The O.C was TV drama at its best.

Submitted by wastedpanda420 t3_zy9i3a in television

The O.C was is an amazing T.V series. I've probably watched the series start to finish at least 5 times. The cast was excellent, the story draws you in. The Cohen family seems like a believable family.

Adam Brody as Seth Cohen really did an outstanding job, definitely my favorite character. It's the one teen drama that stands out above the rest for me.

Does anyone else have a soft spot for this series?

Also, does anyone have other shows like it they recommend?

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the_cow_unicorn t1_j24k35h wrote

Californiaaaaaa. Californiaaaaaaaaaaaa. Uhhh ahhhhhhh uhhhhh

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chrisjayyyy t1_j24orjb wrote

Fitting that the theme song was from a band of industry-adjacent kids from LA that included Jason Schwartzman. Very on brand for the universe the show exists in.

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DONNIENARC0 t1_j24qnm3 wrote

The bass player ended up joining Maroon 5, too.

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double_positive t1_j26j8pd wrote

I got mistaken for the lead singer of Phantom Planet when they opened for Incubus back in the early 2000s

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candiriaroot t1_j24wfgh wrote

Only watched the show a few times, but moved out on my own to Cali in 2005 and loving it (just being on my own). I would drive to work in and see the mountains and shit (living in Michigan, they were surreal) and would randomly sing "Californiaaaaaaaa"

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Anal-Churros t1_j29dfh4 wrote

Yeah that’s basically all I remember about this show. And a house party with a lot of bongs

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johntwoods t1_j24jn53 wrote

🎵 Mmmm.... Whatcha sayyyyyy.... 🎵

Edit: (I guess it needs to be said, because I forget that there are children around, anyone reading this who doesn't understand that this track Hide and Seek is Imogen Heap now understands that it is. I guess.)

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Hattonman t1_j24quem wrote

Imogen Heap is a great artist. Check out anything by her. And also Frou Frou, she was part of a group that had some good ones.

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johntwoods t1_j24wsz3 wrote

Obviously. Whose lyric did you think I was quoting here?

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Hattonman t1_j24xb1i wrote

...? Imogen Heap's lyric... Just saying as a recommendation to check out some more of her music. She's got a lot of great stuff.

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NinJ4ng t1_j24zhwp wrote

were you today years old when you realized the catchiest part of a shitty popstar’s most famous track is completely the doing of an actually talented artist called Imogen Heap?

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johntwoods t1_j250rx3 wrote

No ma'am. I asked my rhetorical question because I was in my twenties in the late 90's and of course it is Imogen Heap. Why would I quote Imogen Heap and then need someone to say "Hey you know you should listen to? Imogen Heap!" It is odd is all.

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TundieRice t1_j28ylsg wrote

That’s not what the original commenter meant at all. They were just trying to further the conversation for anyone who didn’t know about Imogen Heap, which obviously wouldn’t be someone who quoted one of her songs!

Sorry, but some people really don’t understand how conversations on the internet are supposed to work, and in this case it comes off as pretentious.

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figleafstreet t1_j27lmk6 wrote

I saw a TikTok yesterday in which was Gen Z was discovering the SNL skit was a parody of The OC. Made me feel very old. Iconic pop culture moment that’s for sure.

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Seven50_ t1_j24rn03 wrote

Look at Dear Sister on YouTube.

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johntwoods t1_j24woxi wrote

Oh I'm sure we've all seen it. =) Still funny to this day.

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visionquester t1_j24jzso wrote

Hated Oliver. The Best Chrismukkah Ever is a must see every Christmas. Loved this series.

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sgthombre t1_j28wr0y wrote

Watched all four Chrismukkah episodes in a row this year and jumping from season to season was absolutely wild, basically a series of nostalgia bombs as I remembered different characters and plot threads I'd totally forgotten.

