Pilot Watch: Melrose Place

Source: BUZZSUGAR

Pilot Watch: Melrose Place
Mon, 08/03/2009 - 2:30pm by BuzzSugar

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick is the CW's Melrose Place reboot.

What's it about? As if you don't already know! TV's most scandalous apartment complex is back with a new set of 20-something tenants who just can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Who's in it? Ashlee Simpson, Katie Cassidy, and Michael Rady are among the newbies, while Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro are among the veterans who will appear.

The good: Right off the bat, the pilot is a lot more fun than what we've seen from 90210. It's fresher and more exciting, and it doesn't feel like it's trying so hard. The cast of characters is a mysterious bunch, but not everyone fits into the typical stereotypes.The crossover between old and new Melrose Place residents is smooth and makes (relative) sense, which makes me excited for potential appearances from other original stars.

The bad: As we're prone to seeing on the CW, there's a big lapse in realism here. It doesn't really make economic sense that most of these kids can afford their lavish digs with their low-paying jobs, though the original series wasn't exactly an accurate mirror of society either. There's also so much going on in the first episode, it might not take very long for the storylines to take a turn for the absurd.

Will I watch? Yup. I'm still watching 90210, too, so it looks like I'll be camping out on the CW on Tuesday nights.