If you just can't wait to find out what happens with Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer, here's a scoop: the fictitious characters could be headed for court -- in real life.
In a new lawsuit, writer Scott O'Brien claims "The O.C." was his idea and that its creator, Josh Schwartz, ripped off his show, which was set in Atlanta.
Schwartz, who serves as Executive Producer of the series, told us his college days at USC were the inspiration. "That's where all the Newport Beach kids were from, that's where they went, that's where I met them all and got to get behind their gated communities and enter their McMansions," Schwartz recalled. "I was from Rhode Island, so I was seeing it as an outsider and that's where the show was, what it was really inspired by."
In the lawsuit, however, O'Brien claims he came up with the concept several years ago. His show was called "2610 Rivers Road," and it was about an "emancipated teenage boy who lives in an apartment behind a main house, hiding from authorities, fearful of being put in foster care." As any "O.C." fan will recognize, that's a pretty close match to how the series started, with rebellious Ryan coming to live with the caring Cohens.
This is the second such suit to target the series. As "CJ" previously reported, another pair of writers is also suing, claiming that Schwartz ripped off their idea. Hollywood attorney Marci Koch told us that's the way it goes in super-litigious show business.
"This is Hollywood, and it's not uncommon to have multiple lawsuits when you've got a hit show like this," Koch acknowledged. "A lot of people are going to claim they created it."
As for the new lawsuit, a spokesman for the show's creator, Josh Schwartz, said, "We find it cuprous that this is the second individual who claims that he created the show. There is no merit to either of these claims and we fully expect to prevail in any litigation." Meanwhile, fans can rest easy: neither lawsuit has had any effect on the shows' production.
posted by Jen @ 6:17 AM |
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Now that Brandon Routh has landed the lead in the upcoming "Superman" movie, fans are impatiently speculating about the remaining roles to be cast.
At a recent press conference, "That '70s Show" star Topher Grace denies that he's been approached to play Clark Kent's pal, wide-eyed Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen. He also sets the record straight about another FOX star who's been rumored to be playing the Man of Steel's sassy love interest Lois Lane.
"I bumped into Mischa Barton and I said, 'Hey, are we in "Superman?'" She said, 'No. We're not,'" he jokes, referring to the "O.C." actress.
In an earlier interview with Zap2it.com, Kevin Spacey revealed that he's been offered the part of evil mastermind Lex Luthor, but has yet to accept.
The upcoming Warner Bros. film will be directed by "X-Men" helmer Bryan Singer and will center more on an already established Superman with only a vague history sketched out in flashbacks. Production is scheduled to begin in February, with a summer 2006 release planned. Grace, 26, currently stars as the lanky, wisecracking Eric Forman on "That '70s Show" and in the indie romance "P.S." opposite Laura Linney. He's recently been honored with the National Board of Review's breakthrough performance award for Paul Weitz's "In Good Company," which opens in limited release on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Barton, 18, is currently shooting opposite Parker Posey and Danny DeVito in the indie film "The OH in Ohio." Her other big-screen credits include "The Sixth Sense," "Notting Hill" and "Lost and Delirious."
With its alcohol-free policy and lineup of angsty pop-rock bands, the Bait Shop, the new all-ages nightclub on Fox's The O.C., reminds us of another rich kids' hangout — Beverly Hills, 90210's Peach Pit: After Dark.
It even has a manager named Nat, just like on 90210. Is that intentional? "Yep," O.C. creator Josh Schwartz says with a laugh.
Schwartz admits that one reason he and his staff created the Bait Shop was to have a legitimate excuse to invite their favorite bands to play on the show (not to mention a marketing outlet: Bait Shop merchandise is sold at www.theocinsider.com). Also, he says, "we needed a parent-free place for the kids to hang out. Someplace where the Yoo-hoo flowed all night long."
posted by Jen @ 5:37 AM |
Tonight is the first Chrismukkah episode and the New Years episode. Apparently, Fox wanted to psyche people out, thinking it was the first episode this season, but, nope, it's not. Well, enjoy!
Sorry to all those people who missed the first episode and thought they would catch the re-air tonight.
posted by Jen @ 5:26 AM |
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Turn on E! now (7pm) to shop with Melinda (The Dragon Lady Julie) and learn some of her beauty secrets.
