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{{About|the Fox television series|the ___location from which the series derives its name|Orange County, California|other uses|OC (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox television
| image = The O.C Intro.jpg
| caption = Title as seen in seasons 3 and 4
| genre = [[Teen drama]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Peter Gallagher]]
* [[Kelly Rowan]]
* [[Ben McKenzie]]
* [[Mischa Barton]]
* [[Adam Brody]]
* [[Chris Carmack]]
* [[Tate Donovan]]
* [[Melinda Clarke]]
* [[Rachel Bilson]]
* [[Alan Dale]]
* [[Willa Holland]]
* [[Autumn Reeser]]
}}
| opentheme = "[[California (Phantom Planet song)|California]]" by [[Phantom Planet]]
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Christopher Tyng]]
* Richard Marvin
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 92
| list_episodes = List of The O.C. episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Dave Bartis]] (season 1)
* [[Bob DeLaurentis]]
* [[Doug Liman]] (season 1)
* [[McG]]
* [[Stephanie Savage]] (season 4)
* [[Josh Schwartz]]
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Loucas George
* John Stephens
* Mike Kelley
* David Calloway
}}
| ___location = [[California]]
| runtime = 42 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
* [[College Hill Pictures, Inc.]]
* [[Wonderland Sound and Vision]]
* Hypnotic (season 1)
* [[Warner Bros. Television]]
}}
| network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| first_aired = {{start date|2003|8|5}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2007|2|22}}
}}
'''''The O.C. ''''' <!-- STOP...do NOT change to 'was'-->is<!-- NOTE-remains as "is" per Wikipedia convention. See: [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Television/Style guidelines#Lead paragraphs]]. --> an American [[teen drama]] television series created by [[Josh Schwartz]] that originally aired on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 22, 2007, with a total of four seasons consisting of [[The O.C. episodes|92 episodes]]. The series title, "O.C.", is an [[initialism]] of [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], the ___location in [[Southern California]] in which the series is set.
The series centers on [[Ryan Atwood]], a troubled, yet gifted young teenager from a broken home who is adopted by the wealthy and philanthropic [[Sandy Cohen|Sandy]] and [[Kirsten Cohen]]. Ryan and his adoptive brother [[Seth Cohen|Seth]], a socially awkward, quick-witted teenager, deal with life as outsiders in the high-class world of [[Newport Beach]]. Ryan and Seth spend much time navigating their relationships with girl-next-door [[Marissa Cooper]], Seth's childhood crush [[Summer Roberts]], and the fast-talking loner [[Taylor Townsend (The O.C.)|Taylor Townsend]]. Storylines deal with the culture clash between the idealistic Cohen family and the shallow, materialistic, and closed-minded community in which they reside. The series includes elements of [[postmodernism]], and functions as a mixture of melodrama and comedy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/its-so-over-for-the-oc-orange-county-loses-tv-appeal-430866.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930042102/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/its-so-over-for-the-oc-orange-county-loses-tv-appeal-430866.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2010 |title=It's so over for The OC |work=The Independent |date=January 5, 2007 |access-date=February 3, 2012 |last=Gumbel |first=Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/04/21/soapedy-a-prime-time-hit/ |title=''Soapedy'' a prime-time hit |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 21, 2004 |access-date=February 3, 2012}}</ref>
The series premiered with high ratings and was one of the most popular new dramas of the 2003–2004 television season. It was widely referred to as a pop cultural phenomenon and received mostly positive reception from critics.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/2.2755/ryan-seth-and-co-shine-in-pop-culture-phenomenon-1.270074#.TyX_x_nhdcc |title=Ryan, Seth, and co. shine in pop culture phenomenon |work=The Observer |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103220714/http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/2.2755/ryan-seth-and-co-shine-in-pop-culture-phenomenon-1.270074#.TyX_x_nhdcc |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> However, ratings declined as the show went on. The low ratings led to its cancellation in early 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/plagued-low-ratings-o-c-gets-canceled-wbna16459382 |title=Plagued by low ratings, ''The O.C.'' gets canceled |agency=Associated Press |date=January 4, 2007 |publisher=Today.com |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref>
''The O.C.'' has been broadcast in more than 50 countries worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/arts_life/story.html?id=47c3e814-d94d-46f4-95f5-6fc3eaf8d67a |work=[[Regina Leader-Post]] |date=January 5, 2007 |access-date=February 10, 2007 |title=Fox's once hot ''The O.C.'' canceled |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011172534/http://canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/arts_life/story.html?id=47c3e814-d94d-46f4-95f5-6fc3eaf8d67a |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> The series has also been released on DVD as well as on [[iTunes]] and streaming services [[Hulu]] and [[Max (streaming service)|Max]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/tv-season/the-o.c.-season-1/id281301996 |title=The O.C., Season 1 on iTunes |website=iTunes |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref>
==Plot==
The [[The O.C. season 1|first season]] focuses on Ryan Atwood's arrival in Newport Beach to live with Sandy and Kirsten Cohen, who take him in after his mother kicks him out. A major theme of the first season is the culture shock Ryan feels as he adjusts from a life of [[domestic abuse]] and poverty to living in a superficial high-class society. He quickly befriends and bonds with Seth Cohen, and begins to have a romantic relationship with Marissa Cooper. Although coming from very different backgrounds, Ryan soon discovers that he deals with similar issues to his new peers, such as self-identity conflict and familial alienation. The relationship between Ryan and Marissa flourishes when he supports her through her parents' divorce. As the show progresses, Ryan takes a very protective role over Marissa, showing Ryan to be a much more stable, controlled person than originally portrayed. Other storylines include Seth's development from a friendless loner to having two romantic options in Summer and Anna, as well as the arrivals of Oliver Trask, a troubled teen who befriends Marissa during their coinciding therapy sessions, and Theresa Diaz, Ryan's close friend and former love interest from his hometown of Chino. Meanwhile, Sandy Cohen frequently comes into conflict with Caleb Nichol, Kirsten's father and a wealthy industrialist who is said to "basically own Newport."
The [[The O.C. season 2|second season]] of ''The O.C.'' continues to follow the tumultuous romantic relationships between Ryan and Marissa, Seth and Summer, and Sandy and Kirsten. Josh Schwartz, the show's creator, stated that in the second season, the show would "no longer be about Ryan's past; now it's going to be about Ryan's future," and that this season would "slow down the storytelling a little bit ... and evolve the characters."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/560/560436p1.html |title=The O.C. Strikes Back |last=Linder |first=Brian |date=October 26, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=December 27, 2011}}</ref> For example, the story closely follows Ryan in his advanced physics class, where tension is created between him and another student, Lindsay, who presumes that Ryan will be useless as a lab partner, who thus prevents him from contributing to the work that must be submitted. Ryan's character begins to grow when he stands up to Lindsay and convinces her to allow him to contribute, forcing them to work together to complete the assignment. They later become involved romantically, creating extreme complications and relational shifts amongst the now "Cooper-Nichol" family. The Bait Shop becomes a prominent social destination for the teenage characters. A number of [[List of The O.C. characters#Recurring characters|recurring characters]] are introduced, such as D.J., Lindsay Gardner, Zach Stevens, and [[Alex Kelly (The O.C.)|Alex Kelly]], with whom the main characters form a variety of relationships. Ryan's brother, Trey Atwood, gets out of jail and threatens to bring Ryan's old life into his new one. Sandy and Kirsten also face new conflicts after drifting apart during the summer. The second season ends with Marissa shooting Trey after Ryan confronts him for attempting to sexually assault Marissa.
The [[The O.C. season 3|third season]] creates many dynamic changes with regards to relationships and power within the characters' society. Firstly, Marissa is expelled from the Harbor School. The Cooper family, left with little money, is forced to move into a trailer park. Julie Cooper-Nichol, once one of the richest women in all of Newport, struggles to put food on the table for her daughters. Marissa's life begins to spiral out of control, as she struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as dealing with the loss of her close friend Johnny. Similarly, Kirsten confronts her alcohol addiction and eventually leaves rehab, only to encounter more problems when she begins business with a con artist. The other characters look towards college, with Seth and Summer competing for a spot at [[Brown University]]. Sandy's moral compass becomes imperiled when he takes over Caleb's old position as head of The Newport Group, pursuing a project to establish more [[low-income housing]] in Newport. Ryan also attempts to resolve his individual relationships with his mother, and with his childhood friend Theresa Diaz. He also pursues the idea of a post-secondary education, with encouragement from both Sandy and Kirsten to visit Berkeley. However, Ryan's life is quickly put on hold when, in the season 3 finale, Ryan decides to drive Marissa to the airport, and they are run off the road by Kevin Volchok, Marissa's most recent love affair gone wrong. In the last few minutes of the episode, Ryan pulls Marissa out from the burning car, only to watch her die in his arms.
The [[The O.C. season 4|fourth and final season]] begins five months after Marissa's death in the car accident. Ryan starts the season in isolation as a broken, grieving man, seeking revenge on Volchok. With the help of Julie, both she and Ryan are able to track Volchok down in Mexico, and turn him in to federal officials. The continued love of the Cohen family and the company of the eccentric Taylor Townsend guide him back to the light. Meanwhile, Seth and Summer face the problems of a long-distance relationship as Summer leaves to attend college. The first half of the season focuses on the characters accepting the reality of Marissa's death. The second half focuses on the characters "finding themselves" while facing myriad identity crises. This final season contains multiple surprises, such as a new addition to the Cohen family, a visit to an alternate universe in which Sandy becomes mayor, and a natural disaster that leaves Newport devastated.
==Episodes==
{{Main|List of The O.C. episodes}}
{{:List of The O.C. episodes}}
==Cast and characters==
{{Further|List of The O.C. characters}}
[[File:The O.C. cast (season 1).jpg|thumb|240px|[[The O.C. season 1|Season 1]] cast of ''The O.C.'' Standing, from left: [[Tate Donovan]], [[Rachel Bilson]], [[Melinda Clarke]], [[Peter Gallagher]], [[Kelly Rowan]], [[Chris Carmack]]; seated, from left: [[Mischa Barton]], [[Ben McKenzie]], [[Adam Brody]]]]
* [[Peter Gallagher]] as [[Sandy Cohen]], an idealistic public defender who takes in Ryan Atwood in the pilot episode, much to the dismay of his wife, Kirsten. He is the husband of Kirsten, the father of Seth Cohen, and the legal guardian of Ryan. Although he lives in an upper-class community, his politics are left-leaning and open-minded, causing friction between himself and the community. Gallagher described the character as a "leftie Jewish guy from the Bronx."<ref name="Peter Gallagher - Random Roles">{{cite news |url=https://www.avclub.com/peter-gallagher-1798226078 |title=Peter Gallagher – Random Roles |work=The A.V. Club |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref> Sandy deals with many conflicts throughout the series, such as trying to gain acceptance from his father-in-law while being financially supported by his wife, and raising two teenagers in a (sometimes) corrupting environment.
