TV Hot Spot: News

'O.C.' Ends on High Hopes

Post by: Sal

LOS ANGELES -- "The O.C." is coming to an end on Feb. 22, a fact that viewers may have gleaned from the sudden rush of promotional might that FOX has thrown behind the show.

"There's been an increase in promotional time and audience that's seeing it," admits FOX Entertainment President Peter Liguori. "Again, it's a reality of our schedule across the board. If we're able to put an "O.C." promo within "Idol," within "24," within football playoffs, it's just naturally getting greater audience. And, you know, I'm hoping that the show responds accordingly."

Thus far, ratings for the show haven't changed appreciably, which shouldn't be surprising given that "The O.C." is still airing opposite new episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI," to say nothing of The CW's "Supernatural" and NBC's young-skewing comedies. Much has been written already about the slow trickle of promotion that greeted the fourth-year soap's November premiere, a silence that operated in contrast to the show's early-season creative resurgence. Since FOX and "O.C." creator Josh Schwartz announced the impending end/cancellation, however, the network has had an active countdown warning that life as "O.C." fans know it is coming to an end.

"We have something else to promote with, which is the series finale," Liguori notes. "And, you know, one thing about Josh is this season he really has gone back to the old "O.C." There's a greater sense of humor. There's a greater sense of frivolity. All the characters are highly activated. And these shows -- and I know you've heard this this week in reference to other shows -- we want the show to end on a creative high note. We wish we were ending on a higher ratings note. But again, I think this is respectful to Josh, all the actors, the show, its legacy, and, most importantly, the audience."

Liguori notes that the show's dedicated (albeit dwindling) fanbase was actually the reason why the end was announced formally and officially at the beginning of January, leaving no hope for a last-minute reprieve.

"I think, for the loyal fans of the show, announcing that this is the final season puts them on notice, alerts them, lets them realize and anticipate that Josh is going to end this with a flurry," says Liguori. "I just think it's respectful to fans to do that."

Many factors have been cited in the show's demise -- poor scheduling, the death of Mischa Barton's Marissa, the show's second season creative dip, etc. -- leaving Liguori at a bit of a loss to explain things in hindsight.

"You know, I can always Monday morning quarterback our lack of successes," he says. "Yeah, I can sit back and say 'I wish we put more money against promoting it.' I can't tell you that would have made that much of a difference. I could sit back say, 'Should we have moved it out of Thursday night and avoided those big shows?' Yeah. I could second-guess myself to death. The fact is that we have supported the show. The fact is that it has continued to hit its stride creatively. And these white-hot shows, they come and go a little bit quicker than your more standard fair."

"The O.C." finale will air on Thursday, Feb. 22.