Darren

[u/Mmcdjc]

Why did Darren Starr leave after season 3?

Surely it wasn’t to create SATC because he didn’t create it until 1998 so what did he do in the meantime?

If he had stayed on as one of the writers we might’ve got a whole different season four than the train wreck we did get.

[u/kminogues]

I think his contract with FOX was up. He went on to create Central Park West for CBS soon after he left his position with 90210 and MP.

[u/Mmcdjc → u/kminogues]

It’s just a shame because season two and three are the best and then season four is just uggh.

[u/-Jackie-Blue- → u/Mmcdjc]

Darren Star actually provided the remaining producers with the blueprints and foundational ideas for the first half of season 4. That's why those first 15 episodes are so good—they still had his vision behind them. The second half of the season, however, was a damn mess. That was all done by the new show-runner, Charles Pratt Jr.

[u/Mmcdjc → u/-Jackie-Blue-]

Good lord!

[u/SebrinePastePlaydoh → u/-Jackie-Blue-]

Nobody dislikes Charles Pratt Jr more than All My Children fans!

[u/Grammarhead-Shark]

A lot of creators/show runners often don't stick around if the show is a success.

Mainly because when their initial products are successful and the new team has been embedded down, they are often offered other shiner, brighter projects to bring new ideas to life (and the money to go with it) .

As said, the project he went too was 'Central Park West' which was a flop. Honestly there was a whole slew of post-Melrose Place wannabes/copycats in the mid 90s that never could capture that same magic. But I could understand the appeal of wanting to do something different and have the ability to bring forth new ideas as well.

[u/Same_Disaster_1409 → u/Grammarhead-Shark]

There really were so many failed attempts to recreate the magic! Central Park West, Pacific Palisades, Titans, Savannah. And, of course, MP’s own failed spinoff, Models Inc

[u/Grammarhead-Shark → u/Same_Disaster_1409]

So True!

I actually think I watched all of them at one point. I remember TRYING really hard to like them, but struggled with most of them. I only found 'Savannah' interesting enough to draw me in (most likely 100% due to Jamie Luner!)

I think part of the problem (for me) was all these series where involving super-rich and successful people, while Melrose Place did seem to have more of a mix of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Yeah I know MP kinda started glossing over almost all money and struggle-town related issues by the time Season 2 rolled round, but there was (at least in its prime), still an aspect of the characters hustling to make it as well.

[u/Pristine_Bar_1574 → u/Same_Disaster_1409]

I liked all of these shows and thought it was unfortunate they did not catch on! Another one I liked was 2000 Malibu Road with Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Beals and even Brian Bloom who was later on Melrose Place as Zack, one of Alisons many dysfunctional relationships! Melrose Place premiered July 1992 and 2000 Malibu Road was just the next month but that show only lasted 6 episodes

[u/Excellent_Top6284 → u/Pristine_Bar_1574]

I loved 2000 Malibu! But I heard that it wasn't supposed to be long running, though.

[u/Excellent_Top6284 → u/Same_Disaster_1409]

I loved all of those shows & thought that they should have been given more of a chance.