* [[Kelly Rowan]] as [[Kirsten Cohen]], the former CFO of real estate company the Newport Group, Sandy's wife, and Seth's mother. Before she met Sandy, she dated and grew up with Jimmy Cooper, father of Marissa Cooper, with whom she remains friends. She has had trouble with alcohol, which was triggered by the failing deteriorating relationship between her and her father. Kirsten goes on to open a dating service with Julie, and become a mother of two at the end of the fourth season. The character's politics and lifestyle are conservative, a contrast to her husband. Rowan described the character as seemingly more "together" than herself during an interview.<ref>{{cite episode |title=OC: Obsess Completely |series=The O.C. |credits=FOX |season=TV Special}}</ref>
* [[Ben McKenzie]] as [[Ryan Atwood]], a troubled teenager from [[Chino, California|Chino]] who is brought into the privileged community of [[Newport Beach, California]], after his mother, [[Dawn Atwood]], throws him out of their family home. Ryan is subsequently taken in by his public defender, Sandy Cohen. He forms fast bonds with the entire Cohen family, especially Sandy's son Seth, in addition to the girl next door, Marissa Cooper. Ryan slowly finds his place within the new, materialistic society, and makes of the most of his situation by not only completing high school, but also continuing on to university. Casting director Patrick Rush found the role of Ryan particularly hard to cast and only invited McKenzie to an audition after Fox had made them aware of the young actor after his unsuccessful audition for a [[UPN]] sitcom.<ref name="Production">{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/productionnotes.html |title=Backstage Pass – Production Notes |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]] |access-date=July 27, 2008}}</ref> Rush said, "When Benjamin [McKenzie] came in, he wasn't physically what Josh had envisioned, but he inhabited the character unlike anyone we had seen. I think that the character of Ryan is a kid that always seems a little lost and has a sense of mystery and danger; Benjamin has all those qualities."<ref name="Backstage Page - Production Notes">{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/productionnotes.html |title=Backstage Page – Production Notes |publisher=The OC Insider |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref> [[Chad Michael Murray]] was originally offered the role of Ryan, but turned it down for the lead role of [[Lucas Scott]] on ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,21892173-10388,00.html |title=Top movie role reversals |last=Banks |first=Andrew |date=June 12, 2007 |website=[[News.com.au]] |access-date=February 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421004220/http://www.news.com.au/news/top-movie-role-reversals/story-fna7dq6e-1111113731558 |archive-date=April 21, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Mischa Barton]] as [[Marissa Cooper]] (seasons 1–3), Summer's best friend and Ryan's on-and-off love interest. Marissa is portrayed as a "spoiled girl who adjusts to being poor."<ref name="Sepinwall, Alan">{{cite book |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |title=How to Stop Being a Hater and Learn to Love The O.C. |publisher=Chamberlain, Bros.}}</ref> Throughout the series, Marissa battles addictions to drugs and alcohol, including nearly killing herself on a trip to Mexico with her friends. Marissa's relationships with her parents, boyfriends, and classmates are often tumultuous. The casting director referred to Marissa as "a girl stuck in the trappings of her life who seemed older than her actual age."<ref name="Backstage Page - Production Notes" /> Barton left the series at the end of season three when her character was killed in a car accident. Commenting on her departure, Barton said, "My character has been through so, so much and there's really nothing more left for her to do."<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-19-oc-barton_x.htm Mischa Barton's 'O.C.' character killed – ''USA Today'']</ref>
* [[Adam Brody]] as [[Seth Cohen]], the awkward adolescent son of Sandy and Kirsten Cohen. He is known for his quick quips, comic book fascination, and [[pop-culture]] references. Seth is also the love interest of [[Summer Roberts]], on whom he had a crush since the third grade. Seth has been called a "Jewish nerd into obscure emo bands", who "starts dating a gorgeous, popular virgin."<ref name="Sepinwall, Alan" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' characterized Seth as "eccentric and literate, Seth professes actual wanderlust [...] The show's press materials maintain that he's an existential hero along the lines of [[Holden Caulfield]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/arts/television/04heff.html?pagewanted=print&position= |title=In 'O.C.', You Must Go Home Again |work=The New York Times |date=November 4, 2004 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |first=Virginia |last=Heffernan}}</ref> Brody's portrayal of Seth was well received and is considered one of the overall highlights of the series.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1609772,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519202422/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1609772,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 19, 2007 |title=Looking for Mr. Adorkable |magazine=Time |access-date=February 4, 2012 |date=April 12, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Chris Carmack]] as [[Luke Ward]] (season 1; special guest star season 2), Marissa's first boyfriend and regular cast member for most of the first season. Luke is initially the main antagonist of the series, coining the series' famous "Welcome to the O.C., bitch!" line during a fight with Ryan in the premiere episode. However, he later becomes the main "comic punching bag" for the other characters.<ref name="Sepinwall, Alan" /> Schwartz characterized the later Luke as "strumming a guitar being a goofball."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2007/02/oc-josh-says-goodbye.html |title=The O.C.: Josh Says Goodbye |date=February 22, 2007 |publisher=What's Alan Watching |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref> Luke leaves Newport Beach to live with his father in Portland at the end of the first season.
* [[Tate Donovan]] as [[Jimmy Cooper (The O.C.)|Jimmy Cooper]] (seasons 1–2; recurring season 3; special guest star season 4), Marissa and Kaitlin's father (and Julie's ex-husband). He gets in trouble for [[embezzlement]] and must face the consequences of his actions and its effect on his reputation and personal life. After his divorce from Julie, he pursues Hayley Nichol, Kirsten's younger sister, who eventually leaves him to further her fashion career in Japan. Jimmy's character made a brief appearance during season 3, but Jimmy was forced to leave town the morning of his wedding to Julie due to money problems. One interviewer characterized Jimmy as a "lovable deadbeat dad."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://martyflanagan.com/?p=47 |title=Interview: Tate Donovan |publisher=Marty Flanagan |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209210839/http://martyflanagan.com/?p=47 |archive-date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> Josh Schwartz has referred to the character as a "cat" in DVD commentaries. The character is portrayed as flighty and perpetually in financial debt despite warm relationships with his daughters. The character was ranked eighth on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s list of "TV's Worst Dads".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ranker.com/list/ew-com_s-tv_s-worst-dads/televisionlife |title=EW.com's TV's Worst Dads |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Melinda Clarke]] as [[Julie Cooper (The O.C.)|Julie Cooper]], the mother of [[Kaitlin Cooper]] and [[Marissa Cooper]]. At the beginning of the show she is married to financial planner [[Jimmy Cooper (The O.C.)|Jimmy Cooper]]. She is often characterized as being devious, selfish, and shallow. However, she reveals a more vulnerable and empathetic part of herself a number of times during the series. Clarke summarized her character as being "clearly just such a money-digging whore. To me, it's so funny now to see ''[[The Real Housewives of Orange County]]'' because you realize it exists and that's what Julie was. Julie was obviously the original housewife." Clarke went on to commend the character's "incredible arc", saying that Julie started as "this woman who was so superficial but, of course, she's not just one-dimensional, she's multi-dimensional. Starting in her pink Juicy sweat suit outfit and then by the end she's graduated from college and moving on with her life. She's a survivor."
* [[Rachel Bilson]] as [[Summer Roberts]], a pretty and popular socialite who is the love interest of Seth and best friend to Marissa. Bilson's character was originally supposed to appear in only a few episodes, but quickly became popular amongst viewers, and ended up being part of the main cast for the rest of the series. When Summer's parents divorced, her mother abandoned the family and she has had no contact with her since. Her stepmother, nicknamed the "step-monster", is a lazy woman with a suggested drug problem. Summer has been referred to as a "seemingly snotty, superficial rich girl who is revealed to have hidden depth when she warms to the charms of nerdy Seth."<ref name="Sepinwall, Alan" /> She is the daughter of [[Dr. Neil Roberts]]. Summer later surprises audiences by turning out to be much more intellectually capable than imagined. She ends up being accepted to Brown, beating out many applicants from Harbour School, including, to his dismay, Seth. Not only intelligent, Summer proves to be an activist for animals while protesting against lab testing on animals and setting lab bunnies free. She later takes one as her own and names her Pancakes.
* [[Alan Dale]] as [[Caleb Nichol]] (season 2; recurring season 1), Kirsten's businessman father and later Julie Cooper's husband. His character recurs throughout the first season, and he becomes a regular during the second season, but comes to a sudden stop when his character suffers from a fatal heart attack during the second-season finale. The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' characterized Caleb as a "gruff, uncompromising Newport Beach, California, real-estate developer". When asked by the ''Tribune'' about the character, Dale said, "The thing that's lovely about this character is that there's so much to do with him. His relationships are so complicated, and once the marriage happened, everyone was related in the show. That means he's got all these people to relate to, and he relates so badly with everyone."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/11/11/alan-dale-settling-into-oc-good-life/ |title=Alan Dale settling into 'O.C.' good life |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=November 11, 2004 |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Autumn Reeser]] as [[Taylor Townsend (The O.C.)|Taylor Townsend]] (season 4; recurring season 3), introduced in the third season as a neurotic perfectionist student. Many critics initially saw similarities between her and the character Tracy Flick from the 1999 film ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason4.php |title=DVD Verdict Review: The O.C.: The Complete Fourth Season |publisher=DVD Verdict |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126204852/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason4.php |archive-date=January 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The O.C.: The Complete Third Season |isbn=1419826719}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/838/838168p1.html |title=The O.C. – The Complete Series |website=IGN |date=November 30, 2007 |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref> Taylor begins the series as a villain before eventually becoming the second female lead in the fourth season. Reeser's performance was critically acclaimed. She reflected back on the character during a 2010 interview, saying, "I feel like there's a lot of girls out there who could really relate to her, who hadn't seen themselves on TV in that way. I loved that about her. I loved that she made no apologies for who she was even though she wasn't what all the magazines said was OK. She was like, "I'm still valid. And I'm awesome. And I know I'm odd, and that's OK."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stayinginwithvlada.com/2010/07/14/autumn-reeser-reflects-on-her-time-in-the-o-c/ |title=Autumn Reeser Reflects on Her Time in The O.C. |website=Staying In |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828005915/http://stayinginwithvlada.com/2010/07/14/autumn-reeser-reflects-on-her-time-in-the-o-c/ |archive-date=August 28, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Willa Holland]] as [[Kaitlin Cooper]] (season 4; recurring seasons 1 and 3). The role was originally played by [[Shailene Woodley]] in a recurring role during the first season. Kaitlin spends much of the series at boarding school before returning on a recurring basis in the third season (now played by Holland) and finally becoming a regular character in the fourth season. The daughter of Jimmy and Julie and sister to Marissa, her personality is more similar to her mother's rather than her father's, and she is portrayed as a regular pot smoker and occasional dealer. Holland observed that "no one can control her" but that her arc in the fourth season finds the character maturing.<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnMqq5c_e7A | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/UnMqq5c_e7A |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |title=The OC Season Four Fox Interview}}{{cbignore}}</ref> When asked about any disappointment over the recast, Woodley responded, "I was 11 and I was on as a guest, recurring character, or whatever. My character went to boarding school and when they decided to bring her back, they actually re-auditioned me to bring her back. But I didn't go through puberty until late [...] So, there was no weirdness when Willa Holland got it because she was so obviously right for the role... and I was so obviously not [laughs]."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Mike |url=http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/11/14/shailene-woodley-descendants-star-interview/ |title=Shailene Woodly, ''Descendants'' star, doesn't want to hear about Oscar Buzz, George Clooney's Fart Machine |publisher=[[Moviefone]] |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115102904/http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/11/14/shailene-woodley-descendants-star-interview/ |archive-date=January 15, 2012}}</ref>
==Production==
===Conception {{anchor|Concept}}===
In 2002, creator [[Josh Schwartz]] met with [[McG|Joseph "McG" McGinty Nichol]] and [[Stephanie Savage]] of production company [[Wonderland Sound and Vision]]. They told Schwartz they wanted to create a television show based in McG's hometown of [[Newport Beach, California|Newport Beach]], [[Orange County, California]].<ref name="Schwartz">{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/insidercommentary/archive/01.html |title=Josh Schwartz: "The O.C." Creator |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]] |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/exclusive-interview-josh-scwar-2651.aspx |title=Exclusive Interview: Josh Schwartz, Creator/Executive Producer of The OC |date=December 14, 2006 |publisher=[[BuddyTV]] |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007023801/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/exclusive-interview-josh-scwar-2651.aspx |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> Savage suggested producing a police or extreme sports ''[[21 Jump Street]]''-style show, but Schwartz knew little about the genre. Having had experiences with people from Newport Beach during his time at the [[University of Southern California]], Schwartz came back to them with his own characters.<ref name="Alan">{{cite web |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2007/02/oc-josh-says-goodbye.html |title=The O.C.: Josh says goodbye |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=February 22, 2007 |publisher=[[Blogger (service)|Blogspot]] |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref>
