Locklear Staves Off Lockdown, Barely

The fretting producers of CW's Melrose Place hoped for a ratings comeback by reinstalling Heather Locklear as Amanda Woodward, and it didn't quite happen -- the show's numbers rose by a measly 14%. Where can the torrid drama go from here? Since Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has already been canned, I say go one of two directions: 1) Amp up the sex, because this show has never been sufficiently dirty; 2) Give Heather Locklear even juicier screen-time. Her reemergence last night was refreshing, but her quips could still be sharpened, and frankly, her blazers could be boxier. Chop, chop. [THR]