Times are not good for Amanda. New MELROSE PLACE Co-Executive Producer Charles Pratt, Jr., explains, "She is still feeling guilty and on a self-loathing kick because of Christine's death." She must be. This week, Amanda married creepy Rory, but don't look for long-term wedded bliss. Carol Mendelsohn, another newly named MP exec producer, previews with a laugh: "Amanda goes from being a wife on her honeymoon to being a widow rather quickly. Let's just say her marital status changes in, oh, just about 48 hours."
MELROSE PLACE is back for six more steamy, adultery-filled backstabbing episodes this summer. Look for the return of popular actress Josie Bissett (Jane) on August 17, and a revolving door of exits as several of the shows established stars say sayonnara.
Next week, Kyle goes after Amanda for "the truth about their relationship," says Mendelsohn. "In going after the truth, he gets into a confrontation with Rory," which results in Rory's aforementioned death. Kyle's brother then turns up, played by John Haymes Newton (MODELS, INC., SUPERBOY). "We hired someone with acting chops and experience," raves Pratt. "You have to be experienced on this show to keep up."
The next half-dozen episodes of MP will feature lots of location shoots, notably San Pedro ("It looks just like the Dominican Republic," quips Mendelsohn.) Adds Pratt, "These shows are among the most expensive we have ever done. We have boats, storms, special effects. You name it."
As all MP fans know, the show has filmed lots of mayhem on boats over the years. "No explosions this time," jokes Mendelsohn. "No one would rent us a boat. We have a reputation."
"We probably went too far in the past few seasons trying to top ourselves," allows Pratt. "Too many explosions, that kind of thing." And too many characters. So, look for a half-dozen characters - including Billy (Andrew Shue), Taylor (Lisa Rinna), Coop (Linden Ashby) and Samantha (Brooke Langton) - to be sent packing. Ironically, for a show known for killing actors in a dramatic fashion, none of them will leave MP in a pine box. "We kill no one," smiles Pratt. "Well, no one but Rory. The goal was to think of interesting ways to get some of the characters off the canvas without just killing them." (Those "interesting ways" include Billy getting a fax from Alison asking him to join her - but is it really from Alison? Hmmm.) These exits will allow MP to refocus on characters like Amanda (and her portrayer, Heather Locklear, who also officially joins the show's producer ranks) and Peter (Jack Wagner, who will also direct a few episodes). Both Locklear and Wagner have made no secret of wanting to work together more.
So where do Amanda and Kyle go from here? "Amanda and Kyle love each other very much," explains Pratt, "But a horrible secret comes out. We will explore their lives in a whole new way. And if you think you know Amanda, think again." As for Peter, both producers are cryptic. "As far as Amanda is concerned, he decides maybe it's time to move on," says Pratt. But Mendelsohn elaborates, "He is certainly going to try hard to be in her life. And this summer, he gives it his best shot."
