Colin Egglesfield Speaks Out on Melrose Ouster

Colin Egglesfield is beginning to open up about his sudden dismissal from Melrose Place—and the story he tells differs significantly from the official party line being touted by the CW.

While the show's executive producers suggested on Thursday that Egglesfield and Ashlee Simpson's characters were slated for the chopping block all along when the "Who Killed Syndey" story line wraps up in December, Egglesfield explains to E! Online that the decision caught him completely off-guard.

Says Egglesfield: "I was slated to be in 10 of the 13 first episodes, but I had a multiyear contract."

So why did Egglesfield suddenly find himself out of a job on Thursday? The actor recounts his phone conversation with the show's producers, Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer:

"They were really saddened, and you could tell it was difficult for them to break this news to me. They said it was a network decision, and they said the network thought Auggie was a little too dark, with his alcoholism. They felt like in the landscape of Melrose they wanted to change the tone of the show. So that's the explanation that they gave me."

Egglesfield adds that, prior to that phone conversation, "never any discussion that they weren't sure what they were going to do with me or my character. And it wasn't like I was getting in fights with crew members or punching people out."

Colin concludes by saying that, since his character isn't being killed off, "It keeps the door open for, potentially, my character to come back, but who knows?"

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz & Colin Egglesfield Out in "Melrose Place" Shake-Up

Two months into its run, The CW’s ratings-challenged (but creatively-smokin’) Melrose Place reboot is about to undergo a major renovation.

For starters, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield have been let go (they’ll last air in January), and the “Who Killed Sydney?” mystery is being wrapped up in December. Then, in addition to Heather Locklear’s Amanda, several new characters will be introduced and the show will take on a lighter, more fun vibe.

Here, in an exclusive interview with , exec producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer explain why they’re fixing a series that many felt wasn’t broken and tease what’s ahead for Melrose 2.0 3.0.

What was behind the decision to let Ashlee and Colin go?
TODD SLAVKIN: Well, we always knew that this murder mystery would end in episode 12. And we always knew that [Ashlee's] character of Violet would be instrumental in that as a suspect, and [Colin's character of] Augie as well. And once that murder mystery was solved, she would go on her way. That was the original plan going into the development of the show.

So it was always the plan for Ashlee to leave after episode 12?
SLAVKIN: Yes. Because we felt that once the murder mystery was resolved, the tone of the show was going to shift into a much more fun, romantic, sexy upbeat kind of show, and [her] character would move on.

Same thing with Colin?
SLAVKIN: Colin was always meant to be the ultimate suspect. And his brooding alcoholic [character] tonally didn’t fit the paradigm moving into post-murder mystery Melrose Place.

Is it fair to say that if either of those characters clicked you would’ve found a way to keep them?
SLAVKIN: Well, you never know when you go along. But in the end, we felt like it was right [decision].
DARREN SWIMMER: The nature of soaps is that as things progress along, the story takes on a life of its own and the characters come and go in relation to that.

How did Ashlee and Colin take the news?
SLAVKIN: They’re total professionals and they took it like professionals. When you go into a show you never know what’s going to evolve and what the possibilities are. But because they knew ahead of time [that leaving was a possibility], it wasn’t a complete shock.

People are going to look at these changes and assume it’s a direct result of the show’s disappointing ratings.
SLAVKIN: Well, I understand that perspective. None of us foresaw the ratings; there’s nothing we can do about that. All we can do is write and produce the best show we know how. It’s fine to speculate, but in the end there was always a plan.

What about Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro? Are they leaving, too?
SLAVKIN: Thomas is very much a part of the fabric of this show. Many storylines are ahead for him. You’ll get to see him interact with his old friend Amanda Woodward as well as all the characters on our show. With Laura, we would never close the door officially. She did her part in the murder mystery. We love her. We think she is gorgeous and a great actress and would love to have her be involved in the future, but there is no plan at the moment.

Can you elaborate on the tonal shift?
SLAVKIN: Now that the characters are no longer suspects, they can have a great time, they can focus on their careers, they can get into bed with each other without having this ominous cloud hanging over the building… But this is still Melrose Place. There’s still going to be intrigue on the show.