Schwartz pitched to studios a show portraying a romance between Lucy Muñoz—whose father worked on the wealthy Atwood family's Newport estate—and Ryan Atwood. [[Warner Bros. Television]] was interested, but because of other shows that year based on a white man-Latina woman [[Romeo and Juliet]]–like romance, asked for changes. Schwartz and Savage modified the pitch to what they later described as ''[[The Breakfast Club]]'' set in an Orange County gated community.<ref name="soloski20231210">{{Cite news |last=Soloski |first=Alexis |date=December 10, 2023 |title=''The O.C.'' Creators Are Right Back Where They Started From |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/arts/television/the-oc.html |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> The show was pitched to Fox in August 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/insidercommentary/archive/04.html |title=Stephanie Savage: Co-Executive Producer/Writer |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> The network targeted a summer launch for the show,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117879314 |title=Fox femme pair to pilot |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=January 22, 2003 |work=Variety |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> and [[Doug Liman]] was brought in to direct the premiere after McG withdrew due to his scheduling conflicts with ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/selleck-s-on-deck-for-nbc-1117881284/ |title=Selleck's on deck for NBC |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=February 26, 2003 |work=Variety |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> The show was confirmed for the [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–2004 schedule]] in May,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/features/nets-prep-flight-plans-with-pilots-on-tarmac-1117885605/ |title=Nets prep flight plans with pilots on tarmac |first1=Josef |last1=Adalian |first2=Michael |last2=Schneider |date=May 4, 2003 |work=Variety |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> and an August 5, 2003, broadcast date was selected in June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/juniors-to-juice-o-c-1117888051/ |title=Juniors to juice 'O.C.' |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=June 16, 2003 |work=Variety |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref>
Schwartz later said that ''The O.C.'' was like a [[trojan horse]]: "The horse is a glossy nighttime [[soap opera|soap]] in the tradition of ''Beverly Hills 90210'', with bikinis and bonfires and fistfights at galas. The soldiers inside were our characters."{{r|soloski20231210}} He said that inspiration for them came from [[List of characters on The Larry Sanders Show#Larry Sanders|Larry Sanders]],<ref name="UGOInterview">{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/theoc/Default.asp |title=Josh Schwartz of The O.C. Interview |last=Epstein |first=Daniel Robert |work=[[UGO Entertainment]] |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050430053016/http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/theoc/default.asp |archive-date=April 30, 2005}}</ref> [[Cameron Crowe]], and other "quirky character-driven shows like ''[[Freaks and Geeks]]'', ''[[Undeclared]]'', and ''[[My So-Called Life]]''".<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news |last=Posner |first=Ari |date=March 24, 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/arts/television/21POSN.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5007&en=158d7ee8845cb98e&ex=1395205200&partner=USERLAND |title=''The O.C.'' Rewrites the Rules of TV Writing |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309034530/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/arts/television/21POSN.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5007&en=158d7ee8845cb98e&ex=1395205200&partner=USERLAND |archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref>{{r|soloski20231210}} At USC, Schwartz attended the [[USC School of Cinematic Arts|School of Cinema-Television]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cinema.usc.edu/about/news/the-oc-creator-josh-schwartz-endows-inaugural-scholarship-for-television-writing-students-at-usc-school-of-cinema-television.htm |title="The OC" Creator Josh Schwartz Endows Inaugural Scholarship for Television Writing Students at USC School of Cinema-Television |date=September 14, 2005 |publisher=[[USC School of Cinematic Arts|USC Cinema]] |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826032804/http://cinema.usc.edu/about/news/the-oc-creator-josh-schwartz-endows-inaugural-scholarship-for-television-writing-students-at-usc-school-of-cinema-television.htm |archive-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref> and later said that ''The O.C.'' was "very much based on sort of the experiences I had when I was in college"<ref name="UGOInterview" /> as a "Jewish kid from the East Coast ... surrounded by all these kids from Newport Beach who were water-polo players, and these very blonde girls who only wanted to date them. I felt very much like an outsider." Although Orange County residents criticized the show's title, stating that people did not call the county by the phrase, Schwartz stated that USC students did say that they were from "The O.C."{{r|gopalan20130805}} He also stated that Cohen family in [[The O.C. season 1|season one]] resembles his own family life,<ref>{{cite web |title=Schwartz still likes hanging in ''The O.C.'' |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/schwartz-still-likes-hanging-o-c-wbna12070285 |publisher=Today.com |date=March 29, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> adding that "The dynamic between Sandy and Seth is very much based on me and my dad."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/050908a |title=Curious Guy: The OC |last=Simmons |first=Bill |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> Schwartz reasoned that, "As much as our audience enjoys living vicariously in this wealthy world, I think the true wish fulfillment comes from wishing that they had a family like the Cohens — where the parents could be that cool and that grounded and that loving, but also real parents."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/arts/television/21POSN.html?scp=2&sq=The%20O.C.%20on%20Fox&st=cse&pagewanted=3 |title=The O.C. and Rewriting the Rules of TV Writing |work=The New York Times |date=March 21, 2004 |access-date=January 30, 2012 |first=Ari |last=Posner}}</ref>
Schwartz said that he wrote the highly regarded pilot episode in his boxer shorts. "I had no idea what would come of it and there was just that purity to it."<ref name="Schwartzboxers">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/exclusive-interview-josh-scwar-2651.aspx |title=Exclusive Interview: Josh Schwartz, Creator/Executive Producer of The OC |publisher=Buddytv |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007023801/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/exclusive-interview-josh-scwar-2651.aspx |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Schwartz Highlights">{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/zap-joshschwartzochighlightslowlights,0,6933695.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301044733/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/zap-joshschwartzochighlightslowlights,0,6933695.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 1, 2007 |title=Schwartz Shares 'O.C.' Highlights |publisher=Zap2it |date=February 22, 2007 |access-date=February 14, 2012 |first=Daniel |last=Fienberg}}</ref> The script for the pilot attracted most of the regular cast to the project, including film star Peter Gallagher, who said of the pilot:
{{blockquote|In that recently post-9/11 America, I read this script and thought it was astounding. I thought it was exactly the right story to be telling at that point in time. It was about a family living in a not very embracing community, one that doesn't necessarily share all their values. [...] they don't lose their sense of humor or their inclination to help. They still open their arms and embrace this outsider kid. And I thought that was powerful in an era with a kind of xenophobia, a kind of looking-over-your-shoulder and getting small and angry, sort of creeping into the PATRIOT Act–fueled environment. This espoused a kind of America... It just felt right. And it had a sense of humor.<ref name="Peter Gallagher - Random Roles" />}}
===Filming locations===
[[File:Manhattan Beach pier south.jpg|thumb|right|[[Manhattan Beach, California|Manhattan Beach]] was one of the primary filming locations for the show.|alt=A photograph of a beach and a pier extending into the sea. In the foreground is a palm tree and a sidewalk, visible on the beach are a lifeguard station and a volleyball net, and on the horizon is a populated hillside.]]
Although the show is set in Newport Beach, financial penalties imposed for filming outside the [[studio zone]] meant much of the show was filmed in the [[Manhattan Beach, California|Manhattan Beach]], [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]] region.<ref name="Fagin">{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/insidercommentary/archive/06.html |title=France Myung Fagin: Locating "The O.C." |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]] |access-date=March 3, 2009}}</ref> Many of the beach scenes were also filmed in [[Hermosa Beach, California|Hermosa Beach]],<ref name="Seeing Stars, The O.C. Filming Locations">{{cite web |url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/HermosaPier.shtml |title=THE O.C. Filming Locations |access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> [[Redondo Beach, California|Redondo Beach]] and [[Torrance, California|Torrance]].<ref name="Seeing Stars">{{cite web |url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/oc/RedondoBeach.shtml |title=THE O.C. Filming Locations |access-date=June 19, 2010}}</ref> Sites in Los Angeles County were used for many different on-screen locations, which include Ryan's hometown of [[Chino, California|Chino]], Luke's father's [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] home, Johnny's father's [[Indio, California|Indio]] office and [[Tijuana]].<ref name="Fagin" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sakowskimotors.com/tour.asp |title=Tour Sakowski Motors |publisher=Sakowski Motors |access-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/backlot/street_mexican.html |title=Mexican Street / Old Mexico |last=Primrose |first=Jon |publisher=thestudiotour.com |access-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref>
For the first episode, "[[Premiere (The O.C.)|Premiere]]", the Cohen family home was shot on ___location in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]]. A mock pool house was built for use in the pilot, and taken down after filming completed. The Cohens' home was recreated on a soundstage at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach for filming during the rest of the series;<ref name="PostProduction">{{cite web |url=http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalfilm/video_production_meets_post/ |title=Production Meets Post |last=Goldman |first=Michael |date=November 1, 2003 |work=Digital Content Producer |publisher=[[Penton Media]] |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320065055/http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalfilm/video_production_meets_post/ |archive-date=March 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="ProductionNotes">{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/productionnotes.html |title=Backstage Pass: Production Notes |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]] |access-date=March 3, 2009}}</ref> the pool was only 4-feet deep meaning that the cast had to act on their knees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/einsteinfactor/txt/s2602073.htm |title=Xenia Pappas |work=[[The Einstein Factor]] |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=October 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408194151/http://www.abc.net.au/einsteinfactor/txt/s2602073.htm |archive-date=April 8, 2010}}</ref> External shots of the original house remained in use throughout the show.<ref name="PostProduction" /><ref name="ProductionNotes" /> The pilot was shot on [[35mm movie film|35 mm]] [[film stock]], while subsequent episodes used digitally post-processed [[16 mm]] in order to reduce the cost of production.<ref name="PostProduction" />
The Harbor School is the local school that the show's adolescents attend. Based on Newport's [[Corona del Mar High School]], which executive producer [[McG]] attended,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/432583901.html?dids=432583901:432583901&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+29%2C+2003&author=Marco+R.+della+Cava&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=D.01&desc=How+real+is+%27The+O.C.%27%3F+%3B+Fox%27s+new+hit+shines+a+light+on+Orange+County |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724233005/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/432583901.html?dids=432583901:432583901&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+29%2C+2003&author=Marco+R.+della+Cava&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=D.01&desc=How+real+is+%27The+O.C.%27%3F+%3B+Fox%27s+new+hit+shines+a+light+on+Orange+County |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |title=How real is ''The O.C.''?; Fox's new hit shines a light on Orange County |last=della Cava |first=Marco R. |date=October 29, 2003 |work=USA Today |access-date=October 2, 2009 |format=Note: Payment required}}</ref> the filming ___location was [[Mount St. Mary's College]], a private woman's college in [[Brentwood, Los Angeles, California|Brentwood, Los Angeles]].<ref name="Fagin" /> The [[University of California, Los Angeles]] was the ___location used to represent [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailycal.org/article/102286/ |title=You Oughta Be in Pictures, Berkeley |last=Lee |first=Stefanie |date=August 21, 2008 |work=[[The Daily Californian]] |access-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref> and the [[University of Southern California]] was used to represent [[Brown University]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} The FAA First Federal Credit Union building in [[Hawthorne, California|Hawthorne]] was used to depict the Newport Group in season two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nadelarc.com/ |title=FAA First Federal Credit Union |publisher=[[Nadel Architects]] |access-date=October 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/quikboy/532339179/in/photostream/ |title=Newport Group building |date=June 22, 2006 |publisher=[[Flickr]] |access-date=October 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/oc/NewportGroup.shtml |title=The ___location: The Newport Group building |last=Wayne |first=Gary |publisher=Seeing-Stars.com |access-date=October 12, 2009}}</ref> [[Wayfarers Chapel]] in [[Rancho Palos Verdes]] was used three times on the show—twice for a wedding and once for a funeral.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/whats-new/community-relations/ |title=Community Relations |publisher=[[Wayfarers Chapel]] |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130032334/http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/whats-new/community-relations/ |archive-date=January 30, 2009}}</ref> The Cohens' original home in Berkeley, which they return to in "[[The End's Not Near, It's Here]]", was shot in [[South Pasadena, California|South Pasadena]].
