Melrose Place (2009 TV series)

Melrose Place
Also known as Melrose Place 2.0
Developed by Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer
(Based on the series Melrose Place created by Darren Star)
Starring Katie Cassidy
Colin Egglesfield
Stephanie Jacobsen
Jessica Lucas
Michael Rady
Shaun Sipos
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
Composer(s) Danny Lux
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Todd Slavkin
Darren Swimmer
Greg Beeman
Location(s) Van Nuys, California
Running time approx. 42 minutes
Production company(s) CBS Television Studios
Slavkin/Swimmer Productions
Distributor CBS Television Distribution
Release
Original network The CW
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Audio format Dolby Digital 5.1
Original release September 8, 2009 (2009-09-08) – April 13, 2010 (2010-04-13)
Chronology
Preceded by Beverly Hills, 90210
Melrose Place
Models Inc.
90210

Melrose Place is an American television drama series broadcast on The CW from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010.[1][2] The series is a sequel/continuation of the 1992 FOX TV series of the same name and part of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. The show follows the lives of a group of young adults living at the fictitious Melrose Place apartment complex in West Hollywood, California [3][4][5] Smallville producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer were show runners of the series.[4][5]

The series was met with mixed reviews from critics and, due to low ratings, was cancelled after one season.

Development

After successfully relaunching the franchise with 90210 in 2008, there was considerable speculation as to whether The CW planned to create a new version of Melrose Place in a similar vein. An article in E! Online reported the possibility of a new version of Melrose in September 2008,[6] though The CW declined to confirm any such project at that time.[6] Some weeks later, The CW and CBS Paramount Network Television (successor-in-interest of Spelling Television and therefore the legal rights holders to Melrose Place) 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."[7][8][9] Original series creator Darren Star also confirmed that discussions had taken place, but nothing was official. On October 31, 2008, Entertainment Weekly writer Michael Ausiello reported that One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn had been approached about running what was being called "Melrose Place 2.0".[10] The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on December 14, 2008 that Schwahn was in negotiations to write the initial script for the potential series.[11][12][13]

In January 2009, The CW's head of entertainment, 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.[14] She noted that the original Melrose Place series which began in 1992 started "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."[14] Ostroff also told reporters that unlike the original series, the new version would try to capture life in the Los Angeles Melrose neighborhood.[14] 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."[14]

On January 19, 2009, with Mark Schwahn now officially off the project, Ausiello reported that The CW were talking with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin (showrunners of The CW's Smallville) about helming the new Melrose Place.[15] On February 6, 2009 Ausiello confirmed that Swimmer and Slavkin were officially hired as the show runners of the spin-off, and discussed some of the new show's characters that were yet to be cast.[16][17]

The Hollywood Reporter reported on February 23, 2009 that The CW had officially 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 twenty-somethings dwelling in Los Angeles' perpetually trendy Melrose neighborhood."[4][5][18] Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) was announced as the director and executive producer of the pilot.[4][5][18]

The new series, ultimately just titled Melrose Place like its 1990s predecessor, premiered on The CW on September 8, 2009.

Casting

Cast of Melrose Place (2009)

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.[16]

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.[19] Variety announced on February 27, 2009 that Katie Cassidy had landed the role of Ella,[20][21] whom Ausiello had previously compared to Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward.[16] 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."[22] The Hollywood Reporter announced on March 17, 2009 that Jessica Lucas had won the role of Riley.[23][24] 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."[25] On March 24, 2009, Colin Egglesfield was cast as Auggie, and Stephanie Jacobsen as Lauren.[26][27] 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."[28][29][30]

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.[30][31][32] 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.[30][31][32] TV Guide noted that Leighton would also continue in a recurring capacity should the updated Melrose Place be picked up.[30] 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).[33][34]

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz's portrayal of the scheming Violet Foster was criticized by both critics and fans who found her very loathsome, and she was reportedly disliked by fellow cast members.[35][36] It was announced in October 2009 that Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield would be leaving the series after the conclusion of the "Sydney Andrews murder mystery" storyline.[37]

