Can Heather Locklear save 'Melrose Place' again? Probably not.
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Tuesday morning, The CW announced that Heather Locklear would reprise her role as Amanda Woodward on "Melrose Place" starting Nov. 17.Wednesday morning, the ratings for Tuesday night showed that "Melrose Place" brought in not even 1.5 million viewers -- which is low even for The CW.
By announcing Locklear's casting in what sounds like a recurring part (the network's press release calls it her "debut appearance," implying there may be more to come), the network was in effect saying that it intends to stick with the show at least until then. The question is whether it will be worth it.
The CW keeps score differently than the other broadcast networks. It doesn't pay much attention to total viewers or even adults 18-49, the demographic the other networks tout to advertisers, instead targeting the niche audience of women under 35. That may help "Melrose Place's" chances at survival somewhat, because the overall audience just isn't there.
"Melrose Place" premiered to just 2.3 million viewers on Sept. 8 and has declined in each of its subsequent telecasts; only 1.44 million people tuned in Tuesday night. But for another CW show, "The Beautiful Life," it would be the least-watched show on any of the five broadcast networks so far this season.
Its numbers among women 18-34 are a little bit better, although not much. The show scored a 1.5 rating in that demo Tuesday, which given how small the overall audience isn't bad -- at least a good number of the people who were watching were in the target demo. But it was still not even half as good as the other networks (they all scored either a 3.3 or 3.4).
The received wisdom is that when Locklear joined "Melrose Place" 19 episodes into its first season (the show produced a whopping 32 that year), the show's ratings took off. Inasmuch as her arrival coincided with the show's soapier turn and a larger cast shakeout (the departure of Amy Locane, arrival of Daphne Zuniga and introduction of both Laura Leighton and Marcia Cross in recurring parts), that's true.
But that "Melrose Place," while no big hit, was more or less holding its own for FOX; Locklear helped take the show's ratings from so-so to good. It's hard to see her working the same kind of magic a second time.
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Related:
'Melrose Place' alumni: Bring 'em all back
'Melrose Place': Heather Locklear will return as Amanda Woodward
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I stopped following ratings when I found out that they are never tabulated correctly. I sense a slight hatred for Melrose 2.0 here though. The show is in it's third episode and just haven't found it's footing yet. Give it time. Please.
i actually really like the show and it has gotten better with each episode. that said, cannot wait for Amanda to be back!
i actually really like the show and it has gotten better with each episode. that said, cannot wait for Amanda to be back!
i LOVE the new version, alot better then the current 90210.
Just 2 things (cw read this) 1...use amanda more then just 2-3 mins per episode (like u do with kelly on 90210), viewers will NOT tune in for that , give her a LEAD , A screentime, not C.
And 2, bring back the classic soapy opening theme credits + (updated) oringal score!
The current opening is just to cold and feels cheap
i LOVE the new version, alot better then the current 90210.
Just 2 things (cw read this) 1...use amanda more then just 2-3 mins per episode (like u do with kelly on 90210), viewers will NOT tune in for that , give her a LEAD , A screentime, not C.
And 2, bring back the classic soapy opening theme credits + (updated) oringal score!
The current opening is just to cold and feels cheap
Honestly didn't even know Melrose started. CW is a dead network unless they can get a miracle, hope Locklear is that miracle. CW started with a staple of the best of UPN and the WB but they killed them and have yet to come up with something good since.
Cool! I couldn't believe it when I read on Perez Hilton that the ratings are taking a big dive which is so stupid because this show is just getting better and they're lining up great stars like Taryn Manning...so come on people stop being so LAME! Hope Heather can save the show.
I was so glad they had Taryn Manning guest star last night - love her! She even pulled a gun on Jonah as they played the Boomkat song "Run Boy" - it was so great.
Oh, fyi there's some videos of Taryn and company doing dance rehearsals for the Melrose Place episode floating around on YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Im5HQAO5yM ). Makes me wish I could dance, too...
This is an awesome show and I hope that more people start watching it. It has gotten better with every episode.
In the original MP she was an hotties, today she's look more like a Granny :s
These types of shows always need time to find their groove and build momentum.
The new incarnation of Melrose was always going to find the comparisons to the older version so much harder to live up to than 90210 because the original Melrose was far more iconic, dynamic, shocking and headline grabbing. Whereas the original 90210 really just cruised along with little controversy or headline grabbing material (the only time 90210 really hit the headlines was when Doherty had caused behind the scene issues).
I really hope Heather can save Melrose Place but I fear her debut episode may be too long into the shows run for it to make a difference. Unless the show starts gaining momentum itself in the coming weeks it is doomed. If it gets better publicity and greater word of mouth it can be saved. After all, from memory it was word of mouth that saved the original Melrose Place as it became a bigger and bigger water cooler show.