The TV Addict 

1. The COMMUNITY series premiere. [iTunes Link]
2. The PARKS AND RECREATION season premiere. [iTunes Link]
3. The 90210 season premiere. [iTunes Link]
4. The MELROSE PLACE series premiere. [iTunes Link]
5. The BORED TO DEATH series premiere. [iTunes Link]

Thanks to last nights much-anticipated return of 90210 and MELROSE PLACE the TV Addict finally gets to scratch that itch by typing those four magical words that we’ve been jonsin’ for all summer long, “You Be The Critic.” Which if you’re new to theTVaddict.com (and by the way, thanks for stopping by) is YOUR opportunity to post away with your take on last night’s television. But before you do, a few random musing if we may.

As advertised, 90210 did in fact offer up a “New Beginning,” cleverly repositioning the series around the trifecta of talent that is Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord), Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Adrianne (Jessica Lowndes, sporting some much needed lush new locks!). Leaving sullen Shenae Grimes’ Annie Mills flying solo towards a dangerous downward path of booze, sex and public humiliation (Which gets much worse next week, just wait!) Just how much fun was last night’s 90210? Put it this way, between the much-improved dialogue (That “woosh” you just heard was the Viki Kristina Barcelona reference flying completely over our head), and the hilariously-wicked-yet-still-likeable Naomi Clark, we barely cared that the new theme song is a massive dud, Navid (Michael Steger) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) are so boring that we’re praying that their next to join Ethan in Montana, and, try as they may, newcomer tennis hottie Teddy (Trevor Donovan) still looks 35.

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By: Aleks Chan

Aaron Spelling series are like the Velveeta of cheese: Mostly processed, it’s just cheesy enough to harbor an addiction if you eat enough of it. The MELROSE PLACE update, as long as we’re still going with the cheese analogy, would put the lactose intolerant into a diabetic coma. But for the cheese able (I’m done now), tonight’s premiere is a spread: Blackmail, prostitution, adultery, larceny, and murder, all delivered with heavy-handedness and contrivance, some even before the five minute mark. They say efficiency is an important asset during a recession.

And it all circles around Laura Leighton’s scheming Sydney Andrews, raised from the dead and now landlord of the eponymous apartment complex, she sits perched, cougar-like, as her new tenants run around looking pretty and sharing problems, like when one is murdered and left floating bloody in the pool. Who died and who did it is beside the point, and not because none of the actors can effectively feign bereavement.

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ON WHAT BROUGHT HER BACK TO 4616 MELROSE: “Who wouldn’t want to come back and play the character again?” exclaimed actress Laura Leighton when asked by the TV Addict to explain what drew her back to the role that put her on the map. “Sydney was one of my favorite characters ever to play and to get the opportunity to do it again… well, it was sort of a no-brainer.”

ON WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO STEP BACK ON TO THE NOW ICONIC COURTYARD: “It felt like stepping back in time,” said the actress. “It was the same, but new and improved. Like the complex went through a very expensive remodel.”

ON WHETHER OR NOT SYDNEY EVER REALLY DIES: “I can’t speak for the writer’s intentions. I’m just going along for the ride.”

(A ride which begins Tuesday September 8 on the CW at 9PM, Wednesday September 9th on Global TV in Canada)

By: Vlada Gelman

This fall, the CW will reboot MELROSE PLACE with a whole new crop of fresh faces, but the series won’t be without some familiar faces too. 

Laura Leighton’s Sydney is back to stir up trouble despite having died at the end of the original series’ fifth season.  

“In episode three, we will take you back to that night and how it came about that she lived,” executive producer Todd Slavkin said at a recent Q&A for the new series.  

“It was really important to have Sydney and Michael. They were the star-crossed lovers of that original series,” Slavkin said of Sydney’s resurrection. “When we went after them, we knew we had this albatross of she died in the original, but we felt like it was worth it. We convinced Laura that we have this great plan that she faked her death.” 

And it looks like Sydney may have had some help. 

“Something tells me she didn’t do it alone,” Slavkin teased. 

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Welcome to our new morning round-up of big/interesting TV news that you may have missed over the past 24 hours because unlike us, there’s a fairly good chance that have a life outside of the small screen.