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ClipClipClip99 t1_j24yhn1 wrote

The OC is iconic. It really captured the truly awful fashion trends of the 2000s. My friends and I did chrismakuh every year until we all moved. Seth Cohen is the best! I love Adam Brody so much!

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BjornBeetleBorg t1_j25rm92 wrote

You didn’t like Anna’s hats? Lol

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ClipClipClip99 t1_j25rrqe wrote

The tank tops and low low skirts were such a look lmao

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navigationallyaided t1_j27i92j wrote

Hollister(the Abercrombie division, not the town or ostomy supply company) owes a huge debt to The OC.

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Elevenst t1_j24sc4j wrote

And now the most popular streaming show is Yellowstone, which is The O.C. on a ranch.

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bats7 t1_j26f7hn wrote

"Outer Banks is The OC meets National Treasure" - the tagline that sold me on that show.

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figleafstreet t1_j27luzs wrote

Outer Banks did give me The OC vibes but I could never articulate why. Maybe it’s just the fact that they both kind of explore class disparity.

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elizabethvde t1_j268p61 wrote

If this is true I am now considering watching it….

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LinkovitchChmofsky t1_j274gk8 wrote

I watched the first season and don’t really see that comparison at all…..

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justhatgood t1_j24wbl2 wrote

It also brought indie bands to light during its run, I remember Rooney “I’m shaking” and death cab for cutie

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BjornBeetleBorg t1_j25rj9c wrote

Modest mouse! the Walkmen!

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lifth3avy84 t1_j25sna5 wrote

Modest Mouse and Death Cab were WELL established way before that trashy-ass show.

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BjornBeetleBorg t1_j25ssym wrote

Pfft I’m hip. just mentioning they were on the show, cool guy

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lifth3avy84 t1_j25t2v5 wrote

It literally says “brought them to light” both of those bands had their breakout in 03/04, and had been releasing albums since for years before that.

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hotcapicola t1_j274tew wrote

The O.C. started in '03 as well... I'm not saying no one heard of those before the O.C., but they definitely got additional attention thanks to the show.

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figleafstreet t1_j27maw5 wrote

Yes! I used to buy and play the official OST for each season religiously.

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Smack-9 t1_j271tp4 wrote

"Welcome to the OC, bitch!"

I loved this show but it was trash. Soapy, delicious, quality trash. Everyone was awful doing awful things and the conspicuous consumption was terrible and the nerd baiting was pandering and I loved every trashy, terrible minute of it.

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lampm0de t1_j27xr4p wrote

My friend and I were in Laguna Beach years ago. We got separated in a drunken stupor. When we we finally got back together he told me he was randomly punched by some dude on the strip. Despite his bloody nose, I recited this line in hilarity and couldn’t stop laughing! 🤣

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Kaldricus t1_j29cpf2 wrote

It's unironically one of my favorite shows, probably because of the timing of when it came out and where I was in life, but yeah, it's not exactly a GOOD show. Luke running in to Ryan's room yelling "it's over, I'm not sleeping with Julie Cooper anymore" was such peak trashy soap opera. I will always love this show, especially the music.

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fdjadjgowjoejow t1_j26mc8k wrote

>The O.C was is an amazing T.V series.

You certainly buried the lead IMO. S1 had 27 episodes unheard of these days not to mention the introduction to me of Mischa Barton along with to name a few Lucy Hale, Kelly Rowan, Rachel Bilson, rock star Melinda Clarke, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pratt, America's Sweetheart Rosalind Chao, Shailene Woodley and Nikki Reed

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truethatson t1_j24z5lo wrote

My friends and I watched the show religiously in college. We’d probably have a dozen or so people over every Thursday night. We knew it was trash drama tv and that’s why we watched it.

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ZombieFluffy t1_j2585y5 wrote

I remember watching Seth Cohen sailing away panicking thinking whats going to happen next season lol

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theevilgiraffe t1_j24r0k1 wrote

Have you tried Veronica Mars yet?