Production

Ausiello reported on May 19, 2009 that the series had been picked up by The CW.[38] 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][39][40][41] 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.[40][41]

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."[42] 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."[42] 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."[42] 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."[42]

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."[43][44] On October 21, 2009, The CW officially ordered five more episodes of the series, bringing the total to eighteen.[45] 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.[46] 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.[47]

Guest stars

People 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.[48] 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.[49] 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][50] 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.[51] That same day, TV Guide Magazine reported that actor Victor Webster had also been cast as Caleb, Ella's gay publicist boss.[52] 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.[53]

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.[54] Later that week, E! Online confirmed that Locklear was again in talks to join the update as her original series character Amanda.[55] On August 31, 2009, former LA Laker Rick Fox announced he'd be guest starring on the series as an LA club owner.[56] A rep for Melrose Place later confirmed the news to Access Hollywood, stating that Fox would appear in the eighth episode.[57]

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."[58] 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."[59] On October 9, 2009, TV Guide Magazine reported that actor Billy Campbell had been cast as a powerful billionaire who would be involved with Amanda and first appear in episode thirteen.[60] On October 27, 2009, Ausiello reported that actor Nick Zano was in talks to join as a pseudo-replacement for Colin Egglesfield’s Auggie.[61] 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.[62]

Cancellation

Lagging ratings caused frequent speculation that the show would not be brought back for a second season. "TV By The Numbers", a site that publishes television ratings to the public, repeatedly stated that the show had not hit its target audience and was likely to be cancelled.[63] After the season finale, series producer Darren Swimmer left a statement on his Twitter account saying, "Melrose Place: Thnx for the love, fans. Honestly, a season 2 looks like it ain't gonna happen. All signs say no, but no official word yet."[64] On May 18, 2010, two days before the new CW line-up was to be released, Swimmer left another message about the fate of the show: "I think it's fair to say we won't be renewed for next season. It was a great run. Mad props to everyone involved with the show & our fans!"[65] The CW officially canceled the series on May 20, 2010.[66]

Plot

On 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.[67] 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.[42] "It will feel nostalgic, but it's not the old Melrose," Slavkin said.[42] 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.[42] 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. Violet is revealed to be Sydney's secret daughter, and schemes to both get close to Auggie, and punish Michael for mistreating Sydney.