Proof that dreams do come true: Heather Locklear is in talks to reprise her now iconic role as conniving ad executive Amanda Woodward in the CW’s upcoming MELROSE PLACE re-boot. [People]

Lifetime made PROJECT RUNWAY work, with Thursday’s season premiere netting 4.2 million viewers, and a practically unheard of 45% jump from last season’s premiere [The Live Feed]

Reports are flooding in that Megan Fox will open the 35th season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. In related news, we’ve already got a feeling we know what co-star Andy Samberg’s opening night gift will be! [Life&Style]

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Welcome to our new morning round-up of big/interesting TV news that you may have missed over the past 24 hours because unlike us, there’s a fairly good chance that have a life outside of the small screen.

Good News: Paula Abdul’s manager David Sonenberg is not talking to AMERICAN IDOL. Bad News: A fact that he takes great pleasure in reminding anyone who will listen every other day. [LA Times]

Good News: Seth MacFarlane continues to release tongue-in-cheek ‘For Your Consideration’ videos for his Emmy nominated series FAMILY GUY. Bad News: And much the show itself — where MacFarlane and Co. have a nasty habit of running gags, well, into the ground — these youtube clips stopped being funny two videos ago. [YouTube]

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MP Stars: Colin Egglesfield, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Laura Leighton, Thomas Calabro, Katie Cassidy

11:00AM: Laura Leighton on Sydney’s return, “Playing Sydney the first time was such fun there was no downside to playing her again.” Thomas Calabro on Michael’s return, “I was very excited that he had even more money than before, ultimate power, and if he continues to be an evil dower it bodes well for that.”

11:02AM: When asked where MELROSE PLACE 2.0 will fall in terms of tone, producer Todd Slavkin promises that “it’s still the most scandalous address in West Hollywood.”

11:04AM: Ashlee Simpson-Wentz borrows a line from Britney Spears, proclaiming that the really innocent character she plays is… not so innocent.

11:04AM: Executive Producer Darren Swimmer doesn’t feel like there are lessons to be learned from 90210’s first season. Any readers care to educate him?

11:07AM: Spoiler Alert #1: Swimmer promises that Sydney’s murder won’t be milked out over the entire season, but will wrap up after several episodes.

11:08AM: Since we know Heather Locklear is totally reading this, we just thought you should know: According to the producing team, the door is always open for you to return and they’ve got a great way for you to come into the show.

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1. Jenna Elfman gets knocked up ACCIDENTLY ON PURPOSE.
2. FLASH FORWARD to what you’ll be obsessing over after LOST ends.
3. Courteney Cox is a Desperate Housewife living in COUGAR TOWN.
4. MELROSE PLACE: Where everybody knows your name… except the guy you slept with last night.
5. Living THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE ain’t easy. Just ask Mischa Barton.

Courtesy of @hitfixdaniel — one of the smartest TV tweeters we know — comes a rare sixth addition to Today’s TV Addict Top 5.

6. This Thursday night… Before SUPERNATURAL… The CW will give you… ‘VD’

Good New: Daphne Zuniga has signed on to the CW’s MELROSE PLACE re-boot, agreeing to reprise her role as photographer Jo Reynolds for at least two episode this season. Bad News: Joining original tenants Josie Bissett [Jane], Laura Leighton [Sydney] and Thomas Calabro [Michael] and leaving this TV Addict increasingly concerned that the proverbial powers that be didn’t learn a thing from 90210’s unfortunate penchant for stunt casting, you know, in lieu of the actual hard work that comes with having to develop a whole slew of interesting new characters and story-lines. [Source]

Good News: Jennifer Garner has inked a fresh development deal with ABC, the network that put her on the map. Bad News: The key word here being ‘development, one that, as Michael Ausiello so accurately put it, “calls for the four-time Emmy nominee to develop projects via her Vandalia Films production shingle.” Not act! [Source]

Good News: Steven Weber is in negotiations to move into ABC’s midseason series HAPPY TOWN. Bad News: Replacing one of Hollywood’s hardest working and most likable actors, Dean Winters. [Source]