As Update previously reported, this is shaping up to be the final season of FOX's MELROSE PLACE. Official word from the network about the show's future was to be announced a few days after we went to press, but Doug Herzog, new FOX president of entertainment, did offer, "I'm going to be looking very closely at it, but I still have several weeks to decide."
     Regardless, executive producer Charles Pratt Jr. says a grand finale to rival the end of legendary series CHEERS and M*A*S*H is already in the works for May should FOX decide to cancel the seven-year-old series. Pratt says that old favorites would be tapped for one last reunion. Executive producer Carol Mendolsohn (sic) is not waiting for a decision from FOX: She and Aaron Spelling will be producing THE STRIP - a hip new version of HOTEL set in Las Vegas - for the UPN network. And Jamie Luner (Lexi) will exit at season's end to star on a new show on The WB, a network that launched Luner into viewers' homes with her role as Peyton in the guilt-free pleasure series SAVANNAH.
     But until a decision from FOX arrives, the show is chugging ahead at a feverish pace for the all-important February sweeps period that ends in tragedy for Amanda and Kyle. While Kyle is away in rehab, Amanda turns once again to old flame Peter for support. Unfortunately, a jealous Eve misinterprets their friendship and fears that history is repeating itself (the girls fought over Kent Damarr in high school and Kent was killed). Eve and Peter's road will be filled with more lethal curves than anyone could have ever hoped to prepare for!
     Amanda and Peter tearn something stunning about Amanda's efforts to get pregnant. When Eve expresses her fears to an unstable Kyle, he has murder on his mind. "Eve's jealousy gets the best of her... and she sets in motion a dangerous chain of events," says Mendolsohn. The result of Kyle's anger will have a lasting and permanent effect on all of their lives!
     Michael's monetary scheme with Nurse Audrey (Stephanie Cameron, ex-Jennifer, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) will wrap up by February 22, but her insatiable desire for Michael will create a lasting effect long after she's gone. On Monday, March 1, Michael gets what's coming as he faces losing everything dearest to him.
     Meanwhile, Ryan struggles to hold on to Megan in the face of Lexi's efforts to win him for herself. On February 15, Lexi schemes to be alone with Ryan at the tropical Passion Islands resort. Although Ryan fights his attraction, the two fall into a familiar pattern, which will ultimately come back to haunt Ryan if Megan ever learns the truth. Lexi will stop at nothing to capture her passion's desire. She turns to Kyle to find out about Ryan's past with women - and she gets an earful!
* BY DAMON ROMINE