The restaurant dubbed the ''Crab Shack'' on the show is actually local landmark [[The Crab Cooker]]. Julie refers to the restaurant in a third-season episode by its real-life name.<ref name="DP1">{{Cite news |url=http://articles.dailypilot.com/2005-02-12/news/export4439_1_newport-beach-conference-map-points-new-map |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109025305/http://articles.dailypilot.com/2005-02-12/news/export4439_1_newport-beach-conference-map-points-new-map |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2010 |title=Bureau points to ''OC'' on map |last=Edwards |first=Andrew |date=August 8, 2005 |work=[[Daily Pilot]]}}</ref> Scenes from the show were also shot at the landmark [[Wattles Mansion]] located in Hollywood.<ref>[http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/KaitlinsSchool.shtml "Kaitlin's School,"] Scenes from The O.C. Retrieved 2/6/08.</ref>
=== The Cohen home ===
The Cohen household is a fictitious "[[McMansion]]" built by Caleb Nichol and The Newport Group. The house is based on two homes located in Malibu, California. The exterior shots of the front of the home and the driveway were filmed from a home on Ocean Breeze Drive in Malibu, California, built in 2002. This was filmed multiple times and used continuously for all four seasons. The interior, backyard, and infinity pool were filmed for the pilot episode in another home down the street also in Malibu. The pool house was built for the pilot episode. The interior, backyard, and pool house were rebuilt at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach after the show was picked up to save on production costs.{{fact|date=December 2024}}
=== Music ===
{{Main|Music on The O.C.{{!}}Music on ''The O.C.''}}
[[Image:TheOC-BaitShop.jpg|thumb|right|The Bait Shop, which was the fictional concert venue that staged performances in the second and third season]]
[[Alexandra Patsavas]], who had previously worked on shows including ''[[Roswell (TV series)|Roswell]]'' and ''[[Carnivàle]]'', was appointed as [[music supervisor]] on ''The O.C.''.<ref name="Portfolio">{{cite web |url=http://www.portfolio.com/careers/job-of-the-week/2007/04/30/Job-of-the-Week-Music-Supervisor |title=Perfectly Attuned |last=Angelo |first=Megan |date=April 30, 2007 |work=[[Condé Nast Portfolio|Portfolio.com]] |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> Patsavas worked alongside creator [[Josh Schwartz]], in selecting the music to be used. Schwartz said that he had "always intended that music be a character on the show"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.music.ign.com/articles/598/598134p2.html |title=Music of The O.C.: Interview With Music Supervisor Alexandra Patsavas |access-date=December 20, 2008 |first=Chris |last=Carle |date=March 22, 2005 |website=IGN}}</ref> ''The O.C.'' made [[indie rock]] a "main focus of the series" and also its marketing plan,<ref name="SeatllePI">{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/220904_tv21.html |title=Seattle's Own Death Cab for Cutie to appear on ''The O.C.'' |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=April 21, 2005 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |publisher=Roger Oglesby |access-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> releasing six soundtracks throughout the series. In the [[The O.C. season 2|second season]], a fictional new night club and concert venue, called The Bait Shop, was introduced. Bands including [[the Walkmen]], [[the Killers]], [[Modest Mouse]], [[the Thrills]], [[Rachael Yamagata]], [[Death Cab for Cutie]] and [[the Subways]] all made guest appearances on the show performing at the venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490442/20040820/walkmen.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040825003921/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490442/20040820/walkmen.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 25, 2004 |title=Modest Mouse, Killers, Walkmen To Guest Star on ''The O.C.'' |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=August 20, 2004 |publisher=MTV |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://new.ca.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/44/corey-haim-the-thrills-are-gone/ |title=Corey Haim: The Thrills Are Gone |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=June 23, 2008 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/monday-night-rachael-yamagata,25492/ |title=Monday night: Rachael Yamagata |date=March 22, 2009 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=October 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/220904_tv21.html |title=Seattle's Own Death Cab for Cutie to appear on ''The O.C.'' |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=April 21, 2005 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-subways/7909 |title=The Subways: Various venues and dates, Austin, Texas |date=April 7, 2006 |work=[[NME]] |access-date=October 3, 2010}}</ref> In addition to having guest artists perform on the show, it also premiered many new music singles from artists including the [[Beastie Boys]], [[U2]], [[Beck]], [[Coldplay]], [[Gwen Stefani]], and [[the Shins]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070222/news_lz1c22oc.html |title=Teen angst comes to an end as 'O.C.' wraps four-season run |last=Elber |first=Lynn |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=February 22, 2007 |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref>
Many bands gained exposure through the show, which caused an increase in sales of their music. [[Rooney (band)|Rooney]], who were the first band to guest appear on the show, experienced a "200 percent increase in sales" after their appearance.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/rooney/articles/story/5937055/rooney_jet_visit_the_oc |title=Rooney, Jet Visit "The O.C." |last=Eliscu |first=Jenny |date=January 30, 2004 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107220744/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/rooney/articles/story/5937055/rooney_jet_visit_the_oc |archive-date=January 7, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Even artists who just had their songs featured benefited: [[Imogen Heap]] became "a household name stateside,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/shuttlextra/4559360.On_the_record___Arctic_Monkeys_head_into_heavier_territory/ |title=On the record – Arctic Monkeys head into heavier territory |date=August 29, 2009 |work=[[The Shuttle (newspaper)|The Shuttle]] |access-date=September 11, 2009}}</ref> and [[Youth Group]], who recorded a song specifically for the show, had "more than 5,000 iTunes downloads [of that track] in its first week" following it being played.<ref name="Stranger">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=24887 |title=The O.C. Effect |last=Kroth |first=Maya |date=November 3, 2005 |work=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]] |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> However, not all bands were keen to feature on the show. [[Clap Your Hands Say Yeah]] were asked to perform, but they turned it down because they were worried that it could diminish their credibility.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/sundaystyles/25NITE.html |title=Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Ready to Gloat at the Reunion |last=Pressler |first=Jessica |author-link=Jessica Pressler |date=September 25, 2005 |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 15, 2008}}</ref> Some fans and critics echoed that sentiment by stating that such appearances and mass marketing techniques are creating [[Selling out|sell-outs]].<ref name="Pop">{{cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/features/050114-indiesoundtracks.shtml |title=''The O.C.'' Effect |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=January 14, 2005 |work=[[PopMatters.com]] |publisher=PopMatters Media, Inc |access-date=August 8, 2008}}</ref>
Generally the music was well received. Ben Spier from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described the show as a "mixtaper's dream"<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/12/01/oc-mix-6-covering-our-tracks/ |title=The O.C. Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks (2006) |last=Spier |first=Ben |date=December 1, 2006 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> and ''Rolling Stone'' commented that the soundtrack was the reason people kept watching the show.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/02/22/an-appreciation-sounding-the-oc-death-knell/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225084820/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/02/22/an-appreciation-sounding-the-oc-death-knell/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2007 |title=An Appreciation: Sounding the O.C. Death Knell |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=February 22, 2007 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref> However, Karyn L. Barr from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' stated that using acts like [[U2]] on a show that dedicated time to indie bands was "selling out."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,784910,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012002934/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,784910,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |title=Dropping ''Bomb'' |last=Barr |first=Karyn L. |date=November 26, 2004 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref> Noah Davis of [[PopMatters.com]] criticized the show for neglecting plotlines and replacing them with "the gang's countless trips to the Bait Shop."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popmatters.com/tv/reviews/o/oc-060613.shtml |title=THE O.C. – Marketing 101 |last=Davis |first=Noah |date=June 13, 2006 |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |access-date=July 28, 2008}}</ref>
==Themes==
The series touches on themes such as [[Generation gap|inter-generational conflict]], [[social class]], [[social mobility]], [[social alienation]], [[sexual performance anxiety]], [[hope]], [[loneliness]], [[virginity]], [[emotional insecurity]], [[environmentalism]], [[alcoholism]], [[drug addiction]], [[gambling addiction]], [[mental illness]], [[homophobia]], [[bisexuality]], [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|May–December romances]], [[teen pregnancy]], [[political activism]], and eventually [[death]] and the acceptance of loss. These topics are examined through both lighthearted comedy and heightened operatic drama.
===Chrismukkah===
{{Main|Chrismukkah}}
Within the series, [[Seth Cohen]] has a Jewish father and a [[Protestant]] ([[Presbyterian]]) mother. As a way to merge the two religions, Seth claims to have "created [[Chrismukkah]]" when he was six years old. The series included annual Chrismukkah episodes for every season of its run. Particulars of when exactly the holiday was celebrated were not given; Seth simply said in the first season's Chrismukkah episode that it was "eight days of presents, followed by one day of ''many'' presents."<ref name="o259">{{cite web | last=Highfill | first=Samantha | title=Ranking every Chrismukkah episode of 'The O.C.' | website=EW.com | date=December 19, 2013 | url=https://ew.com/tv/2013/12/19/the-oc-chrismukkah-episodes-ranked/ | access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref> Chrismukkah later received mention in the television series ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.
In December 2011 the pop-culture website ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' reviewed all four Chrismukkah episodes for its "TV Club Advent Calendar." The writer noted, "When thinking back on holiday specials of yore for this project, the first thing that popped into my head wasn't nostalgia for my Rankin/Bass- and Chuck Jones-filled youth. Instead, I immediately focused on a much more recent obsession: Chrismukkah. Created by ''The O.C.''{{'}}s Seth Cohen ...." The reviewer continued, saying that "A thread of underlying sadness unites all four Chrismukkah episodes, but it's a sadness that begs to be redeemed by the end of the hour. Chrismukkah is really about traditional Christmas togetherness and your standard happy ending; it's the everyday miracle of people coming together to create something magical."<ref>{{cite web |last=Raisler |first=Carrie |title=Chrismukkah in ''The O.C.'' |url=https://www.avclub.com/chrismukkah-in-the-o-c-1798228994 |work=The AV Club |date=December 20, 2011}}</ref> Entertainment Weekly also ranked the episodes.<ref name="o259">{{cite web | last=Highfill | first=Samantha | title=Ranking every Chrismukkah episode of 'The O.C.' | website=EW.com | date=December 19, 2013 | url=https://ew.com/tv/2013/12/19/the-oc-chrismukkah-episodes-ranked/ | access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref> The show helped popularise the term as an actual holiday in mainstream media.<ref name="u577">{{cite web | last=Spielberger | first=Daniel | title=How ''The O.C.''{{'}}s Chrismukkah Became a Real Life Holiday | website=VICE | date=December 13, 2017 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-the-oc-chrismukkah-real-life-holiday/ | access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="o427">{{cite web | title=Video: Seth explains Chrismukkah to Ryan on ''The O.C.'' | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=December 2, 2024 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/seth-explains-chrismukkah-to-ryan-on-the-oc-20241203-p5kvek.html | access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref>
===Meta-fictional humor===
Several episodes feature a fictional show-within-the-show called ''The Valley'', an in-show equivalent to ''The O.C.'' <ref>{{cite episode |title=The LA |series=The O.C. |series-link=The O.C. (TV series) |season=1 |number=22 |airdate=March 24, 2004 |credits=Writer: [[Josh Schwartz]] Director: [[David M. Barrett]]}}</ref> ''The Valley'', like ''The O.C.'', has a fictional reality TV counterpart, ''[[Sherman Oaks]]: The Real Valley'', which causes Seth to ask, "Why watch the plight of fictional characters when you can watch real people in contrived situations?" The second season also focuses on the creation of a fictional comic book called ''Atomic County'', written by Seth Cohen, that is used for similar self-deprecating purposes.
''The Valley'' and ''Atomic County'' are used throughout the series to comment on aspects of the show itself, such as message board criticism of the show's reliance on love triangles, the trope of mid-twenties actors portraying teenagers, and the inability of the series to be renewed for another season. In addition, several of the characters talk as if they are aware that they are in a television series. One episode in the second season finds Seth commenting that "we tried some new things," but that "last year was just better," echoing response from fans that the second season was inferior to the first.
''[[USA Today]]'' remarked that ''The O.C.''{{'}}s "undertone of sarcasm and self-parody' was one of the aspects of the series that made it compelling. Writer Ken Barnes opined that ''The O.C.'' took "meta-TV" to its "sublime peak" with ''The Valley''. He continued, saying that the "device allowed producers and writers to have fun mocking critical and public perceptions of ''The OC'', its supposed soap-operatic excesses and pop-culture obsessions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Ken |title=What sucked us into ''The OC'' orbit? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-02-20-the-OC-finale_x.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=April 2, 2017 |date=February 21, 2007}}</ref> In a book written by [[Alan Sepinwall]] that examined the series, Sepinwall noted that "Schwartz spends enough of his day trolling message boards to know exactly what fans are complaining about and which references to other shows and movies they've caught, and he incorporates it into his scripts."
