Premiere (The O.C.)

Infobox Television episode
Colour = #ffaa44
Series = The O.C.
Title = Premiere


Season = 1
(2003-2004)
Caption = Poster
Episode = 1
Airdate = August 5, 2003 (FOX)
Guests = See list
Writer = Josh Schwartz
Director = Doug Liman
Music = "California" by Phantom Planet
"Sweet Honey" by Slightly Stoopid
"All Around The World" by Cooler Kids
"Swing, Swing" by The All-American Rejects
"Hands Up" by Black Eyed Peas
"I'm A Player" by The K.G.B.
"Into Dust" by Mazzy Star
"Honey and the Moon" by Joseph Arthur
"Let It Roll" by Maximum Roach
"Show Me" by Cham Pain
Production = 475197
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 1)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev =
Next = The Model Home

"Premiere" [cite web|url=http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=26032|title=The O.C.: The Complete First Season (DVD)|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-09] (also known as "Pilot" [cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/01.html|title=Backstage Pass - Episode Guide - "Pilot"|work=The OC Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-07-26] ) is the pilot episode of television series "The O.C.", which aired on the FOX network on Tuesday August 5, 2003. It was written by series creator Josh Schwartz and was directed by executive producer Doug Liman. The episode depicts troubled teenager Ryan Atwood (played by Benjamin McKenzie) and his introduction into the wealthy lifestyle of the Cohen family. The series premiere was released individually on MiniDVD on April 26, 2005, [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/O-C-Pilot-Mini-DVD/dp/B0009298RU|title=The O.C. - Pilot (Mini DVD)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-07-26] having originally been planned to be released with other Warner Bros. titles in March. [cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News/2705|title=Site News - Mini-DVD explodes: 3 more players, several more studios, and new TV titles including The O.C.!|last=Lambert|first=David|date=2005-10-01|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|accessdate=2008-07-26]

The show was set in Newport Beach, Orange County, California but much of the production took place in and around the Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County, California area due to financial penalties imposed for filming outside the "Thirty Mile Zone". [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.|accessdate=2008-08-11] Casting took place in the few months prior to that, with casting directors Patrick J. Rush and Alyson Silverberg receiving a nomination for the Dramatic Pilot Artios Award. The series premiere gained solid rating figures, winning the first half-hour of its time slot. The episode was generally well received by critics, and gained it's writer, Josh Schwartz a WGA Award nomination for episodic drama. Originally broadcast and released in it was remastered in for the complete series DVD released in November 2007. [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=2007-07-27|work=TVShowsOnDVD.com|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2008-08-11]

Plot

The episode starts with a cold open showing Trey Atwood (Bradley Stryker) stealing a car, with brother Ryan who appears apprehensive about doing so. Caught in the act, after a short pursuit which ends in a crash both are arrested. As Ryan is under eighteen he is sent to juvenile hall where he meets Sandy Cohen, his public defender. In conversation with Sandy it is established that Ryan is a troubled but bright kid, having been "Suspended twice for fighting, truancy three times, [but] your test scores ninety-eighth percentile on your SAT I's."cite episode|title=Premiere|episodelink=Premiere (The O.C.)|series=The O.C.|serieslink=The O.C.|credits=|network=FOX|airdate=2003-08-05|season=1|number=1|transcripturl=http://dmca.free.fr/scripts/theoc/season1/theoc-101.htm] When getting picked up by his mother (Daphne Ashbrook), Sandy leave Ryan his card. The episode jumps to when Ryan is back home in Chino, his mother asks him to leave and her boyfriend, A.J., ends up kicking Ryan out. Standing at payphones, with no-one to call he calls Sandy as and gets picked up and driven home to opening credits and the theme tune. Unlike other episodes there is no title sequence. Sandy has to convince his wife Kirsten to allow "a felon" to stay the night in the pool house. While debate ensues Ryan has a smoke at the end of the drive and meets the girl next door, Marissa Cooper, who is waiting to be picked up by her boyfriend Luke. Ryan tells Marissa that he stole a car, but she assumes he is joking and is really the Cohen's nephew. Upon leaving Marrissa invites Ryan to attend the fashion show fundraiser the following night.

, the Cohen's and Ryan also attend. During the show, conversation between adults steers toward money. Sandy and another guest complement Jimmy on his success as a financial planner, at which point the goes to the bathroom and breaks down.

