The O.C. (season 1)

Infobox tvseason
show_name = "The O.C."
season_name =The O.C." Season 1


caption = From left to right: Jimmy, Summer, Marissa, Julie, Ryan, Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Luke
dvd_release_date = October 26, 2004
country = USA
network = FOX
first_aired = Start date|2003|8|8
last_aired = End date|2004|5|5
num_episodes = 27
prev_season =
next_season=Season 2|

The first season of the television series "The O.C." commenced airing in the United States on August 5, 2003, concluded on May 5, 2004, and consisted of 27 episodes. It tells the story of "the Cohen and Cooper families, and Ryan [Atwood] , a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks" who is thrust into the wealthy, harbor-front community of Newport Beach, Orange County, California and "will forever change the lives of the residents". [cite web |url=http://www2.warnerbros.com/web/television/jump_page/index.jsp?id=tv_theoc |title=The O.C. |accessdate=2008-07-20 |publisher=Warner Bros. ]

The first seven episodes of "The O.C." aired in the US on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on FOX, a terrestrial television network. Following a seven week mid-season hiatus, the remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title of "The O.C.: The Complete First Season" on September 26, 2004 by Warner Bros. Home Video. [cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/OC-Complete-1st-Season/3941 |title=The O.C. - The Complete 1st Season |accessdate=2008-07-10 |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com ] On June 17, 2008 the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store.

In the United Kingdom the season premiere aired at 9:00 p.m. Sunday March 7, 2004 on Channel 4 with the second episode airing immediately after, on sister station E4. [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= |location= |date=2004-03-06 |accessdate=2008-07-16 ] After taking a hiatus over summer, the show returned in early September to a 1:00 p.m. slot as part of T4. [cite news|first=Neil|last=Wilkes|title='The O.C.' set for UK return|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a15140/the-oc-set-for-uk-return.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Digital Spy Ltd.|date=2004-07-27|accessdate=2008-07-22] In Canada it aired on CTV Television Network and in Australia it was first broadcast on Nine Network, but dropped it after three episodes. Network Ten subsequently picked up the show, airing it in its entirety. [cite news |first=Don |last=Burke |title=Hoo-roo, forever |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/04/1099547313833.html?from=storyrhs |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=2004-11-05 |accessdate=2008-07-19 ]

Crew

The season was produced by Warner Bros. Television, Hypnotic (now Dutch Oven) and Wonderland. [cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=5958 |title=Broadcast Upfront Presentations: FOX Part 1 |accessdate=2008-07-13 |date=2003-05-15 |publisher=The Futon Critic ] The executive producers were creator Josh Schwartz, Doug Liman, Dave Bartis and McG, with showrunner Bob DeLaurentis joining them after the pilot episode. [cite news |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |title=TELEVISION REVIEW; Take One Enclave, Add Rebellious Youth |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E3D8113EF936A3575BC0A9659C8B63&fta=y |work=The New York Times |date=2003-08-05 |accessdate=2008-07-18 ] [cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/insidercommentary/archive/04.html |title=Backstage Pass - Insider Commentary: Stephanie Savage |accessdate=2008-07-13 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] Melissa Rosenberg and Allan Heinberg served as co-executive producers. Stephanie Savage was supervising producer and Loucas George producer. The staff writers were Schwartz, Savage, Heinberg, Rosenberg, Jane Espenson, Debra J. Fisher, Erica Messer, Brian Oh, J.J. Philbin and Liz Friedman. The regular directors throughout the season were Liman, Sanford Bookstaver, Michael Lange, Patrick Norris, Michael Fresco, James Marshall and Sandy Smolan.