Cast and characters

Main characters

Recurring characters

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
1"Pilot"Davis GuggenheimTodd Slavkin & Darren SwimmerSeptember 8, 2009 (2009-09-08)2.31[69]
In a Spanish-style apartment building located at 4616 Melrose Place, in the trendy Melrose neighborhood of Los Angeles, live a diverse group of 20-somethings. The owner of the building, Sydney Andrews, is a central figure in the lives of all her tenants, especially handsome and rebellious David Breck. Sydney started an affair with David despite her turbulent history with his estranged father, Dr. Michael Mancini. Both father and son learned through experience that Sydney was not above using blackmail to control people. Another tenant, upcoming publicist Ella Simms, once considered Sydney her mentor, but their friendship was destroyed by betrayal, and Sydney threatened to evict Ella and ruin her career. Sydney also played a pivotal role in the career of Auggie Kirkpatrick. After they met at an AA meeting, she became Auggie's sponsor and encouraged his dream to become a chef. Now a successful sous chef at the trendy restaurant Coal, Auggie has been avoiding Sydney since she began drinking again. The other tenants include Lauren Yung, a medical student in desperate need of money to pay her student loans, and Jonah Miller, an aspiring filmmaker who has just proposed to his live-in girlfriend of five years, Riley Richmond, a first-grade teacher. The newest tenant, 21-year-old Oregon native Violet Foster, has just arrived in LA with her own secret connection to Sydney. When a bloody body is found floating in the courtyard pool, David is the leading suspect. However, as the police are soon to discover, almost everyone living at Melrose Place had a reason to want the deceased out of the way.
2"Nightingale"Greg BeemanLiz TigelaarSeptember 15, 2009 (2009-09-15)1.81[70]
Still freaked out by the recent murder, the Melrose Place tenants try to resume some sense of a normal life. Ella learns from her new boss, Caleb, that her job could be in jeopardy due to a recent merger unless she brings in a huge client. Ella then forces David to take her to a Brentwood party, where she hopes to land a big actor client, Jasper. Still in desperate need of tuition money, Lauren agrees to go out on another date in exchange for money, but inadvertently winds up at the same party as David and Ella. Detective Rodriguez questions Auggie, who flashes back to when he first met Sydney in AA. Riley and Jonah view surveillance video of Violet acting oddly and begin to think she’s hiding something.
3"Grand"Allan ArkushCaroline DriesSeptember 22, 2009 (2009-09-22)1.44[71]
Jonah is furious when he learns that Riley hasn’t told her family or friends that she and Jonah are engaged. Upset over their fight, Riley turns to Auggie for comfort. Caleb reams Ella after her director bails on a job, so she recruits Jonah to fill in on a Boomkat music video at the last minute. However, the lead singer, Taryn, might be more than Jonah can handle, putting Ella’s job on the line. Meanwhile, David accuses Michael of murdering Sydney, Lauren applies to be on Michael’s team at the hospital, and Violet continues to make her move on Auggie.
4"Vine"Fred ToyeDaniel Thomsen DriesSeptember 29, 2009 (2009-09-29)1.47[72]
Jane Andrews, Sydney’s sister, comes to Melrose Place and announces that she inherited the building from Sydney. Jane threatens to show incriminating e-mails Ella sent to Sydney to the police unless Ella allows her to dress one of her up-and-coming clients for a movie premiere in a Jane Andrews original design. Desperate, Ella turns to David for help. Detective Rodriguez shows up at Violet’s apartment asking questions about her connection to Sydney, but she flees though the window. Lauren meets a John at the hotel bar after being stood up by Toby and decides to take her new side job to the next level. However, upon leaving the hotel, Lauren is stopped by Wendi, a madam who has a deal with the hotel, who threatens Lauren if she ever sees her in there again.
5"Canon"Norman BuckleyChris FifeOctober 6, 2009 (2009-10-06)1.60[73]
As a result of Jane’s tip, the police bring Ella in for questioning about Sydney’s murder. Ella naturally downplays the tension between her and Sydney prior to the murder. Meanwhile, Lauren is torn between going on a shopping date with Riley for her wedding and impressing her new boss Wendi who just set her up on a "date." A stunned Jonah is accused of stealing a diamond necklace from a mansion he videotaped for a realtor, but becomes even more upset after Ella mentions a similar necklace that she saw in David’s apartment. Elsewhere, Violet maliciously sabotages another employee at Coal so she can get closer to Auggie.
6"Shoreline"Roxann DawsonAlex McNallyOctober 13, 2009 (2009-10-13)1.40[74]
