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The O.C.

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sex, drugs, and designer labels rule.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Fist fights, drug taking, homosexual slurs, friends leaving friends drunk on the sidewalk. Nothing you'd want your kids doing.
  • Violence:

    There are fist fights and verbal threats.
  • Sex:

    Shirtless guys, talk of hooking up, sex on the brain, bodies on the beach.
  • Language:

    "Bitch" is the favorite word.
  • Consumerism:

    Designer labels and thing-lust permeate most episodes. Now the show has put its name on clothes, music, and perfume, too.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    High schoolers shown drinking heavily, smoking pot, snorting coke, and -- oh yeah -- drinking so much that the sympathetic main character is deposited on her front walk passed out cold. Over the top and really irresponsible.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The O.C. was written by Common Sense Media Editors

Parents need to know that this is a show full of teen drinking, drugging, fighting, sex, and angst. A single episode dealt with fallout from a shooting, included scenes in a rehab facility, and showcased the usual melodramatic relationships and smooching we've come to expect from evening soaps. The characters try to escape the consequences of their actions and get away with as much as they can. If your kids behaved the way these teens do, you'd be really worried about their values.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about safe sex, sex for favors, the consequences of drinking and acting out. Since teens are watching, we strongly recommend that you watch with them and ask them if their friends are doing what these kids on the screen are. Try to put your two cents in about what's realistic and what isn't. A reality check is required for kids absorbed in this popular sensation.
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More on The O.C.

What’s the Story?

THE O.C. clearly owes its origins to the long-running Beverly Hills 90210. And then it goes on steroids. At the center of much of it are the handsome boy from the wrong side of the tracks and geeky Seth (Adam Brody), but don't think the plot is anything more than interstitial tissue holding together sex scenes, drug scenes, and fashion obsessions.

Is It Any Good?

This series makes no apologies for its spoiled-rich-kids setting. But the show is unbelievably popular, picking up where David Kelly's Boston Public left off with kids pushing the envelope of acceptable or responsible behavior. Even though the script is well written, it's throbbingly unoriginal. But that probably doesn't matter if you're a teen looking out at the world wondering where the edges are.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    THE BEST

    This show is my fave show, it has ALOT of kissing ans sexually behavior, they are in college so.... ya I LOVED IT

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    Greatest show ever!

    Every episode is filled with drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Even though it does exhibit alot of sex, alcohol, drugs, and violence, it's a wonderful show with a great plot and superb acting. I do think that the watcher should be old enough to understand that all the drugs, sex (etc.) portrayed in the show is not something they should do too.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Best. Show. Ever.

    So this is like the best show ever. I got hooked from the very first episode. I mean yes it has sex, drugs ,etc. But I've had that talk. I know not to do it and I know that it's not okay! Parents, calm down. You can trust us!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Dramatically Incredible

    So much drama, it was a little too much to take! But I really hate that Marissa left, because come on! It was like, yeah she's gonna end up with Ryan until she just dies... I really don't "like" any of the characters because their bad qualities/characteristics sticks out so much it overrules the good qualities of every character. Like example; Marissa Cooper is sooo pretty and she's really one of those nice rich girls. But then again, she's really bitchy at the nearing end of her life and she sniffs coke with her demon of a boyfriend, Volchok. I'd probably like Seth (who I prefer to call Cohen) cuz he's the least problematic person of the series, except I hate it when he starts to take marijuana just cuz his girlfriend is beating him at his own intelligence game.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 2.0

    ON TOO EARLY!

    I live in Orange County, California, and this program just gives it a bad name. There isn't a whole load of drunk kids lying on the sidewalks and criminals living in our houses. It's on way too early! My 3 year old brother came up to me one day and asked me what a very rude term meant, and I asked him where he heard that and he pointed at the T.V! This says enough about the program!

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