Locklear joins cast of 'Spin City'

The catchy theme song and familiar faces of the hit TV show "Spin City" premiered for its third season last Tuesday. But this season a different twist took viewers by surprise as Heather Locklear, of "Dynasty" and "Melrose Place" fame, stole the show as the new girl on the job.

After Major Randall Winston decides he needs help, he orders Deputy Mayor Michael Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) to aid him in running the city, but first he must hire someone to run the campaign.

Who could better fill Flaherty's shoes than the corky, blond spitfire Caitlin Moore (Heather Locklear). Even before she establishes herself as campaign manager, Caitlin wins over the mayor by her ease at work, Stuart (Alan Ruck) by her good looks a

Courtesy of ABC Heather Locklear joins the "Spin City" cast for the show's third season.

nd Flaherty by her supposedly unqualified resume.

But she proves to be much more as she later explains the misprint in her resume - "University of Massachusetts." "Oh, that's supposed to read 'A University in Massachusetts,'" she corrects Flaherty adding that she is a graduate of Harvard.

Since debuting in September of '96, the show has had many twists and turns. With the release of Fox's love interest on the show, Ashley (Carla Gugino), the writers decided to focus more on the office staff. And after losing Stacey (Jennifer Esposito), one of the female secretaries, at the end of last season, the staff of Spin City decided to create another female character.

When given a list of actors available to work, a unanimous decision was made to contact Locklear, who recently finished her work on the long-lived series, Melrose Place.

Locklear seems to have been welcomed by both the public and the cast and crew with open arms. As she burst into Flaherty's office in the premiere episode, she was greeted by the audience's chorus of cheers and round of applause.

Spin City writer and producer Tim Hobert expressed the feelings generated by those behind the scenes in a recent interview with the Daily. "She fits in perfect. She doesn't act like a big star," Hobert commends, adding, "She just wants to be part of the ensemble and everyone loves her."

Executive producer, and star of the show, Fox echoed these comments, when he called into Larry King Live recently. During Locklear's interview with King, Fox called in to publicize his praise of her. He stated that he and his wife knew Locklear personally and he knew it was important to hire someone that would gel well with the other actors. "Who would be able to fit into the comfortable working relationship?" was the question - Locklear was the answer.

With Locklear's contract signed for a year, there is much in store for Caitlin's character. Since she has been hired to spearhead Mayor Winston's campaign, she presents herself as an equal to Flaherty.

"I'm going to run this campaign, I'm going to win it, and you can't stop me," she informed Flaherty in the premiere.

As Hobert relayed, he hopes the mutual competition and tension between Caitlin and Mike will create some powerful scenes between them. As the season ticks on, Hobert envisions a bit of sexual interest mounting between them as well.

This addition may prove to be a success for "Spin City." Even with such hard hitters as Fox and a premiere guest appearance by acclaimed baseball player Roger Clemens, Locklear holds her own, commanding the screen with presence and vivacity. In fact, the show left you wanting more of the newcomer - a true sign that a hard-hitting season is to come.

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