OC babelet Mischa Barton is so annoyingly gorg, she can get away with wearing anything. Except jeans tucked into these tall suede boots to Flaunt magazine's 6th anniversary Beverly Hills bash. But from the knees up, at least, Mischa's got us roped-n-tied in a Roberto Cavalli bronze satin embroidered blouse, gold and maroon bra and long wavy locks. Even though she's next to a flocked Xmas tree, we don't mind seeing her summer bare belly-up-to-the bar. Giddy-yup!
Festivus creator asks: "Have we accidentally invented a cult?"Dan O'Keefe, 76, is stunned the Dec. 23 holiday he invented in 1966, has grown into a huge celebration. (His son, Daniel, actually wrote the famous "Seinfeld" episode.) PLUS: Jerry Stiller's take on Festivus: "It was another kind of way with dealing with something else that was going on at the time: the rebelliousness of the son against the father and the father trying to prove he was still stronger than the son. It was like King Lear."
Last week's bireligious celebration on the Fox soap was observed by a season-low 6.3 million (66th place)--down 32 percent from Chrismukkah 2003 (i.e., the episode entitled "The Best Chrismukkah Ever"). It's apparently nothing personal against the Christmas-Hanukkah hybrid. Ratings overall this TV year are down 25 percent for the It Show of 2003-04. The O.C.'s slide is partly due to its move from Wednesdays to Thursdays. Still, the punch-happy drama got off to okay start in its new home in November, bowing before 8.6 million. Last week, the heralded O.C. wasn't even fourth-place Fox's most watched drama--that distinction went to the unheralded medical drama House (57th place, 6.9 million), per Nielsen Media Research.
It also was a tough holiday week for Fox's buzz-worthy comedy series Arrested Development, down to 5.6 million viewers (70th place).
(SPOILER) At least help--or, perhaps just controversy--is on the way for The O.C. in the form of a promised girls-gone-wild fling for Marisa (Mischa Barton (news)) and Alex (Olivia Wilde). Unfortunately for the Cohen clan, any sexed-up ratings won't come in time to make for a merry Chrismukkah this month. --- Chris Carmack (Luke) is 24 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!! --- TVGuide.com
Question: As a fan of Buffy and The O.C. I have to ask: Does Ryan's new crush Lindsay live in Buffy's old house? When she closed the door on Ryan, it echoed previous slams on Angel and Spike — right down to the very same door! I think. Please tell me I'm not crazy. — Tess
Ausiello: While I can't vouch for your sanity — you are reading this column, after all — I went back and checked the Dec. 9 O.C. and you're right! Lindsay did move into Buffy's old digs. I think. I'm still waiting for the show's rep to get back to me with the final word.
posted by Jen @ 9:27 AM |
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Glamour Girls Party Perfect: 'Tis the season to go Tinseltown glam in a sexy satin dress and plush stole, like Mischa Barton, or bare it all in slinky sequins à la Heidi Klum. But think again before you pull on that basic black. "I love color! I'm just nuts about green," raves style hound Finola Hughes. "For the holidays, cranberries and dark bolds are in. And velvet comes back, but it's very predictable." Whether you go designer or pick up a bargain, look for head-turning hues of gold or fuchsia.
Puttin' on the Glitz: "Christmas and New Year's are the time to go crazy with accessories," says Hughes. Add some cocktail rings, multistrand necklaces--and brooches, brooches, brooches! But there's an art to donning heaps of jewels. "Make sure they really work together," she cautions. "If you pile on a lot of bracelets, wear them on one arm, with a big ring to keep eyes on that hand." And don't forget the age-old rule: Look in the mirror, and take off one bling!Golden Oldies: Why not ring in the New Year with something vintage? "Search thrift stores for a little pouch velvet purse," urges Hughes. And watch out for a fur stole, so you can ditch the pashmina. "I never wear a shawl or a throw with an amazing dress," she says. "It's not sexy."
Best Channeling of Carrie Bradshaw: Summer on "The O.C." Her outfits are just as questionable.
Best Friends: Seth and Ryan on "The O.C."
Best Reason to Avoid Overexposure: "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." Runner Up: "The O.C."
Best Nickname: I love calling Julie Cooper the Dragon Lady.
Seth Cohen Quote of the Week "The Chrismukkah backlash, What if it's getting too big and commercial ... It's like it started out as this really cool, cult holiday, flying under the cultural radar and then all of the sudden it crosses over. Then there's too much pressure. I mean can it really be the next Thanksgiving? Can it top Halloween?" Seth talking about his holiday (and perhaps the show itself).
