Models Inc.
Models Inc. is an American prime time soap opera that aired on Fox during the 1994–95 television season. A spin-off of "Melrose Place", it is the third series in the "Beverly Hills, 90210" franchise. "Models Inc." revolves around a Los Angeles modeling agency run by Hillary Michaels (Linda Gray), the mother of "Melrose Place" Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear). The series was created by Frank South and Charles Pratt Jr., and executive produced by Aaron Spelling, South, Pratt, and E. Duke Vincent. "Models Inc." lasted only a single season and is the only series in the "Beverly Hills , 90210" franchise not to receive a DVD release to date. Production and development. "Models Inc." is the third series in the "Beverly Hills, 90210" franchise, and a direct spin-off of "Melrose Place". In its second season (1993–94), "Melrose Place" was one of Fox's highest-rated shows, and had been called "arguably the hottest one-hour drama on television". In December 1993, Fox announced plans for a "Melrose Place" spin-off called "Models Inc.", set in a Los Angeles modeling agency. Spelling said, "[Fox] asked if we would do an eight-hour series. And we came up with "Models . He initially explained that the series would center on "Melrose Place" character Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga), and that two models would move into the titular apartment complex on "Melrose Place" before being transplanted into the new series. "Entertainment Weekly" also reported that the estranged mother of Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear) would be introduced on "Melrose Place" to eventually lead "Models Inc.", and Locklear would not be headlining the new series as previously reported. Darren Star, the creator of both "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Melrose Place", was not involved with "Models Inc.", which was created by Charles Pratt Jr. and Frank  South, and executive produced by Aaron Spelling, Pratt, South, and E. Duke Vincent. Star said of the potential series, "It was one spin-off too many for me", though Spelling noted, "No one even thinks of "Melrose" as a spin-off anymore." Farrah Fawcett was considered for the lead role in "Models Inc.", which ultimately went to Linda Gray. The rest of the cast were unknowns, and Spelling promised "a great deal of backbiting" on the new series. Gray's Hillary Michaels, Amanda's mother, was introduced in the last few episodes of "Melrose Place" second season to set up  the new series. After five months, producers were not satisfied with "Models Inc." Nielsen ratings, and Pratt said, "I'm willing to try anything to keep this show on the air." A new direction in the writing dropped implausible storylines and promised "more romance, more modeling, and more personal traumas". Brian Gaskill was written off, and Emma Samms was brought in as villainess Grayson Louder. With Fox promoting her as the Heather Locklear of "Models Inc.", Samms said, "I will do the best I can, but I can't concern myself with whatever expectations there are." Episodes. Alternate ending. The  last episode of "Models Inc." ended with a cliffhanger that left multiple storylines unresolved. Later, the series aired in the European market with an alternate ending that featured Grayson's death and Hillary shuttering Models Inc. The series was subsequently aired on E! with the new ending. Broadcast. "Models Inc." aired on the Fox television network during the 1994–95 television season, premiering on . Despite the presence of Gray and the mid-series introduction of Samms, the show's ratings remained poor, and it was canceled in 1995 when it placed 113th in the ratings with an average 7.1 rating. Home  media. "Models Inc." is the only series in the "Beverly Hills, 90210" franchise not to receive a DVD release to date. Reception. Ken Tucker of "Entertainment Weekly" praised Kylie Travis, calling her the show's "major casting coup", but added that "Models Inc." was "trying much too hard to match "Melrose" for self-consciously outrageous campiness." Tony Scott wrote in "Variety", "No one does much acting, since not much is required, but the posturings are pretty. The couplings are so far uninviting, the script by creators South and Pratt off-the-rack material." David Hiltbrand of "People" described the show  as "part underwear ad, part catfight, part "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and part psycho ward" and noting that "so far it's also pretty stiff and strident, particularly in regard to the acting."