Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Axed From 'Melrose Place'

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 22nd 2009 07:24PM

The apartment complex at the center of the CW's 'Melrose Place' is getting redecorated, and a major cast adjustment is the first change. EW.com reports that Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield have been let go. EW's Michael Ausiello writes that several new characters will be introduced in their place, and showrunners are aiming for a lighter, more fun vibe on the revamped prime time soap after wrapping up the current "Who Killed Sydney?" murder mystery.

Executive producer Todd Slavkin explains the decision to lose Simpson-Wentz and Egglesfield : "Well, we always knew that this murder mystery would end in episode 12. And we always knew that [Ashlee's] character of Violet would be instrumental in that as a suspect, and [Colin's character of] Augie as well. And once that murder mystery was solved, she would go on her way. That was the original plan going into the development of the show."

Another exec producer, Darren Swimmer,adds, "We felt that once the murder mystery was resolved, the tone of the show was going to shift into a much more fun, romantic, sexy upbeat kind of show, and [her] character would move on."

Though Slavkin and Swimmer admit that it's possible the characters could have stuck around if they'd really clicked, Swimmer says, "The nature of soaps is that as things progress along, the story takes on a life of its own and the characters come and go in relation to that."

Both of the dismissed actors took the news with good grace, the execs say. "When you go into a show you never know what's going to evolve and what the possibilities are," Slavkin explains. "But because they knew ahead of time [that leaving was a possibility], it wasn't a complete shock."

Simpson-Wentz and Egglesfield will appear on the show until January.

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Ashlee Simpson Pics

Ashlee Simpson, out and about. See more pics >>>

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Ashlee Simpson Snapshots

Ashlee Simpson seen on the Streets of Manhattan on September 3, 2009 in New York City. Ashlee Simpson Sighting In New York - September 3, 2009. New York, NY United States September 3, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (58235050), contact WireImage.com

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 03: Singer Ashlee Simpson visits MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung" at the MTV Studios on September 3, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ashlee Simpson

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 03: Actress and singer Ashlee Simpson Wentz visits the "It's On With Alexa Chung" taping at the MTV Studios on September 3, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ashlee Simpson Wentz

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Tags: Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, AshleeSimpson-wentz, Colin Egglesfield, ColinEgglesfield, Melrose Place, MelrosePlace, Michael Ausiello, MichaelAusiello, Who Killed Sydney, WhoKilledSydney

Comments

(46)

Thursday 22 October

By Patricia

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In other words, we have to pay Heather Locklear's salary, LOL!!!

Friday 23 October

By Hugh

No surprise here. That show sucks and so does she.

By gobluespartyon

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Hugh Melrose Place is a pretty good show it doesn't suck as you have claim so your wrong Hugh. I'm always right.

By Rob

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Damn funny lol. But im glad, I was not going to watch ( and haven't ) a single episode with that hideous looking, no-talent-got into the biz -on my sisters-shadow- Simpson.

By Will F.

I thought she lip-synced her parts anyway. I think it would be precious if she did a hoedown dance as she exits her final scene ala SNL.

By ann

will, u made my nite! hilarious!

By Charlene

That is a hilarious & "oh so true" comment! :)

By Pat

was never a big fan of Ashley but she was really good in this role and I loved Augie. I am very disappointed.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I totally agree, I was not a big fan of hers going in but she is the only one keeping the show interesting besides maybe the old ones popping in. I thought her story line was the best of them all, I hate to say it but I think they just bought themselves into cancelation.

Wednesday 11 November

By J

I agree with both of you. Violet was to the new Melrose Place what Kimberly was to the original. The original was dark, and that is part of the reason it was so great. I was so excited about the return of the show.

I also wonder how the return of Amanda is going to contribute to a more fun, and upbeat tone? Have the producers/writers seen the original? I don't want to see fun, and upbeat… I want to see disturbed red-heads wreaking havoc throughout the complex. There are other characters in the show who already fill the fun and upbeat role. Oh well…

On a more positive note, as of January, I will be able to use the hour that I would normally spend watching MP catching up on my reading.

By damien

In other words..our ratings suck and we are gonna throw up a hail mary shot before we are all out of work

By Beverly

it does need to be more upbeat.. It seemed a little dark VS 90210.. SOrry Ashley.. Glad your going.. You could not act well anyways.. you did better on 7th Heaven

By mstrunn400

Seems like her and her sis always seem to get the boot, at least Ashlee shows some talent.

By neil

omg i am shocked ashlee is awesom on melrose place, i cant believe there getting rid of her and collin, he is so hot! i will miss both of them!

By author30

stupid remake

Melrose Place isn't a stupid remake it's a pretty good remake as good as the original.

OK I'll give it another chance.

By Vinny

Who cares?????????????????
Ashlee Simpson has as much talent as navel lint and an even worse voice. She should work in the porn industry. Then maybe I'll watch.
Let her try lip synching that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!