Anton V, a famous fashion designer, meets Riley and decides she must be the face of his new denim jean campaign, much to his publicist Ella’s horror. Jonah is excited about the offer to direct another music video as he’s run into financial issues but Riley turns down the gig. Meanwhile, Wendi sends Lauren on a job on a yacht, but Lauren panics when she sees David board the boat to meet with his boss' friend to ask for more robbery jobs. Also, Violet feigns illness to orchestrate a meeting with Michael at the hospital as part of her plan to exact revenge for the way he treated Sydney.
7"Windsor"Patrick NorrisJonathan CarenOctober 20, 2009 (2009-10-20)1.50[75]
Ella and Riley arrive at the Anton V photo shoot and meet the photographer, former Melrose Place resident Jo Reynolds. Jo feels that Riley’s inexperience is preventing Jo from getting her shot, so Jo pushes Riley’s buttons and insists on a topless shoot to help Riley get in touch with her emotions. Meanwhile, Jonah meets with a producer’s development exec, Kendra, who invites him to have drinks later that night to discuss his film. Violet makes another play for Auggie’s attention, and Lauren finds out about David’s criminal secret of robbing peoples houses for expensive artwork.
8"Gower"David BarrettCaprice CraneNovember 3, 2009 (2009-11-03)1.48[76]
Riley helps Jonah film a wedding, but the two get into a big fight in the middle of the ceremony. Putting her relationship with Jonah first, Riley breaks off her friendship with Auggie, who doesn’t take the news very well. Meanwhile, Ella discovers Lauren’s expensive new clothing and lingerie plus a large envelope of cash and confronts her roommate about the late nights she’s been working. As is her wont, Lauren lies to Ella about her secret work. Also, David fears he may be responsible for Sydney’s death.
9"Ocean"Liz FriedlanderDavid BabcockNovember 10, 2009 (2009-11-10)1.27[77]
After learning Auggie’s blood was on Sydney’s murder weapon, the police search his apartment and demand the other residents tell them where he went after he was fired from Coal. Riley is conflicted about whether to help the police, but Jonah pushes her to make the call as she knows where Auggie is staying. Meanwhile, a work incident causes Jonah to pretend he’s engaged to Ella who really gets into the role playing. David arranges a secret play date with his little brother, Noah, but after the little boy hurts himself, Lauren must come to the rescue and risk the wrath of Dr. Michael Mancini.
10"Cahuenga"Michael FieldsCaroline DriesNovember 17, 2009 (2009-11-17)1.67[78]
Ella and Caleb are stunned when agency owner Amanda Woodward walks into WPK and immediately fires half the staff, including Caleb. Amanda makes it clear to Ella that the Anton V launch party with Riley better go off without a hitch or Ella can vacate her office too. Meanwhile, Auggie finally succumbs to Violet’s flirtatious ways and David asks Lauren out on a date.
11"June"David PaymerDan ThomsenDecember 1, 2009 (2009-12-01)1.41[79]
Amanda moves into Sydney’s penthouse while her Bel Air mansion is being built and takes an interest in David. Meanwhile, David and Lauren’s relationship continues to grow despite her continue to hide her secret call-girl profession from him, and Ella uses her charms to get Jonah a new job. Also, Amanda and Michael reunite.
12"San Vicente"Bethany RooneyTeleplay by: Chris Fife
Story by: Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer		December 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)1.25[80]
Jonah and Riley decide to head to Las Vegas to elope but the day doesn’t quite go as planned. Ella arranges a pitch meeting for Jonah with an important producer who is interested in buying his film. Meanwhile, Lauren calls David after she gets in trouble with one of her male clients and Auggie confesses his true feelings for Riley. Also, an incarcerated Michael gives David information about Sydney’s killer and Amanda bonds with Violet over Sydney, but of course Amanda has an ulterior motive in getting to know Violet. The identity of Sydney's killer is finally revealed.
13"Oriole"Greg BeemanAlex McNallyMarch 9, 2010 (2010-03-09)1.19[81]
Amanda puts Ella in charge of a lavish party at her house to celebrate the arrival of her billionaire boyfriend Ben Brinkley (guest star Billy Campbell). However, after Amanda spies Ella and Ben together in a compromising position, she lashes out. Meanwhile, Riley asks Jonah if they can start over when they attend Amanda's party. Violet asks Auggie to leave town with her to start over when she finds him drinking again. Elsewhere, Lauren struggles to recover from her near-fatal roofie overdose while David, under false pretenses, confronts the john who drugged Lauren.
14"Stoner Canyon"Seith MannTeleplay by: Caroline Dries
Story by: Caprice Crane		March 16, 2010 (2010-03-16)1.16[82]
The sexy and catty Drew Pragin moves into Auggie’s old apartment and immediately clashes with Lauren over his love to loud rock music. She becomes even more upset when he shows up at the hospital as the newest resident and is just as ambitious and crafty as she. Meanwhile, Riley asks Ben to land her an elementary school teaching job, which infuriates the jealous Amanda. David receives life-changing news from an unexpected source, while Michael wallows in self-pity over learning about his late wife's involvement with Sydney's murder. Also, Ella makes an unrealistic demand of Jonah that backfires by continuing to pretend that he and Riley are still together to an actor interested in playing Jonah's part in his upcoming biographical movie. Lauren covers for Michael's mistake at the hospital, and he responds by paying off her student loan. But when Lauren decides to quit her call-girl profession after one last job, she finds her latest client is Michael Mancini.