Following the show, Summer talks to Ryan and invites him to a party. Ryan convinces Seth to join him, and upon entering the party realize they are encountering a "new world". Luke, takes a young blonde out to look at the ocean, who enquires if Marissa will mind. Ryan rebuffs a now intoxicated Summer, but Seth misinterprets the pairs encounter and reveals Ryan's real background. Seth stumbles off down the beach, encounters a group of water polo players, including Luke, who bully him. Ryan, who is now not welcome, defends Seth by punching Luke, at which point his Luke's friends intervene, leaving Ryan and Seth lying on the sand. Luke walks away delivering and says "Welcome to the O.C., bitch", which became a tagline for the show. [cite web|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=2007-04-19|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|accessdate=2008-08-10] After returning to the Cohen's, Ryan sees Marissa's friends leaving her passed out on her drive, so he carries her to the pool house to sleep there. The next morning, Kirsten finds Seth and Ryan sleeping it off in the guest house. Not happy with the new influence, Kirsten insists to Sandy that Ryan leaves. Sandy drives the boy back home to Chino, but returns to Newport when they find that Dawn has left, leaving an empty house.

Production

Casting

The casting directors were Patrick J. Rush and Alyson Silverberg. Together they were nominated for the Dramatic Pilot category of the Artios Awards, which are given annually by the Casting Society of America. [cite web|url=http://www.castingsociety.com/artios/winners#2004|title=Artios Award Winners 2004|publisher=Casting Society of America|accessdate=2008-08-14] Rush worked alongside creator Josh Schwartz, executive producer McG and supervising producer Stephanie Savage in casting the main roles, having been brought in eight to ten weeks before the projected shooting date.cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/insidercommentary/archive/05.html|title=Backstage Pass - Insider Commentary - Patrick Rush: Casting "The O.C."|work=The OC Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-07-27] Having met with Schwartz and McG, the first actor to join the cast was Peter Gallagher (as Sandy Cohen). [cite web|url=http://www.petergallagher.com/tv/oc/oc.htm|title=Peter Gallagher (Official Website) - The O.C.|last=Gallagher|first=Peter|work=PeterGallagher.com|publisher=McGillicuddy Productions|accessdate=2008-07-27] Gallagher was paired alongside Kelly Rowan, who auditioned five times before being cast as his wife, Kirsten. [cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/upclose/kelly.html|title=Up Close & Personal - Kelly Rowan|work=The OC Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-07-27] Rowan impressed as she "trusted Josh's words and that she did not arrive with the baggage of an actress everyone has seen a million times."cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/productionnotes.html|title=Backstage Pass - Production Notes|work=The OC Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-07-27]

According to Rush the most difficult role to cast was Ryan Atwood. Warner Bros. suggested to the crew they look at Benjamin McKenzie, having spotted him in unsuccessful audition for a UPN sitcom. Intrigued, Rush called him in for an audition the next day, which was successful. McKenzie said that the producers casting him was "a tremendous leap of faith on their part, and very appreciated." admitting that "you can look down my bio and, after about three seconds, you'll realize I haven't done anything." [cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={D9869E5B-76AF-446A-9B31-4C7B704DCA63}|title=The 411 on The O.C.'s MVP|last=Katner|first=Ben|date=2003-08-12|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2008-07-27] Mischa Barton, who had met executive producer McG on "Fastlane", was cast as Marissa Cooper. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/mischa_barton/biography|title=Celebrity Central: Mischa Barton - Biography|last=Dinh|first=Mai|coauthors=Murphy, Janet|work=People|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=2008-07-27]
Adam Brody was cast as Seth Cohen who Schwartz said was "derived from my experiences at USC as a neurotic Jewish kid from the East Coast in a land of water polo players.", Brody originally read for the part of Ryan, but "he didn't really come across as that sort of "bad boy from Chino" guy." He was asked to come back and read for the role of Seth, but he ad-libbed much of the script and Schwartz said "I never want to see that kid again. What was he doing?". However later on, having not found an actor to play Seth, Rush convinced Schwartz to give Brody a second interview, which was successful. Melinda Clarke was cast as guest star Julie Cooper. Savage knew of Clark from "Fastlane", and Clarke originally read for the role of Kirsten, as at that stage there were not enough lines for Julie.
Rachel Bilson was recommended to Schwartz after just missing out on a part in "Everwood"; in the pilot she guest-starred as Summer Roberts who, according to Bilson, was envisaged as a tall Californian blonde. [cite web|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrities/exclusive/Rachel-Bilson|title=Rachel Bilson|last=Rotchford|first=Lesley |work=Cosmopolitan|publisher=Hearst Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-27] Despite only having three lines in the pilot episode, she managed to make herself a loveable character in the show. Both Clarke and Bilson joined the main cast later on in the season. Chris Carmack (as Luke Ward) was part of the main cast for the first season, [cite news |first=Alison |last=Maxwell |coauthors=Jim Cheng |title=A grown-up's guide to 'The O.C.' |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-04-13-oc-adults_x.htm |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |location=McLean, Virginia |date=2004-04-14 |accessdate=2008-07-11 ] except this episode in which he is credited as a guest star.

