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Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County

Started by Rydell , Jun 28 2004 10:43 AM

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12861 replies to this topic

#1

Rydell

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 10:43 AM

So MTV is doing a reality show called "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" (premiering this fall) that they're describing as a real-life version of "The O.C."

Here's the press release from MTV:

MTV ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE OF "LAGUNA BEACH - THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY," TELEVISION'S FIRST "REALITY DRAMA"

Series Gives Viewers an Honest and Unscripted Look at Seven Glamorous Teenagers Living in Orange County

New York, NY, June 28, 2004 - MTV: Music Television announced today the premiere of television's first "reality drama" series "Laguna Beach - The Real Orange County."

MTV, the network that pioneered reality television 11 years ago with the launch of "The Real World" and has a rich history of breaking new ground in programming, will be airing the first ever "reality drama," "Laguna Beach." This reality series has the look and feel of a scripted drama, without the conventions of reality television.

There are no confessionals, no interviews, and the camerawork, editing and musical score are all approached from a narrative perspective. However, all the dialogue, reactions and situations are real and unscripted. Additionally, the series was shot with multiple Panasonic DVC Pro 50 Digital Video cameras, which are currently used in many feature films and commercials.

"Laguna Beach" will explore the lives of seven beautiful teenagers who lead glamorous lives in a picturesque seaside town of pristine beaches and multi-million dollar homes. From the sandbox through high school, Stephen, Kristen, Lauren (LC), Lo, Christina, Trey and Morgan have shared their lives together, living in the same small-knit community and attending the same high school. This group is now a tight-knit clique, and they've granted MTV an all-access pass into their lives, relationships, friendships, families and homes. From spring break to prom to graduating and applying for college, they invite us along for the ride and into the real-life dramas that unfold during their pivotal junior and senior year in high school. What lies beneath the surface of this perfect community? Does everyone really get along? Who's dating who? What does the future hold?

"MTV is all about reinvention, breaking new ground and staying on the cutting edge of television. And with 'Laguna Beach,' we will explore a whole new genre - the 'reality drama,'" said Tony DiSanto, Senior Vice President of Production for MTV. "Our goal is to show the lives of this incredible group of teenagers - authentic and unscripted - yet shot look like our viewers' favorite dramatic series. It will be a unique viewing experience, unlike anything else on television, and all the more compelling because the drama is real."

"Laguna Beach" was created by Liz Gateley. Gary Auerbach, Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley are Executive Producers. Wendy Riche serves as Co-Executive Producer. Adam DiVello serves as the Development Executive for "Laguna Beach." Eugene Caldwell is Executive in Charge of Production.

Edited by Rydell, Jun 28, 2004 @ 4:40 PM.

#2

Trompe L'Oeil

Fanatic

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 12:01 PM

So MTV is doing a reality show called "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" (premiering September 14) that they're describing as a real-life version of "The O.C."

I've lived in Orange County (specifically Newport Beach or Irvine) for the past 24 years. Laguna Beach is so NOT typical O.C. It's extremely gay (NTTAWWT) and very much to the left wing side of politics (most of the wealthier sea-side communities are Republican). The only real beef I have with Laguna is if you are responsible enough to drive a fully insured & legally licensed automobile, you have to have a pocket-full of quarters to feed the parking meters to park in Laguna but if you're an illegal alien looking for unreported under-the-table day labor wages, there's an officially sanctioned park available for you to gather at...complete with bathroom facilities. Michael Moore would LOVE the place.

#3

Bungalow Joy

Stalker

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 1:02 PM

Laguna Beach is so NOT typical O.C.

Right. Laguna's so far removed from everything else it has really nothing to do with Orange County at all (NTTAWWT). It might as well be a series about teenagers on Catalina Island. That might even be more interesting, I think.

#4

futurewritertb

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 1:44 PM

sigh....remember when Mtv used to show music videos?

#5

Bungalow Joy

Stalker

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 1:56 PM

Actually, considering how shitty and boring most videos are these days I've done a turnaround and actually am finding crapfest reality programming more enjoyable on MTV.

#6

Rydell

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 4:42 PM

UPDATE: After announcing the show would premiere September 14, MTV now says the show's premiere date isn't finalized yet but that the show will definitely debut sometime this fall.

Laguna Beach is so NOT typical O.C. It's extremely gay (NTTAWWT) and very much to the left wing side of politics (most of the wealthier sea-side communities are Republican).

Then that may explain why MTV picked Laguna Beach. The "typical" Orange County city might be too boring and stuffy for MTV.

Edited by Rydell, Jun 28, 2004 @ 4:43 PM.

#7

Trompe L'Oeil

Fanatic

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 6:40 PM

Actually Newport Beach (specifically the peninsula - Dennis Rodman just sold his partyhouse there - or Balboa Island), Huntington Beach (aka Surf Capital, USA) or Dana Point (aka Dana Joint) would be suitable for MTV. Laguna is very arty-farty...not really the sea-side community you think of when you think of the MTV generation...it just doesn't strike me as "youth-oriented".

Edited by Trompe L'Oeil, Jun 28, 2004 @ 6:42 PM.

#8

KrazyMazy

Channel Surfer

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 7:15 PM

Oh, this makes me weep...

I heard about this series ages ago, because I, sadly, live in Laguna Beach. And my little brother goes to that school. We moved here in '96 (I was 15 at the time) from Cypress (a north Orange County city) and I agree. Laguna is not typical Orange County at all. It's a bubble. There was a whole controversy about MTV filming on the school campus, and after the Janet Jackson thing, they voted against doing so.

What worries me is that they are going to portray these kids in a more favorable light than they should... the parents and the school were worried over how the kids may appear... There's a huge drug problem in Laguna as well, so I'm hoping they don't gloss that over.

If you can't already tell, I'm not fond of the school. What? Me? Bitter? Heh. They were not very welcoming. I hate to generalize, but seriously? Total Douchebags. ;)

Edited by KrazyMazy, Jun 28, 2004 @ 8:33 PM.

#9

KHanf

Video Archivist

Posted Jun 28, 2004 @ 8:05 PM

If they were serious about the "real" Orange County, it wouldn't even be filmed in a beach city. It would be filmed in Santa Ana, or Garden Grove, or Orange, or Anaheim, or some other inland city.

Seriously, I can't remember the last time I ventured to the beach. Probably the closest was when I had to pick someone up from the airport.

Damn it, now I'm wondering about population figures re beach versus inland and now I'll have to go look it up or it will bother me all night.

#10

allfarkledup

Loyal Viewer

Posted Jun 29, 2004 @ 3:06 PM

So much money in Laguna Beach. I mean billionaires. The millionaires are the working class. Laguna Beach is soooo gay and extremely White with way too many Hummers on the tiny, winding, streets. It is not youth oriented and not particularly tourist friendly. Laguna Beach was once a young, hip place and an artist colony back in the day. Now just like Santa Fe, New Mexico, there are more gays than artists and the cost of everything is just over the top. Rich people galleries still there, but not the artists. Rich, old people town.

#11

Bungalow Joy

Stalker

Posted Jun 29, 2004 @ 3:15 PM

An ex-roommate's parents retired there about 10 years ago. It's very dowdy and touristy. No edge at all. I can't speak for them, but I really can't imagine a teenager in Laguna wanting to stay there unless s/he's a stodgy, incurious, untalented trust fund brat.

#12

koevu

Loyal Viewer

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 12:26 PM

You know what is a MAJOR attraction in Laguna Beach every summer? Something called the "Pageant of the Masters." It is so hokey and cheesy. People recreate famous paintings on stage. They hold the poses stark still for like 10 minutes and the audience gasps and sighs in disbelief. It's a sell out every year and has been going on since the 1920's I think. I went one time and that was enough for me. It epitomizes the Laguna Beach mind set though.

#13

Bungalow Joy

Stalker

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 12:35 PM

You have to bet there'll be drama around doing the "Pageant of the Masters". Isn't it really the only seasonal "thing" that goes on out there? The dowdy rich girl is frustrated and angry because the glamorous super-rich girl stole the Mona Lisa part from her.

#14

Major Misfit

Fanatic

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 1:37 PM

Honest and Unscripted Look at Seven Glamorous Teenagers Living in Orange County

Why oh why can't they ever have NORMAL teenagers on MTV? Why must they be "glamourous?" Hell, if I only got my glimpses of teens on MTV, I'd be left thinking that acne, obesity, split ends, gnarly teeth, and jeans from Sears were somehow just curses that were lifted after my generation grew up.

Yeah, so I say that and it's not like I won't be watching the show. I'm just that pathetic.

#15

KrazyMazy

Channel Surfer

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 6:45 PM

Yeah, I was in the Pageant of the Masters (I sang in a choir) and I honestly can't believe people pay the kind of money they do to see that.

Sigh... I can't even believe how much the idea of this show pisses me off...

Edited by KrazyMazy, Jul 8, 2004 @ 6:45 PM.

#16

Phenobarbara

Fanatic

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 6:50 PM

People recreate famous paintings on stage. They hold the poses stark still for like 10 minutes and the audience gasps and sighs in disbelief

Hee hee, they did that in an episode of the Gilmore Girls. (which takes place on the East Coast). But wow, I didn't know people did that in real life!

#17

Bungalow Joy

Stalker

Posted Jul 8, 2004 @ 7:09 PM

The Pageant's actually kind of cool in a hokey, Coney Island kind of way. They do Impressionist work and sculptures and I believe they've done Picassos and Matisses, too. But they take it pretty seriously. That it's gonna be featured on the show is a lock, that is if you're planning on watching it.

#18

Trompe L'Oeil

Fanatic

Posted Jul 9, 2004 @ 9:05 AM

I've seen the Pageant a few times. I think it's actually interesting to see...especially when they show how they go from models & a set to everyone in place and the lighting going from making everyone look relatively normal to the painting looking like a flat object. If you ever saw Salma Hayek's Frida, they copy the idea a few times during the film.

#19

willagirl

Couch Potato

Posted Jul 9, 2004 @ 11:20 AM

Hey, I'm going to the Pageant this year so, shut up! I've never been.

I'm L.A., born and raised, most of my childhood years in the rough streets of South L.A. In all that time, the only reason my parents ever took us to OC was to go to Disneyland. Anyway, now I work in OC, near Laguna Beach, and it's such a beautiful town, and, as many people have noted, a vibrant gay scene. I hope they touch upon this on the show because it really is what makes it unique among all this whitewash and conservatism.

I agree if they wanted to show the real OC, they should have done Anaheim or Westminster. The Southeast Asian community in those cities is pretty remarkable. And I would much rather learn about what it's like to be a 1st or 2nd generation American with family struggling to make it in a foreign country rather than a bunch of rich, spoiled brats struggling over whether to get the black or silver Hummer.

#20

Sikamikanico

Couch Potato

Posted Jul 9, 2004 @ 11:59 AM

"Laguna Beach" will explore the lives of seven beautiful teenagers who lead glamorous lives in a picturesque seaside town of pristine beaches and multi-million dollar homes.

Reality, my fat ass. I just give up on Mtv: If I say "play more videos" then they only play the same 10 or 11. If I say "Make more shows" then they only churn out a steady stream of shit with only a few good ones every now and then. Oh, and Mtv? You can stop the collective circle jerking that you've been doing over The Real World. Yes, you broke ground with it but you know what? You ruined that show years ago when you stopped hiring young adults with lives and instead started hiring moronic frat guys and empty-headed girls and putting them in the prettiest house you could find. The Real World, and your channel for that matter, hasn't been relavent for a long time. So shut the fuck up.

#21

mitchhedburg

Channel Surfer

Posted Sep 7, 2004 @ 7:29 PM

So the initial press release said that it would focus on 7 kids and now the commercials are showing 8 kids. Does anyone know the story behind the addition? Was there some hooking up that prompted producers to loop another kid in? Just curious. The kid they added was a junior boy named Talan, apparently. But that's all I know.

