If you’ve seen the commercial for the CW’s Melrose Place, (premiering September 8 at 9 p.m.) then you’ve probably heard the song the network is using to promote the series: the addictive Britney Spears anthem, “Circus,” which as you may know goes a little sumthin’ like this: “All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus.” Well, I gotta tell you, I had a chance to screen the show this week, and that is the perfect song for Melrose 2.0, an addictive, edgy, smart, sexy and stylish remake of Darren Star’s hit ’90s drama.

The pilot begins with a bang—quite literally. We get an aerial view of Los Angeles in its wide expanse: There’s bright lights, fancy bars, fancy cars, upscale restaurants, lavish clubs and there’s tons of noise. The music is pumping, cell phones are-a-ringing, and drinks are-a-pouring. It’s an all around good time. The Prada-wearing 20-somethings are out and about, including David Breck (Shaun Sipos) as this generation’s answer to Jake Hanson. He’s seen getting freaky with an unidentified girl near a ladies room inside a club, when suddenly, he’s interrupted by a phone call from none other than his 40-year-old-ish cougar landlord, Sydney (freaking) Andrews! (Yes, Laura Leighton of the original Melrose Place is back, reprising her role as the sexy, but troubled vixen) and let me tell you: She’s in bad shape: “I’m in serious trouble David. Come now,” she says, prompting David to leave his fellow one-night stander behind to head over to Syd’s apartment.

David’s friend Ella Sims (the beautiful Katie Cassidy) is also at the club, but unlike David, she’s working as a publicist trying to sign a new client—not getting her freak on. Meanwhile, when David gets to Syd’s apartment, she tells him: “Something’s happened. I’ve done something really, really bad,” but doesn’t tell him what she’s done or to whom. Instead, she invites him to stay for a “nightcap.” The next morning we’re introduced to the rest of the beautiful youngsters who reside at the apartment complex. There’s Lauren Yung (a superb Stephanie Jacobsen—the show’s standout), a med-student who interns at a hospital. We also meet a chef named Auggie (Colin Egglesfield) and Riley Richmond (90210’s Jessica Lucas), a sweet first-grade teacher who is in a committed five-year relationship with a videographer/aspiring filmmaker named Jonah Miller (Michael Rady). Then there’s Violet Foster (Ashley Simpson-Wentz), a young girl who just moved in, and who, despite her innocent act, seems to be hiding something (like another personality).

All of the characters’ storylines are extremely engaging and entertaining, especially Lauren’s. Lauren is a good-girl med-student who considers prostitution when her father can no longer afford to pay her tuition. It’s heartbreaking when she tells her friend Riley, teary-eyed: “I’ve worked so hard. All my life, all I wanted was to be a doctor. But I wont be one in this lifetime.” Speaking of Riley, her romance with Jonah is endearing, charming and sweet. When Riley thinks Jonah has forgotten about their anniversary after promising to remember the year before, he surprises her on the morning of with a heartwarming video of their time together as a couple—a tribute to their 5-year-relationship that features them swimming together, lovingly kissing each other, having pillow fights and doing other corny couple stuff. (You’d have to be heartless not to find this video charming and nice). While she’s attentively watching the video, Jonah gets down on one knee and proposes to her, but before she has time to give him an answer, they hear a loud scream come from outside by the pool. Cut to Violet standing in front of the iconic Melrose pool; her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide open in shock as she stares at Sydney, face down, covered in blood in the pool wearing white pants (not after labor day, I hope).

What follows is a mystery that is going to play itself out over at least the first eight episodes of the season, with the central question being: Who killed Sydney? Was it David, who had an affair with her to get back at his dad Michael Mancini (another Melrose vet who is also boinking Sydney)? Or was it Michael Mancini himself? After all, Syd did threaten to tell his wife about their affair. Or was it Ella? After all, Syd did threaten to evict her for getting between her and David. Any of the Melrose roommates could be the killer and everyone’s a suspect! This is going to be a fun mystery to watch, but this show is also very sexy. Did I mention that everybody hooks up with everybody else? Well, they do. Riley’s with Jonah, but Ella wants Jonah. David wants Ella, but Ella gets it on with a couple at the farmer’s market (she’s bisexual). Violet wants Auggie, but Auggie wants Sydney, who was getting it on with David and David’s dad before she got killed. Lauren also got it on with Auggy, and is considering getting with a guy who offered her $5,000 for sex. When Jonah asks Ella: “Don’t you want to meet someone and fall in love?” She replies: “Hey, I love, love. I just hate monogamy.” Now, this is television, people!

That’s why, this fall: The party is at 4616 Melrose Place. Are you coming?

Source: www.latina.com