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theevilgiraffe t1_j26h2uw wrote

It’s got an over-arching mystery for the whole season for the first two seasons, but there are case of the week things every episode too. It’s a really great show with good writing and smart, sassy characters.

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BecoDasCavernas t1_j26fo5e wrote

I was thinking of watching it. It's a "case of the week" type of show tho, right? Is it like that for the whole show or what?

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figleafstreet t1_j27m11n wrote

It’s case of the week but with a season long overarching mystery. Each season has its own long mystery she is working towards solving. The Movie and S4 (which came out a few years ago) doesn’t really do the case of the week (if I recall).

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teddyburges t1_j280fxx wrote

It's kind of like Buffy meets Nancy Drew. It has a main arc like that Buffy but has episodic cases sprinkled in.

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Xbutts360 t1_j26p3oi wrote

I almost didn’t watch VM because the awful channel promos where I am made it look like a lame O.C. rip-off.

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theevilgiraffe t1_j279eth wrote

Oh man, that’s crazy. I guess with a similar setting, it kinda makes sense. They’re very, very different shows though.

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rondonjon t1_j24n5fu wrote

I remember when it came out. The show was super hyped and it was good for a bit. But I lost interest after the first season.

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karbooms t1_j24htqm wrote

I agree completely. This show will always be iconic to me. I wish I could watch it again for the first time

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karbooms t1_j24hwbe wrote

But I will say that season 4 wasn’t great.

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Craphole-Island t1_j24r6d3 wrote

Oh I love season 4! It was a huge step up from season 3 IMO

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SlimShadyM80 t1_j25wj3o wrote

The ending was absolutely perfect. I love the idea of Ryan becoming a Sandy Cohen figure

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Scarecrow119 t1_j270xdo wrote

I loved season 4. Though I would say it did change the show a little. After marrisa died and Ryan came back it was so much lighter. No more anxiety for Ryan in having to deal with her bullshit.

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wastedpanda420 OP t1_j24ii09 wrote

Yeah it could a been better but the rest was amazing. I just love it.

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Shoot_from_the_Quip t1_j27xqgp wrote

Fun O.C. story (I worked that show the first two seasons).

After Season 1 wrapped up Ben was a bit full of himself. He was the star of a hit show and he was starting to believe the hype. It was sad because he was a really nice dude and it was going to his head.

Fast-forward to the beginning of Season 2 after a nice long hiatus. We were chatting about his big trip to China and he goes, "No one knew me. I mean no one. They'd never even heard of the show. Couldn't care less. I suddenly realized this could all go away in an instant."

It was really cool to see him dodge that industry bullet. He had an epiphany and any inflated ego he'd been building was gone. So glad he's gone on to have a great career.

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oGsMustachio t1_j282ejl wrote

And he married Morena Baccarin... things worked out for him lol

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natguy2016 t1_j28q3pb wrote

Ben McKenzie was on another of my favorite shows-“SouthLand.”

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sgthombre t1_j28x0h6 wrote

> It was really cool to see him dodge that industry bullet.

And, in a roundabout way, that was eventually how he became the Chapo Trap House Cryptocurrency Correspondent

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Warm_metal_revival t1_j2547hs wrote

This was my go-to series to watch during breakups. It always transported me away from my real life problems. I haven’t had a breakup in 15 years and as such haven’t watched The OC…maybe I’ll pick it back up again!

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Towel4 t1_j25zveq wrote

As someone from Orange County, I despised this show and could not escape it.

Eventually moved to Austin, and the “OMG YOURE FROM THE OC?!” Stopped being fun on like, day 2

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thatssosteven114 t1_j25hxa2 wrote

Having rewatched this as an adult recently, Seth Cohen is kind of an awful person lol

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Shoot_from_the_Quip t1_j27wxcb wrote

Adam was friends with the creator/writer so his character morphed from the geeky kid to the cool kid because that's what he wanted to play. He became far less interesting as time (and his input) went on.

