Still oozing sex appeal, fiftysomething "Dynasty" star Joan Collins (as Kay Dillon) discovers dramatically handsome young Jon-Erik Hexum (as Tyler Burnett) working on a ranch in Nevada. Before you can say, "Howdy cowboy, where's your horse?" Ms. Collins offers to take the muscular hunk to New York City, where she'll make Mr. Hexum the star of her modeling agency. At first, Hexum is a hard sell, resisting the "weirdoes and queers". But eventually, he gets plucked and
well, you get the idea.
Classic TV-movie tailored trash. Don't miss the credit: "film editor, Dick Darling". Hexum, Collins, and "Dynasty" followers will be pleased. Collins accurately describes Hexum: "He's got that natural raw sex look." You'll also get to hear photographer Arte Johnson demand, "Take off your shirt I want to see you body," and Kevin McCarthy informs, "You're paid to show off your pectorals and your tight butt." The other photographers, including Robert Walker Jr., are, likewise, a scream.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Jeff Conaway (as Chuck Lanyard) steals away with the movie, playing a decadent male model hitting the skids. Try to imagine enjoying "Making of a Male Model" (as a story) without Mr. Conway's presence. There are more shirtless scenes of Hexum than you can shake a stick at; but, Conway's scenes give Hexum some room to act. Unfortunately, Hexum accidentally shot himself to death, on the set of his "Cover Up" series, in 1984.
****** Making of a Male Model (10/9/83) Irving J. Moore ~ Jon-Erik Hexum, Joan Collins, Jeff Conaway