Do you think viewers were turned off by the dark nature of the show?
SWIMMER: Who knows why the ratings aren’t better? I think for us, it’s just a matter of moving on in the direction we [always] wanted to go.

Some people might wonder why you’re fixing what’s not broken. Personally, I love the show.
SLAVKIN: Which we understand and I totally get that. I think our feeling is that TV shows need to evolve. Mike, you’re a fan of Smallville. You’ve watched that show and you’ve seen the evolution in that show. Characters come and go. This being much more of a soap opera, we feel that it’s heated up more rapidly, where characters come and go and have arcs and move on. There will be new characters coming in.

Tell me about those new characters.
SLAVKIN: There’s a doctor, a new resident at the hospital who is irreverent and funny and will mix it up and move into the building. He will be a roommate of one of the characters and interact with Lauren. He’s a guy that, even though he’s a doctor, he doesn’t take life very seriously. Medicine can be very fun as well as serious to him and he ends up lightening up Lauren. We think this guy’s a lot of fun and is going to mix it up in a great way with the rest of the cast.

Has the role been cast?
SLAVKIN: Not yet.

Any other new characters?
SWIMMER: We have [Heather Locklear's] new love interest played by Billy Campbell. He has a three-episode arc. He plays basically a billionaire version of Jonah. He’s the equivalent of a Mark Cuban. Again, a lot of fun, funny, irreverent, and is someone who can actually make Amanda Woodward smile.

How long do you have Heather for?
SLAVKIN: A long time. She’s in every episode moving forward. She’s a major focus [of the show]. She has a hidden agenda that will become not so hidden as the episodes move along. She’s not just the boss of Ella [Katie Cassidy].

Does Heather still have it?
SLAVKIN: Absolutely. Not only is she so fun as Amanda, but she’s such an amazing, hysterical woman. Her [return] is going to be a big moment on Melrose Place

Vampire Diaries Scores Full Season Pick-Up

The CW has picked up The Vampire Diaries for a full season!

The show boasted the network’s best premiere ratings since the network’s inception and had 3.8 million viewers in its latest episode. There’s an order in for nine more episodes of the show!

Variety reports that Melrose Place also got a pick-up, but for five episodes - the hope is that Heather Locklear’s upcoming appearances will help the show win more viewers for the rest of the season.

Congratulations to both casts on the pick-ups!

Gay Characters on the Rise in TV Land!

The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on broadcast TV is again on the rise, according to a new report from The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). The group’s 14th annual TV study found that 18 LGBT characters will account for 3% of primetime scripted series regulars in the 2009-2010 broadcast TV season. That’s up from 1.3% in 2006, 1.1% in 2007 and 2.6% in 2008.

New LGBT characters include bisexual Ella on Melrose Place, Southland’s gay police officer John Cooper, Modern Family’s gay couple Mitchell and Cameron, and coming-out high schooler Kurt on Glee.

ABC continues to lead the networks with eight LGBT characters, or 5% of its 168 total series regulars. Fox, which had no regular LGBT characters two years ago, now has 4 characters (4%). NBC has 3 characters (3%), The CW has two (3%), but CBS had no LGBT characters out of its 132 regulars.

Star Sighting: She's Back!

Look who's moving back in! A radiant Heather Locklear gets set to reprise her role as vixen Amanda Woodward as she arrives to the Hollywood set of Melrose Place on Tuesday. Locklear will make her return on an episode airing November 17th.

Engaged: Andrew Shue and Today's Amy Robach!

Former Melrose Place heartthrob Andrew Shue and the Today show’s Amy Robach are engaged, a spokesperson for Today confirmed.

Both Shue and Robach are recently divorced, a source says. Shue, 42, had been married to floral designer Jennifer Hageney since 1994. Robach, 36, was married to Tim McIntosh. The source says both of them have been separated from their former spouses for about a year and started dating this spring after being set up by friends.

In April, Shue and Robach were spotted walking hand-in-hand on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, laughing and kissing.

The two were engaged last week, the source says. "They're both very happy."

A former Miss Georgia contestant, Robach is also a national correspondent for NBC Nightly News. Since his days on Melrose, Shue has co-founded the nonprofit foundation Do Something, an organization that encourages volunteerism, and the social networking site CafeMom.