An entire chapter of the book is devoted to perceived self-mockery within the series, with much attention given to the episode "The L.A." from Season One. Producer [[Allan Heinberg]] said that many instances of meta-commentary had to be cut if the network or Schwartz felt they had gone too far, saying that "Sandy at one point had a speech about the [[Golden Globes]] that we felt was maybe a little inside."<ref>{{cite book |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |title=Stop Being A Hater and Learn to Love The O.C. |year=2004 |publisher=Chamberlain Bros |isbn=1-59609-006-5 |page=151}}</ref> Schwartz similarly declined a request to have ''The O.C.'' actors portray themselves on ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', another FOX show set in Orange County.{{r|gopalan20130805}}
==Broadcast and distribution==
===First run broadcast===
{{See also|List of The O.C. episodes}}
The first season premiered at 9:00 p.m. ([[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]) on August 5, 2003, on Fox, and was [[simulcast]] in Canada on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/tv/133608_tv05.html |title=Fox's handsome ''The O.C.'' may be just what teens crave |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=August 5, 2003 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date=January 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Daring to do good: Role in the O.C. Peter Gallagher feels close to his |last=Gee |first=Dana |date=August 2, 2003 |work=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Gazette]] |publisher=[[Canwest|CanWest Interactive]]}}</ref> The original, English-language version of the show also aired in other continents. In the United Kingdom, the first episode was aired at 9:00 p.m. ([[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]) on March 7, 2004, on [[Channel 4]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Caren |last=Clark |title=Switched on this week the best bits on TV |url=http://www.southportreporter.com/125/southportreporter125-7.shtml |work=[[Southport Reporter]] |publisher=PCBT Photography |date=March 6, 2004 |access-date=July 16, 2008}}</ref> but subsequent episodes were first shown on sister station [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]], a week in advance of being shown on Channel 4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4sales.com/platforms/E4 |title=An Overview of E4 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> In Australia, the pilot was first broadcast on the [[Nine Network]] but the channel later dropped the show.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/04/1099547313833.html?from=storyrhs |title=Hoo-roo, forever |last=Warneke |first=Ross |date=November 5, 2004 |work=The Age |access-date=February 4, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4889998-1.html |title=News Digest – June 2, 2004 |date=June 2, 2004 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[AllBusiness.com]] |access-date=January 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328232032/http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4889998-1.html |archive-date=March 28, 2009}}</ref> [[Network Ten]] picked up the show and by the fourth season was airing episodes within days of it being broadcast in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/oc-gets-axed-in-us/2007/01/04/1167777200999.html |title=OC gets axed in US |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=January 4, 2007 |work=The Age |access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> In New Zealand, the show was aired on [[TV2 (New Zealand)|TV2]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_minisite_index_skin/tv2_theoc_group |title=The OC |publisher=[[TV2 (New Zealand)|TV2]] |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> and in Ireland it was broadcast on [[TG4]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/time-to-call-a-halt-to-the-lip-service-behind-tg4-success-134068.html |title=Time to call a halt to the lip service behind TG4 'success' |last=Kenny |first=Colum |date=August 27, 2006 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> In South Africa it premiered on April 1, 2004, on satellite television channel [[Go (South African TV channel)|Go]] and was shown on terrestrial channel [[SABC 3]] in December 2006.<ref name="TVSA">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsa.co.za/showinfo.asp?showid=16 |title=The O.C. |work=TVSA |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> In India, the English-language channel [[Zee Café]] debuted the show on December 30, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k5/dec/dec335.htm |title=Zee Café to debut ''The Orange Country'' on December 30 |date=December 26, 2005 |publisher=Indian Television.com |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> For the [[The O.C. season 4|fourth season]], in the week before an episode was broadcast on television, it was available via [[Video on demand|on demand]] [[Streaming media|streaming]] through [[Fox Interactive Media]]'s MySpace and MyFoxLocal stations.<ref>{{cite web |title=FOX to debut "The O.C." on Fox Interactive Media's Myspace.com and Fox Television Station Group's MyFoxLocal sites for a full week prior to broadcast premiere |work=The Futon Critic |author=Fox |date=October 24, 2006 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20061024fox01 |access-date=October 19, 2008}}</ref>
It was also aired in non-English speaking countries. It aired across Latin America on the [[Warner Channel]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbla.com/series/theoc/ |title=The O.C. |publisher=Warner Channel |language=es |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> in Brazil the show premiered on November 3, 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90u37638.shtml |title=Warner Channel estréia novas séries em novembro |work=[[Universo Online|UOL]] |publisher=[[Folha de S.Paulo|Folha Online]] |language=pt |date=October 8, 2003 |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> and the last episode was aired on April 12, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://m.oglobo.globo.com/cultura/warner-channel-exibe-nesta-quinta-ultimo-episodio-de-the-oc-4198481 |title=Warner Channel exibe nesta quinta último episódio de ''The O.C.'' |work=[[O Globo]] |language=pt |date=April 12, 2007 |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> It was also broadcast on the [[Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão|SBT]] television network under the name ''O.C. – Um Estranho no Paraíso'' was broadcast between 2004 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://televisao.uol.com.br/ultnot/2004/11/12/ult698u7596.jhtm |title="The O.C." será exibido pelo SBT a partir deste domingo |publisher=[[Universo Online|UOL]] |first=Kike Martins |last=da Costa |language=pt |date=November 12, 2004 |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> In addition to being broadcast by the versions of the Brazilian terrestrial television channels [[Glitz (TV channel)|Glitz]] (2012-2013),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teleseries.com.br/the-o-c-volta-a-ser-exibido-no-brasil-nesta-segunda-pelo-canal-vh1/ |title=''The O.C.'' volta a ser exibido no Brasil nesta segunda pelo canal |publisher=TeleSéries |first=Maria Clara |last=Lima |language=pt |date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> [[VH1 (Brazilian TV channel)|VH1]] (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natelinha.uol.com.br/noticias/2012/06/25/serie-quotthe-ocquot-estreia-hoje-no-canal-vh1-50844.php |title=Série "The O.C." estreia hoje no canal VH1 |publisher=Na Telinha |language=pt |date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> and [[MTV (Brazil)|MTV]] (2013-2014).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tabularasa.com.br/antigo/ultimas-noticias/2013/10/vampiresnamtv-serie-the-vampire-diaries-agora-na-mtv-brasil.html |title=#VampiresNaMTV Série "The Vampire Diaries" agora na MTV Brasil |publisher=Tabula Rasa |language=pt |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> In France, it aired on [[France 2]] under the name ''Newport Beach''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://programmes.france2.fr/newport-beach/index-fr.php?page=accueil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430004740/http://programmes.france2.fr/newport-beach/index-fr.php?page=accueil |archive-date=April 30, 2007 |title=Newport Beach |publisher=[[France 2]] |language=fr |access-date=October 4, 2010}}</ref> It aired in Germany on [[ProSieben]],<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050120015217/http://www.prosieben.de/spielfilm_serie/the_oc/ |archive-date=January 20, 2005 |url=http://www.prosieben.de/spielfilm_serie/the_oc/ |title=O.C., California: Home |publisher=[[ProSieben]] |language=de |access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> in Switzerland on [[SF zwei]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sf.tv/sendungen/serien/manualx.php?docid=oc_california |title=O.C. California |publisher=[[Schweizer Fernsehen]] |language=de |access-date=January 8, 2010}}</ref> and in Russia under the name ''OC – Lonely Hearts'' on [[STS (Russia)|STS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ctc-tv.biz/hotnews/2007-03-13/ |script-title=ru:"ОДИНОКИЕ СЕРДЦА" НАЙДУТ ДРУГ ДРУГА НА СТС! |publisher=[[STS (Russia)|STS]] |language=ru |access-date=September 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917072108/http://www.ctc-tv.biz/hotnews/2007-03-13/ |archive-date=September 17, 2009 |title=CTC-tv.biz }}</ref> In Italy it was shown on [[Italia 1]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.mediaset.it/italia1/telefilm_magazine/news_1460.shtml |title=Le coppie che ci fanno sognare |date=March 15, 2009 |publisher=[[Mediaset]] |language=it |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519172835/http://www.tv.mediaset.it/italia1/telefilm_magazine/news_1460.shtml |archive-date=May 19, 2009}}</ref> with pay-per view channel [[Joi (TV channel)|Joi]] being the first to make available episodes of the third season onwards through the [[digital terrestrial television]] service [[Mediaset Premium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaset.it/corporate/salastampa/2006/comunicatostampa_3301_en.shtml |title=Mediaset Premium Expands its Offer: From May 3, 2006 on Digital Terrestrial the TV Series |last=Press release |date=May 2, 2006 |publisher=[[Mediaset]] |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2008/tv/features/cable-tv-italian-style-1117979680/ |title=Cable TV, Italian style |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=January 25, 2008 |work=Variety |access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> In Poland the series was broadcast under the local title ''Życie Na Fali'' on [[TVN (Poland)|TVN]] in 2006 and 2007 in a [[Daytime television|daytime]] block from Monday to Friday at 2:00 p.m. with single episodes attracting up to a million viewers. Then, it was also repeated on [[TVN7]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://film.onet.pl/wiadomosci/trzeci-sezon-zycia-na-fali-w-tvn-7,1,4075522,wiadomosc.html |title=Trzeci sezon "Życia na fali" w TVN 7 |publisher=[[Onet.pl]] |language=pl |access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref>
===Cancellation===
Due to low ratings, it was rumored that the show would not return for a fifth season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/19/arts/television/19fox.html?scp=203&sq=O.C.&st=nyt |title=A Safe Hand for Fox, Mix and Match for CW |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=May 19, 2006 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 18, 2008}}</ref> In June 2006, Fox confirmed that "the current order for ''The O.C.'' is 16 episodes", but added that there was a chance to add more installments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-foxcutsocorder,0,7188437.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708200308/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-foxcutsocorder,0,7188437.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2006 |title=A Less Sweet 16 for ''The O.C.'' |date=June 28, 2006 |work=Zap2it |publisher=[[Tribune Media Services]] |access-date=October 13, 2008}}</ref> In September 2006, Rachel Bilson said that she felt like "the show is over",<ref name="SMH">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/life-after-death-on-the-oc/2006/11/05/1162661542102.html |title=Life after death |last=Ellis |first=Scott |date=November 6, 2006 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref> and co-star Kelly Rowan stated that many of the cast realized the show was close to being cancelled. Rowan said that "when [the fourth season] was picked up for just 16 episodes this year the cast had a feeling the end was near."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/O/OC/2007/01/19/3406633.html |title=No 'O.C.' no problem for Rowan |last=McQueen |first=Ann-Marie |date=January 19, 2007 |work=Ottawa Sun |publisher=[[Sun Media Corporation]] |access-date=October 13, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710042330/http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/O/OC/2007/01/19/3406633.html |archive-date=July 10, 2012}}</ref>
On January 3, 2007, Fox announced that ''The O.C.'' was to be cancelled. In a statement, Schwartz said "This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close" adding that "what better time to go out than creatively on top."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301992.html |title=Fox Puts ''The O.C.'' Out To Pasture |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 4, 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 13, 2008}}</ref> Fox launched an official campaign on their website called ''Save The O.C.'', which garnered over 740,000 signatures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.www.theseahawk.org/media/storage/paper287/news/2007/01/25/Lifestyles/Fox-Says.Farewell.To.the.O.c-2670083.shtml |title=Fox says farewell to "The O.C." |last=Flaherty |first=Courtney |date=January 25, 2007 |work=[[University of North Carolina at Wilmington|The Seahawk]] |publisher=College Publisher |access-date=October 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028073507/http://media.www.theseahawk.org/media/storage/paper287/news/2007/01/25/Lifestyles/Fox-Says.Farewell.To.the.O.c-2670083.shtml |archive-date=October 28, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esselnewsletter.com/Details.aspx?ArticleId=374&ArticleType=1 |title=The countdown for OC IV begins |last=Talpade |first=Anuj |date=February 11, 2008 |publisher=[[Essel Group]] |access-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> There were rumors that the show would be saved by [[the CW]]. The CW president [[Dawn Ostroff]] confirmed in January 2007 that while the move was discussed, it was decided against.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/22/sorry-oc-fans-cws-not-picking-it/ |title=Sorry, 'O.C.' Fans... |last=Stack |first=Tim |date=January 19, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref>
The main reason for the cancellation was the decline in ratings. Many media outlets have reported that the main factor behind this drop was the death of the lead character, Marissa Cooper. As one of the show's central figures, her departure alienated many fans. Her tragic death in a car accident was seen as the beginning of the end for this teen drama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Here's Why The O.C. Was Cancelled After Season 4 |url=https://screenrant.com/oc-show-cancelled-reason-season-4/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2021 |title=Mischa Barton Is Finally Ready to Tell the Real Story Behind Her Exit From The O.C. |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1270301/mischa-barton-is-finally-ready-to-tell-the-real-story-behind-her-exit-from-the-o-c |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=E! Online}}</ref>
===Syndication===
The O.C. was syndicated on [[Soapnet]] from 2007 until 2012 in the United States, and the series began airing on Pop in 2016. The show became available for streaming on CW Seed in 2015, and [[Hulu]] in 2016. In 2020, it was taken off of [[Hulu]] for rival streaming service [[Max (streaming service)|Max]].
===Media releases===
All four seasons are available on DVD in [[DVD region code|Regions 1, 2 and 4]].
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fff; margin-left:15px;"
|-
! colspan="2"|Season
! DVD
!Release date
|-
| style="background:#f79a3a;"|
| Season 1
| [[The O.C. season 1#DVD release|''The O.C. – The Complete First Season'']]
|October 26, 2004
|-
| style="background:#4761b1;"|
| Season 2
| [[The O.C. season 2#DVD release|''The O.C. – The Complete Second Season'']]
|August 23, 2005
|-
| style="background:#8bc7d7;"|
| Season 3
| [[The O.C. season 3#DVD release|''The O.C. – The Complete Third Season'']]
|October 24, 2006
|-
| style="background:#ebefbd;"|
| Season 4
| [[The O.C. season 4#DVD release|''The O.C. – The Complete Fourth and Final Season'']]
|May 22, 2007
|}
''The O.C. The Complete Series'' was released on November 27, 2007, in Canada and the United States,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-oc.com/ |title=The OC: The Complete Series on DVD |work=the-oc.com |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=October 29, 2008}}</ref> which included the first season remastered in widescreen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/OC/7741 |title=The O.C. – It's A Chrismukkah Miracle: Complete Series Includes Season 1 in Widescreen! |last=Lambert |first=David |date=July 27, 2007 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com|TVShowsOnDVD]] |access-date=August 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921150702/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/OC/7741 |archive-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> The complete series was also released as a Region 2 DVD on November 19, 2007, but did not include the remastered version of the first season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainment.currys.co.uk/currys/9947548.product |title=The O.C. – Complete |work=[[Currys]] |publisher=[[DSG International (retailer)|DSG International]] |access-date=October 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328195629/http://www.entertainment.currys.co.uk/currys/9947548.product |archive-date=March 28, 2009}}</ref> Additionally, the boxset included a note from Josh Schwartz, a printed conversation between Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, two rare bonus discs, a season four gag reel, and ''Atomic County'' excerpts.
