‘The O.C.’ Oral History Book Revelations: Sebastian Stan’s Audition (and Other Casting Surprises), an Edited Kiss and That George Lucas Cameo https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t...cb95ba466b94b8eee6995e3e72502e2a62b11944257f1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063342790/?tag=absolutepunk-20
I'm reading the OC book and it's a little infuriating to read how little forethought went into like anything lol. Glad they agree they threw all the storylines at season 1. It's super interesting I'm just a big planner so it kills me to read and how many lil things they agree could've been done better
I’ve been wanting to pick that up. I’ve been hopping around the podcast lately so it’s got me in the mood to do a deep dive. The OC is just pure escapism for me.
To be fair, the showrunner was only 26 years old at the time. I can’t even imagine the amount of pressure I’d feel at that age on my first show and freaking out week to week lol
Oh for sure. It's stressful just to read about, especially since the rise of the internet and online criticism and chat rooms clearly got to him in addition to network stuff. But they really were just throwing things at the wall at certain points! Like congrats you saved money on letting Tate go, but then used that money towards actors whose storylines didn't work and fizzled out quickly. But I suppose that's the learning curve.
I feel like the "flying by the seat of our pants" approach worked really well in season 1 and yielded a lot of chaotic, unpredictable fun. It worked a little less in season 2, but there was still a lot of the magic. But season 3 is a complete disaster and needed a roadmap.
I haven't gotten to the season 3 chapter yet but they are doing a good job through interviews sort of building up with the actors and stuff how not well season 3 worked and the creeping dissatisfaction with certain storylines and stuff It's wild how season 1 is like 3 or 4 seasons worth of drama.
I haven't read the book yet, but I picked it up with a gift card I got for Christmas. Excited to dive in soon.
I finished the book. Adam seemed so pretentious while filming lol but can't say I wouldn't have been the same. He was prob seething when he wasn't the one killed off lmao. Sounds like he was just unhappy with the writing/direction and totally checked out. Rachel came across a bit obnoxious to me but everyone says shes lovely and stuff so maybe i just read her tone weird at times. I felt like Mischa could've dished more dirt about how she was treated but she kept it professional. Ben Mckenzie and Peter Gallagher seemed lovely. Ben seemed lowkey but kind and Peter seems like a blast to be around. Loved reading that Melinda Clarke was also reportedly great on set and everyone loved her.
Girlfriend and I are doing a re-watch for the first time since it aired. We just finished the Rooney concert episode and Luke's abrupt transformation into a himbo is hilarious. He's immediately like late-series Erik Matthews.
I just finished the oral history book, which was a lot of fun and made some sense out of why the show fell apart the way it did. Highly recommended.