Filming

Ryan's hometown of Chino, along with the home he is thrown out of, [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/AtwoodChinoHouse.shtml|title=The location: The Atwood House (in Chino)|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] were actually filmed in Sun Valley. [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/Chino-SunValley.shtml|title="Chino" in Sun Valley|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] The Sybil Brand Institute was used to for filming of the "Chino Juvinile Detention Centre", where Ryan meets Sandy. [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/oc/DetentionCenter.shtml|title=Chino Juvenile Detention Center|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-08-10] When Sandy picks up Ryan from Chino, part of their drive home was filmed at Valley Boulevard's intersection with Marianna Avenue in the Lincoln Heights area. [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/oc/Chino-EastLA.shtml|title="Chino" in East L.A.|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-08-10] The filming of the Cohens' house took place at 6205 Ocean Breeze Drive, Malibu, California.cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/CohenHouse.shtml|title=The location: The Cohen House|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] The pilot was one of the few occasions filming took place at the house, and for this episode a mock pool house was constructed at the home.cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/Poolhouse.shtml|title=The location: The Cohen Poolhouse|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] In later episodes, external shots of the house were used to accompany filming from a recreated studio set at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, California. The location used for when Seth takes Ryan sailing was Point Dume, Malibu, [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/PointDume.shtml|title=The location: The Sailing Beach|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] whilst the fashion show and Holly's party were both filmed in Malibu, California. The former was shot at a mansion in Cliffside Drive, [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/FashionShow.shtml|title=The location: The Fashion Show party|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] while the later was filmed at Pacific Coast Highway, [cite web|url=http://www.seeing-stars.com/OC/HollysBeachHouse.shtml|title=The location: Holly's beach house|work=seeing-stars.com|publisher=Gary Wayne|accessdate=2008-07-08] which incidently was the filming location for a later fight at another party. [Kelley, Mike (writer) & Wharmby, Tony (director). "The O.C. Confidential". "The O.C.", FOX. Episode 20, season 2. Aired on April 21, 2005.]

Reception

The pilot airing attracted 7.46 million viewers,cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services-miscellaneous-business/4757153-1.html|title=The Programming Insider: Thursday 8/7/03|last=Berman|first=Marc|date=2003-08-07|publisher=Mediaweek|pages=4|accessdate=2008-07-26] which was second behind the finale of Last Comic Standing. [cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Todays-News-Our-Take/default.aspx?posting={485EBD65-BF0E-4286-9BF3-A5499B23CAC9}|title=Today's News: Our Take|date=2003-08-07|work=TVGuide.com|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2008-07-26] The show had a ratings/share of 6.8/11 in the first half an hour, ranking first between 9–9:30 p.m., with just enough tune out (6.7/10) in the second half hour to lose the lead. [cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services-miscellaneous-business/4757143-1.html|title=The Programming Insider -- Wednesday 8/6/03|last=Berman|first=Marc|date=2003-08-06 |publisher=Mediaweek|pages=2|accessdate=2008-07-26] The episode received a 5.0/8 in households and a 2.9/8 in the key adults 18–49 demographic. Josh Schwartz, creator of the show, received a nomination, as writer of the pilot, for the Episodic Drama Writers Guild of America Award. [cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/WGA_Announces_Screenplay_Noms/1740296|title=WGA Annouces Screenplay Noms|last=Cadorette |first=Guylaine|date=2004-01-22|work=Hollywood.com|publisher=Hollywood Media Corp.|accessdate=2008-07-26]

"Entertainment Weekly"'s Carina Chocano praised "The O.C." for being different saying that it "is refreshingly free of both Spelling-style camp and the twee earnestness that has characterized more recent teen dramas", [cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,474135,00.html|title=The O.C. (2003)|last=Chocano|first=Carina|date=2003-08-12|work=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=2008-07-26] while Robert Bianco of "USA Today" drew comparisons with successful FOX show Beverly Hills, 90210 saying that that "The O.C. is better-written and better-acted by a cast that just might be, incredibly enough, even better-looking." also adding that "What separates The O.C. from past Fox failures, aside from the skill and attractiveness of its cast, is its ability to come up with a few smart deviations from the genre norm." [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2003-08-04-the-oc_x.htm|title=Juicy plots, pretty faces add to appeal of 'The O.C.'|last=Bianco|first=Robert|date=2003-08-04|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2008-07-26] Nancy Franklin from "The New Yorker" praised Adam Brody in portraying the socially awkward Seth saying "Brody is really too good-looking to be playing an unpopular kid, but he makes it work; he talks too much and too fast, he mumbles, and he projects zero physical confidence. In short, his character is adorable".cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/08/18/030818crte_television?currentPage=1|title=Sunny Money|last=Franklin|first=Nancy|date=2003-08-18|work=The New Yorker|publisher=CondéNet|accessdate=2008-07-26] but also criticised the plot for being to predictable - "There is hardly a scene or a situation ... that you don’t see coming".
Rob Owen of the "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" was more critical however, stating that while the show had "positive attributes", when focusing on the kids in the show "it's almost painful because the characters are so detestable and yet bland."cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20030803owen0803p2.asp|title=TV Review: 'The O.C.' provides lifeless look at rich teens|last=Owen|first=Rob|authorlink=Rob Owen (journalist)|date=2003-08-03|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|publisher=PG Publishing Co.|accessdate=2008-07-26] and adding that " [Benjamin] McKenzie, at times, is prone to overdramatizing scenes".

Popular culture

The "teen-focused show" made many cultural references and impacts due to a "renewed interest in the teen market".cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2004/feb/13/fashion.television|title=The future's Orange County|last=Freeman|first=Hadley|date=2004-02-13|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2008-07-28] "The O.C." has a "decidedly West Coast approach to fashion (cropped tops, micro-minis, beaded flip-flops)", and this episode includes a fashion show, which induce cultural references. Julie Cooper asks her pre-pubescent daughter "Do you like my hair this straight or is it too Avril Lavigne?", whilst another mother complains "What are you doing putting my daughter in Calvin Klein? She was supposed to be in Vera Wang!". Teenage misfit Seth Cohen complains that "Every day's a fashion show for these kids".

The episode also generated an interest in music featured on the programme, and for a time was regarded as "the show to be heard on". [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-02-20-the-oc-finale_x.htm|title=What sucked us into 'The OC' orbit?|last=Barnes|first=Ken|date=2007-02-21|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2008-07-28] For example, Michael Peck from TV Guide commented on the mail he received that was interested in the song, "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star, played when Ryan was carrying Marissa into his bedroom. [cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Televisionary/default.aspx?posting={334F192C-CBC2-4B32-9588-9C782247D6D0}|title=Televisionary|last=Peck|first=Michael|date=2003-08-27|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2008-07-26] Other music featured included The All-American Rejects most known hit, "Swing, Swing", [cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:azfqxqr0ldje~T1|title=The All-American Rejects|last=Leahey|first=Andrew|work=Allmusic|publisher=All Media Guide|accessdate=2008-07-28] which was released as a single that year, and "Hands Up" by Black Eyed Peas of 2003's multi-platinum album "Elephunk". Schwartz has commented that one of his favourite music moments from the show was Joseph Arthur's "Honey and the Moon", [cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20013240,00.html|title=You Asked, He Answered|date=2007-02-23|work=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=2008-07-28] and said that the song "helped me write the pilot". [cite web|url=http://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=2004-01-30|work=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|accessdate=2008-07-28] Additionally the title track "California" was responsible for introducing band Phantom Planet into the mainstream. [cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:h9fuxq9jldje~T1|title=Phantom Planet|last=Leahey|first=Andrew|coauthors=Wilson, MacKenzie|work=Allmusic|publisher=All Media Guide|accessdate=2008-07-28]

References

;General;Specific

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEg7yTy2H6k&feature=related Premiere - Opening Credits (no title sequence)] from YouTube
*
* [http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/the_oc/pilot_74.php Recap] from Television Without Pity
* [http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pp58y552xgdj&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=461007&sp=Point.pp58zy52xfxg_The%20Cohen%20house___~Point.pp57qb52xfhp_The%20Cooper%20house___&encType=1 Aerial Photo of Cohen's House]
* [http://www.raleighstudios.com/index_manhattan.aspx Manhattan Beach Studio]