Ode to The OC: Seth Cohen, I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die!
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Album:The OC
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I remember watching the promos for The OC when it first aired. At the time, I was living the life of a poor graduate student in my ghetto fabulous apartment. I could only afford basic cable, and my television viewing habits were rather embarrassing and unhealthy. For instance, I was totally psyched simply to have the WB. Oh, those were the days! Sometimes I’d leave the TV on merely for the background noise; it made me feel less alone – just like in that Jimmy Eat World song. Well, that, and it muffled the sounds of my neighbors yelling at one another.Anyway, during one of these TV-as-my-constant-companion sessions, I saw a preview for The OC. I rolled my eyes and thought: “Great. Another craptastic FOX show about beautiful rich kids.” Click. But then it happened. 
Several weeks later, I was reading something and inadvertently left the TV on FOX. And there, in all its snarky, beautiful glory, was The OC. I don’t know why or how, but I started watching and couldn’t stop. I remember thinking, “Wow. I like these Cohens. I like California. And I like these songs!” So began my secret love affair with The OC - perhaps my favorite dramedy of all time.It’s not a perfect show. I don’t watch it for the storytelling because honestly, that’s never been a strong point. I like the characters (Well, some of them. I shed no tears when Marissa died). I like the witty banter. I like that it can make fun of itself and still have heart. I like Sandy and Kirsten. I like Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle. I like Taylor and the Coopers and Summer and Ryan (usually), and I love Seth Cohen, my TV husband. But perhaps the thing I like most is the MUSIC. I love how certain characters are tied to different artists. Julie Cooper and Bob Seger. Ryan and Journey. Seth and Death Cab. There aren’t many shows that can bind a character’s identity to the kind of music they enjoy in such a memorable way.Before MOG or 3hive or iTunes, I came to rely on The OC for discovering great new music – for stuff I wouldn’t hear on the radio or with my friends. Before The OC, I didn’t know anything about Sufjan Stevens, Spoon, Pinback, Joseph Arthur, Alexi Murdoch, Imogen Heap, Finley Quaye, or Tally Hall. I could go on and on with that list. I also credit The OC for reminding me of artists I had long since forgotten. Mazzy Star. Nada Surf. Yes, even Bob Seger and Journey! Alexandra Patsavas, the music supervisor for the show, is my hero and should be given some sort of medal for her work. My ears and I are forever indebted to Patsavas for her incredible musical taste.The OC airs its final show tonight. I’ll be watching. And crying. Au revoir, mes amis du Orange County! I will miss you.
Several weeks later, I was reading something and inadvertently left the TV on FOX. And there, in all its snarky, beautiful glory, was The OC. I don’t know why or how, but I started watching and couldn’t stop. I remember thinking, “Wow. I like these Cohens. I like California. And I like these songs!” So began my secret love affair with The OC - perhaps my favorite dramedy of all time.It’s not a perfect show. I don’t watch it for the storytelling because honestly, that’s never been a strong point. I like the characters (Well, some of them. I shed no tears when Marissa died). I like the witty banter. I like that it can make fun of itself and still have heart. I like Sandy and Kirsten. I like Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle. I like Taylor and the Coopers and Summer and Ryan (usually), and I love Seth Cohen, my TV husband. But perhaps the thing I like most is the MUSIC. I love how certain characters are tied to different artists. Julie Cooper and Bob Seger. Ryan and Journey. Seth and Death Cab. There aren’t many shows that can bind a character’s identity to the kind of music they enjoy in such a memorable way.Before MOG or 3hive or iTunes, I came to rely on The OC for discovering great new music – for stuff I wouldn’t hear on the radio or with my friends. Before The OC, I didn’t know anything about Sufjan Stevens, Spoon, Pinback, Joseph Arthur, Alexi Murdoch, Imogen Heap, Finley Quaye, or Tally Hall. I could go on and on with that list. I also credit The OC for reminding me of artists I had long since forgotten. Mazzy Star. Nada Surf. Yes, even Bob Seger and Journey! Alexandra Patsavas, the music supervisor for the show, is my hero and should be given some sort of medal for her work. My ears and I are forever indebted to Patsavas for her incredible musical taste.The OC airs its final show tonight. I’ll be watching. And crying. Au revoir, mes amis du Orange County! I will miss you.
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