Apparently, The OC has been cancelled.

Despite my efforts to "Save the OC" by posting a link to the online petition (which was not signed by nearly the number of people who actually watch the show) on my Facebook profile, it appears our weekly trip to Newport has been cancelled for 2008 and beyond. It would have been nice if the petition made it to a million, even if it didn't make a difference). So Season 3 wasn't very good compared to the roller coaster that was Seasons 1 & 2. Regardless, Season 4 has been incredible so far and it's a shame to watch what has become my favorite show on television go to TV heaven. For fun, I thought I would post the email that I sent to FOX via the "Save the OC" website. Summer, Ryan, Seth, Kirsten, Sandy, Julie, Dr. Roberts, Taylor and the rest of The OC gang, you will be missed!

To whom it may concern-

As a 22 year old, heterosexual, male, graduate student at the University of Southern California, I am writing in support of saving my favorite show on television, The OC. Since watching DVDs of the first two seasons, which subsequently prompted me to ask for the third season on DVD for Christmas (which I am enjoying, while watching the superior 4th season every week), I have formed what we call in social science, a very strong parasocial relationship with Seth, Ryan, Summer, Kirsten (Kiki, Keeks), Sandy, Taylor, Jimmy, Dr. Roberts, Marissa (RIP) and even the conniving Julie Cooper.

More than any other show on television, The OC has strong characters that viewers develop powerful relationships with that compel us as viewers to look at these characters as if they were real people. We develop relationships with them as if they were our friends, which cause us to hate Oliver, be annoyed with Johnny's meddling in Marissa and Ryan's happiness, loathe Vollchek with all the hate our loins can muster up. It's not that these are poorly developed characters, it's that The OC has presented itself in such a way that viewers truly care for the characters on the program and are affected by what happens to their favorite Orange County residents every week. I feel like this is rare on television today. The shows that manage to do this are the shows that seem to remain on television every week. I wish that you could come into my workplace and hear three males in their 20's recounting the previous night's episode and fervently debating various aspects of the episode with raised voices. Perhaps only then could you begin to understand how much The OC's characters have become parts of people's lives.

I work full time and am a full time graduate student. However, when a new episode of The OC is on, I rush home from work, pick up food on the way home (because delivery could possibly interrupt my time with the Cohens), and anxiously await Phantom Planet's words, "California, California, here we come...", to transport us all into the wonderful world of The OC. In this 4th season, The OC has truly transformed and become so superior to the episodes in the first three seasons that it would be an unbelievable shame to see the series end here. Taylor Townsend is as strong, if not a stronger character than Marissa Cooper (and is arguably better looking for the males who transport to Newport every week). Besides, it would be unfortunate to have Ryan Atwood's transformation from a troubled kid from Chino to a Newport resident with an edge end before it has truly started to take its shape. The show is taking off in this new chapter of its life and it has loyal viewers that follow the show religiously. If cancelled, The OC would no doubt be replaced with a few hit or miss dramas that would sputter out because of their inability to make viewers forget about their abrupt loss of their friends in Orange County.

Please don't leave us hanging. Please, save The OC.

Sincerely,
David Chung

Oh yeah, and we won the Rose Bowl! A surprising blowout and a really impressive showing by USC's defense. It was reminiscent of us attacking Michigan QB John Navarre a few years back with Kenechi Udeze and Will Poole among others. Unfortunately, because the game was essentially over by the 4th quarter, all any fans can seem to talk about from the game is USC Song Girl Megan Ramer's skirt catching a gust while she was performing (http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2007/01/usc-song-girl-identified.html). Whoever was assigned to get shots of the Song Girls (the most attractive group of USC Song Girls in 5 years) has a wonderful, wonderful job. Blowout or no blowout, Song Girl wardrobe malfunction or not, it's great to see the program doing well. I'm proud of the guys and of this year's student managers (especially my head student manager successor Art Vasconcelos).

But did anyone else catch that Boise State v. Oklahoma game? While they only work every now and again, few plays in football are as exciting as a well executed Hook and Ladder or the Statue of Liberty. This game had both of them. If you haven't had the chance to see the game, get the clips on YouTube, buy it on iTunes, do something. It's worth seeing.

Not only did it have drama on the field, but the game finished with a successful marriage proposal from Boise State Running Back Ian Johnson (who had the game winning score) to Chrissy Popadics, who the commentators referred to as the "Head Cheerleader" at Boise State. While Ian was doing his postgame interview, I was sitting there thinking, "He must really like this girl to have her standing there with him after the game..." Only to find that "this girl" would end up becoming his fiance' within seconds.

Somehow, if Maxim or Stuff comes through (R.I.P. FHM USA, which recently revealed it will be shutting down its American operations), I feel like Chrissy could end up becoming just as famous as her. Totally attractive and looked like a nice girl, who knows if she'll shoot to Jenn Sterger (FSU "Cowgirl" turned Playboy/Maxim model and Sports Illustrated College Football/Relationship advice columnist) status, or if this will just be her 15 minutes of fame. Regardless, hope the two find happiness together as Ian takes off to the NFL. Thanks to the Irish Trojan's blog (http://www.brendanloy.com/) for the first picture.

(Credit Ted S. Warren/Associated Press/Fox Sports http://foxsports.foxnews.com/cfb/story/6326858)

The happy couple

Probably the best game I've ever seen (and this comes from someone who was on the field for the USC/Texas 2006 and USC/Notre Dame 2005). Leaving to return to LA today, which oddly enough, feels like home.

I'm going to catch Freedom Writers on Friday, which looks like Dangerous Minds 2007. On Saturday, I'm going to take my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at the world-renowned Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. If I am still alive after my intro class and don't have cauliflower ear (which terrifies me), I'll let you know how it goes. See you guys in a few days!