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jubular t1_j25hzk2 wrote

I love season one, but the rest of the show is pretty hit or miss when it comes to the writing. I think like with Gossip Girl and other CW shows, this show suffers when a lot of the older talent start to leave and the writers are forced to try to up the drama every season. Still worth watching through at least once if you are a fan of the genre and if you grew up in the early 00s it is such a time capsule.

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flogger_bogger t1_j25t9ap wrote

My bachelorette party was going to be binging The OC, so yes. Absolutely love it, and dig all the cool bands that came to play at the bar where Seth and Alex work

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virtualpig t1_j25w6ae wrote

One Tree Hill was my favorite during this time. The OC was good too, although after the first season you kinda got the impression the writers didn't know what to do, and the third season was awful.

If you want another show similar I'd recommend Dawson's Creek. One Tree Hill was also really good, but it's kind of hard to reminisce about given that the creator turned out to be a creep.

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teddyburges t1_j280s5b wrote

>The OC was good too, although after the first season you kinda got the impression the writers didn't know what to do

I felt the opposite with season 1. It was controlled with some amazing songs and great moments and it was hilarious. Season 1 felt like the writers knew where they wanted to go with it. The wheels started to come off in season 2 as the network started tightening their grip on it and influencing storylines, like forcing the writers to get rid of a gay storyline cause they felt it was too raunchy for network tv. Then it all went to hell in season 3 when the network forced them to turn the whole thing into a soap opera. The audience bolted and the network swiftly cancelled it in season 4, trying to put the blame on everyone else, when it was them that sunk it.

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bravetailor t1_j26fdxr wrote

I don't know about best but it is the last show that I can remember that took the mantle from Melrose Place in terms of pure cheese entertainment. Even the latest reboots don't really capture that campy quality that O.C. and original Melrose Place had.

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FlyorDieJM t1_j277qi2 wrote

Season 1 and 2 were great, after that meh

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Texas_Metal t1_j29833i wrote

Yeah, and no one is going to mention how absolutely atrocious the writing got later on?

I'm remembering the episode where they got stuck in their dreams and had to figure out their personal issues to get back to the real world or what the fuck ever. Unbelievably stupid.

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TRON0314 t1_j24z7m8 wrote

We don't call it that.

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trala7 t1_j262dup wrote

Of course I have a soft spot for it.

Is it actually good? Borderline. Is it TV drama at its best? Absolutely, positively no chance in hell.

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seattlewhiteslays t1_j26q389 wrote

I was in my freshman year of college when it hit big. I fucking loved it. I have watched it through a couple times since then and while I still love it, I can admit that it has its ups and downs (cough cough Season 3) but overall it’s very good.

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milnickel t1_j2789dn wrote

I just purchased all 6 soundtracks and the 28-disc DVD collection on eBay this month.

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APerfectCircle0 t1_j27dyxw wrote

The OC was great. I also liked One Tree Hill and Friday Night Lights

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doublething1 t1_j27j3rd wrote

The first two seasons are literal gold. Hard to explain to younger people the cultural significance that show had. Especially with the Laguna Beach aspect which is partially responsible for the entire existence of the Bravo network.

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billythepub t1_j24rnal wrote

I don't quite know if the op here is being tongue in cheek, trolling or genuine. Seems a bit of over enthusiasm,hyperbole and inflated high praise for a noughties TV teen soap that was filled with a good looking cast,clichés and stereotype soap opera storylines.

Don't get me wrong,the first season or so was watchable and not bad tv especially when you were a teenager yourself. It looked good aesthetically and was a little bit of Sunday night escapism into the california sunshine and the high society. It also is a big dose of nostalgia for those of us in our 30s who watched it as teens.

But I'll agree with other posters that it somewhat lost its way after around 2 seasons and became just another predictable tv teen soap akin to Beverly hills 90210 or one tree hill etc. Meh it always was predictable,what am I saying?

There was nothing that original about it and if you call it " tv drama at its best" you need to watch some acclaimed shows/real dramas that show you a better calibre of drama.

