Our friends at AOL TV just passed us a press release from FOX saying that The O.C. will air its season finale on February 22nd."The O.C. Season Four finale will also be the series finale. This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close," said creator Josh Schwartz in the press release. New episodes will air starting tomorrow, January 4, and run all the way until the finale. No word on what will happen during the finale, but I'd imagine that there will be a lot of goofiness and young nubile people having relations.
This wasn't unexpected, because ratings for the show were dismal last year, and FOX only picked up the show for 16 episodes this year. Despite a return to the tone and humor that the show had in its earlier seasons, ratings didn't improve, so it became a goner. Also, NBC's pickup of Schwartz's pilot Chuck might have contributed to both parties' decision to end the show.
The full press release is after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE SUN SETS ON "THE O.C."
WHEN THE SERIES FINALE AIRS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, ON FOX
The sun will set for the last time on THE O.C. when the series ends its four-season run Thursday, Feb. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The countdown has begun, with all-original episodes airing from Thursday, Jan. 4 through the last episode on Feb. 22.
THE O.C. stars Peter Gallagher (Sandy Cohen), Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen), Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan Atwood), Adam Brody (Seth Cohen), Melinda Clarke (Julie Cooper), Rachel Bilson (Summer Roberts), Autumn Reeser (Taylor Townsend) and Willa Holland (Autumn Reeser).
Set in Orange County, California, THE O.C. premiered in August 2003. It follows a group of friends and families whose lives were changed by the arrival of an outsider – Ryan Atwood – to their ocean-side community of Newport Beach.
THE O.C. revived the teen drama genre while including humorous and heartfelt adult storylines. Shortly after its summer premiere, THE O.C. was a pop culture phenomenon – its actors are household names and its indie music (and subsequent six soundtracks) and hip California wardrobe are sought-after in stores. The show's Newport Beach locale also has become a popular tourist attraction as fans visit the real locations featured in their favorite episodes.
"THE O.C. Season Four finale will also be the series finale. This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close," said Josh Schwartz, creator and executive producer of THE O.C. "Thanks to the hard work of our cast, crew and writers, we have enjoyed our best season yet, and what better time to go out than creatively on top. It has been an amazing experience and a great run. For a certain audience, at a certain time, THE O.C. has meant something. For that we are grateful."
From Wonderland Sound and Vision and College Hill Pictures and in association with Warner Bros. Television Production, THE O.C. is executive-produced by Josh Schwartz, Bob DeLaurentis, Stephanie Savage and McG. Ian Toynton and John Stevens are co-executive producers.
-FOX-
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-03-2007 @ 7:13PM
Melanie said...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
:(
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1-03-2007 @ 5:59PM
Eric said...
"Autumn Reeser (Taylor Townsend) and Willa Holland (Autumn Reeser"
???
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1-03-2007 @ 5:54PM
Will said...
Like so many others, I started liking the show again this year. I'll be sad to see it go.
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1-03-2007 @ 6:48PM
beth said...
what a mistake on fox's part. here's hoping another network like the cw will bring the oc back for season 5. i love the show and will be very sad to see it go.
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1-03-2007 @ 6:49PM
beth said...
what a mistake on fox's part. here's hoping another network like the cw will bring the oc back for season 5. i love the show and will be very sad to see it go.
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1-04-2007 @ 2:58PM
Matt B said...
Just watch re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210 on Soapnet.
It's the same difference, you freaking tards!
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1-03-2007 @ 9:09PM
hessian said...
I suspect it will be replaced by DRIVE. Which will also do a 5 share.
FOX's strategy of going after the young trend setters on Thursday night has tanked miserably.
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1-03-2007 @ 9:39PM
Cher said...
To Bad, a great show unlike many that have stuck around! I enjoyed OC since day one.
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1-03-2007 @ 10:19PM
Heather said...
I can't believe its ending. It is my favorite tv show. What is wrong with FOX??????????
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1-04-2007 @ 12:56AM
Cameron said...
Someone start a petition and send it to the CW to pick it up. It is a Warner Bros. produced show after all, so it would make perfect sense.
It can happen, it did for 7th Heaven :P
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1-04-2007 @ 2:52PM
oc fan said...
YOU CAN'T DO THIS. THE OC IS MY LIFE. THEREFORE IF OC ENDS, MY LIFE WILL END TOO.
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1-04-2007 @ 8:40PM
Jamie said...
"The OC" is one of the best TV shows to come along in the last decade. Though it was uneven at times, when it was good, it was better than almost anything out there.
RIP, OC.
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1-05-2007 @ 8:19AM
Tammy said...
I'm so sad to see it go! I love that show SO much that my newborn son's name is Rian Cowan! :( This is horrible and I agree, it was such a fun and witty show that I think CW should pick it up! I can't live without my Ryan and Seth fix!
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1-06-2007 @ 6:11AM
kayla said...
i am so not happy the oc is my favourite show and i never wanted it to end now it is and it ends 2 days before my birthday. i have never stopped liking the oc. this season is the best one out of all of them. there will never be a show better then the oc.
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1-06-2007 @ 9:14AM
carol said...
Everytime a great show that actually keeps you interested comes along, it gets taken off the air. I think the acting is absolutely excellent, especially by Adam and Rachel, hope they all show up in somehing else. Marissa never should have been killed off!
Miss you, OC
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1-06-2007 @ 9:41PM
J said...
I have watched the show since day one, I own all the DVDs and all the CDs....I am upset to see it go. Fox should have tried another time slot, and other day...Its hard to compete with Dr. McDreamy and the rest of the cast on Grey's! and a few references to Grey's didnt help i am sure... Maybe the OC should try broadcasting right to Itunes for a price or some other web locale!
We will miss you!
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1-11-2007 @ 11:23AM
Dave Studey said...
As on behalf of the show it was good entertainment.But has deff seen it's day.As for all you wimpering sobs.Not even a breath of compassion.Your all sad because in reality this show gave you false hope that one day you would have as much excitement and be as beautiful as the hollywood folk staring in it. When to speak in generalities for the majority of you. Your hideious people dependent on false hope from the television. There is no self gratifacation in believing your life will change into a tv show.So as i stated earlier, Great show but it is time to give yourselfs a break. I'd say go masturbate if your looking for self aproval,but that would only last until your next run in with a mirror..
Good day
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1-10-2007 @ 12:51AM
PetesGirl said...
I was very upset to heat this show is being removed from the Fox lineup. Fox is notorious for this stuff, though and you shouldnt be surprised. It is all about the money with them. They admit to this. So you remember the show last year, "Reunion". they got us all into it for a a few monthes and then...Poof...gone. That is just how they are. The OC was lucky to get 4 episodes out of them. I do hope that maybe someone else would pick this up, but it probably will not happen.
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1-11-2007 @ 8:52PM
Eric said...
I'm sad that it's ending, but it really needed to. The first couple seasons were really good and it was one of my favorite TV shows. They made the biggest mistake by killing Marissa. You just can't kill off one of the main characters and expect nothing to happen. This season started out absolutely awful, and though it is slowly improving and becoming more like The OC that won me over, it has totally lost my interest.
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1-14-2007 @ 11:48AM
Amanda Clark said...
Everytime I find a show that I love it ends up going off the air. I love this show and am very disappointed that it is going off the air. I have never missed an episode. I hope something works out and the show will continue somehow.
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