Cast

The initial season had nine major roles receive star billing. Benjamin McKenzie portrayed protagonist Ryan Atwood, a troubled teenager who is thrust into the wealthy lifestyle of Newport.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 ] Mischa Barton played the girl next door, Marissa Cooper, with Tate Donovan starring as her financially troubled father Jimmy. Adam Brody acted as geeky ostracized teenager Seth Cohen with Kelly Rowan playing his mother Kirsten, the powerful businesswomen, and Peter Gallagher portraying his father, Sandy, a public defense attorney. [cite web |url=http://www.petergallagher.com/tv/oc/oc.htm |title=Peter Gallagher - The O.C. |accessdate=2008-07-10 |publisher=PeterGallagher.com |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Chris Carmack portrayed Marrissa's boyfriend Luke Ward. Originally only guest stars, Melinda Clarke starred as Marissa's mother, Julie Cooper, and Rachel Bilson played Summer Roberts, [cite news |first=Lesley |last=O'Toole |title=Rachel Bilson: She's the one |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/rachel-bilson-shes-the-one-422345.html |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent News & Media |location=Canary Wharf, London |date=2006-10-31 |accessdate=2008-07-11 ] best friend to Marissa and Seth's object of affection. Both gained contracts to the main cast list after thirteen episodes. [cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/14.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Countdown" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ]

Numerous supporting characters were given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline, including Samaire Armstrong as Anna Stern,cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/16.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Links" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] Alan Dale as wealthy businessman and father of Kirstin, Caleb Nichol.cite news |first=Ken |last=Barnes |title=Five reasons you should watch 'The O.C.' |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-04-13-oc-reasons-to-watch_x.htm |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |location=McLean, Virginia |date=2004-04-13 |accessdate=2008-07-11 ] Taylor Handley played Oliver Trask, a psychotic character who viewers loved to hate. [cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/oc-schwartz-oliver/040211-02 |title=O.C. Exec Defends Oliver |accessdate=2008-07-16 |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=2004-02-11 |work=TV Guide ] Amanda Righetti starred as Kirstin's younger sister Hailey Nichol. Navi Rawat played Theresa Diaz, childhood sweetheart of Ryan. [cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/19.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Hearbreak" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] Bonnie Somerville acted as Rachel Hoffman, a former work colleague of Sandy,cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/07.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Rescue" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] and Ashley Hartman portrayed Holly Fischer a friend of Marissa and Summer.

Other guest stars in recurring roles include Linda Lavin as Nana Cohen, Daphne Ashbrook as Ryan's mother Dawn and Michael Nouri as Summer's father Neil. [cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/01.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Pilot" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] Actors Bradley Stryker, as Ryan's brother Trey, [cite web |url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season1/11.html |title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Homecoming" |accessdate=2008-07-15 |work=The O.C. Insider |publisher=Warner Bros. ] and Shailene Woodley, as Marrisa's younger sister Kaitlin, were both only guest stars at this point. However both these characters, portrayed by different actors, would return to a larger role in later seasons.

Reception

The pilot episode of the season gained 7.5 million viewers and was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for best episodic drama. [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 |accessdate=2008-07-05 |date=2003-08-07 |work=TV Guide ] As the season progressed, ratings picked up with 8 million viewers tuning into for the third episode and 8.6 million viewers watching the fourth installment. [cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Todays-News-Our-Take/default.aspx?posting={1B82BBA4-2B6B-4A63-98CA-1B823CB1B8C8} |title=Today's News: Our Take |accessdate=2008-07-05 |date=2003-08-27 |work=TV Guide ] cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Todays-News-Our-Take/default.aspx?posting={F1BC2518-28BD-4FB2-9CCF-437F7CCF270E} |title=Today's News: Our Take |accessdate=2008-07-05 |date=2003-08-28 |work=TV Guide ] This resulted in FOX initially ordering an additional six episodes. The season was split into two parts, the first consisting of seven episodes shown weekly, which averaged 8.43 million viewers. [cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=6202 |title=FOX EXTENDS 'THE O.C.' TO 27 EPISODES |accessdate=2008-07-05 |last=Ford Sullivan |first=Brian |date=2003-10-20 |publisher=The Futon Critic ] This was followed by a seven week hiatus, in which FOX announced it had ordered another five episodes, bringing the total season to twenty-seven. [cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Todays-News-Our-Take/default.aspx?posting={6874C83D-3140-4634-8B6B-2D088D321378} |title=Today's News: Our Take |accessdate=2008-07-05 |date=2003-10-20 |work=TV Guide ]

