On the set of Melrose Place with Heather Locklear

The Scene: A day in the life of Fox’s Melrose Place, which has put the suds back in prime-time soaps.

—The Players: Cast members Josie Bissett, Heather Locklear, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Doug Savant, Grant Show, and Andrew Shue are shooting a Feb. 9 episode centering on yet another possible breakup between Alison (Thorne-Smith) and Billy (Shue).

—The Behind-the-Scenes Melodrama: Thorne-Smith and Shue are undergoing a real-life split-up (”People just grow apart,” says Thorne-Smith), while Show is dating costar Laura Leighton. ”I’m hardly on the set with her,” says Show, explaining what makes their relationship work, ”and Jake and Sydney are a really unlikely couple.”

—So, When Is Jake Going to Fall for Alison? ”They made out once,” says Thorne-Smith. Show: ”But they didn’t do the nasty, so it doesn’t count.” Thorne- Smith: ”They might have.” Show: ”They might have?” Thorne-Smith: ”I think they did and you forgot and that’s the problem with the relationship.”

—Dynasty, It’s Not: The set, located about 40 miles from the real Melrose, is hardly glamorous. The trailers come small and without phones; mice, rattlesnakes, and coyotes frequent the premises; and some of the furniture is from IKEA. —Atmosphere on the Set Before Locklear Arrives: Like watching paint dry.

Atmosphere on the Set After Locklear Arrives: All hugging and kissing. ”Everyone loves her,” says Show. ”What’s not to love?”

Why Locklear Loves Being There: ”I’ve had ups and downs. When you’ve been out of a job and then you get one, you’re so happy to work,” says Locklear. ”It’s like, ‘Yes, I have somewhere to go!”’