Melrose Place's Michael Rady On Heather Locklear and His Melrose Murder Fantasy

Tell me about your new Melrose co-star Heather Locklear. What's a table-read like with her?

Well, she's kind of glowing and excited and giddy and happy. She's so sweet and easygoing, and she doesn't make you nervous. Very professional, does her thing. And she's funny. We were cracking up at all her choices in her reading. At first we were all, "Oh my God, I can't believe it's Heather Locklear." Then she would just catch us staring at her.

I take it you were familiar with the original series before you signed on.

I knew of it, but I wasn't a big watcher. My sister always had it on.

Do you watch the original series now and ever try to use elements of it? Or is the new series just a different animal?

This is another fortunate part of not being savvy, because I don't try to draw from the original for anything. Ours, cinematically, is updated and very visually stimulating. Just with what our DP does, and with colors, and high-def, and they take advantage of that to the fullest extent. I think that's a vast departure from the original. That has to be expected, because our technology has come so far in ten years. I just read the script for episode thirteen, and it's crazy, the stuff that's going on. They pay respect to the drama of the original, but they jump into the drama a little earlier.

What kind of evolution can we expect for Jonah?

In the pilot, he was an exceptional person. When Riley says she won't marry him, I think everyone goes, "What? What are you thinking? Why not? He's perfect." Just because he does everything right. I sat down with the producers and writers at the beginning and that was my one plug for making him -- well, giving him flaws and letting him make wrong decisions, and then hopefully he learns from them. His decisions separate him from the other characters; he has a strong enough foundation to dissect and analyze his choices and learn from the poor ones. You'll see a lot more of that coming up. Some episodes will end, and you will think, "I don't know if Jonah is the nicest guy in the world right now." He'll withhold information, and layers will pile up. Nothing too sinister, but in a new relationship, any lack of communication can be a wrench in the works, and that's definitely to come.

What about that entire coterie of original Melrose cast members who've joined the new series, like Josie Bissett and Thomas Calabro? What's it like with their enormous history permeating the set?

To me, their presence means they like our show and give their stamp of approval. So having the alums back is fantastic and thrilling just in that respect. They also just bring this clout with them, this whole world that I am not completely aware of, but that I'm present to -- all of this stuff over ten season of Melrose Place.

Can I force you to pick a favorite Melrose veteran?

You could force me, but I don't know if I could do it. I spend the most time with Luara Leighton and Thomas Calabro the most. I have a huge crush on Laura Leighton -- amazing, classy, and just a terrific woman. She's professional and funny, sweet and mother-like. And I think I have a crush on Thomas too. He's always smiling and loving what he's doing. I would choose both of them so far.

Finally, what's your dream storyline for Jonah? Would he join the dastardly ranks of his co-stars?

A lunch date with Steven Spielberg followed by getting to assistant direct Clint Eastwood doing a western. But he'd also have to star in the western! Something like that. That'd be pretty awesome. Or George Lucas. That would just be for my own personal thrill of getting to meet them. But my dream story line? That's a tough one. Maybe if he just goes all Dexter on everyone and in the middle of a scene, as he's leaving, he'll walk behind someone and slit their throat and drag them behind the bushes, and come out with a smile on his face again. And everyone yells, "What happened?"

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