The time-slot for the second half of the season was originally planned for Thursday nights, but facing competition from "" on CBS and "Will & Grace" on NBC it was moved to Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. instead.cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Columnists/Todays-News-Our-Take/default.aspx?posting={912E0D6D-8409-4C8F-9147-159E5759D14B |title=Today's News: Our Take |accessdate=2008-07-05 |date=2003-10-30 |work=TV Guide ] Overall season one was the highest-rated new drama of the season among adults aged 18 to 34, [cite news |title=Ratings shine in 'The O.C.' |url=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 |format=Note: Payment required |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |location=McLean, Virginia |date=2004-03-02 |accessdate=2008-07-20 |language= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= ] averaging a total of 9.7 million viewers. [cite web |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/pressrel/dispDNR.html?id=060204_11 |title=I.T.R.S. Ranking Report: Primetime Mon-Sun |accessdate=2008-07-20 |date=2004-06-02 |publisher=ABC Medianet |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070208132303/http://www.abcmedianet.com/pressrel/dispDNR.html?id=060204_11 |archivedate=2007-02-08 ] The show picked up four Teen Choice Awards and was nominated for another two, as well as getting nominated for the Outstanding New Program TCA Award. [" [http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/?q=view/tcaawards The Television Critics Association Awards] ", "Television Critics Association". Documented at " [http://www.tvcriticsassociation.com/tca/files/July2007/TCA%20complete%20NOMINEES%20list.xls Complete list of nominees] " XLSlink (XLS). Retrieved on 2008-07-17.] In the UK, its two showings a week averaged 1.2 million viewers, and it was one of the highest rating Sunday daytime programs, also attracting fans to E4 on Monday nights. [cite news |first=Catherine |last=Elsworth |coauthors=Born, Matt|title=Bush twins endorse the sultry soap taking over from Friends |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1474302/Bush-twins-endorse-the-sultry-soap-taking-over-from-Friends.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2007-05-03|accessdate=2008-07-19 ] It was also well received in Australia, picking up a Logie Award for Most Popular Overseas Program in 2005. [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|publisher=News Limited|location=Sydney|date=2004-10-16|accessdate=2008-07-23]

However, the show did come in for 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",cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/people/teens/8689283.htm?1c |title=Unreality TV |accessdate=2008-02-08 |date=2004-05-18 |work=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=MediaNews Group |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040623124319/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/people/teens/8689283.htm?1c |archivedate=2004-06-23 |quote= ] and that "Whoever at FOX thought Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan on "The O.C.") could pass for anything younger than 25 should be fired". A DVD review was critical of the repetitive plot stating that "the Ryan-Marissa fol-de-rol gets tiresome as it devolves into relentless bad timing", [cite web |url=http://www.dvdjournal.com/quickreviews/o/oc.season01.q.shtml |title=The O.C.: Season One |accessdate=2008-07-17 |last=Dorr |first= Gregory P. |publisher=DVD Journal ] while "Entertainment Weekly" did not think the acting was always up to scratch, stating "it's unfortunate to have all this potential for arm-flinging drama invested in Barton, an actress who can be as flat as a paper doll". [cite news |first=Gillian |last=Flynn |title=TV Review - The O.C. |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,780733,00.html |work=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time Inc. |date=2004-11-19 |accessdate=2008-07-17 ] It was also denounced for excessive brawling and glamorizing underage drinking. [cite web |url=http://www.pluggedinonline.com/tv/television/a0001536.cfm |title=The O.C. |accessdate=2008-07-20 |last=Isaac |first=Steven |year=2003 |month=October |publisher=Plugged In ]

Episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Episode #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season. The first season's episodes are altogether 1186 minutes in length.

DVD release

The DVD release of season one was released by Warner Bros. in the US on October 26, 2004, after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including a preview of the second season, deleted scenes, audio commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

References

External links

* [http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodeguide01.html Episode Guide] at Warner Bros.' "The OC Insider"
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362359/episodes#season-1 "The O.C." Episode List] at "IMDb.com"
* [http://www.tv.com/the-o.c./show/16960/episode.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabssh&tag=tabs;episodes "The O.C." season 1 episode guide] at "TV.com"
* [http://savetheoc.wordpress.com/episode-guide-and-summaries/ "The O.C." Episode Guide] at "savetheoc.wordpress.com"