Beyond the OC (Welcome to the OC)

Michael Cassidy, best known for playing Zach Stevens on The O.C., returns for a nostalgic chat filled with laughs and insights. He shares a wild theory about mermaids and the Flintstones while discussing prom night dilemmas for the characters. Cassidy recounts hilarious moments with Adam Brody's improv on set and delves into personal prom experiences, connecting past memories to the show's dramatic tensions. Expect a delightful mix of humor, high school drama, and behind-the-scenes tales that will leave fans both entertained and reminiscing.

This week, Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke are joined by Marguerite Moreau who played Summer’s rival, Reed Carlson, to discuss season 2, episode 22, “The Showdown.” Marguerite discusses how she got into acting and talks about being in one of Rachel’s favorite films, “Wet Hot American Summer.” Hear about all the O.C. behind-the-scenes fun they had when they shot the graphic novel launch party with Adam and Michael. And Marguerite tells the ladies what it was like to work with *spoiler alert for next episode* George Lucas! And just how vastly different is the OC from Marguerite’s hometown, Newport Beach...she and Melinda discuss!  The Showdown Synopsis: Marissa is reeling from being nearly raped by Trey and is refusing to tell Ryan, who is starting to get suspicious about what happened while he was in Miami. Seth and Zach have declared war over Summer’s affections. Meanwhile, Sandy confronts Kirsten about her very apparent drinking problem, and Caleb hands over divorce papers to Julie.   **Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive material containing sexual assault, if want to skip ahead please avoid listening/viewing from 37:00 through 47:02 of the podcast. Help is always available for anyone struggling with the trauma of sexual assault, RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and offers help to survivors, if you need to speak to someone, you can call their hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE. **  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a Hart of Dixie Reunion, Jaime King joins Rachel Bilson in the clubhouse and Melinda Clarke from Puerto Rico to discuss season 2, episode 21, The Return of The Nana. Hear about Melinda’s love for Lindsay Wagner and how it connects to Jaime King’s name. The ladies also discuss motherhood while working and how much Jaime loves doing southern accents. For you Hart of Dixie fans, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! The Return of the Nana Synopsis: Sandy, Seth, and Ryan travel to Miami, Florida to visit Sandy's mother, Nana, after she tells Sandy she is engaged to a much younger man. Back in Newport, Marissa helps Trey find work and Trey misinterprets Marissa’s friendly gestures as a sexual advance. Zach invites Summer over for an Italian-themed dinner and Kirsten, unable to go to Miami with Sandy, is left on her own to deal with her feelings for Carter. **Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive material containing sexual assault, if you want to skip ahead please avoid listening/viewing from 41:49 through 46:02 of the podcast. Help is always available for anyone struggling with the trauma of sexual assault, RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and offers help to survivors, if you need to speak to someone, you can call their hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE. ** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke are joined by Mr. Rocketeer himself, Billy Campbell, all the way from Norway! Billy talks about his passion for sailing, his favorite scenes from the episode, and how he talked his way into letting the character, Carter Buckely, have a beard. The O.C Confidential Synopsis: Sandy, Ryan, and Seth devise a plan to save Trey from going to jail after he took the fall for supplying drugs at his birthday party. Kirsten and Carter grow closer as they take a trip to Featherbrook’s winery for a wine tasting party. Seth, Summer, and Zach attend a party to discuss their upcoming graphic novel and Caleb returns from his trip questioning his marriage to Julie.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s just Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke, hanging at the pool house this week discussing S2 Episode 19, “The Rager.”The hosts break down the episode, discussing lava lamps, Seth's unfavorable behavior and a "Julie" style firearm. Melinda shares the story behind Julie’s porn name. Rachel quizzes Melinda on her favorite 80's ballads in a very funny, “Name That Tune” segment. And lastly, they discuss their high school ragers while growing up. What were your high school parties like? Sound off in the comments below!The Rager Synopsis: Marissa, is determined to help Trey and Ryan repair their relationship and offers to throw a birthday party for Trey at the Cooper-Nichol mansion that turns out to be a rager with one girl OD'ing and almost drowning. Seth and Zach meet their new potential editor, Reed, for the graphic novel and are both smitten which gets Seth in trouble from both Summer and Zach. Sandy is enjoying his friendship with Carter and wants to set him up on a date with a friend, leaving a confused Kirsten. Also, Julie returns from her trip early and is on edge. She meets up with her blackmailer Lance and they reconnect over some memories and gain a new perspective on the future of her marriage to Caleb.