‘O.C’ move pays dividends for Fox
Last summer, when Fox announced its plan to move “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox, TV) to Thursday nights, many considered the plan brave, foolhardy or both. After all, Fox was using one of its more buzz-worthy franchises to tackle both “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS) and “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC).
But perhaps the folks at Fox were prescient. “Joey” has failed to catch fire, and “Survivor,” while still a ratings champ, has entered a creative swoon from which it may never recover.
Last season the popular reality show depended on the familiar faces of the All-Stars, and this season it has cast a group of look-alikes so bereft of distinctive personalities that it’s difficult to follow, or care, about the show. I thought my head would explode with boredom last week when I watched the tribes shuttle liquid from coconuts to a bottle and bring it back over a seesaw. But that was before the tile-smashing slingshot contest.
How dull have things gotten on “Survivor”? Last week, John, one of the faceless young players, got the boot for admitting he was napping during the competition. I can’t say I blame him.
The move of “The O.C.” also occurred before ABC scored a surprisingly strong hit with the campy and soapy “Desperate Housewives” on Sunday nights. So is this finally the year that viewers reject reality fare for prime-time melodramas?
“The O.C.” picks up from last year’s thread, with brooding Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) working a construction job in his hometown to support his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Theresa (Navi Rawat).
The dorky and opinionated Seth (Adam Brody) has flown the coop because his parents, Sandy (Peter Gallagher) and Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), let Ryan leave the house.
Meanwhile, Ryan’s once and future (?) love interest, Marissa (Mischa Barton), consoles herself poolside, drinking too much and well before noon, yet.
As only a casual follower of this overheated affair, I have to admit I get a kick out of Gallagher’s increasingly over-the-top portrayal of Sandy, the guilt-driven liberal Jewish lawyer.
I miss the silent, brooding Ryan. The days spent in Newport Beach have infected him with a penchant for salting his small talk with pop-cultural references, a habit he’s no doubt picked up from the comic book-obsessed Seth.
When together, these two engage in fast-paced wisecracking banter that would seem more at home on “The West Wing” or “Gilmore Girls.”
But what luxury it is to quibble about scripts rather than nitpicking reality drivel for nanoseconds of entertaining distraction.
Other highlights
A friend’s (Kristine Davis) life seems strangely familiar on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).
Kidnappers strike on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).
Four fired contestants return on “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC).
Alexandra takes charge on “North Shore” (9 p.m., Fox).
A missing person may have had second thoughts about a crooked enterprise on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
Neela returns on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “PrimeTime” (10 p.m., ABC): women’s issues in prison.
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman chronicle their 20,0000 mile motorcycle trip on “Long Way Round” (10 p.m., Bravo).
Cult choice
Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie return to Peekskill for Thanksgiving with Mrs. Garrett in the 2001 TV movie “The Facts of Life Reunion” (8 p.m., Family).
Series notes
An old crush (Kelly Preston) returns on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … A California family is transformed on “Extreme Makeover” (8 p.m., ABC) … Wrestling on “WWE SmackDown!” (8 p.m., UPN) … Skits about food on “Blue Collar TV” (8 p.m., WB) … Animated improvisations on “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show” (8:30 p.m., WB) … Jonathan catches Ben and his teacher in an indiscretion on “Life as We Know It” (9 p.m., ABC) … The sisters enlist a pirate on “Charmed” (9 p.m., WB).
Late night
Rosie Perez and Steven Wright appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Sen. John McCain, Eva Longoria and Ruben Studdard on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Wyclef Jean appears on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC).