After 10 seasons, "Friends" recently
wrapped up, leaving NBC looking for its next monster hit on which
to build their primetime lineup. But FOX is banking on the one they've
already found: "The O.C."
"The O.C." became an instant
hit when it debuted on a Wednesday night last summer, quickly
becoming the number one drama amongst teenagers. The show
also made overnight stars of Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Rachel
Bilson and Benjamin McKenzie.
Now, the racy show is proving so solid
that FOX is moving it from Wednesdays at 9 p.m. to that most
coveted and contested timeslot -- Thursdays at 8 p.m., the
one and only "Friends" spot.
"I think the popularity of the show has
been very rewarding for everybody," Barton told us. "But
I think it's a big responsibility. I can't believe they're comparing
us to such a cool show."
And the timeslot isn't the only comparison that
people are making between "Friends" and "The O.C."
New York Daily News columnist George Rush told us that, like the
Central Perk gang, the kids of Orange are made for magazine covers,
observing that, "'The O.C.' cast is already starting to replace
the 'Friends' crew on the covers of magazines."
With the public clamoring for "The
O.C" and attempting to catch a glimpse of its stars' private
lives, it looks like FOX is poised for a primetime mega-hit.
