Models Inc.

Models Inc. is an American prime time soap opera that aired on the Fox television network during the 1994–95 television season. 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's 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. is the only series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise not to receive a DVD release to date.

Models Inc.
Genre
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerJohn E. Nordstrom
Composer(s)
  • Ken Harrison
  • John E. Nordstrom
  • Tim Truman
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes29 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Running time45 minutes
Production company(s)Spelling Entertainment
DistributorCBS Television Distribution
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseJune 29, 1994 (1994-06-29)[1] –
March 6, 1995 (1995-03-06)
Chronology
Preceded by
Followed by

Characters
  • Hillary Michaels (Linda Gray): Hillary is the unyielding, but generally fair, founder and owner of the upmarket L.A. modeling agency, Models Inc. Twice-divorced, she is also the mother of David Michaels, the agency's vice president and her only child from her second marriage. Hillary has a toxic relationship with her daughter, Amanda Woodward, who is the only child from her first marriage.
  • David Michaels (Brian Gaskill): David is Hillary's son, the vice president of Models Inc., and the half-brother of Amanda Woodward. He has an on-and-off again relationship with Julie Dante, one of the models at the agency, but comes to like a new model to the agency, Sarah Owens. That relationship fizzles, and after a heated argument with Hillary, David leaves L.A. for Paris to form his own modeling company midway through the series.
  • Sarah Owens (Cassidy Rae): Innocent and naive Sarah comes to L.A. from the Midwest to fulfill her dream of being a model. Hillary quickly takes Sarah under her wing and lets her move into the beach house where the top models of the agency live. Sarah quickly becomes enemies with housemate Julie, who feels threatened by her youth and fresh image. Sarah falls prey to alcohol and drugs, and at the end of the series checks herself into a drug rehab clinic. Sarah was first introduced on Melrose Place with Hillary.
  • Julie Dante (Kylie Travis): Julie is an Australian-born model from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up with a neglectful, alcoholic, adoptive mother and a sexually abusive, alcoholic stepfather, which gave her a cynical attitude and a pessimistic view on life. She is one of the world's most popular supermodels, but has a reputation as a troublemaker. Her wild lifestyle and public drunkenness make her a target of the paparazzi, but she always the last laugh by getting her revenge. Julie's relationship with Sarah is at first fraught with jealously, but her resentment mellows as the series progresses. Julie also spars with Monique over their mutual attraction to Adam Louder, but she eventually realizes that Craig has genuine feelings for her, and pursues a relationship with him.
  • Teri Spencer (Stephanie Romanov): Teri is one of the world's most famous supermodels, and the sister of once-famous supermodel Carrie Spencer. In the pilot episode, Teri has a public fight with Hillary and leaves Models Inc., only to be pushed off the balcony of a high rise building and killed. This initiates a "Who Killed Teri Spencer?" murder mystery storyline.
  • Monique Duran (Stephanie Romanov): Monique comes to Hillary for representation shortly after Teri's killer is revealed. Monique is a dead ringer for Teri, which shocks everyone and causes Carrie to resent her. Monique enters into a relationship with nightclub owner Adam Louder, and becomes a target of his vindictive ex-wife Grayson.
  • Carrie Spencer (Carrie-Anne Moss): Carrie is Teri's older sister and a veteran at Models Inc. since starting her career at the age 17. Carrie was once a top supermodel, but her career waned as she grew older her sister Teri came on the scene. Carrie learns from Teri that the child she had at 17 is not dead like she thought, and Teri is subsequently murdered. Carrie descends into depression. Grayson gains control of the agency from Hillary, forcing Carrie out and into prostitution. Carrie is drugged and sold into overseas sexual slavery in the series finale.
  • Brian Peterson (Cameron Daddo): Brian is a photographer dating Teri. He later becomes involved with Cynthia, but their relationship is plagued by her controlling ex-boyfriend, who eventually kidnaps and rapes her. Brian remains in love with Cynthia, and they reconcile by the end of the series.