15"Mulholland"J. Miller TobinDavid BabcockMarch 23, 2010 (2010-03-23)1.04[83]
Ella is a little overwhelmed by Jonah's constant attention and during an unusual social gathering he brings her to, she decides couple-hood might not be for her. Meanwhile, Lauren succumbs to the merciless Dr. Mancini's threats to break up with David. David decides to buy the restaurant Coal, but the price turns out to be a little higher than he thought. So, David asks Amir to set him up for another robbery job to get the money needed, except that David gets caught by Morgan, the wild-child bad girl of the home's owner whom demands sexual favors in exchange for her silence. Also, Drew begins to moonlight in a rock band, and Amanda catches Ben and Riley in a compromising position as she continues searching for the stolen painting.
16"Santa Fe"Greg BeemanDan Thomsen & Alex McNallyMarch 30, 20101.12[84]
Ella discovers someone is embezzling from WPK and framing her for it. Panicked that she could go to jail, Ella investigates and starts with Jo Reynolds, who realizes Amanda is up to her old tricks again. Meanwhile, Jonah decides to throw a party in the courtyard to celebrate his new-found success. Jane shows up to confront Amanda for not firing Ella and runs into Michael. Lauren is shocked after Michael tells her he'll reveal her secret if she doesn't sleep with him, so she makes a harsh decision: Lauren reveals her secret to her friends and David is angry. Elsewhere, Riley and Drew share a sweet date during an outing to East L.A.
17"Sepulveda"Norman BuckleyCaroline DriesApril 6, 20101.05[85]
David’s new role as a restaurant owner is put to the test after he loses some of his staff on the day an important food critic has come to review Coal. In an effort to get David to forgive her for lying to him about her secret call-girl profession, Lauren pitches in as a waitress and hostess and helps him out of his jam. Meanwhile, Ella wants to hack into the WPK files to erase the fake evidence against her for embezzlement, but Jonah strongly disagrees with her tactics, so she looks to David for help. With Drew’s help, Riley throws a fundraiser for her education foundation, but when Drew tries to increase the donations by auctioning off a date with Riley, things go awry after Drew and a jealous Jonah get into a bidding war.
18"Wilshire"Greg BeemanDarren Swimmer & Todd SlavkinApril 13, 20101.23
Ella is fired by Amanda from WPK, however, she soon finds the stolen painting Amanda has been looking for and blackmails her for it. Drew tries to stop Michael from performing a dangerous surgery, but Michael sets him up to get caught with drugs, causing the former to be thrown in jail, and out of ULA. Eventually, Drew reveals to Riley that he had a heart surgery five years earlier and had one of Michael Mancini's faulty heart valves put in due to a genetic heart problem... meaning he may die anytime. Lauren risks her job when she stops Dr. Mancini from another M-valve surgery by announcing his secret in front of his surgical team. Lauren and David reconcile, but a jealous Morgan finds out and seeks revenge by having her equally evil father blackmail David into performing robberies for him and also forces David not to tell Lauren about their secret agreement or she will be physically harmed. Meanwhile, Jonah asks Riley to reconcile after they attend an NYU reunion program, but she denies. Amanda is haunted by Sydney's illusion over the Ella situation. Eventually, Amanda accepts Ella's demands for a large severance pay, a WPK letter of recommendation, as well as erasing the false evidence of Ella's embezzlement. Ella then gives Amanda the stolen painting, who then sells it on the black market and makes $2 million in cash. The next day, when Ella shows up at WPK to collect, Amanda (not surprisingly) goes back on her word when she refuses to give Ella her severance pay and naturally denies making any secret deal. Just then, FBI agents arrive in Amanda's WPK office and arrest her after Ella (predicting exactly that Amanda would not keep her promise) informed them of the fraud Amanda committed (over the stolen painting) and the board of directors have now appointed Ella as Amanda's replacement as head of WPK. The audience is left unsure of all of the characters' fates at this point. As Amanda is taken away by the police to finally face justice for her vast list of crimes, she (angry, heartless and defiant to the end) vows revenge against Ella by uttering the final words of the show: "You say you modeled your career after me, studied my every move? Well, then you know this war you just started between us.... is just the beginning!!!".

