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

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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)

Friday 23 October

By WinchesterWendy

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I think that losing the two characters of Auggie and Violet is a BIG BIG MISTAKE for Melrose Place.

Violet is like the new Kimberly. She's very interesting and complicated.

Auggie is the best looking of the guys on this show and never actually had a chance to shine. All they kept doing is sticking him in the restaurant kitchen. He could be so so much more than that. But alas he never is going to get that chance to shine. Well, at least not on MP.

Well, perhaps it is time to write off this remake of MP. I only hope Heather Locklear can save the show AGAIN. I've always been a big fan of both and wish they'd see how things are after her return and not get rid of good characters in haste.

By Jules

Hey Woodstock-that was my nickname from friends in Calie because of my hair looking like Woodstock's from the Peanuts. ha, ha. So, your screen name made me smile. :) Auggie also looks like TC in Top Gun with his motorcycle. Hopefully his similar looks won't actually hurt him knowing how fickle Hollyweird can be. Besides it's probably best that he finds his own persona and acting style anyway, so that he isn't just known as being some kind of Cover Boy.

By RF

In other words , she couldn't act surprised if you snuck up behind her!

By David

NO!!!!!Now she'll have time to ruin another kids' life by having it and giving a moronic name!!!!
Signed,
Moxie Crimefighter Jillette

Saturday 24 October

By Tooki

I'm sad to see both of them go. I think Ashley was doing a good job and so was he.

By shir

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz... LMFAO!!! She's got to be the BIGGEST joke in the world. She's a no talent, loser, wanna-be... Like another poster said... "sister's shadow", etc... If she dropped her Simpson, maiden name and just went with Wentz, no one still would give a crap or remember who this loser is.

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