  • Eric Dearborn (David Goldsmith): Eric is Linda Holden's sexually abusive boyfriend with a shady past. She eventually breaks up with him, but he realizes that he still cares about her and they remain friends. Eric is seeking success as a singer, but falls into prostitution. Though pressured by Grayson to help her destroy Adam, Eric gives Adam information that saves his career.
  • Linda Holden (Teresa Hill): Linda is a model whose past includes drugs, alcohol, and performances in adult movies. She is initially involved with Eric Dearborn, who blackmails her with that secret from her past, and Teresa later has a relationship with millionaire Chris White.
  • Cynthia Nichols (Garcelle Beauvais): Model Cynthia suffers from bulimia, and endures a violent kidnapping and rape at the hands of her abusive ex-boyfriend, whom she shoots and kills. She is involved with Brian during the whole series.
  • Stephanie Smith (Heather Medway): Stephanie is the receptionist at Models Inc. who takes a liking to Brian. Not liking how Brian is treated by his girlfriend Teri, Stephanie pushes Teri off the balcony. She also tries to kill Sarah, and is arrested for both crimes.
  • Adam Louder (James Wilder): Adam is the owner of a nightclub Stage 99, who falls in love with Monique. They have great relationship until his estranged wife, Grayson, returns and wreaks havoc.
  • Grayson Louder (Emma Samms): Adam's scheming, sociopathic, English ex-wife arrives in L.A.—after being presumed dead—to reclaim the love of her husband. Adam, however, is now in love with Monique. Determined to destroy Monique's happiness with Adam, Grayson buys half of Models Inc. from Hillary and brings in new "models" from her former career as a madam. Grayson has also covered up the fact she and Adam are parents to a young boy named Daniel; she attempts to blackmail a judge to gain sole custody of Daniel, but the judge turns on her and gives full custody to Adam. Grayson arranged Carrie's abduction and plots to kill Monique at her wedding to Adam. In the alternate ending, it is revealed that Grayson had been slain by the hitman she had hired to kill Monique.
  • Craig Bodi (Don Michael Paul): Craig is a novelist who writes an exposé called Skin Deep about the models of Models Inc. He later falls in love with Julie.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot"Charles CorrellFrank South & Charles Pratt Jr.June 29, 1994 (1994-06-29)
2"Be My, Be My Baby"Paul LazarusJames KramerJuly 6, 1994 (1994-07-06)
3"It'll Never Happen Again and Again and Again"James Whitmore Jr.Jule SelboJuly 13, 1994 (1994-07-13)
4"Skin Deep"Charles CorrellRobert Guza Jr.July 20, 1994 (1994-07-20)
5"Strictly Business"Chip ChalmersSusan Cridland WickJuly 27, 1994 (1994-07-27)
6"When Girls Collide"Paul LazarusJames KramerAugust 3, 1994 (1994-08-03)
7"Nothing Is as It Seems"Victoria HochbergJule SelboAugust 10, 1994 (1994-08-10)
8"Meltdown"Chip ChalmersRobert Guza Jr.August 17, 1994 (1994-08-17)
9"Old Models Never Die"Parker StevensonSusan Cridland WickSeptember 7, 1994 (1994-09-07)
10"Good Girls Finish Last"Reza BadiyiCharles Pratt Jr.September 14, 1994 (1994-09-14)
11"Ultimatums Are Us"Martin PasettaJule SelboSeptember 21, 1994 (1994-09-21)
12"Ghosts"Chip ChalmersRobert Guza, Jr.September 28, 1994 (1994-09-28)
13"In Models We Trust"Jefferson KibbeeJeff KingOctober 12, 1994 (1994-10-12)
14"Love and War"Marina SargentiSusan Cridland WickOctober 19, 1994 (1994-10-19)
15"Clash of the Super Vixens"Parker StevensonCharles Pratt Jr.October 26, 1994 (1994-10-26)
16"Look Who's Stalking"Michael VejarJohn EisendrathNovember 9, 1994 (1994-11-09)
17"Blind By Love"Reza BadiyiJule SelboNovember 16, 1994 (1994-11-16)
18"Till Death Do Us Part"Martin PasettaRobert Guza Jr.November 23, 1994 (1994-11-23)
19"Bad Moon Rising"Jerry JamesonCharles Pratt Jr.November 30, 1994 (1994-11-30)
20"Of Models and Men"Linda DaySusan Cridland WickDecember 14, 1994 (1994-12-14)
21"Out of Control"Parker StevensonJeff KingDecember 21, 1994 (1994-12-21)
22"Grayson Inc."Victoria HochbergJohn EisendrathJanuary 2, 1995 (1995-01-02)
23"Men Don't Leave"Marina SargentiJule SelboJanuary 9, 1995 (1995-01-09)
24"Bring the Family"Les SheldonRobert Guza Jr.January 23, 1995 (1995-01-23)
25"Really Big Problems"Jefferson KibbeeCharles Pratt Jr.February 6, 1995 (1995-02-06)
26"Adam's Family Values"Marina SargentiRichard GollanceFebruary 13, 1995 (1995-02-13)
27"By Crook or by Hook"Jerry JamesonKathryn BakerFebruary 20, 1995 (1995-02-20)
28"Exposure"Les SheldonJohn EisendrathFebruary 27, 1995 (1995-02-27)
29"Sometimes a Great Commotion"Linda DayCharles Pratt Jr.March 6, 1995 (1995-03-06)