For registered members of selected regional [[iTunes Store]]s, the complete series is available to purchase and download.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=281301996&s=143441 |title=The O.C., Season 1 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with US iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |publisher=iTunes Store |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527013759/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=281301996&s=143441 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=287735014&s=143441 |title=The O.C., Season 2 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with US iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |publisher=iTunes Store |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527013759/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=287735014&s=143441 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=215410636&s=143441 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527013811/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=215410636&s=143441 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |title=The O.C., Season 4 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with US iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |publisher=iTunes Store}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=281301996&s=143444 |title=The O.C., Season 1 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with UK iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |publisher=iTunes Store |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527013800/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=281301996&s=143444 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=287735014&s=143444 |title=The O.C., Season 2 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with UK iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |publisher=iTunes Store |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527013815/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=287735014&s=143444 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=215410636&s=143444 |title=The O.C., Season 4 |access-date=October 1, 2009 |author=Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |author-link=Warner Bros |format=note: Requires iTunes software with UK iTunes Store |work=Fox Broadcasting Company |date=August 4, 2003 |publisher=iTunes Store}}</ref> These seasons are also available in the US as [[video on demand]] from [[Amazon Video]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AVXIJI?redirect=true |title=Amazon Video On Demand – The O.C. |work=[[Amazon Unbox]] |access-date=October 29, 2008}}</ref> The fourth season was also made available in the [[Zune]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://social.zune.net/tv/series/The-O.C./8c3bf34e-4cf6-4d96-87d4-a50323f91e1e |title=The O.C. Season 4 |access-date=October 4, 2010 |publisher=[[Zune]]}}</ref>
==Reception==
===Critical reception===
[[File:Adam Brody (2005).jpg|thumb|right|[[Adam Brody]]'s performance as [[Seth Cohen]] was held in high regard by fans and critics.]]
[[The O.C. season 1|Season one]] of ''The O.C.'' received generally positive reviews from critics and is frequently regarded as the best season. Upon the show's premiere, Gael Fashingbauer Cooper of [[MSNBC]] described Ryan and Seth's friendship as "the most promising plot".<ref>{{cite web |last=Fashingbauer Cooper |first=Gael |title=''The O.C.'' is no ''90210'' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3076035 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104024807/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3076035/ns/today-entertainment/t/oc-no/%23.UFYwwaNqS24 |url-status=live |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |access-date=September 16, 2012 |date=August 5, 2003}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted that "Mr. Schwartz pulled it off, sneaking a truly smart show past the gatekeepers in the guise of something commercial and trashy and fun."<ref>Posner, Ari. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/arts/no-experience-required.html No Experience Required]." The New York Times. March 21, 2004.</ref> The reviewer also praised how the show "steered clear of both Aaron Spelling-style camp and the soggy earnestness that often characterises teen drama" and praised the integration of the adult cast into the plotlines. [[IGN]] called it "far more engaging and interesting" than its predecessors in the teen genre. The reviewer pointed to the show's sense of humor and respect for its audience, praising the series as "very funny" and "well-acted", while referring to [[Mischa Barton]] as the weak link.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/838/838168p1.html |title=The O.C. Complete Series |website=IGN.com |date=November 30, 2007 |access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Time Magazine]]'' critic James Poniewozik was fond of the premiere episode, saying that the show "looks to have enough heart, talent and wit to generate a few seasons' worth of luxurious suds. As Ryan would say, in the teen-soap business, being 100% original doesn't make you smart. Delivering a formula with so much style and believability that it feels new again—that does."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1005410,00.html#ixzz1kvq0PCP3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408160048/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1005410,00.html#ixzz1kvq0PCP3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2008 |title=The Same Young Story |magazine=Time Magazine |date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=January 30, 2012 |first=James |last=Poniewozik}}</ref>
Despite much positive reception, the first season was not without some criticism. ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'' criticized the plot and the casting, saying that "the storylines usually involve the obligatory three-episode-arc drug problems or lost virginity with dialogue designed to keep a dog up to speed,"<ref name="Critic">{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/people/teens/8689283.htm?1c |title=Unreality TV |access-date=February 8, 2008 |date=May 18, 2004 |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040623124319/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/people/teens/8689283.htm?1c |archive-date=June 23, 2004}}</ref> and that "Whoever at FOX thought Benjamin McKenzie could pass for anything younger than 25 should be fired."<ref name="Critic" />
The [[The O.C. season 2|second season]] was widely regarded as inferior to the first,<ref name="BoxOffice">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=9145 |title=How to Spend $20 |access-date=July 22, 2008 |date=August 25, 2005 |first=David |last=Mumpower |work=BoxOfficeProphets.com}}</ref> but still received generally positive reception. IGN noted that the second season contains some of the best moments of the series, and praised the bisexual romance between Alex and Marissa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/771/771116p2.html |title=The O.C.: Which Season Was Best? |website=IGN.com |date=March 7, 2007 |access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref> It was said to have "managed to surpass its ratings ploy outer trappings to actually work as one of the better Marissa plotlines, at least initially, by doing a solid job of portraying her "I've never done this before..." confusion and excitement." Another review praised episodes "The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't" and "The Rainy Day Woman" as standout quality hours of the series, and praised the storyline that focused on Sandy and Kirsten's marriage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason2.php |title=The O.C. season 2 |publisher=DVD Verdict |access-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403013907/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason2.php |archive-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Autumn Reeser by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|[[Autumn Reeser]]'s performance as [[Taylor Townsend (The O.C.)|Taylor Townsend]] was frequently singled out as a highlight of the third and fourth seasons.]]
In contrast to the first two, [[The O.C. season 3|Season 3]] of the series was met with mostly negative reception.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/771/771116p1.html |title=The O.C.: Which Season Was Best? |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=March 7, 2007 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Fox Interactive Media]] |access-date=September 25, 2008}}</ref> After the eventual cancellation of the show, Schwartz admitted that "the whole first half of the third season was a total mess."<ref name="NY">{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/09/josh_schwartz_on_gossip_girl_a.html |title=Josh Schwartz on ''Gossip Girl'' and Avoiding the Mistakes of ''The O.C.'' |last=Yuan |first=Jada |date=September 19, 2007 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |access-date=September 29, 2008}}</ref> [[IGN]] faulted a season which, in their opinion, had "far too much time and too many episodes spent with the less than beloved character Johnny." IGN also noted that "Kirsten and Sandy both suffered from unsatisfying stories," and that the departure of character Caleb Nichol had been a mistake "as he had been a great character to bounce off both of the elder Cohens."<ref name="IGN" /> In September 2007, Schwartz admitted in an interview for ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' that the show "went down the wrong road" with Johnny.<ref name="NY" /> In 2023, he said "We lost our sense of irony, our sense of fun. We became the type of melodrama we would have made fun of in Season 1."{{r|soloski20231210}} The season did, however, receive some praise. The new character Taylor Townsend was stated as being "played to perfection by Autumn Reeser" and her character was described as "one of the greatest elements of ''The O.C.''"<ref name="IGN" /> Jeffrey Robinson of [[DVD Talk]] described the storylines as "very intelligent and also incorporate a great deal of humor to keep your interest."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25060/oc-the-complete-third-season-the/ |title=The O.C. – The Complete Third Season |last=Robinson |first=Jeffrey |date=November 14, 2006 |work=[[DVD Talk]] |publisher=[[Internet Brands]] |access-date=September 25, 2008}}</ref> While looking back on the series in an interview for the complete series box-set, Schwartz explained that "somewhere around Season 3, for reasons too numerous to discuss, I lost focus. The network wasn't really supporting the show." Schwartz went on to say that the third season was probably "the most important season, because it's where I learned the most. About television, about myself as a writer, about discipline and trying to hold onto your focus even if you're hearing a lot of opinions or being forced to add things creatively that you don't agree with. And I don't think Season 4 would have been as fun or as adventurous or as weird and zany and ultimately emotional if it weren't for that experience."<ref>{{cite book |title=The O.C.: The Complete Series |publisher=Warner Bros |first=Josh |last=Schwartz}}</ref>
[[The O.C. season 4|The final season]] is generally regarded by fans and critics as a return to form for the series. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s Josef Adalian said that "[the show] is once again in great creative shape." He added that "the scripts are snappy, the plots make sense, the acting's solid, [and] the music is appropriately indie" but criticized Fox for "throwing away" the show by giving it the Thursday 9:00 p.m. timeslot.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2006/tv/news/revived-oc-hot-scripts-tough-slot-1117953267/ |title=Revived ''OC'': Hot scripts, tough slot |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=November 5, 2006 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Reed Elsevier]] |access-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref> Buddytv.com praised the season premiere, saying "this episode is the best OC episode since the show's first season. The absence of [[Mischa Barton]] character of [[Marissa Cooper]] is the best thing that's happened to The OC in a long time. The cast is now exceptional from top to bottom and the show is, at least in the first episode, much darker in tone than the first three seasons. This is a good sign."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/the-oc-early-premiere-review-a.aspx |title=The O.C.: Early Premiere Review and Season 4 Forecast |date=October 30, 2006 |publisher=BuddyTv |access-date=January 30, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210215254/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/the-oc-early-premiere-review-a.aspx | archive-date=December 10, 2009}}</ref> Later in the season, Buddytv.com lamented that "The OC is winding down, in all likelihood, and it's a shame. The show is hitting its creative stride just now, in its fourth season, and no one cares."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/spoiler/the-oc-episode-408-spoilers-12-2734.aspx |title=The O.C., Episode 4.08 Spoilers, 12/21/06 |date=December 21, 2006 |publisher=Buddytv.com |access-date=January 30, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104213548/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-oc/spoiler/the-oc-episode-408-spoilers-12-2734.aspx | archive-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> Critic [[Alan Sepinwall]] said of the premiere, "Damn. That was... not bad. No, better than that. That was good. Confident, in character, funny on occasion (any scene with Che), genuinely touching at others (the comic book store intervention), really the most like itself the show has felt in a long time, maybe even going back to season one." In a review of a later episode, Sepinwall related that the fourth season was a "resurgent season" and that "every "O.C." episode review just turns into a list of things I liked."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2006/12/oc-tawny-kitaen-time.html |title=What's Alan Watching?: The O.C.: Tawny Kitaen Time |date=December 8, 2006 |publisher=What's Alan Watching? |access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref>
Belinda Acosta of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' agreed, praising the show's "new energy" and its ability to successfully cover "the transition between high school and college that other series have stumbled over."<ref name="Austin">{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid:431153 |title=TV Eye: ''Heroes'' and Zeroes |last=Acosta |first=Belinda |date=December 22, 2006 |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |publisher=Nick Barbaro |access-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Ken Tucker commented that the fourth season was "a succession of terrific subplots" and praised new main cast member Taylor "as a fine, funny love interest for Ryan."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/05/21/catching-oc/ |title=Diving Back Into ''The O.C.'' |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=May 18, 2007 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=October 18, 2008}}</ref> Greg Elwell of ''[[DVD Talk]]'' described Bullit as "the breakout character of the season" but commented that the season's "dark opening (...) didn't do much to keep viewers around."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/28086/oc-the-complete-fourth-season-the/ |title=The O.C. – The Complete Fourth Season |last=Elwell |first=Greg |date=May 22, 2007 |work=[[DVD Talk]] |publisher=[[Internet Brands]] |access-date=October 28, 2008}}</ref> [[IGN]]'s Eric Goldman was also critical, saying that "as amusing as Che was, his inclusion into some later episodes gets a bit tired." Goldman also commented that "the second half of Season 4 wasn't quite as solid as the first [half]"; however, he added that while the fourth season had to prove itself again as an enjoyable watch "Josh Schwartz rose to this challenge (...) once again creating a show that was witty and self-aware."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/791/791464p1.html |title=The O.C.: Season 4 Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=May 21, 2007 |work=IGN |access-date=October 18, 2008}}</ref>
=== U.S. television ratings ===
[[File:The O.C. viewing figures.png|right|thumb|300px|A line graph showing the U.S. television ratings for ''The O.C.'']]