The oc was mere eye candy, over the top sensational storylines,cringy dialogue and often mediocrity at a levels. As i said good fun to watch but "tv drama at its best" definitely made me chuckle.

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djghk t1_j29dukm wrote

The OC is one of the worst shows I've ever seen and I have an extremely hard time believing that even fans of the show could unironically make statements like "drama at it's best"

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billythepub t1_j29eo35 wrote

Theres much worse shows than it in fairness but its ok for what it is- a teen soap opera and a little escapism. Agree though that calling it " drama at its best" is beyond bonkers. Its akin to calling shindlers list a comedy.

Its the kind of thing you could have on in the background when you and your mates chat or when you're chilling out,doesn't require much head space or concentration. Hardly compelling television.

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shelivesinadream t1_j25ymfa wrote

I absolutely loved that show! It’s one of those that I’m afraid to watch again because I might not like it as much and it will ruin my fond feelings associated with it. I was a freshman in college when it came out. We used to have OC nights where our friends would come over for dinner and to watch the OC. My grandparents also loved that show. I was so shocked to learn that! It’s still one of my most favorite memories of my grandfather. He watched the news, war documentaries, and The OC on DVD. They liked to binge whole seasons because they couldn’t stand waiting a week to find out what happened next.

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BruisedBabyMeat t1_j2763sc wrote

if i ever referred to the county i live in as its two initials, i'd probably kill myself.

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tidho t1_j278v7e wrote

and it had Rachel Bilson.

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Starbucks__Lovers t1_j27etk5 wrote

My favorite fact is that the postgame NFL Commentary on Fox is still called “The OT”

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skaistda t1_j27iv3g wrote

…..yogalates?

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figleafstreet t1_j27my1q wrote

I remember going to school suburban Australia the day after an episode aired in and it would be all we’d talk about. There were a few shows in that era that were popular but nothing had quite the impact The OC did at the time.

Then of course from the show spawned the reality show Laguna Beach which also had a grip on people in my age bracket. It really had insane pop culture impact.

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Routman t1_j24kl6w wrote

Agree completely, any other shows similar that people recommend?

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imakenosensetopeople t1_j24m5o7 wrote

Gossip Girl

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oGsMustachio t1_j2826r5 wrote

In sooo many ways its just The O.C. in New York but without the redeeming character traits. Same main writer. The O.C. is way more charming IMO.

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sternfan1523 t1_j24o2o4 wrote

My So Called Life. One season, but the characters are completely realistic. Very 90s but doesn’t seem that dated, especially after the pilot

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Xbutts360 t1_j26q8xc wrote

Looking for Alaska captures some of the same magic from the two main writers. Gossip Girl absolutely does not.

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aloofman75 t1_j25ck8b wrote

Have you seen any other TV dramas? It’s totally fine to have a soft spot for shows from when you were younger. But “best”? I doubt it makes very many people’s top 50.

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chronicenigma t1_j25g8c8 wrote

I always feel guilty when I tell people that I LOVED the OC and I lived to watch every week it came out. You're right, it was a great show

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jourdanm t1_j25h8qh wrote

Season 1 was great, the rest... not so much.

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Andxel t1_j2692zi wrote

It was very good.

And it got BIG. I think it's one of the few shows that actually succeeded in becoming an international phenomenon before Game of Thrones.

And that happened before streaming was even a thing.

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Mandrakey t1_j26rml2 wrote

Best? I'll take the sopranos thanks.

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yellowbellee t1_j27bays wrote

I tried starting it again last year and found it just awful. Enjoyed it in high school though

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Brannigansfist t1_j27wfql wrote

Season 1 & 2 are iconic. Everything after that was almost unwatchable imo

1

GrandeNic0 t1_j28ftcl wrote

I had moved from California to Florida in 7th grade. This show came out right before I started Junior year and I felt that I really missed the boat on having a California high school experience lol. I don’t think I watched it after the first season though

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Spawn8204 t1_j28k9wn wrote

What season and episode was Marisas trying to get her old boyfriend to get revenge for her daughter, that's where I stopped watching for some reason.

