The O.C. (2003–2007)

A troubled youth becomes embroiled in the lives of a close-knit group of people in the wealthy, upper-class neighborhood of Newport Beach, Orange County, California.

Creator:

Josh Schwartz

Stars:

Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, Adam Brody

14 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Peter Gallagher	...	Sandy Cohen (92 episodes, 2003-2007)
Kelly Rowan	...	Kirsten Cohen (92 episodes, 2003-2007)
Ben McKenzie	...	Ryan Atwood (92 episodes, 2003-2007)
Adam Brody	...	Seth Cohen (92 episodes, 2003-2007)
Rachel Bilson	...	Summer Roberts (92 episodes, 2003-2007)
Melinda Clarke	...	Julie Cooper (90 episodes, 2003-2007)
Mischa Barton	...	Marissa Cooper (76 episodes, 2003-2006)
Tate Donovan	...	Jimmy Cooper (39 episodes, 2003-2006)

Storyline

Ensemble drama revolving around the young adult community of the Orange County, California, area. A street-smart teen winds up in the midst of the high-class society of Newport Beach, sparking something of an "edgier" take on the "Melrose Place" style premise.

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Plot Keywords:

orange county california | california | teen | lawyer | love | 

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Taglines:

The O.C. Orange County, It's where all the beautiful people live

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Channel 4 [uk] CTV [ca]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Orange County

Filming Locations:

Federal Aviation Administration Credit Union - 14600 Aviation Blvd., Hawthorne, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wonderland Sound and Vision, Warner Bros. Television, College Hill Pictures Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The server in the Pilot and The Best Christmakkuh Ever is also the person who owns the Berkley house in the fourth season.

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Goofs

In Season 3, when Ryan is with Sadie in the pool house, Seth finds the door locked when he tries to enter and states "when did this door ever have a lock." Ryan mentions he added it for privacy. In Season 1, when Hailey has the huge New Years party, she locks Ryan and Seth in the pool house, so they won't spoil her fun.

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Quotes

Kirsten: [frowns] Why is that ninja smoking a cigarette?
Sandy: Honey honey, I don't actually think that's a ninja, ninjas usually wear capes, right?
Kirsten: oooh so a ninja is like a super hero
Seth: [had enough] mom, dad, you two enjoy
[gets up]
Seth: Ryan
[steps over Sandy's legs]
Seth: give me five minutes
Sandy: Where you goin?
[Ryan smiles]
[...]

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Crazy Credits

For the first half of season one, Rachel Bilson (Summer) and Melinda Clarke (Julie) were credited as guest stars, even though Rachel Bilson appeared in each episode. From the fourteenth episode on, they were credited on the theme song as regulars.

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Connections

Referenced in Sex, Lies & Soaps: Appearance (2006)

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Soundtracks

"California"
(main title)
Performed by Phantom Planet
Written by Jason Schwartzman, Jacques Brautbar, Sam Farrar, Alex Greenwald,
Darren Robinson (uncredited)

User Reviews

Why do people think this is "unrealistic"?

I come from a part of Australia called the Sunshine Coast where most people come to escape city life and live by the sea. Most of the people who live along the coastlines here are just as beautiful-looking in that sun-drenched, California way, but not only that: this is a place where people come to avoid their problems, only to end up taking them with them. For all the glitz, glamour and romance of this place, I have never come across a more dysfunctional group of self-absorbed people in my life.

That's what immediately drew me to "The O.C.". I noticed the obvious plot lines that have been faithful to Soap Operas for decades, but this show has such a pungent wit about the nature of these people. They may look like they have a life that people aspire to, but they really don't and in some ways the nature of their environment only enhances these problems. I found that this show perfectly captured the reality of this sort of lifestyle, albeit modified for T.V.. A movie version of this would be much more vicious, if made by the right people, but please don't talk to me about the corniness of this show and how it doesn't reflect real life. I know these people. They exist. And they really are contemptible.