After last season's much-heralded SEINFELD finale, Aaron Spelling has apparently decided to give two of his most popular shows, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 and MELROSE PLACE, a proper farewell season before they get yanked by the network for sinking ratings.
     "He feels they've run their course," says a high-ranking FOX executive, "and it's time for them to end."
     A spokesperson for Spelling, however, says the producer "has no official word" on the subject. "He has no plans to stop... and was ecstatic that FOX picked them up for this season."
     Both shows helped build the FOX network into the powerhouse that it is today. But with constant cast changes and falling ratings, both shows have been in danger of cancellation.
     Ironically, with the seven-year-old MP returning for a "summer season" of all new episodes on July 27, ratings could improve with no other new shows in competition, but Spelling, sources say, isn't waiting to see how high the numbers go - or for FOX to drop the ax.
     In another move that signals MP possibly staying beyond this season is a behind-the-scenes shuffle that has made series star Heather Locklear (Amanda) a co-producer. "Heather has expressed a desire to drive the show," says newly-appointed executive producer Charles Pratt Jr. "She doesn't want more airtime or more scenes, but she is the heart of the show, so a lot of stories will come off of her."
     Hopes are high that Locklear's new position will breathe fresh life into the series, the same way Jason Priesttey's (Brandon) promotion to producer helped 90210 out a few years back. 90210's potential demise comes at a time when Priestley is cutting back on his appearances on the show, and the WB moves its popular DAWSON'S CREEK to Wednesdays to knock 90210 out of the race to capture the teenage audience.
     But don't worry about Spelling. TV's most prolific producer is busy with several other new series: CHARMED with Shannen Doherty on WB, BUDDY FARO on CBS and ANYDAY NOW on cable's Lifetime Television.
     What is not expected at this time is a previously reported revamp of the nine-year-old 90210 with a whole new cast of high schoolers to carry on the franchise. "If Aaron is planning on that, as far as I know, we're not aware of it," says the FOX exec. "We're looking at our 1999-2000 season with the plan to replace MELROSE PLACE and 90210."
*BY DAMON ROMAINE