CW Gives Full-Season Order to 'Tree'

The CW has given a full-season order to veteran drama "One Tree Hill," and has also ordered additional scripts for frosh entries "The Vampire Diaries" and "Melrose Place."

The netlet had ordered just 13 episodes of "One Tree Hill" this season, but the early pickup now secures the show a full seventh season.

As for "Diaries," the CW has picked up nine more scripts - a good sign that a full-season order is in the cards. And it's no surprise: Show holds the record as the CW's most-watched premiere ever (4.9 million viewers).

Then there's "Melrose," which has so far been a disappointment for the Dub. But net execs are still holding out hope for a turnaround - especially once Heather Locklear shows up in November. The CW believes the show is creatively on track enough to earn an order for six additional scripts.

CW execs were waiting Wednesday night to see how the second episode of its other new drama, "The Beautiful Life: TBL," performs. That show struggled in its opening and now faces even tougher competition vs. the launch of ABC's highly touted 9 p.m. comedies.

Heather Locklear Returning to Melrose Place

Let the catfighting begin!

Heather Locklear is reprising her most famous role, ad exec Amanda Woodward, as she returns to Melrose Place on an episode scheduled to air November 17th, the CW announced on Tuesday.

“We’re ecstatic to have the chance to bring Amanda Woodward back to Melrose Place,” executive producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer said in a press release. “Heather’s involvement in the show is something we’ve been working on for some time as we couldn’t imagine creating and producing this show without the iconic character’s inclusion.”

Since last month, the actress, 47, has been in talks to appear on the show. Locklear joined the original Melrose Place during its first season, and remained until it went off the air in 1999.

There’s no word on how long Locklear’s stint on the show will last. Other stars from the original series who will be returning to the CW re-vamp include Laura Leighton, Thomas Calabro, Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga.

Laura Leighton on Melrose Place’s Shocking Twist

There were plenty of twists and turns on Tuesday’s premiere episode of the CW’s revamped Melrose Place.

SPOILER ALERT: And the biggest of all was the shocking death of Laura Leighton’s returning character Sydney Andrews, whose lifeless body was discovered floating in the famed apartment complex’s pool.

But is Sydney, who was already killed off on the original Melrose Place — back in 1997, she was hit by a car on her wedding day — really dead this time? “As far as I know,” Leighton tells PEOPLE.

The actress, who filmed her latest TV death in the spring, had to keep her lips sealed all summer about Sydney’s fate. “It’s been difficult, but it was an important secret to keep,” says Leighton, 41. “It’s a lot easier now that the cat is completely out of the bag.”

Fear not, Sydney fans: Leighton says that while Sydney might be dead, she’s still going to appear on the show throughout the season in flashbacks. “I thought it was a interesting way to tell the story and fill in the blanks,” she says. “It’s moving forward while moving backwards, so we’ll see where it takes us.”

And she and Thomas Calabro, who returned as Michael Mancini, won’t be the only former Melrose castmates to make an appearance on the new show. “Their concept is to add other characters from the old Melrose and dot them in here and there where the stories make sense,” she says. “They want to spread them out and show how each of the old characters’ lives entwine with the new characters. “

Before her sudden demise, Leighton managed to enjoy a small cougar moment when the script called for Sydney to pounce on her younger male costar Shaun Sipos (who plays David Breck, the estranged son of Thomas Calabro’s Michael Mancini). “Of course they’re going to have to pair Sydney up with a younger guy. You know, I don’t write it!” she says, laughing. “I think the nature of Sydney’s character is using sex. It’s all part of her plan.”

Leighton is married to Desperate Housewives’ Doug Savant, who played Matt Fielding on the original Melrose Place. So how does has Savant feel about his wife kissing younger men? “I don’t think he would have any room to say, ‘Hey, hey, hey!’ He’s on a show that has enough of that!” says Leighton. “I think he understands the nature of the beast and it’s all silly at the end of the day. But it’s not a bad way to spend the day at work.”

For more from Leighton about what’s in store for Sydney, check out the new issue of PEOPLE.

