Exclusive Details 90210'S RENEWED; MP SHUTS DOWN! Plus, what's next for the stars of MELROSE!

MELROSE PLACE may be preparing to hang up its negligees, but BEVERLY HILLS 90210 isn't ready to retire its pampered brat pack! FOX announced that the long-running series will indeed return for a 10th season with much of its cast still intact. According to FOX, Jennie Garth (Kelly), Tori Spelling (Donna), Luke Perry (Dylan), Brian Austin Green (David), Ian Ziering (Steve) and Vanessa Marcil (Gina; ex-Brenda, GENERAL HOSPITAL) will once again battle life's dramas in tube tops and muscle shirts.
     The May demise of MP disappointed ardent followers as much as it initiated queries of "What will be?" among in insiders.
     It's still premature to determine with absolute certainty what FOX will replace MP with; however, a replica of the fallen soap is highly unlikely. After all, if it's broke, then you better fix it! Which is exactly what the network intends to do. Some have mentioned that Jennifer Love Hewitt's (Sarah, PARTY OF FIVE) new drama TIME OF YOUR LIFE is the program of choice for the newly available Monday night time slot; the new drama would be the perfect lead-in for ALLY MCBEAL, as it hopes to attract the same viewership as the Beantown firm: women aged 18-49. In addition, the contrasting shows are an audience dream by providing the perfect dish of drama and comedy. But what will become of the men and women who have made MELROSE PLACE a guilty pleasure?
     At press time, Jamie Luner (Lexi) was the only actor not headed to the unemployment line. As previously reported in Update, Luner has inked a deal with The WB to develop series with the possibility to star. Meanwhile, real-life husband and wife Rob Estes (Kyle) and Josie Bissett (Jane) are due to become first-time parents in July. In the work stratosphere, Rena Sofer (Eve; ex-Lois, GH) anticipates having a hectic existence. Her representative tells Update, "Rena definitely has some stuff in the works, unfortunately it's nothing I can comment on now."
     The futures of remaining cast members remain less obvious, although Heather Locklear (Amanda) will probably return to television quicker than Amanda swaps lovers! Others will audition for pilot season with the hopes of landing themselves a new series for the fall; many received exposure on daytime dramas and booked several television movies before catching MP executive producer Aaron Spelling's eye.
     Spelling's proven loyalty to his performers may create a MP reunion sooner than expected, especially with UPN's unveiling of THE STRIP (an updated version of HOTEL) this fall!
* BY LAURA DEBRIZZI