WILL MELROSE STAY ON FOX?
     Despite the fact that MELROSE PLACE's ratings are not quite what they were a year ago (down from a 7.6 to a 6.4 the week of November 16), the cast and crew remain hopeful about the future of the 7-year-old show. "They're guardedly optimistic is the last we heard," offers John Haymes Newton (Ryan). "We should hear something by the holidays because at that point, a lot of the actors will need to commit to other shows for the pilot season. Last year, they apparently waited waited till the last minute and they lost some of the actors."
     Fox sources assert that it's unlikely a decision will be made before the end of the year in light of the recent resignation of Fox President Peter Roth, a long-time supporter of both MP and BEVERLY HILLS, 90210. Replacing Roth will be Comedy Central President Doug Herzog, whose contract with the cable network continues through the end of this year. One strike against an MP renewal is its price tag - it's still one of the network's most expensive shows, despite last year's cast cuts. "These are big financial questions," admits Executive Producer Charles Pratt, Jr. "It seems to go back and forth. But I can tell you, we've got four more seasons in us."
     Jack Wagner (Peter) believes the odds are in MP's favor. "If a show is failing and the stories aren't as good as they could be, that's one thing, but our show seems to be getting better. It just seems to make sense to bring us back, unless Fox decides to go in a new direction with the network."
     That decision will be high on Herzog's agenda when he assumes the reigns at Fox in early 1999.