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Who's
In & Out
on Melrose
Scott Plank has gone from playing a nasty ex-Marine on MELROSE PLACE to playing an upright - albeit wacky - ex-Navy SEAL on the new syndicated action series AIR AMERICA.
His MP character of the past two seasons, Nick, specialized in
blackmail, doublecross and murder. But as AIR AMERICA's Wiley, Plank now finds himself on the right side of the law, fighting bad guys with his partner Rio, played by series star Lorenzo Lamas.
The two portray ex-Navy SEALs who now run a small airline in a third-world resort country. In the process of flying people in and out of the country, Wiley and Rio keep an eye on criminal doingsand report back to the U.S. government.
"I've seen a lot of action," says Plank about both his series. "But on MELROSE PLACE, it was much more about psychotic rage: 'I want this or I will beat you.' On this show, I have much more humorous stuff going on. My character is just a goofy kind of guy."
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An Ex-Y&R Actress Takes To The AIR, Too!
 *Joining Lorenzo Lamas and Scott Plank on AIR AMERICA is former THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS star Diana Barton (ex-Mari Jo). When we last saw Mari Jo, she was being dragged off to jail for shooting Victor and kidnapping Christine.
Now, Barton is playing the law-abiding Alison Stratton, manager of Hotel Parador, the base of operations for the Air America airline. It isn't Alison's job, but she hasn't been able to help getting involved in Lamas' character's crimefighting operation.
Although Alison and Rio often find themselves at odds, don't discount the possibility of a romance developing between the two characters.
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Acting And Dancing?
Given his recent roles, it's ironic that Plank got his start on Broadway as a dancer in "A Chorus Line" and "Dreamgirls." But believe it or not, Plank says he has been able to put his dancing background to use on AIR AMERICA. No, he and Lamas don't break out in chorus numbers, but Plank does use his physical training to his advantage.
While Lamas plays the straight man - "a very cleancut guy" - Plank is his
opposite, a Hawaiian-shirt-wearing loose cannon.
"This is where dancing comes in," Plank explains. "I've put a lot of
thought into it: When Lorenzo is being smooth, svelte and catlike, I compliment his actions by becoming an aggressive pitbull."
Plank and his co-stars filmed all 26 episodes of AIR AMERICA over
the summer. Now, as he waits to see if there will be a second season of the show, he's looking for other projects.
Would he consider a return to MP? After all, Nick's "best buddy" Kyle (Rob Estes) is still living in town!
"You never know," he says. "It was fun while it lasted, and if they asked me back, I would love to do it." He is, however, aware that MP has shifted its tone this season. "They wanted to get away from all the explosions and stuff that went on the past few years. And that was me! I was the crazy guy prone to violence."
Meanwhile, with back-to-back military roles, does Plank think he's being
typecast?
"I don't care!" he says with a laugh. "There's just something about me -
whether it be my emotional makeup or my haircut - that makes people see me that way."
* BY DAMON ROMINE
John Haymes Newton: From MODELS INC.
Priest To MELROSE PLACE Heartthrob
  *A new hunk on MELROSE PLACE has caught Megan's (Kelly Rutherford) eye... and is just beginning to cause his share of trouble and heartache in the apartment complex.
Kyle's (Rob Estes) brother Ryan is the new guy in town, but he's a familiar face to fans of Aaron Spelling's 1994 series MODELS INC. John Haymes Newton starred on that show as Mark, a would-be priest who impregnated heroine Sarah (played by Cassidy Rae,
now on The WB's HYPERION BAY).
"Aaron Spelling's shows are always fun because they're so out-there," says Newton. "People love his shows because they can live vicariously through the characters. You don't have to cheat on your husband: Just watch the show to see what could happen. Nobody gets away with anything."
Although new to MP Newton notes a revived energy around the set.
"They really want to make sure the show does well and goes a couple more seasons," he reveals. "And that's nice to see, because I've been on shows where they don't take time to do that."
It's been a long road to Hollywood from Newton's native North Carolina,
where he says he tried his hand at acting after getting miserable grades in high school. His first break was landing the lead in the syndicated series SUPERBOY in 1988. But after a year, he left during a contract dispute.
Newton admits that walking away "was really hard, but part of me knew that if I stayed on that show and did five or six seasons, I would be Superboy for the rest of my life."
He went on to roles in the 1993 movie "Alive" and on the syndicated series THE UNTOUCHABLES. He also has the lead in the upcoming independent movie "Goodbye America" with James Brolin.
Oh, and who can forget his bad-guy role opposite flash-in-the-pan singer
Vanilla Ice in the 1991 movie "Cool as Ice?"
"My career has been all over the place," Newton admits with a laugh. Maybe, but look who's getting a lot of work - that kid from North Carolina!
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