The popular and steamy Orange County-based drama that stars Benjamin McKenzie, Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody begins its fourth season on November 2, 2006. Fans of the Fox’s The O.C.can expect to see a significant shift in the storylines now that the hot characters have left high school and one of them (Marissa played by Mischa Barton) has died.
Though the show has been a staple of Fox’s Thursday night schedule, the drama has been drawing far less interest and has garnered an average of a small 5.6 million viewers. The competition for viewers on that night is also expected to get far tougher. Between ABC’s popular Grey’s Anatomy, CBS juggernaut C.S.I., and NBC’s guilty-pleasure Deal or No Deal, it’s expected that The O.C. could have a really tough time holding onto its audience.
For its part, the network seems to be hedging its bets by only ordering 16 episodes for the fourth season. Because of a desire to run as few reruns of the drama as possible, the last episodes of the season could air by early 2007.
A Fox network exec has indicated that they’re keeping their options open. Fox has a number of other dramas in development to take The O.C.’s place on the schedule or is open to ordering additional episodes should the ratings warrant that. He also said that he believes creator Josh Schwartz and the members of the show’s creative team have lots more hot and steamy stories to tell.
Hopefully, the new stories will be enough to woo viewers away from the popular Thursday night competition. The fight for the show’s survival begins this fall. Stay tuned! 
I think the whole of series 4 should b cancelled and made again, for example in the f1st few new episodes marrissa is believed 2 be dead, but it goes bck in time and marissa wakes up 2 find herself in a hospital, finding tht she surevied frm the accident. The O.C. is just not the same without marrisa (misha barton), and i think there should b a campaign 2 bring bck Marissa. COS ITS NOT THE SAME ANYMORE, AND WE LOVE THE O.C.
OH MY GOD I CANT BELEIVE IT THE LAST SERIES. IS RYAN GOING TO BECOME A BOXER OR SOMET.KEEP MY POSTED PLEZ.
can i just say i love the o.c! i think amanda is well hot n i think ryan should ave gone 4 hhherrrrrrrrrr!!!!
i love the o.c n emma the person above this comment can shut up! it will make it interestin if he’s gay! n u sound twisted if u ask me! so dnt go callin over people things if u dnt no wt ur on about u twat!
OMG wt seth is turnin gay!!!!! no-way!!!! wt about summer? or anna? wt is they all gunna do wivout marissa i cnt believe she’s dead its gunna make it borin wiv katlyn! is it true ryan n julie have sex? thats wt i’ve heard! its gunna b like her n luke agen! but she’s into summers dad ent she? n can i just say the people hu ave left comments on here sayin it wud b gd if seth woz gay then they’re obviously messed up n twisted in the head! they obviously like seein s**t like that! i loveeee… Read more »
Hey everyone! I’m a fan of “THE OC” since day one. But now that Marissa’s character is dead I don’t see future in the 4th series! I think that was the worst end that the writters of this Tv series could choose to Misha Barton’s character because her romance with Ryan was the reason for all the sucess… Now my questions are: Is it going to be a fouth season?? Is it really worth it?? What are you going to do to make the audience forget Ryan’s love??? Hope the writter’s can find an intersting final season, because I’m sure… Read more »
Hi guys!!I’m italian and…I hope too..that Seth isn’t going to be GAY!!!!poor summer..haha
I love THE OC
you guys marissa dead thats so fake the writer had but change his mind and Seth gay!!!!!!!!!! that’s the worst that can ever happen to OC. Better creat 5 season to sort that mess out.Other wise…………..
I don`t like that marissa has died!
and seth is way? nooooo please!
I can not believe this is the last season. It’s the best show ever. I heard Marissa comes back!?!?! Someone tell me if this is true! After reading these other comments…i hear now that seth is GAY??? There HAS to be a fifth season. To much drama for one is not enough!
OMG no the OC has to continue, im obssessed, soooo good and soo much suspense that it is awesome!!! I love all the actors, and it just has to continue!!
Hey creators of the oc I wanted to take the time to tell you that your show has really connected with me cause my life can pretty much compare to that with all the crazy friends I have loll I also like your show then most because its not like fake and stuff the situation that you guys put the characters in can happen to any one I also wanted to know if I could ask one question that could be replied it would be to ask how would I be able to get an audition to be on the… Read more »
If Seth is gay, it’ll rock. I’m sure it will draw a great audience. Come on! Why it should happen only with girls? Grow up people.
the oc is legit
best show ever
its not gay
Seth cannont be gay hopefull it doesnt happen all the show will be demolished and u cant look at seth in that way ever again 🙁 i dnt think i can watch it anymore