The recent announcement that The O.C. was canceled got me thinking. It was never a show I watched, but I was aware of it. It debuted right around the time Dawson’s Creek was ending and seemed to fill that gap for a teen- to young adult-oriented prime time soap. I just never jumped on board.
However, the show was the hottest thing going for at least two years out of its four-year run. The show probably jumped the shark earlier than most - in its third season. So at least it’s not grossly outlasting its appeal, like Happy Days, ER, and notable others.
But what must it be like for the show’s creator and main writer? The O.C. was touted as a “fresh, new show” by a “hot, new creator.” So what’s it like to see the show that launched your career go away so soon? I mean, in these days of DVD collections, four seasons is such a middle ground. Longer than those one- or two-season wonders, but not substantial enough to merit a solid collection, like seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or eight seasons of Charmed.
What’s that like? I can’t say that I have any idea. But it must be strange. Of course, other creators have prospered despite early exits for their freshmen shows. Most notably, J.J. Abrams, who started his pre-LOST career with four seasons of Felicity on The WB.
Now, ultimately, I’m not overly concerned for The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz. I’m sure he’s sitting in his LA mansion, working hard on his next pitch in the comfort of posh furniture like Coaster Furniture makes, enjoying the run he had.
But still…
