THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 20, 1995 TAG: 9505190059
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
WHEN WE LAST SAW Billy the bubble-head and his new girlfriend, born-to-be-bad Brooke, on ``Melrose Place,'' he had popped the question.
``Will you marry me?''
She didn't hesitate for a nanosecond.
``I'd love to be your wife, Billy Campbell.''
The wealthy, spoiled, manipulative, deceitful - did I mention gorgeous? - Brooke Armstrong dispatched No. 1 rival Alison to Hong Kong with Pop's help, seduced Billy and led him to the altar.
But will the marriage come off as planned Monday night at 8 on Fox when ``Melrose Place'' wraps up the season with a two-hour episode?
``It might not get to the `I do' part,'' said Kristin Davis, the Columbia, S.C., native, who came from out of nowhere to be included in the ``Melrose Place'' ensemble as Brooke.
That's the way producer Aaron Spelling works. Find great-looking raw talent, showcase it in a slightly campy prime-time series with more twists and turns than a ride at Busch Gardens, then watch the ratings soar.
How did the 20something and single-in-real-life Davis land the role of Brooke? ``I just went in and auditioned,'' she said from the set of ``Melrose Place'' after cast and crew finished episode No. 32.
The series is filmed not in some fancy-schmanzy Hollywood studio but in an industrial park north of Los Angeles. Same deal with another Spelling hit, ``Beverly Hills 90210.''
Not long after her audition, Davis was in the uniform that is standard issue for women in a Spelling series - fluffed-out long hair and a short, tight skirt.
The wedding twist surprised her.
``I had no idea when I got the part that I would be marrying Billy. When I read the script, I said to myself, `Oh, no. This means I'll be killed off or something almost as bad because nobody is ever happily married on `Melrose Place.' ''
Did she say ``kill''?
That is what the crazed Kimberly has in mind for the finale.
As Billy and Brooke were making wedding plans, Kimberly was alone in her room at the Casa Malibu, vowing vengeance on those who did her wrong. ``I'll kill them all,'' she says.
Kimberly, played by all-legs Marcia Cross, rigs an explosion at the Melrose Place apartment complex at the urging of a demonic alter ego she sees in the mirror. It was a pretty spectacular stunt, according to Davis.
``We took days to shoot it,'' she said.
But, alas, it's unlikely that the booming finish will ever be seen in prime time. After the recent bombing and heavy loss of life in Oklahoma City, Spelling and his associates said they would consider a less explosive final scene. I heard tell that two ``Melrose Place'' characters were to die in the original explosive finish.
And now, who knows?
Davis said she will be back next season. As Mrs. Billy Campbell?
Don't count on it. Alison is hurrying back from Hong Kong to stop the nuptials. She still loves Billy, and said so in a note, which the devious Brooke fed into a shredder.
What's a deliciously dark role like this meant to Davis, who not long ago was waiting tables to pay the rent? Has it turned her life upside down? ``So far, it's been no big deal. Not many people recognize me in Los Angeles. At home, it's a different story. Since I've been on the show, my parents in Columbia have become quite popular.''
``Melrose Place'' is a good news/bad news gig. The good news is that even a small role such as D&D Advertising assistant Brooke Armstrong can make you a star overnight. The bad news is that ``Melrose Place'' shoots 32 episodes a year, which is about 10 more than your average network drama.
To keep costs down, the cast often shoots two episodes at once. Sounds confusing. ``It makes for some very, very long days,'' said Davis, who agreed to toss a little gossip our way.
About Heather Locklear, who plays Amanda, Brooke's mentor in manipulation, Davis said, ``She is not a normal person in that she can eat anything she wants and never puts on weight. It's a weird metabolism thing. The rest of us eat and then have to work off the calories.''
Of Andrew Shue, who plays Billy, Davis said, ``During rehearsals, he never kisses. He saves the kissing for when the cameras are rolling. He won't say why. Is he a good kisser? Absolutely.''
Billy and Brooke married?
I don't think so. by CNB