"Melrose Place" (1992) TV series 1992-1999

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Creator:

Darren Star

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

8 July 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Lying, cheating, stealing, seduction, backstabbing, betrayal, murder... it's just another day at Melrose Place.

Plot:

The lives and loves of a group of young adults living in "Melrose Place" in California. Each with their own dreams and drives...

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | Hospital | Soap | Deception | Homosexuality

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Golden Globes. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Thomas Calabro	...	Dr. Michael Mancini (218 episodes, 1992-1999)
Andrew Shue	...	Billy Campbell (200 episodes, 1992-1998)
Heather Locklear	...	Amanda Woodward / ... (199 episodes, 1993-1999)
Josie Bissett	...	Jane Andrews Mancini (172 episodes, 1992-1999)
Doug Savant	...	Matt Fielding (162 episodes, 1992-1997)
Courtney Thorne-Smith	...	Allison Parker (158 episodes, 1992-1997)
Grant Show	...	Jake Hanson (157 episodes, 1992-1997)
Jack Wagner	...	Dr. Peter Burns / ... (139 episodes, 1994-1999)
Laura Leighton	...	Sydney Andrews (126 episodes, 1993-1997)
Marcia Cross	...	Dr. Kimberly Shaw / ... (114 episodes, 1992-1997)
Daphne Zuniga	...	Jo Reynolds (110 episodes, 1992-1996)
Rob Estes	...	Kyle McBride / ... (100 episodes, 1993-1999)
Kelly Rutherford	...	Megan Lewis Mancini / ... (90 episodes, 1996-1999)

Runtime:

Switzerland:41 min | USA:60 min (227 episodes) | Denmark:42 min | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (self applied) (DVD) (2006) | Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Darren Star Productions

Trivia:

The third season was originally going to end with Kimberly blowing up the apartment complex, but that was scrapped since the Oklahoma City bombing occurred a month earlier. Not wanting to be insensitive to the national tragedy of the Oklahoma City bombing, the producers had the final shot of the season being Kimberly hitting the detonator, then showed the explosion in the season premiere in the fall of 1995.

Quotes:

Sydney: By the way, Kimberly, how is electroshock going? Certainly has put an attractive curl in your hair.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in For a Few Lousy Dollars (1996)

Soundtrack:

Theme

Trashy but addictive

Melrose Place ain't no Emmy winner but it sure is addictive. It's hard to resist the temptation to tune in daily to follow the absurd relationship dramas of this crew of snotty millionaires. In many instances it's just hilarious, for instance crazy Kimberley committing Peter to a mental institute before administering shock therapy and almost a lobotomy (hahahahaha), or Michael's wedding vows to Jane on their second wedding, "Jane you were my first wife, my favourite wife and I hope to god my last wife." The outrageous antics and schemes to win over lovers combined with the fact that every second character seems to be a murderer or a criminal of some sort, it is a wonder that they are not all in jail!

As rich and successful as they are, is this not the unluckiest group of people on television? (well except for the Days of Our Lives cast who all have brain implants and amnesia). I mean they've all been cheated on, dumped, married 4-5 times, been shot, run over, raped, sued, molested, paralysed, lobotimised, burnt, blinded, drowned, blown up, assaulted, tossed out windows, buried alive, stalked by psycho lovers, involved in war; gone bankrupt; suffered from drug addictions, impotency and alcoholism; had cancer, miscarriages, tumours, brain surgery, abusive parents, car wrecks and helicopter crashes just to name a few of the hardships inflicted upon these poor sods. You couldn't pay me to move into Melrose Place, that apartment block is the kiss of death. Seems to be quite the hangout for psychopathic freaks. The newspaper advertisment must read "Melrose Place Tenant Wanted: Must be unbalanced and of a psychotic nature, prone to fits of violence including murder and arson. Must also exhibit strong desire to destroy the lives of everyone you through infliction of emotional pain and suffering. Dodgy, unstable doctors preferred."

Granted, it's a silly show, but it's also the kind of program that makes you skip class so you can use the pay phone in the school lobby to ring home and remind your mum to tape it at 10 (yes I have done that). Can't help myself, I love it and recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh and some light hearted entertainment.