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norman Buckley returns with Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke to discuss his directorial debut on The O.C, season 2, episode 18, “The Risky Business”. Norman gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how he directed the episode. Hear about all the Risky Business throwbacks in the episode and how they shot the iconic “egg” throwing scene. And the trio also discusses their favorite character arcs for season two and just how many bedrooms does the Cohen house have? The Risky Business Synopsis: Sandy reluctantly agrees to serve as a host at an OC hybrid yard sale to help out Kirsten. Marissa moves in with the Cohens for a week while Julie and Caleb are traveling which makes for some awkward encounters for her and Ryan. Trey, with the help of Marissa, wants to move into Alex’s old apartment but can’t come up with the money. To prove that he is self-dependent, Trey decides to steal a very risky exhibit, when Ryan finds out he and Seth go on a mission to recover it before anyone finds out. Carter renews Seth and Zach's comic book dream, much to the annoyance of Summer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke are joined by Johnny Messner who played our favorite villainous porn producer, Lance Baldwin, to discuss season 2, episode 17, “The Brothers Grimm.” Hear about how Johnny and Melinda both got their acting starts in soap operas. Johnny also discusses his experience with Ayahuasca, how it changed his life for the better, and his newfound love for acting and producing. Rachel talks about an iconic scene from this episode that she could not stop laughing at.  The Brothers Grimm synopsis: Ryan’s brother, Trey, gets out of jail and calls him to reconnect. The Cohens give Trey a warm welcome and Ryan grows concerned that nothing good can come from it. Zach returns from Italy happy, refreshed, and has a new girlfriend which makes Summer curious and Seth confused about what to think. Julie tells Kirsten about her erotica tape and the blackmail scheme from Lance, Kirsten urges her to speak to Caleb about it. Caleb agrees to help but has ulterior motives. The Newport Living Magazine officially launches, but to Julie’s surprise, Lance makes an appearance after the deal with Caleb goes sour.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke are joined by Cindy Miguens and Troy Zestos who did make-up and hair on The OC to discuss Season 2 Episode 16, “Blaze of Glory.”  Cindy and Troy are twenty-year veterans in their field. They discuss how they got started in the hair and make-up business, from working on Silk Stalkings to the Dixie Chicks! Hear about their favorite products they recommend and their most memorable moments on The OC.   Rachel and Melinda discuss Summer’s bang debacle from season 2, where did those bangs go? They also discuss their favorite memories from photoshoots to the hair and make-up trailer bonding sessions.   The Blaze of Glory Synopsis: Was last year really better? Now that Seth is back with Summer, he can’t help but meddle in an attempt to push Marissa and Ryan back together. The opportunity presents itself when Marissa needs help building the bonfire for the Spring Pep Rally and Seth suggests she ask Ryan. Alex picks up on the lingering feelings Marissa has for Ryan, and when Seth accidentally spills that they shared a tent at the mall together, Alex threatens Ryan to stay away from her girlfriend.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke are joined by Costume Designer, Karla Stevens Flanigan to discuss Season 2 Episode 15, “The Mallpisode.” Karla gives insight into how she became a costume designer and how Warner Brothers approached her to create a line of clothing inspired by The OC. She discusses what details she put into dressing certain characters and how the explosions of the Ugg boots came about, thanks to The OC. Rachel talks about her one memory from filming this episode and it may involve Brad Pitt. Hear about their deep love for McDonald’s Breakfast. Melinda discusses how she really felt about the Porn Identity and of course Julie’s iconic style. What happens in the mall, stays at the mall! The Mallpisode Synopsis: Ryan is heartbroken over Lindsay and Seth convinces him to join Summer and Marissa at the mall as a way to distract himself. But when the “Fantastic Foursome” gets locked in the mall, old feelings emerge for Marissa as she and Ryan spend time together after a long time apart. Seth and Summer bicker over a postcard sent by Zach. Meanwhile, we meet Carter, a publisher sent to help work on Newport Living. Julie is blackmailed when a blast from her past, Lance, shows up asking for money or he releases a porno she was in! Sandy and Caleb team up to help find a symbolic ring for Kirsten after hers is lost. Or so we thought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Schwartz returns to join Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke to discuss “one of the greatest episodes ever,” The Rainy Day Woman, S2 Episode 14. Josh discusses how the Rainy Day woman idea came about and how they created all that rain for the episode. We get the real lowdown on how the Spider-Man kiss was shot, was it truly romantic? Insights into the Alex and Marissa relationship, Seth’s reaction, and what was Sherman Oaks The Real Valley in reference to… Hear about the ads the cast turned down and that infamous super bowl commercial that Josh will not let Rachel forget. Also, hear about Melinda’s love for cigars, rapid fire questions with Josh, and cassette tapes are making a comeback!  The Rainy Day Woman Best Synopsis: Summer can’t fight it anymore, Seth is the one. Ryan is surprised when Lindsay finds out she’s Caleb’s daughter yet makes a difficult decision. Marissa’s relationship changes its course when she moves in with Alex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices