Ashlee Simpson canned by Melrose execs
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Austin
After two months and unending hype, the CW’s aimless reboot of ‘Melrose Place’ is in serious trouble. Fans are bored with the plot-lines and trying to guess who killed Sydney, so the Producers are making some long delayed cuts.
To start, Ashlee Simpson and Colin Egglesfield have been dropped from the cast [but will still be seen until January.] And the ‘Sydney’ case will be solved in December, when Heather Locklear and several new characters will also take their first bows.
The show’s Exec Producers, Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer sat down with E to explain all these cuts. First, why drop Ashlee and Colin?
“We always knew the murder mystery would end in show 12. And these two would be instrumental in that. Once it was solved, Ashlee’s character would go on her way. That was the plan going in,” Swimmer insists. “And Colin was meant to be the ultimate suspect. But his brooding, alcoholic character didn’t tonally fit the paradigm, post-murder mystery” adds Slavkin, in a Scrabble-bag of corporate speak it takes a true pro to use.
How did the pair take the news? ”They’re professionals and they took it like professionals. When you go into a show you never know what the possibilities are. But they knew ahead of time, so it wasn’t a complete shock.” Slavkin explains.
Like most people, you may think the two stars getting fired was a knee-jerk reaction to the show’s tanking ratings? Well, the suits claim you’re wrong, “I understand that perspective,” says Slavkin. “None of us foresaw the ratings. All we can do is produce the best show we know how.”
As their ‘best’ has only pulled 2.3-million viewers, I’d say the wrong folks got canned!
So what about this big ‘tonal shift’? “Once the characters are no longer suspects, they can have a great time, focus on their careers, get into bed with each other…all without this ominous cloud. But this is still Melrose, so there’s going to be intrigue on the show,” Slavkin teases.
And a new ‘tone’ brings new characters, so what about them? “There’s a new resident at the hospital who is irreverent and funny. He will be a roommate of one character and interact with Lauren, who really brightens up.” explains Swimmer. “And we have Heather Locklear’s new love, played by Billy Campbell. He’s basically a billionaire – but a lot of fun, and someone who can actually make Amanda smile,” he adds.
Heather’s return is a big ‘get’ for the show [and badly needed!] How long will she stay, the two E.P’s were then asked, “A long time,” Slavkin replies. “She’s a major focus for the show and has a hidden agenda that will become less hidden as the show moves on. She’s not just the boss of Ella,” he muses. “Her return is going to be a big moment on Melrose.”
You can catch all the [lack of] excitement Tuesdays at 9pm-Eastern…
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