Edited by mitchhedburg, Sep 7, 2004 @ 7:52 PM.

#22

First Kennebec

Posted Sep 8, 2004 @ 4:19 PM

I wonder why they chose Laguna Beach instead of Laguna Hills or Laguna Niguel?

Anyway, I'm just anticipating 50 years from now when we get the follow-up series to the lives of these most likely snobby little shits...Laguna Woods.

#23

janbrady

Posted Sep 8, 2004 @ 5:12 PM

Color me disappointed that it's Laguna instead of Newport. Laguna is so does not make me think of The OC (the county or the show). It's too exclusive and too artsy. Laguna has awesome restaurants and art galleries, but I wouldn't want to watch a show about that. But from a teens perspective may be interesting.

I saw the Pageant for the first time this year, and I'll never go back. There were one or two paintings that made me gasp, but that's it. I only really liked it when you saw the people moving and then become the painting-that was cool.

#24

potatotree

Channel Surfer

Posted Sep 9, 2004 @ 11:15 PM

Shit, this is a reality show?! I've been seeing the promos for Laguna Beach for the past week, and thought they were making an Undressed meets the OC, or something, and hey. I dug it. But whatever, it still has my attention, so I'll watch. Probably because that guy on the promos that is mouthing the words "I love you" to his girlfriend? (According to the MTV site I am looking at now his name would be... Steven?) SMOKIN'. *wolfwhistle*

#25

Preciosa

Posted Sep 13, 2004 @ 10:52 AM

I know that I can't help myself. I'm totally gonna watch it if only to snark. I'm so MTV's bitch.

#26

purplefishy

Fanatic

Posted Sep 17, 2004 @ 1:57 PM

Laguna is not typical Orange County at all. It's a bubble.

So, it's a bubble within a bubble? 'Cause heck, O.C. is the ultimate bubble. Note I said O.C. not THE O.C.. So shut up with calling it that already, traffic guys on the radio. Gah.
When I first saw the promo on MTV, I thought "Oh hell no" because given what they've done to my home on FOX, I don't know if I could stand MTV's take.
I think they chose Laguna Beach because it makes for pretty scenery and there's a shot that there will be girls in bikinis in classic MTV Spring Break style.
I can't wait to see how they are going to spin this one in to "Newport Beach Lite"

#27

krussell

Channel Surfer

Posted Sep 19, 2004 @ 7:08 PM

Potatotree, I'm with you. Cute guy will totally have my attention, at least for an episode or two.

So the commercial where cute guy mouths "I love you"? Anyone know the band/song in the background?

#28

gemini_girl

Fanatic

Posted Sep 19, 2004 @ 10:19 PM

They could've at least set it in Newport, even Dana Point or San Clemente would've been better.

All I know is that this show is going to piss me off and probably half my school. At least with The OC you can shrug it off and say 'oh that's just fiction.' The hot guy is what will keep me watching though.

#29

murphsully

Fanatic

Posted Sep 20, 2004 @ 7:39 AM

People recreate famous paintings on stage. They hold the poses stark still for like 10 minutes and the audience gasps and sighs in disbelief

Hee hee, they did that in an episode of the Gilmore Girls. (which takes place on the East Coast). But wow, I didn't know people did that in real life!

They did it on Arrested Development too -- add me to the list of people who are surprised that they do it in real life! I wonder if they'll do it on the show. I wonder if I'll even watch the show. Who am I kidding? I'm with Preciosa, I'll watch (at least one episode) for the snark value. Although I do wonder what kind of parent would let their teenage child be on a MTV reality show.

Edited by murphsully, Sep 20, 2004 @ 12:26 PM.

#30

nickboy17

Posted Sep 20, 2004 @ 9:02 AM

If you dont like it, dont watch it ya know? They do have MTV2 for all you kids who say that MTV doesnt play music any more.

And you should be so lucky that someone is doing a show based on, or around your hometown. Quit whining and being the brats the rest of the world thinks you are.