MELROSE'S NEWEST MENACE
     As previously reported, James Darren joins MELROSE PLACE on April 12 as ruthless rich guy Tony Marlin. "He's a real schmuck," deadpans the actor, whose credits include Gidget and The Brothers Rico, a 1957 gangster yarn. "He has one thing on his mind: whatever's good for him. He doesn't care about what he does to anybody else. And he thinks of sex as a sport." While this is the actor's first time in front of the camera on MP, he has directed episodes of the series, as well as a number of other Spelling shows.
     Darren, who took time off from his recurring role as Vic on STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE to film five episodes of the prime-time sudser, gets to reunite with Heather Locklear (Amanda), his co-star from T.J. HOOKER. "She's one of the great people of our planet," he beams. "It's so tough to be this ruthless jerk with her."
     But he manages, going head-to-head with the bitchy blonde after Tony, who is employing Amanda's agency, is unable to bed Eve. Naturally, Lexie (sic) is there to take charge. "She wins him over with her sex, which is constantly in overdrive," Darren reports with a laugh.