Reception

U.S. Nielsen ratings

Season Episodes Timeslot Original airing Viewers
(in millions)		 Annual rank Rating/Share
(18-49)
Season premiere Season finale TV season
1 18 Tuesday 9/8c
September 8, 2009
April 13, 2010
 2009–2010 1.39[86] #138[86] 0.7[86]

Critical

Entertainment 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."[87] 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."[42] 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."[88] 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.[89]

Metacritic gave the episode a Metascore of 57, signifying mixed reviews, a weighted average based on a select 23 critical reviews.[90]

International syndication

Melrose Place began airing in 26 countries in Latin America on November 10, 2009 via Sony Entertainment Television.[91] Episodes are aired in English, and are subtitled in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. As in the US, the series follows 90210 on Tuesdays.[92]

In Albania, the series aires on TV Klan from Monday to Friday, on 4:10 pm.

In Canada, the series airs on the Global a day later than the US airing. The show also aired in French on Québec's V channel in 2011.

In Sweden, the series aired Mondays at 9:50 pm on TV400. It premiered on November 23, 2009.

In Israel, the series airs on yes stars Next on Sundays at 8:40 pm starting January 17, 2010. Later, ABCFamily Israel aired this series on repeats.

In the United Kingdom, the series aired on Fiver on Wednesdays, at 9.00pm for the first eight episodes before moving to the 8.00pm slot.[93] The premiere aired on February 3, 2010 and scored 113,000 viewers. The series concluded on June 2, 2010.

In Portugal, the series aired on Wednesday's at 9:15pm for the first nine episodes before moving to the 10.20pm slot on FOX Life Portugal.

In the Philippines, the series is set to air on Velvet and will air Tuesday at 9:30 pm starting January 19, 2010.The series was later moved to 10:00 pm

In Australia, the series was intended to air on Network Ten, however the series will air on Eleven on July 29, 2012 Originally in Early 2011.

In New Zealand, the series began airing February 17, 2010 on C4.

In Montenegro, the series began airing February 6, 2012 at 20:40 on TV IN.

In Netherlands, the series will begin airing also mid-2010 on RTL 5.

In Russia, the series began airing weekdays at 23:00 on Muz-TV on March 15, 2010.

In Norway, the series began airing Wednesday April 21 at 7:00 pm on TV2 Zebra.

In Ireland, the season 1 aired Tuesday Mornings at 02:30am on RTÉ Two.

In Greece, the series begun airing on October 2010 on Skai TV as a lead-in to 90210 but it was canceled after 3 episodes due to low ratings and replaced by The Good Wife encores. The show returned on a late night slot on February 2011 but got canceled again after the 6th episode aired. Episodes 7-18 air in August–September 2011 on a late night slot.

In Georgia, the series began airing October 2010.

In Chile, the series was premiered on January 9, 2011 on Mega.

In Slovenia, the series premiered on January 21, 2011 on TV3 Slovenia. It airs Weekdays at 11 am.

In Serbia, the series premiered on July 5, 2012 on Happy TV and aired Weekdays at 10:50 pm.

In France, the series premiered on March 16, 2011 on M6. It airs Wednesday at 3 pm.

In Germany, the series premiered on July 4, 2011 on Sixx and aired Mondays at 9 pm as a lead-out to Gossip Girl. The show was a success for the network with an average audience over 90 000 viewers and a 0.6 Rating among the 14-49 target group.

In Finland, the series premiered on December 31, 2011 on Nelonen at 3.30 pm. Currently it airs Saturdays at 5.50 pm.

In Bulgaria the series premiered - 2010-2011 13.00 pm.

DVD release

As of October 26, 2010, Amazon's CreateSpace manufacture-on-demand (MOD) program began exclusively selling Melrose Place: The DVD Edition. This is a 6-disc set (740 minutes) with the entire run of the show, plus bonus cast interviews.[94]

References

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