When it comes to judging the success or failure of a show that's a loose "reboot" or update of a familiar series, the most important factor is simple. Does the show stand on its own? If you had never seen the original, would this "new" series still be of any interest to the viewing audience?

Ironically for the CW's new reboot of "Melrose Place," the answer is yes. And no.

After watching the first two episodes of the updated drama, the fascinating thing is that the best parts of the show are the ones that have little to do with the original Fox show. While the attempts to bridge the gap between the two versions are the very things that weigh this edition down.

It's easy to forget that the original version of "Melrose Place" was pretty bad early on. The writing was pained, the tone was off and even with the addition of Heather Locklear late in season one, the show didn't really find its creative stride until midway through season two. Given what I've seen so far, that might be the fate of the CW's take on the series. Which isn't good news for viewers or for the network.

Much of the action revolves around the Melrose Place apartment complex run by landlady Sydney (Laura Leighton). Yes, that Sydney. The one from the original show. Sure, she was killed off in the original, but she's been resurrected here and it's quickly explained in a way that isn't especially believable or coherent. Even worse, after rewriting history to bring her back, she's um....well, I shouldn't really say what happens to her. Other than it's one of those plot twists that makes you think "why did they just go through all that for this one lame scene?"

Original "MP" alum Thomas Calabro returns as the father of one of the new complex residents, and like Leighton's presence in the show, he doesn't add that much to the proceedings. They are both there apparently for the camp factor and in some vague programming hope that fans of the original series will see them now, and tune in to watch.

While I've just spent a few paragraphs grumbling about all the flaws of "Melrose Place," there are some real highlights in the show.

Katie Cassidy ("Supernatural," "Harper's Island") is this generation's Heather Locklear, playing a bitchy, sarcastic junior PR executive Ella who has a secret crush on another complex resident. Of course, that person is dating another resident and so on and so on. Cassidy dominates every scene she's in, and definately has the acting chops to be the center of the show. Another highlight is Stephanie Jacobsen, who does wonders with a hackneyed character (a medical student in need of money) that seems to be ripped out of the big book of primetime drama cliches.

Unfortunately, most of the rest of the cast doesn't live up to the efforts of Cassidy and Jacobsen. And Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is absolutely wooden as Violet, the wide-eyed girl who's new in town.

I won't argue that "Melrose Place" is a great show. But it does have the potential to get there, and I'll keep checking in throughout the season to see how it's progressing.

But right now, "Melrose Place" is still under construction.

"Melrose Place" premieres on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 on the CW.