Drama Mama: Summer vacation ends at 'Melrose'

It's not quite the kickoff of the new season for the big guys, but the fringe networks are (as usual) getting a head start and drama lovers benefit. Here are this week's early returns:

"90210" and "Melrose Place" (Tuesday, 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., CW)
The CW is the first to jump into the pile of autumn leaves with a slew of premieres, including something called "The Vampire Diaries" on Thursday which Mama is too old to watch. However, the T-shirt-under-the-sundress-1990s live again with the second season of "90210," followed by the premiere of the revamped "Melrose Place." Mama's going to be honest here: The vapid, anorexic "90210" chicks bore, but "Melrose" has a chance because it seems more closely tied to its historic characters. Sure, there won't be an appearance by Heather Locklear's uber-bitchy Amanda Woodward (at least anytime soon), but for Mama's money nobody was more delightful than Thomas Calabro's nasty Dr. Michael Mancini, who will appear tonight as the father of one of the new tenants of this ill-fated address. Reserve a seat for Mama poolside, people.