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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. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    sandys a great role model and great show.bad rolemodles luke,trey, kaitlyn, oliver.ok they have sex a few times it doesnt show jack.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    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

  3. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on 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.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy 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!

  7. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    Great Stuff

    First can I say that like the other reviewers I was dragged kicking and screaming to watch The O.C. by my girlfriend.

    Secondly can I say that I feel that the review is unfair toward the show. Yes there are elements of sex, violence and drug use however, they always show that, certainly in the case of the drugs and violence, they are not always the way to solve problems. There is an element of sexuality to the show but you find me a teenager unaffected by sex or the thought of sex, in one way or another. However I believe that the show should have been rated TV-14 rather than TV-PG, due to the sexual content of the show.

    The characters are all likeable and after a few shows the depth of the characters becomes apparent. The show is well presented with very good camera work and the use of various music serves to exentuate the images. The show does get you hooked very quickly.

    Finally we should allow teenagers to watch shows like this and not treat them as though they are toddlers, most teens will do what they want anyway, and perhaps seeing this show will give them food for thought when dealing with problems in their own lives.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    I love this show!!

    I love this show. Everyone at my school loves it. I think FOX did really good on this show! Mishca (marissa) is so pretty! This is the best show on right know! I like this show, because it keeps you on the end of your seat. It is really great!

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

    GREAT SHOW!!

    I LOVE this show! After watching the first episode, I was hooked! This is the best show for teens on TV. I wait for every Wednesday to come so I can watch it. I love the actors they chose for the parts, Adam Brody (Seth) is my favorite!

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Great show

    Like most guys, I was rather dubious of this show when Fox started promoting it. Then I watched a few episodes. Now I am hooked. You couldn't have gotten me to watch 90210 or Melrose Place without heavy sedation and lots of good, strong rope. So the suggested connection to the two stops at the setting. This is a wonderfully written show and all of the characters have real depth. Even the ones who don't seem to at first, you do get to see thier humanity at times, but then it gets reeled back in, much like everybody in real life. he drug use is rare, but there is planty of sex and violence, who else is shocked that a show about teens has sex and violence, it's not like real teens ever deal with sex or violence is it?

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    the Next 90210? NOT

    Well first off i want to say that i was dragged kicking and screaming to watch this show with my wife (We try to watch programming together) anyway I figured I will give it a shot (at least the cast is cute) The same thing happened when my wife wanted me to watch 90210. I could only stomach about 2 episodes of 90210, while theOC has me hooked. Not only is it well written, but it has depth & tons of character. Seth (the witty Nerd) is Great. Sandy the Surfer Lawyer Dad is equally funny & interesting. The women on the show are not just pretty objects talking valley (with the exception of Summer). All in all FOX hit the nail on the head with this show. Witty, Fun, Hits some hard issues with out being over bearing. I would recommend watching this show with your Teen to talk about the Drinking/Drug Use. (ie Oliver getting busted for buying Coke.) and the other issues that a modern teen has to deal with. All in all a good Show. tune in every wed.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on and give it 4.0

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title off and give it 1.0

    Why would you waste your time?

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy and give it 4.0

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

    This show is hott!

    this show is my favorite show ever!!...me and my 18 yr old sis wait for every thursday and we watch it together. i dont think it is a bad beyond bad show. i am just not allowed to whatch the 14warning on some of the shows (i am twelve turning thirteen in a week). My parents arent overprotective, the only thing they really dont like is when i whatch something that is inapropriate so if my parents let me...your parents should.

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy and give it 2.0

    There should be a TV-16 rating

    I think "The O.C." is too racy even for 14/15 yrs old. I know that in high schools all over the US the risky/unacceptable behavior as shown by the teens in the show does exist. I just wish the teens on the show weren't so glamorized. I admit to using the ratings guide to support my decisions to allow my children to view certain programs. I said "no" to this show, but my daughter (13 yrs old)showed me the TV-PG rating to support her opposing argument. This show is very underrated at TV-PG, it deserves a TV-14 at the minimum. There should be a TV-16. As a compromise, I watch the show with her, and to her annoyance insist on discussing the program content with her.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

    This show rocks my socks!!

    OMG!!! I love The O.C. It is funny. Most people will say that it isn't realistic, but most, if not all, of the problems that exist on The O.C. exist in high school. Maybe not all to the same people, but they are there. The O.C. shows both positive and negative ways to deal with those problems, which is wonderful for people who are not sure of what to do.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    Guilty Pleasure

    Highly enjoyable, but not appropriate for kids younger than 16.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title iffy and give it 5.0

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