Fall TV Premieres: 90210 & Melrose Place

The cast of Melrose Place

Tonight we have the pleasure of welcoming the first two shows to the 2009/2010 Fall premiere season and they are both on The CW.

The CW is promoting these shows with taglines such as: "Tuesday is the new Hump Day" and "Menage a Tues". And how appropriate it is since the two shows premiering tonight are 90210 (for it's second season) and Melrose Place, it's premiere show.

Both shows are new versions of the 1990s FOX favorites Beverly Hills,90210 and Melrose Place. They have been updated to include storylines related to our current decade along with a sleuth of new cast members and characters.


Here's what The CW has to say about the new Melrose Place:

In an elegant Spanish-style apartment complex in the trendy Melrose neighborhood of Los Angeles, the lives and relationships of a diverse group of 20-somethings intertwine to form a close-knit surrogate family.

Sydney Andrews (Laura Leighton, the original "Melrose Place") is the landlady, still beautiful at 40, and a central figure in the lives of all her tenants, especially handsome and rebellious David Breck (Shaun Sipos, "Shark"). Sydney started an affair with David despite her turbulent history with his estranged father, Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro, the original "Melrose Place"). Both father and son learned through experience that Sydney was not above using blackmail to control people.

Another tenant, high-powered publicist Ella Simms (Katie Cassidy, "Supernatural"), once considered Sydney her mentor, but their friendship was destroyed by betrayal, and Sydney threatened to evict Ella and ruin her career. Sydney also played a pivotal role in the career of Auggie Kirkpatrick (Colin Egglesfield, "All My Children"). After they met at an AA meeting, she became a supportive friend to Auggie and encouraged his dream to become a chef. He’s now a successful sous chef at the trendy restaurant Coal, but his relationship with Sydney has gone sour since she began drinking again.

The other tenants include Lauren Yung (Stephanie Jacobsen, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"), a medical student in desperate need of money to pay her student loans, and Jonah Miller (Michael Rady, "Swingtown"), an aspiring filmmaker who has just proposed to his live-in girlfriend Riley Richmond (Jessica Lucas, "Cloverfield"), a first-grade teacher. The newest tenant, wide-eyed 21-year-old Violet Foster (Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, "7th Heaven"), has just arrived in LA and is horrified to find a bloody body floating in the courtyard pool. David is the leading suspect but, as the police are soon to discover, almost everyone living at Melrose Place had a reason to want the deceased out of the way.

An updated version of the popular 1990s series, Melrose Place is from CBS Television Studios with executive producers Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer ("Smallville"). Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") is the director and executive producer of the pilot.

Door to New Melrose Place ‘Always Open’ for Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear’s not currently slated to appear on the CW’s upcoming Melrose Place revamp, but that doesn’t mean producers have given up hope.

“The door is always open for Heather Locklear,” executive producer Todd Slavkin told reporters Tuesday during the CW’s portion of the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour. “We’re huge fans of hers.”

So much so that he’s already figured out exactly how he’d incorporate Locklear’s scheming ad exec, Amanda Woodward, into the new soap’s cast of hot young stars, which includes Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. “We have a great way for her to come into the show,” Slavkin said.

Even without Locklear, Melrose 2.0 isn’t hurting for alumni. Original series stars Laura Leighton (Sydney), Thomas Calabro (Michael Mancini) and Josie Bissett (Jane) will all appear, as will Daphne Zuniga (Jo) who, Slavkin promised, “will be back with a vengeance.”

The producer also revealed he’d had discussions with Grant Show (Jake) about reprising his role. In determining which characters to bring back, Slavkin said there was one main criteria: “Does it feel organic? Does it not feel contrived? That’s really what’s important to us.”

One actor who’s unlikely to check back into TV’s most drama-prone apartment complex? Lisa Rinna, who played Taylor McBride. Despite a public plea earlier this year, “She wasn’t calling our offices,” said executive producer Darren Swimmer. “I think her campaign was a little bit in fun.”

Melrose Place Remake Gets Its Gay

It was only a matter of time before the producers of the Melrose Place remake -- scheduled to premiere September 8th on the CW -- announced who'd be playing the show's resident gay guy. Filling original gay resident Doug Savant's shoes? Former Playgirl centerfold and Sex and the City hottie, Victor Webster.

And for those who fear Webster's "Caleb" will suffer the same bland fate as Savant's "Matt", producers assure fans that they're intent on painting Caleb as a fully fleshed-out character.

Caleb will first appear in the show's second episode, according to After Elton. Caleb Brewer "smokes cigars, likes the Los Angeles Lakers, collects sports memorabilia, drinks scotch, likes guys, and is not afraid to admit it."

Sex and the City fans might remember Webster for his memorable appearance as Samantha Jones's afternoon insider trading/bed buddy.

Producers have confirmed that Webster will appear on the show frequently throughout the first season.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Dishes on Melrose Place

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has moved into Melrose Place, and she tells People that her offbeat character on the CW’s revival of the primetime soap isn’t all she appears to be. “She is a little weird,” the actress told People Tuesday. “I have a so-called innocent side, but I think it’s just the persona that I’m giving to people. I’m only setting people up.”

Describing her character, Simpson-Wentz says, “Her name is Violet and she’s new to Melrose Place, new to L.A., looking for a family member — looking for any kind of family, looking for love. She’s really not accepted — not just yet. I think that’s something interesting, to play the outsider.”

Some of Violet’s downfalls include, “obsessing over things and people,” says the actress. “Anyone that’s willing to be like, ‘I’ll help you out,’ she finds an obsession with them.”

Unlike Simpson-Wentz, who has a strong bond with her own family in real life, the character is “desperate for family, desperate for love, desperate to connect,” says the star. “In a way she looks up to Ella, who’s played by
Katie [Cassidy], because she’s got it together from the outside. She sees that and she’s like ‘How am I ever going to fit in this town and place?’”

Simpson says she’s glad to be part of the series’ tradition of shocking plot twists — but won’t give up an specifics. “There’s a lot of jaw-droppers on the show that we obviously can’t give away but it does get crazy.” Although she was too young to catch the original Melrose Place, she hopes to “bring the old audience back and also start a new one, one of our generation because we just missed the boat on Melrose Place.”

Speaking of Melrose signatures, she admits she was worried she wouldn’t have any steamy scenes. “I had said, ‘I haven’t had to make out with anybody.’ Then I just found today that you’ll see who I have to make out with in episode six!” She even got hubby Pete Wentz’s approval for any torrid scenes. “My husband is a huge supporter,” she exclaimed. “He’s seen the pilot and loved it and was excited for me.”

Just don’t expect the Fall Out Boy musician to make any guest appearances on the series. “We have enough family in the business, so we’re good on that,” she said. “I think we’ve got that covered.”

Melrose Place gets Scandalous Hollywood Makeover

"Melrose Place", the 1990s television soap opera that became an international pop culture phenomenon, returns in September with a new cast of characters but still promising to be "the most scandalous address in Hollywood."

A decade after ending its seven-year run on U.S. television in 1999, "Melrose Place" has been remade, recast and, judging by the promotional posters, sexed-up for its run on the small CW network.

But although the new prime time series draws its inspiration from the original tale of diverse 20-somethings living in an elegant apartment building in the Melrose area of Los Angeles, the producers hope to draw a mix of nostalgic fans and new young viewers.

"We were huge fans of the original but when we set out to do our version, we wanted to pay tribute to the old show but create our own show with our own characters," Todd Slavkin, one of the executive producers said on Tuesday.

"I would say it is definitely still the most scandalous address in Hollywood," he added.

Promotional ads showing the iconic apartments, central swimming pool and sexy cast with taglines like "Tuesdays are a bitch" and "Tuesday's the new Humpday" have already caused a stir.

Original cast member Thomas Calabro returns as the diabolical Dr. Michael Mancini and actress Laura Leighton is back as scheming Sydney Andrews. Josie Bissett is among old alumni expected to appear in the new version, whose biggest star is actress/pop singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.

Slavkin said that other Melrose originals may come back, adding; "The door is always open for Heather Locklear."

The remake of "Melrose Place" follows a make-over last year for its 1990s sister show, teen drama "Beverly Hills, 90210".

After a good ratings start to the new "90210" on CW in September 2008, audiences in the United States slipped off. But CW executives said the remake had proved more popular overseas and had been sold to some 179 nations.

