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Brody
04-02-2004, 04:18 PM
I want to hate it. I really do. It's a cliche ridden mess, full of people who are far too good looking, all in a perpetual state of misery, all talking at a level which makes me feel half-asleep, and the whole thing seems to be a snail-pace tale of unappealing 'teenagers' (i use the term loosley) in the Orange County. Like I say, I want to hate it. I really do.

But I don't.

It's about five or six episodes gone on British Channel 4, and to be honest, i've only caught it intermittently. I was turned right off when it was promoted as some kind of successor to the rancid peice of filth known as Dawson's Creek (excuse me, i've just been sick), and I thought that in no way was it going to surpass, or even rival, the 90s series Party of Five, which was an incredible series in every way, as far as I remember. And the fact that it was unrelentingly depressing didn't matter, as the strength of writing and performance was so high. Now the O.C. doesn't surpass, or even rival that series, (it's sort of more of a successor to 90210, but without the 'moral of the week' framework which made that show such a cartoon) but, I do admit a passing attraction toward it. It needs a shot of adrenalin, and that main character guy with the nose needs to get some facial expressions quick, and they need to round off the sharper 'breakfast club' elements (the jock, the geek, the beauty queen, the bitch - this show seems to be stuck in the dark ages), but on the whole, dammit, ...i just don't hate this show.

Anyone else wish they hated it, like me?

ChrisSumnerMatheson
04-02-2004, 10:41 PM
Yeah, the OC had a summer season similar to how Dallas had a mini series.

You'll notice once the shows fall season starts it improves a lot.

Its one of my very favorite shows right now.

The cast is great, the writing is great, and the show is fun to watch.

Having visited Orange County many times I must say the casting is on point as are the characteristics of the characters.

As for your Party Of Five mention...thats my favorite show even above Knots Landing! http://www.soapchat.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Bob Philips
04-06-2004, 09:46 AM
Yep - watching it now - nice easy on the brain TV - I think the Uk is about 6 eps into the show.

Brody
04-07-2004, 05:41 AM
At last, something happened this week! The whole thing with the gun at the Newport party at least gave the show some oomph.

I still can't figure out why they make a show about a guy who doesn't ever say anything.

Owlzindabarn
04-07-2004, 06:31 PM
I think the character of Ryan is supposed to be the strong, quiet James Dean type. He's actually my least favorite character! I believe the show's creator based the character of Seth on his own life. Seth is a self-proclaimed dork who reads DC Comics and can't talk to sexy chicks.

To me, the O.C. seems to be an amalgam of allll the popular prime-time shows! It has superficial things in common with Dynasty, the Colbys, Melrose Place, Dawson's Creek, 90210, and puts them all together hoping that it's equal to the sum of its parts! Does it work? Yes!

Just an amazing show.

ChrisSumnerMatheson
04-07-2004, 09:47 PM
I hate Ryan too.

At least I did. He gets better once the season gets going and Oliver joins!

You guys will love the Oliver plot! And Anna too, she was cool.

Brody
04-12-2004, 02:06 AM
It's getting better. The episode aired this week with Caleb and his Pamela Anderson bunny-girl Gabriella who shagged Ryan when that doe-eyed brunette walked in and then freaked and dashed off and did-the-deed with the Jock guy who got shot.

One thing I noticed: Caleb was played by the guy who used to be Jim Robinson in Australian Soap Opera Neighbours. How groovy. I'm guessing the US viewers wouldn't get that, cos, well, you don't get Neighbours, which has been running on BBC since the mid80s. It was the soap opera which Kylie Minogue starred in at the jump start of her career.

ChrisSumnerMatheson
04-12-2004, 03:51 AM
Neighbours will begin airing here next monday on the Oh! network.

They bought 65 episodes, starting when one family leaves and the Scully's (and Holly Valance) arrive.

If those 65 episodes do good then they'll order more.

I dunno if I'll be able to watch since I'm at school and tape Dallas and the CBS soaps during the day.

Oh and they'll show 2 episodes a day.

Brody
04-12-2004, 04:51 AM
Oh cool. The Scully's have been around for I reckon about five or six years now, it's definitley been a while. The show has been running since 1985, was at it's peak at around 1990 (when Kylie & Jason were there, as Scott & Charlene). At it's peak in terms of ratings, it drew in 17 Million, for Scott & Charlene's wedding... this is pretty amazing for an imported soap which airs at 5:35 in the afternoon!

My favourite era of Neighbours was the Sam & Annalise years: around the mid90s, Sam Kratz was cool in a sort of 'The Fonze' type way, and Annalise was a proper babe, played by Kimberly Davies who went on to be picked up by Aaron Spelling to star in the short lived Pacific Palisades.

But i'd check it out if you can, Chris. It's a totaly polar opposite of daytime US soaps.