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.[1][2] The series was subsequently aired on E! with the new ending.[1]

Development

Models Inc. is the third series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, and a direct spin-off of Melrose Place.[2][3] In its 1993–94 second season, Melrose Place was one of Fox's highest-rated shows, and had been called "arguably the hottest one-hour drama on television".[4] In December 1993, Fox announced plans for a Melrose Place spin-off called Models Inc., set in a Los Angeles modeling agency.[4] Spelling said, "[Fox] asked if we would do an eight-hour series. And we came up with Models."[4] 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.[4] 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.[4] Darren Star, the creator of both Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place, was not involved with Models Inc.,[2] which was created by Charles Pratt Jr. and Frank South, and executive produced by Aaron Spelling, Pratt, South, and E. Duke Vincent.[5] 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."[4]

Farrah Fawcett was considered for the lead role in Models Inc., which ultimately went to Linda Gray.[6] The rest of the cast were unknowns,[7] and Spelling promised "a great deal of backbiting" on the new series.[7] Gray's Hillary Michaels, Amanda's mother, was introduced in the last few episodes of Melrose Place's second season to set up the new series.[lower-alpha 1][2][7]

After five months, producers were not satisfied with Models Inc.'s Nielsen ratings, and Pratt said, "I'm willing to try anything to keep this show on the air."[8] A new direction in the writing dropped implausible storylines and promised "more romance, more modeling, and more personal traumas".[8] Brian Gaskill was written off, and Emma Samms was brought in as villainess Grayson Louder.[8] 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."[8]

Broadcast

Models Inc. aired on the Fox television network during the 1994–95 television season, premiering on June 29, 1994 (1994-06-29).[3] 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.[2]

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."[6] 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."[5] 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."[9]

Notes
  1. Gray appeared as Hillary in the 1994 Melrose Place episodes "The Bitch Is Back", "Imperfect Strangers", "Devil with the G-String On", and "Till Death Do Us Part".

References
  1. "Models Inc. (1994)". TV Guide. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  2. Holas, Nic (November 10, 2014). "Why Models Inc Is The '90s Trash TV Gem You Never Knew You Needed". Junkee. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  3. Rosenberg, Howard (July 6, 1994). "Models Inc.: Perfect for SGTV: SG Stands for Superb Garbage, Raised Here to an Art Form". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  4. Berkman, Meredith (December 24, 1993). "Models Inc.: Melrose Second Place". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  5. Scott, Tony (July 1, 1994). "Review: Models Inc.". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  6. Tucker, Ken (July 22, 1994). "Models Inc.". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  7. Davidson, Casey (April 8, 1994). "No models in Model, Inc.". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  8. Shaw, Jessica (November 18, 1994). "Remodeling Inc.". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  9. Hiltbrand, David (July 18, 1994). "Picks and Pans Main: Tube". People. Retrieved November 2, 2018 – via Metacritic.
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