The [[Premiere (The O.C.)|pilot episode]] attracted 7.46 million viewers in the United States,<ref name="OverallResults">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1951157 |title=The Programming Insider: Thursday 8/7/03 |last=Berman |first=Marc |date=August 7, 2003 |work=[[Mediaweek (American magazine)|Mediaweek]] |access-date=January 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921062424/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1951157 |archive-date=September 21, 2009}}</ref> came second in its time slot behind the season finale of ''[[Last Comic Standing]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2003/08/07/2003-08-07__comic__has_last_laugh_again.html |title=Comic has last laugh against O.C. |date=August 7, 2003 |first=Stephen |last=Battaglio |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |access-date=January 31, 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> and was the highest rated show of the night in the 12–17-year-old demographic.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-291583.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026094709/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-291583.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |title=The Beautiful People of 'O.C.' Deliver Some Ugly Numbers |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=August 7, 2003 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> The most watched ''O.C.'' episode was "[[The Rivals (The O.C. episode)|The Rivals]]", the seventeenth episode of season one. It attracted 12.72 million viewers, and was the lead-out to ''[[American Idol]]'', which attracted 29.43 million viewers that week.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Programming Insider |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2075704 |last=Berman |first=Marc |date=January 23, 2004 |work=[[Mediaweek (American magazine)|Mediaweek]] |access-date=October 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126065034/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2075704 |archive-date=January 26, 2009}}</ref> ''The O.C.'' was the highest-rated new drama of the 2003–2004 season among adults aged 18 to 34,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ratings shine in ''The O.C.'' |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/568648551.html?dids=568648551:568648551&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+2%2C+2004&author=&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=D.01&desc=Ratings+shine+in+%27The+O.C.%27 |format=Note: Payment required |work=USA Today |date=March 2, 2004 |access-date=July 20, 2008 |archive-date=September 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916075022/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/568648551.html?dids=568648551:568648551&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+2%2C+2004&author=&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=D.01&desc=Ratings+shine+in+%27The+O.C.%27 |url-status=dead}}</ref> averaging a total of 9.7 million viewers.<ref name="s1ratings" />
For the second season, the show moved to an "ultra-competitive Thursday"<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/13/post-mortem-oc/ |title=The O.C. Wipes Out |last=Armstrong |first=Jennifer |date=January 12, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> timeslot against the likes of ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]'', ''[[Joey (TV series)|Joey]]'' and ''[[Will & Grace]]''. This is often cited as a cause of ''The O.C.''{{'}}s decline in popularity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gilbert |first=Matthew |date=February 22, 2007 |title=Ironic and fun 'O.C.' died oh so quickly |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/02/22/ironic_and_fun_oc_died_oh_so_quickly/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224112507/https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/02/22/ironic_and_fun_oc_died_oh_so_quickly/ |archive-date=February 24, 2007 |access-date=August 11, 2008 |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=January 4, 2007 |title=The O.C. Is Cancelled |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/753/753067p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102041129/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/05/the-oc-is-cancelled |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2008 |website=IGN}}</ref> The move improved Fox's performance at the new time slot, but lost the show viewers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=4d7aaad8-0078-4a60-83af-ef7da88758d7 |title=The O.C., RIP |last=Finn |first=Natalie |date=January 4, 2007 |work=[[E! Online News]] |publisher=[[E! Entertainment Television]] |access-date=August 8, 2008}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> as average viewing figures decreased thirty percent from the previous season to 7{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="s2ratings">{{cite news |title=Primetime series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 27, 2005 |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821010301/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471 |archive-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref>
For the third season, average viewing figures decreased a further twenty percent from the previous season to 5.6 million.<ref name="s3ratings">{{cite news |title=Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 26, 2006 |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907162516/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |archive-date=September 7, 2009}}</ref> The Thursday 9.00 pm timeslot placed the show against two other popular shows, ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]]'' and ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/184458 |title=What killed The O.C.? |last=Bawden |first=Jim |date=February 22, 2007 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref>
The fourth season premiered in November 2006 with very little promotion or advertisements from FOX, and was once again in the Thursday timeslot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2007/02/oc-josh-says-goodbye.html |title=Josh Says Goodbye |date=February 22, 2007 |publisher=What's Alan Watching |access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref> The premiere episode attracted 3.4 million viewers,<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2006/11/the_oc_moves_to.html |title=The O.C.: "Help us!" Love, the Cohens |last=Barrett |first=Annie |date=November 6, 2006 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920034530/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2006/11/the_oc_moves_to.html |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which was a series low.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003350488 |title=DOA Return of Fox's The O.C |last=Berman |first=Marc |date=November 6, 2006 |work=[[Mediaweek (American magazine)|Mediaweek]] |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918100457/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003350488 |archive-date=September 18, 2009}}</ref> For the series finale, 6.7 million viewers tuned in. This was 76 percent more than the season average of 4.6 million viewers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DF113EF937A15751C0A9619C8B63 |title=Arts, Briefly; Modest Finale for ''The OC'' |last=Toff |first=Benjamin |date=February 24, 2007 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 18, 2008}}</ref><ref name="s4ratings">{{cite news |title=2006–07 primetime wrap |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129154626/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f |archive-date=January 29, 2010}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fff;"
|-
! Season
! Episodes
! Timeslot ([[Eastern Time Zone|ET]])
! Season premiere
! Season finale
! TV season
! Rank
! Viewers<br />(millions)
|-
| [[The O.C. season 1|1]]
| 27
| Tuesday 9:00 pm (2003)<br />Wednesday 9:00 pm (2003–04)
| August 5, 2003
| May 5, 2004
| 2003–04
| 57
| 9.69<ref name="s1ratings">{{cite web |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171419/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |access-date=May 25, 2007}}</ref>
|-
| [[The O.C. season 2|2]]
| 24
| Thursday 8:00 pm
| November 4, 2004
| May 19, 2005
| 2004–05
| 98
| 6.86<ref>{{cite web |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Medianet]] |date=June 1, 2005 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=060105_05 |title=Ranking Report - 1 thru 202 (out of 202 programs) |access-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421023509/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=060105_05 |archive-date=April 21, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[The O.C. season 3|3]]
| 25
| Thursday 8:00 pm (2005)<br />Thursday 9:00 pm (2006)
| September 8, 2005
| May 18, 2006
| 2005–06
| 127
| 5.60<ref>{{cite web |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Medianet]] |date=May 9, 2006 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_04 |title=Ranking Report - 101 thru 215 (out of 215 programs) |access-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118224432/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_04 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[The O.C. season 4|4]]
| 16
| Thursday 9:00 pm
| November 2, 2006
| February 22, 2007
| 2006–07
| 190
| 4.28<ref>{{cite web |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Medianet]] |date=May 22, 2007 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_07 |title=Ranking Report - 1 thru 241 (out of 241 programs) |access-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825010107/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_07 |archive-date=August 25, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
===Awards and honors===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The O.C.}}
For the debut episode, "[[Premiere (The O.C.)|Premiere]]", Schwartz received a [[Writers Guild of America Award]] nomination for [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay - Episodic Drama|Best Screenplay in an Episodic Drama]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/WGA_Announces_Screenplay_Noms/1740296 |title=WGA Announces Screenplay Noms |last=Cadorette |first=Guylaine |date=January 2, 2004 |publisher=Hollywood Media Corp |access-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205075254/http://www.hollywood.com/news/WGA_Announces_Screenplay_Noms/1740296 |archive-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref> and casting directors Rush and Silverberg nominated in the Dramatic Pilot category of the [[Artios Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castingsociety.com/component/content/article/42-artios-awards/80-previous-artios-awardr-winners#2004 |title=Artios Award Winners 2004 |publisher=[[Casting Society of America]] |access-date=December 18, 2008}}</ref> Luke's declaration in the premiere episode of "Welcome to the O.C., bitch" was placed 83rd by [[TV Land]] in its ''100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2007/04/so_this_is_it_then.html |title=Farewell to The OC, bitch: best teen show for years? |last=Hughes |first=Sarah |date=April 19, 2007 |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 10, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvland.com/originals/catchphrases/quotes.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226075015/http://www.tvland.com/originals/catchphrases/quotes.jhtml |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |title=The 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases |work=[[TV Land]] |publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] |access-date=October 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/11/28/what-are-tvs-100-greatest-quotes-and-catchphrases/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030092024/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/11/28/what-are-tvs-100-greatest-quotes-and-catchphrases/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |title=What are TV's 100 Greatest Quotes and Catchphrases |date=November 28, 2006 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref> The first season picked up four [[Teen Choice Awards]], and was nominated for another two. Additionally it was nominated for the Outstanding New Program [[TCA Award]],<ref>"[http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/?q=view/tcaawards The Television Critics Association Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715154923/http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/?q=view%2Ftcaawards |date=July 15, 2008}}", ''[[Television Critics Association]]''. Documented at "[http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/files/July2007/TCA%20complete%20NOMINEES%20list.xls Complete list of nominees] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701184024/http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/files/July2007/TCA%20complete%20NOMINEES%20list.xls |date=July 1, 2017}}" {{XLSlink}} ([[Microsoft Excel|XLS]]). Retrieved on 2008 – 07-17.</ref> and in Australia it won a [[Logie Award]] for Most Popular Overseas Program in [[Logie Awards of 2005|2005]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Logie award winners 2005 |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21664454-5012909,00.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)]] |date=October 16, 2004 |access-date=July 23, 2008}}</ref> For the second season the show was nominated for five [[Teen Choice Awards]], and won four of them, including best drama. It was nominated for the Favorite Television Drama [[People's Choice Award]], and [[Kelly Rowan]] won a [[Prism Awards|PRISM Award]] for Performance in a Drama Series Episode, with [[Peter Gallagher]] getting a nomination. The second-season finale was nominated for a PRISM TV Drama Series Episode award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prismawards.com/winners/ |title=PRISM Awards, 2006, Television |work=PRISM Awards |publisher=Entertainment Industries Council |access-date=July 22, 2008}}</ref> The third season was nominated for five [[Teen Choice Awards]] and won four of them, including "Choice Drama/Action Adventure Show" and "Choice Actor: Drama/Action Adventure," which Adam Brody won for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538972/20060821/spears_britney.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001020952/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538972/20060821/spears_britney.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2007 |title=Britney Introduces K-Fed, Nick Lachey Scores 'Awkward' Award At Teen Choice 2006 |date=August 21, 2006 |first=Corey |last=Moss |work=MTV |access-date=September 26, 2008}}</ref>
===Legacy===
Schwartz said in 2023 that Marissa died in the third season because many online fans by then disliked her storyline, and the network wanted to kill a main character to increase ratings:{{r|soloski20231210}}
{{blockquote|The night that the show aired, we heard from a whole other swath of the audience that loved the show, watched every week, didn't feel the need to log into a forum to analyze it. For a lot of people, Marissa was the character they were watching for, Mischa was the actress they found the most exciting and Ryan and Marissa were endgame. We violated that in one fell swoop. It's now part of the legacy of the show. We've had to accept it.}}
''The O.C.'' popularized its setting, Orange County, and led to copycats like [[MTV]]'s reality show ''[[Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County]]'' and the [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]] documentary series ''[[The Real Housewives of Orange County]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Once hot, 'O.C.' now struggles |first=Suzanne C. |last=Ryan |url=https://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/10/29/occupational_hazard/ |date=October 29, 2006 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=September 18, 2012}}</ref>{{r|gopalan20130805}}{{r|soloski20231210}} and its success as a prime-time soap opera helped [[Marc Cherry]] get ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' on the air.<ref name="gopalan20130805">{{cite web |last=Gopalan |first=Nisha |date=August 5, 2013 |title=Josh Schwartz on The O.C., Casting George Lucas, and the Onslaught of Emo |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/josh-schwartz-the-oc-anniversary-interview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807191143/https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/josh-schwartz-the-oc-anniversary-interview.html |archive-date=August 7, 2013 |access-date=August 5, 2013 |work=Vulture}}</ref>{{r|soloski20231210}} The show generated a dedicated and thriving international fan community. DVD Verdict said, "''The O.C.'' has become one of those rare shows whose influence has begun to extend far beyond the television screen, and has actually started to take an active role in shaping American teenage pop culture."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason2.php |title=The O.C.: The Complete Second Season |publisher=DVD Verdict |access-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403013907/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ocseason2.php |archive-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref> Fans of the show, sometimes dubbed ''OC Groupies'',<ref>Sooke, Alastair (August 13, 2005), "[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/08/13/bfdvds13.xml&page=3 The OC: Complete Second Season]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''[[Telegraph.co.uk]]''. Retrieved on July 19, 2008.</ref> have been active in developing a large number of fan websites and forums dedicated to the program. Famous fans of the show include the Bush twins, [[Jenna Bush Hager|Jenna]] and [[Barbara Bush (born 1981)|Barbara]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 16, 2004 |title=Bush twins endorse the sultry soap taking over from Friends |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1474302/Bush-twins-endorse-the-sultry-soap-taking-over-from-Friends.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904152557/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1474302/Bush-twins-endorse-the-sultry-soap-taking-over-from-Friends.html |archive-date=September 4, 2009 |access-date=April 30, 2025 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> and [[Princess Beatrice of York|Princess Beatrice]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2008 |title=I'm not a stereotypical princess |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1495384/I%27m-not-a-stereotypical-princess.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620035316/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1495384/I'm-not-a-stereotypical-princess.html |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |access-date=April 30, 2025 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> Additionally, actual UC Berkeley students created in 2004 the Sandy Cohen Public Defender Fellowship in honor of Peter Gallagher's character Sandy Cohen. The fellowship is awarded to students who plan to work as public defenders and has been presented by Gallagher.<ref>{{cite web |title=Actor Peter Gallagher Presents OC-inspired Public Defender Fellowship |url=http://www.law.berkeley.edu/4210.htm |work=Berkeley Law |access-date=September 18, 2012 |date=May 10, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911132834/http://www.law.berkeley.edu/4210.htm |archive-date=September 11, 2012}}</ref>
Comedy group [[the Lonely Island]] created a parody of ''The O.C.'' called The 'Bu. At [[Boston College]], students created and produced a parody titled "The BC" that received nationwide acclaim and was featured in ''The New York Times'' and ''[[CBS Evening News]]''. On April 14, 2007, [[Saturday Night Live]] aired a Digital Short titled "Dear Sister" that satirized the final scene of ''The O.C.''{{'}}s [[The Dearly Beloved|second-season finale]].<ref name="ChezTheShooting">{{cite web |first=Chester |last=Tam |title=SNL Digital Short – The Shooting |date=April 15, 2007 |access-date=April 15, 2007 |url=http://thelonelyisland.blogspot.com/2007/04/snl-digital-short-shooting.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2007 |title=SNL Digital Short inspired by the O.C. |url=https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/11864730.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430204818/http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/11864730.html |archive-date=April 30, 2007 |access-date=April 30, 2025 |website=ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com |language=en}}</ref> The short became popular enough to beget a wave of re-enactments and parodies using "[[Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap song)|Hide and Seek]]" with the music set to slow-motion scenes of violence from various films and television series. In 2020, the [[Netflix]] show ''[[Outer Banks (TV series)|Outer Banks]]'' was compared to ''The O.C.'' by publications such as ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Netflix's 'Outer Banks' is Like 'Gossip Girl' Meets 'The O.C' with Way More Mystery |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/netflix-outer-banks-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419092358/https://www.glamour.com/story/netflix-outer-banks-review |archive-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref>
[[Marvel Television|Marvel]] described ''[[Runaways (TV series)|Runaways]]'' (created for television by Schwartz and Savage) as ''The O.C.'' of the Marvel Universe, even before they hired Schwartz and Savage to run the series.<ref name="ShowrunnersIGNAug2017">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/01/marvels-runaways-is-the-oc-of-the-mcu |title=Marvel's Runaways Is The O.C. Of The MCU |last=Fowler |first=Matt |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=August 1, 2017 |access-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801214911/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/01/marvels-runaways-is-the-oc-of-the-mcu |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Independent [[Washington University in St. Louis]] newspaper [[Student Life (newspaper)|Student Life]] said that, "''The O.C.''{{'}}s" legacy will live on through its viewers. Whether you wear a 'Save Marissa' shirt, a leather wristcuff or hoodie in honor of Ryan or listen to Death Cab for Cutie, as Seth did, know that "''The O.C.''" was a cultural phenomenon that will not be forgotten."<ref>{{cite news |date=January 14, 2009 |title=Life after the OC |url=http://www.studlife.com/cadenza/2009/01/14/life-after-the-oc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427044045/http://www.studlife.com/cadenza/2009/01/14/life-after-the-oc/ |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=January 30, 2012 |work=Student Life}}</ref>
==Complementary media==
The characters and setting of ''The O.C.'' have appeared in several official [[tie-in]]s outside of the television broadcast, including in print and on the Internet.
