>> reporter: the plot lines on "melrose place" were irresift ebbib ebbible, shocking and often almosthe whole building blowing up. >> we all survived. >> we all survivehood. >> allison was blinded and then got her eyesight back and everybody was so nice she didn't tell anybody her eyesight was back. playing blind when i wasn't blind was my favorite. >> reporter: the show-stopping scene that made viewers laugh, gasp or both. >> fabulous. >> reporter: people still talk to you about it? >> i have to say not as much. they did for years and years and luckily -- now they will again. thank you. >> reporr: the penchant for ab sush story lines turned out to be ratings gold. >> you had the crazy open rattic campy soap opera stuff going on and that formula paved the way for "desperate housewives" and "revenge" and even "lost." >> reporter: for all of the drama "melrose place" brought up important issues too, doug savant played openly gay matt before ellen degeneres came out on her show. >> i'm proud that i'm part of the history of gay characters in network television. it certainly, if you look a