The CBS soap Second Chances related the events in the lives of three women living in the (fictional) California town of Santa Rita: Principled public defender Dianne Benedict (Connie Sellecca); her younger sister, kooky wedding planner Kate (Megan Follows) – who was consistently unlucky in love – and virginal Mexican-American coed Melinda Lopez (Jennifer Lopez).
Melinda was engaged to be married to law student Kevin Cook (Justin Lazard), who worked for Dianne. His bigoted parents – George (Ronny Cox) and Felicity (Frances Lee McCain) – opposed the prospect of their mixed marriage.
The series began with the mysterious murder of Dianne’s philandering real estate developer husband, Bruce (Erich Anderson).
It was later revealed that he had become involved with some bad people and was killed by drug-dealing Detective Jerry Kuntz (Ramy Zada) when he stole from them.
Bruce’s secretary (and mistress), Joanna Russell, was played by former Mamas and Papas singer Michelle Phillips.
As the series progressed, Dianne became attracted again to her former high school sweetheart, Mike Chulack (Matt Salinger), who had just returned to Santa Rita after serving a ten-year prison sentence for manslaughter (after he killed two teenagers who ran his sister down while drag racing and got off with probation).
She also chose to enter into a business partnership with developer Pete Dyson (John Schneider) and run for public office against corrupt judge Jim Stinson (Ray Wise).
Like algebra, Second Chances managed to be complicated and boring simultaneously. The best thing about the short-lived series was the vintage pink Cadillac convertible, which featured in the stories.
The show was cancelled when many sets were destroyed during the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and CBS was unwilling to pay to rebuild them.
Dianne Benedict
Connie Sellecca Kate Benedict
Megan Follows Melinda Lopez
Jennifer Lopez Mike Chulack
Matt Salinger Judge Jim Stinson
Ray Wise Kevin Cook
Justin Lazard Felicity Cook
Frances Lee McCain George Cook
Ronny Cox Salvador Lopez
Pepe Serna Cesar Lopez
Danny Gonzalez Johnny Lopez
John Chaidez Det. Jerry Kuntz
Ramy Zada Joanna Russell
Michelle Phillips Tommy Simmons
Stephen Nichols Pete Dyson
John Schneider Lara Peterson
Brenda Bakke Bruce Christianson
Erich Anderson
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The series began with the mysterious murder of Dianne’s philandering real estate developer husband, Bruce (Erich Anderson).
