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If he sounds exhausted, imagine how the writers feel: Exec producer Carol Mendelsohn, one of the show's six scribes, bemoans digging up fresh bitchery for Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward--not to mention new diseases. "We already had people with paralysis, blindness, fake rage epilepsy--which I didn't even know existed." Thus, this season's revival of old-school strategies: fewer crime-driven or otherwise ludicrous story lines; the return of Jane ("I told them I'd come back if I wasn't a bitch or crazy," says Bissett); and a smaller core cast, reminiscent of Melrose's early seasons. "We're focusing on relationships again," says Pratt, "taking it out of helicopter crashes and putting it back into the bedroom." Plus, for the first time since '92, the writers and actors are walking through each script at table reads. "When you include actors" in the process, says Wagner, "it's going to pay off in the performances."

So far, however, it hasn't paid off in viewers. In its July 27 season debut, Melrose did win its time slot among 18- to 49-year-olds, which appeals to advertisers. But it drew just 7.5 million viewers (against summer reruns!) and hopes of those numbers building are slim. Only one maturing drama ever saw a major ratings rebirth: CBS' Gunsmoke spent seven seasons in the top 10 before sliding off the charts; but with a new time slot and some tweaking, it rocketed back into the top 10 for another five. "The soaps of the '80s [Dynasty, Dallas] tried renewal toward the end of their run, but none were successful," says USA Networks VP and noted tube historian Tim Brooks. And unlike a soap, he adds, "Gunsmoke didn't have very intricate, continuing story lines."

"The summer episodes and [rehiring] Josie is smart, but Melrose is fighting against the laws of gravity," agrees Whitey Chapin, a VP at ad-buying agency TN Media.

The days of an Amanda double cross making news-at-11 reels probably are over, but Fox's Roth still sees the future through Melrose-colored glasses--at least as long as the show continues to make money (Fox paid almost $70 million for 35 new episodes and expects to top that figure in ad revenue). "I'm convinced we have at least one more great year," he says. And hopefully it won't include this scenario: "I've been trying to wear Josie's dresses for a long time," hints Wagner. "C'mon, look at my legs. Shouldn't I have a little skirt scene?"