"The O.C.": C/D

ONE of the hot young actors on Fox's "The O.C." might not be back next year. Chris Carmack, who plays Luke Ward, declined to sign a contract with the series - not due to money concerns, as some people were saying, but because producers refused to guarantee him airtime in the upcoming year. "It's not about money," Carmack's rep, Jerry Shandrew, said. "They gave him a generous raise. They just refused to give him a guarantee. He's bummed people would think he would leave the show because of money. Chris has a lot going on. He couldn't sign a contract without a guarantee. He is doing a movie with Dennis Hopper for USA, 'The Last Ride,' and has some other things on the table. Chris decided to keep on working without a contract and pursue other roles." Other actors on the series, including Benjamin McKenzie, Mischa Barton, Peter Gallagher and Adam Brody, are said to already have signed contracts that do give them guaranteed airtime.

I kind of thought this show jumped the shark with the Rooney episode but it's regained it's footing by focusing on the adults more. Oh how I wish Marissa would choke on something though.

oh you're talking about luke? apparently he left because he wanted more money!

I like how Ryan reverted to his Chino uniform (wifebeater, shitty jacket) when he moved out.

I already had to restrain myself from buying the first season of Gilmore Girls today

I do not think one single girl on this show is good looking, but it doesn't matter because my heart spends each episode having a rowdy punch-up with itself over whether it prefers Ryan or Seth. I think Seth clinches it at the moment. ROWR. Sparrow shoulders should run off with lantern jaw and good riddance to them, I say.

Fans of Camera Obscura might like to listen out for one of their songs, which I hear will be used in an episode some time soon.

Does Seth really intend to sail to Tahiti on a catamaran? They'll probably spin off the show into Castaway 2. Seth and Captain Oats get stuck on a island and eat Death Cab cd's for 2 years.

1. Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" is the best song ever.
2. Peter Gallagher's eyebrows are cool.

Mom was doing some serious crying--I felt moved.

Props for shadowing Dawson's Creek, but they can't top Season's 3 climactic Pacey/Joey boat trip.

What happened between Seth and Summer? (I haven't watched for a while.)

I liked the Jem song, strangely.

I'm finding the adults much, MUCH more interesting than the kids at this point. I hope the next season is mainly about them.

I am never watching this again (until the reruns start).

On that front, the depiction of many OC people is refreshingly realistic.