=== Novels ===
Eight [[novelization]]s have been released by the publisher [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Inc.]] with the permission of Warner Bros. & Fox. They are:
* ''The Outsider'' ({{ISBN|0439660599}})
* ''The Misfit'' ({{ISBN|0141319089}})
* ''The Way Back'' ({{ISBN|0439677025}})
* ''Spring Break'' ({{ISBN|0439696321}})
* ''Summer of Summer'' ({{ISBN|043969633X}})
* ''Bait & Switch'' ({{ISBN|0439745705}})
* '''Twas the Night Before Chrismukkah'' ({{ISBN|0-439-7457-13}})
* ''Cohen!'' ({{ISBN|0439745721}})
With the exception of ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>Twas the Night Before Chrismukkah'', written by Andes Hruby,<ref>{{cite book |title=Twas The Night Before Chrismukkah (The O.C.) |isbn=0439745713 |last1=Van Syckle |first1=A. |year=2005 |publisher=Scholastic}}</ref> all the books were written by authors [[Cory Martin (author)|Cory Martin]] and [[Aury Wallington]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/BookSearch/results.asp?ATH=Cory+Martin |title=Barnes & Noble – Books by Cory Martin |access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aurywallington.com/series.htm |title=Aury Wallington – Books – Series |access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> An official biography book titled ''Meet The O.C. Superstars'' ({{ISBN|0-4396-60602}}), written by Monica Rizzo, was also published.<ref>{{cite book |title=Meet The OC Superstars: The Official Biography! |isbn=0439660602 |last1=Rizzo |first1=Monica |year=2004 |publisher=Scholastic Incorporated}}</ref>
Several unofficial books relating to the show have also been published.
* ''O.C. Undercover'' ({{ISBN|0312331428}}), written by Brittany Kemp, published by Plexus Publishing Ltd., is a book that includes biographies of the cast, fashion tips, and information about culture trends associated with the show.<ref>{{cite book |title=O.C. Undercover: An Unofficial Guide to the Stars and Styles of The O.C |isbn=0312331428 |last1=Kent |first1=Brittany |date=May 5, 2004 |publisher=Macmillan}}</ref>
* ''Stop Being a Hater and Learn to Love The O.C.'' ({{ISBN|1596090065}}), written by Alan Sepinwall and published by Chamberlain Bros., discusses the merits of the television program, and aims to give a lighthearted view from all ages of the show.<ref>{{cite book |title=Stop Being a Hater and Learn to Love The O.C |isbn=1596090065 |last1=Sepinwall |first1=Alan |year=2004 |publisher=Chamberlain Bros.}}</ref>
===International versions===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Local title
! Channel
! Dates aired
|-
| Thailand
| ''[[:th:กรุงเทพ..มหานครซ้อนรัก|City of Light: The O.C. Thailand]]''
| [[One31]]
| March 8, 2016 – May 17, 2016<ref name="Sanook.com">{{cite web |title=แซ่บซี๊ด! ตัวอย่างซีรีส์ "กรุงเทพ...มหานครซ้อนรัก" The OC Thailand |url=https://www.sanook.com/movie/57945/ |work=[[Sanook.com]] |date=February 12, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| Turkey
| ''[[Medcezir]]'' ('tide')
| [[Star TV (Turkey)|Star TV]]
| September 13, 2013 – June 12, 2015<ref name="Weisman">{{cite web |last=Weisman |first=Jon |title=''The O.C.'' Gets a Remake … in Turkey |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/turkey-to-remake-the-o-c-1200614979/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=September 21, 2013 |date=September 17, 2013}}</ref>
|}
====Turkish adaptation====
A Turkish adaptation, named ''[[Medcezir]]'' ('tide'), was created in 2013 and aired on [[Star TV (Turkey)|Star TV]]. The first season consisted of 38 episodes.<ref name="Weisman" /> It features young Turkish artists [[Çağatay Ulusoy]] and [[Serenay Sarıkaya]].
==
A Thai adaptation, named ''[[:th:กรุงเทพ..มหานครซ้อนรัก|City of Light: The O.C. Thailand]]'', was created in 2016 and aired on [[One 31]]. The first season consisted of 21 episodes.<ref name="Sanook.com" /> It features young Thai artists [[Chaiyapol Julien Poupart]] and [[:th:มารี เบรินเนอร์|Marie Broenner]].
===Licensed merchandise===
Several types of products based on the series, such as clothes, toys and games, have been licensed for release. Licensed items of clothing released included T-shirts, jumpers, underwear and flip-flops, which are sold from the 20th Century Fox store.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbtvshop.com/cat/The-OC/Girls/ |title=WBtv Shop – The O.C. – Girls |work=WBTV Shop |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> Other accessories available included keychains, notepads and a [[Chrismukkah]] wrapping paper.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbtvshop.com/cat/The-OC/Accessories/Chrismukkah-Wrapping-Paper----Matzoh-Ball-and-Snowman-Design.html |title=Chrismukkah Wrapping Paper – Matzoh Ball and Snowman Design |work=WBTV Shop |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> An official bath set and "OC Beauty To Go Cooling Set" was released in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sephora celebrates with OC |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/environment-natural-resources/ecology-environmental/8035556-1.html |format=Note: Payment required |work=Cosmetic Products Report |publisher=Cosmetics International |date=November 1, 2004 |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-08-me-ocbrand8-story.html |title=''The O.C.'' Brand Puts Style on Sale |last=Rivenburg |first=Roy |date=September 8, 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref>
AMC Beauty released fragrances in October 2006, named "''The O.C. for Him''" and "''The O.C. for Her''" in 0.5[[ounce|oz]] and 1.7[[ounce|oz]] versions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/fashion/trend/40_smellsoc.html |title=Smells Like "O.C." Spirit |access-date=July 8, 2008}}</ref> [[LeSportsac]], in a partnership with Fox, released ''The O.C.'' collection" in August 2006, which was a fashion line of bags and accessories.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lesportsac.com/external/F06_OC_press_pop.html |title=LeSportsac Moves Into "The O.C |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610011155/http://www.lesportsac.com/external/F06_OC_press_pop.html |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |publisher=[[LeSportsac]] |access-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref>
[[Screenlife Games]] and [[Mattel]] launched an ''O.C.'' themed version of [[Scene It?]], a DVD trivia game based on the first three seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/26270 |title=Scene It? – The OC |publisher=[[BoardGameGeek]] |access-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> [[Cardinal Games]] released The OC Game, another trivia [[board game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/22184 |title=The OC Game |publisher=[[BoardGameGeek]] |access-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> In 2006, [[Gameloft]] released a mobile game based on the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/the-oc/ |title=Gameloft – The O.C |access-date=July 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606014143/http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/the-oc/ |archive-date=June 6, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
A partnership with [[Sephora]] included one of their beauty editors writing on the official OC Insider site,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/writer_bios.html#3637 |title=Writer Bios – Laura Kenney |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> and the inclusion of articles about their products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/fashion/star/11_gg.html |title=Girlie Gadgets: Move Over Blackberry, These Little Beauty Gizmos Are Our New Favorite Playthings |work=The OC Insider |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> [http://www.theocinsider.com/fashion.html TheOCInsider.com] and {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080418035717/http://www.starbrand.tv/theoc/index.html Starbrand.tv]}} also included comprehensive guides of fashion and styles featured on the show, providing details to customers of how to obtain these items.
===Spin-offs===
''The O.C.'' has given rise to a number of spin-offs, some developed and others not. ''Atomic County'' was a spin-off based on the cartoon characters in Seth's comic book of the same name. It was created by ''The O.C.'' writer [[John Stephens (producer)|John Stephens]] and artist [[Eric Wight]], who was responsible for the comic book drawings featured on the show.
In 2005, Schwartz announced he was writing a spin-off which followed the life of Marissa's younger sister [[Kaitlin Cooper|Kaitlin]] at boarding school.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Neil |date=January 20, 2005 |title=Schwartz scraps ''Athens'', confirms ''OC'' spinoff |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a18552/schwartz-scraps-athens-confirms-oc-spinoff.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517155117/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a18552/schwartz-scraps-athens-confirms-oc-spinoff.html |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2008 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=Digital Spy Limited}}</ref> It was set to premiere in January 2006, but the airing of the spin-off never occurred. Schwartz attributed this to [[Gail Berman]], president of Fox Broadcasting Company, moving to [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] in May 2005.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=February 27, 2007 |title=The O.C.: Josh says goodbye |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2007/02/oc-josh-says-goodbye.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518101758/http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2007/02/oc-josh-says-goodbye.html |archive-date=May 18, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2008 |work=What's Alan Watching? |publisher=[[Blogger (service)|Alan Sepinwall]]}}</ref>
There were plans to turn the show into something of a reverse spin-off. Schwartz planned to release a spin-off of his series ''[[Gossip Girl]]'' entitled ''[[Valley Girls]]'', originally to premiere in the fall of 2009. Schwartz wanted to tie in the younger versions of the characters from both ''The O.C.'' and the principals from ''Valley Girls'' to establish a continuity with ''Gossip Girl''.
The O.C. Musical took place on August 30, 2015, at the Montalban Theater in Los Angeles, selling out in minutes when tickets went on sale earlier that same month. While not officially authorized by FOX or Warner Bros. TV, Sucker Love Productions' musical was supported by the show's cast and producers, with [[Autumn Reeser]] portraying [[Julie Cooper (The O.C.)|Julie Cooper]] and briefly reprising her role as [[Taylor Townsend (The O.C.)|Taylor Townsend]] for the first time in 8 years. Creator [[Josh Schwartz]] and stars [[Rachel Bilson]], [[Melinda Clarke]], and [[Kelly Rowan]] also reunited at the musical. The cast included ''[[Awkward (TV series)|Awkward]]'' star [[Greer Grammer]] as [[Summer Roberts]] and ''[[Pretty Little Liars]]'' star Brendan Robinson as [[Seth Cohen]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* [[Gustavo Arellano|Arellano, Gustavo]]. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-22-oe-arellano22-story.html Headed for reruns]." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. January 22, 2007.
==External links==
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