Heather Locklear back to 'Melrose Place': Can Amanda make this show a hit?

It seems The CW has officially enticed Heather Locklear into reprising her role as the savior bitch of Melrose Place. She’ll return to the sexy apartment complex on the network’s new remake starting Nov. 17. Here, a refresher of what we have in store, from the season Locklear came to the rescue of the original. (Why oh why was it so satisfying to watch her eviscerate poor Allison, the character we were supposed to actually like?):

Of course, Locklear will be joining original Melrosers Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro — who were baked into the DNA of the redo, which revolves around the murder of Leighton’s Sydney Andrews — as well as Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga, who’ll also be showing up this season. And there’s no denying the pleasure that is watching Locklear as Amanda Woodward. But I’m also wondering if the new show — struggling to gain its ratings footing in comparison to official CW hit Vampire Diaries — is ODing on nostalgic guest spots in a desperate bid for buzz instead of making its own way, just like 90210 did last year. Mini-Locklear Katie Cassidy has potential as the resident troublemaker, but she’s yet to truly find her villainess groove — could the on-screen comparison hurt her?

What do you think, PopWatchers? Is a Locklear guest stint too distracting? Or is there nothing but upside to more Amanda Woodward in the world?