They are expecting the same interest overseas for the new "Melrose Place", whose convoluted plot lines have a heavy element of mystery and intrigue.

"This kind of product does well overseas. People like soap operas, and seeing the sordid lives of people in LA really seems to appeal," said executive producer Darren Swimmer.

Josie Bissett Returns to New Melrose Place

Looks like Melrose Place is getting more tenants, Josie Bissett is returning to her old haunt as a guest star.

Bissett reprises her role as Jane Andrews Mancini, sister to Laura Leighton's Sydney Andrews, in at least one episode and may do more, according to a source.

Bissett joins original Melrose castmates Leighton and Thomas Calabro when the new incarnation airs on the CW network this fall.

Meanwhile Bissett's ex-husband, Rob Estes (also a former Melrose alum), appears on the CW in 90210.

Coming Soon: Melrose Place to The CW

Being a fan of the original Melrose Place, I'm looking forward to the new version of this 90s "soap opera" coming this fall to The CW.

Lisa Rinna Wants Mrs. Robinson Role

Former Melrose Place star Lisa Rinna's recent Playboy magazine reveal has inspired her to play a sexy older woman in a new TV project.

The actress paid homage to movie legend Anne Bancroft's The Graduate seductress Mrs. Robinson in the pages of the current issue of Playboy - and now she wants a similar role in a TV series.

She says, "I have another great character in me. I think maybe a Mrs. Robinson type. I’m gonna put that out in the universe."

But Rinna insists she won't be playing such a role on the Melrose Place remake, despite lobbying for a return to the show where she made her big break.

She tells EW.com, "I don’t think I wanna go back anymore... It doesn’t feel right! It feels weird. I’ve changed my mind. You can’t go back."

Another Original Melrose Cast Member Returns

First Sydney, now Dr. Michael Mancini: The CW's new Melrose Place has yet another familiar face joining the cast.

Thomas Calabro will be reprising his role as Dr. Mancini, the good guy-turned-cheater.

Calabro, who appeared every season in the original Melrose, will be the father to David Patterson, played by Shaun Sipos. No other details were revealed.

Earlier today, we reported that Laura Leighton will return as Sydney Andrews, the landlord of Melrose Place.

Sydney Returning to 'Melrose Place'

Amanda's loss is Sydney's gain.

While Heather Locklear passed on the chance to be a part of the CW's new 'Melrose Place,' Laura Leighton, who played sassy schemer Sydney Andrews on the original Fox prime-time sudser, has said yes.

Leighton will reprise her role in the pilot and then continue on as a recurring player, "if" the new Melrose gets ordered to series, says the Hollywood Reporter. Sources tell the trade that Sydney will serve as the landlord of the titular apartment complex/den of iniquity.

I personally feel Locklear should reprise her role as she was the reason why the original show took off and lasted as long as it did.

Hopefully Rob (Kyle) Estes, Grant (Jake) Show, Patrick (Richard) Muldoon, Thomas (Michael) Calabro, David (Craig) Charvet, or any of the other Melrose hotties will also join the cast.

No Amanda at the New Melrose Place

Actress Heather Locklear won't be part of the Melrose Place update, because she's not convinced writers can find a way of bringing her character Amanda Woodward back.

Locklear was considered a definite for the remake of the 1980s soap, but she has turned down an offer to join the cast.

A source tells EW.com, "There wasn't a way to bring her back that made sense."

The actress' reps have confirmed Locklear has declined the offer to return to the role.

The new show, which is slated to hit TV screens in America later this year, will feature new mum Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and David Cassidy's daughter Katie.

Meanwhile, another former Melrose Place star, Lisa Rinna, is going to extremes to land a role in the beloved TV series' remake, hitting the streets of Los Angeles to drum up support.

The actress-turned-reality TV star recently confessed she'd do anything to appear on the new show, and proved it on Wednesday by urging motorists to 'honk' for her.

Rinna, who played Taylor McBride on the original series, worked the corner of Melrose Avenue and Melrose Place with placards stating, "Honk for Lisa Rinna on the new Melrose Place".

The actress will be baring all for Playboy this summer in another attempt to boost her appeal and land a Melrose Place return.