and Leighton would leave the series once the murder mystery is resolved in episode 12.[47] Egglesfield told E! Online that his departure was a network decision driven by the show's weak ratings, and that his character Auggie would not be killed off.[48] [edit] Guest starsPeople reported on June 18, 2009 that Josie Bissett, who portrayed Michael's ex-wife and Sydney's older sister Jane Mancini in the original series, would guest star in at least one episode.[49] Taylor Cole was next booked to guest star as David's ex-girlfriend, followed by Taryn Manning as a singer whose music video is directed by Jonah.[50] The next day, Entertainment Weekly reported that original series star Daphne Zuniga would be returning as photographer Jo Reynolds for at least two episodes.[2][51] On July 17, 2009, E! Online announced that actress Brooke Burns had been cast as Vanessa, wife of Dr. Michael Mancini and mother of his younger son Noah.[52] That same day, TV Guide Magazine reported that actor Victor Webster had also been cast as Caleb, Ella's gay publicist boss.[53] On July 20, 2009, E! Online reported that actress Kelly Carlson had been cast as a madam who convinces Lauren to work for her as part of her prostitution ring.[54] On August 19, 2009, E! Online announced that actress Jenna Dewan would appear on the series for at least two episodes as Kendra Wilson, a movie development executive who has her eyes on Jonah.[55] Later that week, E! Online confirmed that Locklear was again in talks to join the update as her original series character Amanda.[56] On August 31, 2009, former LA Laker Rick Fox announced he'd be guest starring on the series as an LA club owner.[57] A rep for Melrose Place later confirmed the news to Access Hollywood, stating that Fox would appear in the eighth episode.[58] On September 22, 2009, The CW announced that Heather Locklear would finally join the update in its tenth episode. Show runners Slavkin and Swimmer were quoted as saying "We're ecstatic to have the chance to bring Amanda Woodward back to Melrose Place. Heather's involvement in the show is something we've been working on for some time, as we couldn't imagine creating and producing this show without the iconic character's inclusion."[59] Ausiello revealed that Locklear would play Ella's boss at WPK, calling it "a genius move that will pit the show’s former and current vixens against one another."[60] On October 9, 2009, TV Guide Magazine reported that actor Billy Campbell had been cast as a powerful billionaire named Barrett McMillan, who'd be involved with Amanda and first appear in episode thirteen. [61] On October 27, 2009, Ausiello reported that actor Nick Zano was in talks to join as a pseudo-replacement for Colin Egglesfield’s Auggie.[62] Zano later confirmed his casting in an interview with the Entertainment Weekly columnist, revealed that he would play a doctor who works with Lauren and moves into the Melrose apartment complex, and that his role is recurring.[63] [edit] PlotOn May 21, 2009, Ausiello reported that Leighton's character Sydney dies in the pilot and sets off a murder mystery, but noted that the actress would continue to appear in multiple episodes of the season through flashbacks.[7] The Los Angeles Times later confirmed that Sydney would be found dead in the first 10 minutes of the premiere episode, a turn of events which means "anything could happen" in the new series, according to executive producer Slavkin.[43] "It will feel nostalgic, but it's not the old Melrose," Slavkin said.[43] The Times added that initial episodes would revolve around the interrelationships of the apartment complex's seven residents and the theme that "no one is exactly who they seem," with Sydney's murder solved mid-season.[43] As the series opens, new Melrose Place resident Violet finds Sydney floating dead in the courtyard pool. Student doctor Lauren reluctantly accepts cash for sex to pay her medical school tuition, as aspiring filmmaker Jonah is offered a directing deal in exchange for his silence about a famous director's indiscretion. David, Sydney's ex-lover and the police's initial suspect in her death, is bailed out of jail by bisexual publicist Ella, who provides a false alibi and has her own reasons for wanting Sydney out of the way. While David steals a valuable painting from his own father Michael Mancini in the dark of night, sous chef Auggie — seemingly the resident most upset by Sydney's death — burns a bloody chef's uniform. Holding onto her job puts pressure on Ella, whose efforts to further secret crush Jonah's career do not help his relationship with his new fiancée Riley. Lauren is compelled to continue prostituting herself, and while Sydney's sister Jane's attempt to blackmail Ella fails, she follows through on her promise to clue in the police on Ella's motives for Sydney's murder. Mousy Violet is revealed to be Sydney's secret daughter, and schemes to both get close to Auggie, and punish Michael for mistreating Sydney. [edit] Characters
[edit] EpisodesMain article: List of Melrose Place (2009) episodes [edit] ReceptionEntertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker gave the pilot a B, stating that "it remains to be seen whether the new Melrose will become as giddily addictive as its predecessor — but it's off to a promisingly dizzy start."[66] The Los Angeles Times compared the update to the original, noting that "Camp has given way to noir, soap has morphed into mystery, and acting and dialogue have become more sophisticated while alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity and even murder remain among the permanent residents of the fictitious 4616 Melrose Place."[43] The Hollywood Reporter stated "It's all brand new and shiny but comfortably familiar and keenly calculated. The pleasures abound within the walls of the new "MP," but be warned: You'll want to take a shower afterward."[67] Melrose Place was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter for about an hour on its debut night, and its ratings put it in second place among its core young adult audience in the 9 pm hour.[68] Metacritic gave the episode a Metascore of 57, signifying mixed reviews, a weighted average based on a select 23 critical reviews.[69] [edit] International syndicationMelrose Place began airing in 26 countries in Latin America on Nov. 10, 2009 via Sony Entertainment Television.[70] Episodes are aired in English, and are subtitled in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. As in the US, the series follows 90210 on Tuesdays. [71] In Canada, the series airs on Global TV on Wednesdays.[72] [edit] References
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Categories: 2009 American television series debuts | 2000s American television series | American drama television series | American television soap operas | Fictional houses | CW network shows | Television series by CBS Paramount Television | Television shows set in Los Angeles, California | Television spin-offs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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