THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 10, 1995 TAG: 9504080025
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
AM I THE ONLY one who thinks ``Melrose Place'' is in a slump? If the writers weren't desperate for ideas, would they have stuck Amanda with Hodgkin's disease?
In the latest development, Dan Cortese arrived on the scene as a menacing presence - Jake's musclebound brother, Jess. Cortese, late of MTV Sports, has an eye for Jake's business and his woman, Jo.
I could write a better plot twist than that and I think I have - five plot twists, in fact. Here they are:
The trauma that Kimberly has been going through lately, including a suicide attempt, the kidnapping of Jo's baby and a run-in with a sadistic gay cop, turns out to be nothing but a nightmare she experienced while in a coma after an automobile accident. Kimberly emerges from the coma in perfect health. The horrible scar on her scalp was part of the nightmare. It was never there. She resumes her career as a doctor with the cast of ``Medicine Ball,'' the show that follows ``Melrose Place'' on Fox.
Rikki, played by former porn star Traci Lords, returns to the Melrose Place apartments from the desert hideaway of a cult leader named Martin. She renounces Martin and his flock while striking up a friendship with Jo. Needing a job, Nikki hires on as nanny for the wealthy Brentwood couple who, as coincidence would have it, adopted Jo's baby in court-ordered proceedings. With Nikki's help, Jo discovers her baby's whereabouts, snatches the infant and heads for Mexico on Jake's motorcycle with the babe strapped to her back.
Amanda, who lost control of D&D Advertising but kept her long blond hair while underdoing chemotherapy, moves to regain control of the agency from Alison, with the help of Alison's father. You remember him. He sexually molested Alison and her sister, Meredith, when they were children. He's served his time and, with encouragement from Amanda, is back in Los Angeles to shut up Alison for good. When Alison catches him stalking her, she unravels completely, resigns from D&D and heads for Mexico to live with Jo and her baby.
While working as a waitress at Shooter's, Sydney casually mentions to a customer that she used to be a high-priced hooker and eventually graduated to madam. The customer turns out to be a hot-shot producer who offers Sydney $1 million for her story. She accepts on the condition that she plays herself in the movie. The film of Sydney's life grosses $100 million and earns a Golden Globe nomination for the star. But at the height of her career, Sydney falls victim to a relentless stalker who says he will kill her before he allows her to be with another man. The stalker is Alison's father. Sydney flees to Mexico to live with Alison, Jo and her baby.
Michael, who has slept with Jane, Kimberly, Sydney and Amanda, decides that it is Jo for whom he really lusts. Michael heads for Mexico where Jo is living with her baby, Alison and Sydney. He opens a clinic in Tijuana, dispensing the same miracle drugs that cured Amanda of Hodgkins with no damage to her hair - not even split ends. Operating a clinic next to Michael's is that Dr. Burns dude who romanced Amanda while he planned to take over D&D. Michael and Burns clash for control of the lucrative miracle-cure business south of the border. Both men lust after Jo who, despite the heat in Mexico, refuses to give up her black wardrobe.
If you can write a better ``Melrose Place'' plot twist than that, be my guest. Send your ideas to me at 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk 23510 or by fax by dialing 446-2963.
The writer of the best plot submitted to me - I'll be the judge of that - wins a neat ``Melrose Place'' baseball cap. The deadline is April 30.
KEYWORDS: CONTEST by CNB