The O.C.

2003

soap opera, LGBT-related television series, youth series

Creator

Josh Schwartz

Network

FOX

Seasons

4

Episodes

92

Premiered

2003-08-05

Rating

7.2 / 10

A slick hit about a troubled L.A. teen taken in by an idealistic lawyer and his family in affluent Orange County. The series filled the youth-soap hole left by the departed '90210,' but quickly proved itself far more gritty---and witty. In addition, early plots set up an appealing balance between the kids and grown-ups, who were portrayed as real people with real problems, instead of sounding boards for the unblemished Romeos and Juliets.