Network: The CW
Who Is In It? Ashley Simpson-Wentz, Brooke Burns, Thomas Calabro, Laura Leighton, Katie Cassidy, Josie Bissett, Heather Locklear
What’s It All About? Did you have to watch the original Melrose to get the hang of the new one? Nah. Does it help if you did? Eh, kinda. As is the case in Melrose The Former, the new show’s home base is the Place, and its apartment-dwellers are one pretty, youthful and oh-so-angsty family — save for landlady Sydney, once Jane’s troublemaking, death-faking kid sister, who’s now a lethal cougar. As for the inaugural storylines — sensitive Billy-like filmmaker Jonah wants to marry idealistic Allison-like teacher Riley much to the consternation of his free-lovin’, Amanda-with-a-dash-of-Matt-like agent Ella, while noble, Jo-like med student Lauren resorts to not-so-noble means to stay in nursing school — it all feels comfortably MP. And watching a cut-offs-and-jean-jacket-clad Simpson-Wentz, all wide-eyes and thumb-nibbling gestures, as she tries to play 18 is nothing short of a giggle no matter how old you are.
In addition to Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro reprising their original roles as Sydney and Michael, Josie Bissett will be returning to “guest star” in her original role as Jane. And yes, Heather Locklear will be back as Amanda, starting in the Nov. 17 episode.