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puterjess t1_j28lxpt wrote

Seth and Summer 🥹❤️

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goldars_boner t1_j28trz0 wrote

Where can I get Sandy’s bagel holder he uses to cut?

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JustCallInSick t1_j28y3lw wrote

I still will occasionally yell “Seth cohen is a tool” at my teenager. And she always goes “WHO IS SETH COHEN”? Ha

1

DLun203 t1_j290k8s wrote

Adam Brody was great as Seth. But Seth the character was a dumb whiny teenager who, whenever faced with a decision, made the wrong choice 99% of the time.

Sandy Cohen was the MVP. A truly altruistic, idealistic, loving father and husband.

I strive to be the perfect Sandy Cohen/Phil Dunphy hybrid kind of father.

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kymilovechelle t1_j29cgj3 wrote

The New Years episode was art. I wanted to be Mischa Barton so badly.

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ThisIsRyGuy t1_j29owhb wrote

He may be suffering from what we in the soft-sciences call Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or the the OC Disorder.

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peepsthegiantcat t1_j29xjcx wrote

Glad I found this thread; I ended up away from home alone and binged the whole first season. I was a little too young to watch it when it initially aired. What a great piece of nostalgic early 00's team drama. Seth Cohen is a great character, definitely feels ahead of his time looking back. I'm into season 2 now and while it is starting to seem ridiculous, I do really enjoy the characters and will finish out the series.

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Rumpelteazer45 t1_j29xp93 wrote

And now I’m watching the show…again….from season 1. Thank you.

1

NoirPochette t1_j29zo9d wrote

Yeah it was fun but never liked Marissa lol.

1

tvlover44 t1_j2ams1w wrote

i recently did a re-watch, and sandy and kirsten are my favorites.

the 'welcome to the o.c., bitches!' podcast with rachel bilson and melinda clarke is really great - all episodes are posted to youtube - fun to watch their take on an episode right after watching it. loads of behind-the-scenes info and they have great guests, too, including most of the main cast.

1

thisKeyboardWarrior t1_j27o38d wrote

Lol I'm sorry but jersey shore season 1 is peak TV drama...after that....meh

0

Morganguy t1_j27rlmv wrote

I personally think it went down hill after Marissa died. But those first couple seasons were amazing. I was in 9th grade when it first came out I have so many memories of Thursday nights with my high school gf and I watching it. I still hate Oliver to this day, I think he’s the reason Ryan and Marissa never made it. Haha

0

teddyburges t1_j2813ha wrote

The entire of season 3 was a trainwreck that you can thank the network for. They were the ones that forced the writers to dial up the drama. They forced them to make Johnny a regular and keep ratcheting up the drama on that one. They turned the Kirsten rehab storyline in to a thriller plot by forcing the writers in to adding that friend that's trying to steel her money (the network felt that audiences wouldn't be interested if it was a simple alcohol addiction plot).

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sgthombre t1_j28wm7w wrote

> They forced them to make Johnny a regular

Literally one of the least interesting characters in the history of television.

Dude needs knee surgery and rather than accept a check from his rich friends to pay for it he fucking buys a gun to rob a liquor store. Holy shit, just the worst.

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teddyburges t1_j28xrv8 wrote

100% agree. It was like a network executive had been watching a episode of 24 and thought the Kim storylines were amazing and was like "wow, this is amazing writing!. She's getting attacked by stalkers, rapists and murderous baby sitters, cougars, all in the span of 24 for hours. How can we bottle that and make a character like that storyline?" and a writer went away and created Johnny based on their feedback.

1

Shoot_from_the_Quip t1_j27x26f wrote

Mischa was such a fucking train wreck of a human. They really had no choice but to kill her off.

1