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Montgomery Blair High School's Online Student Newspaper
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Sept. 26, 2004

One Tree Hill is a guilty pleasure

by Shannon Egan, Page Editor
The WB’s teen drama One Tree Hill is a guilty pleasure - you enjoy it immensely but don’t want anyone else to know you like it. With its outrageous plot and trashy themes, the show is more of a teen soap opera than an actual drama. Though the character situations in One Tree Hill are fake beyond belief, the drama has many redeeming qualities. The main actors, Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, are attractive and the complicated yet intriguing plot keeps viewers coming back for more.

The characters on One Tree Hill are all related to each other - or at least have had some relationships with each other. The cast is led by gorgeous bad boy Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and his half brother Nathan Scott (pretty-boy James Lafferty) who used to be his enemy. Nathan and Lucas' father, Dan, is in the middle of a messy divorce with Nathan's mom, Deb. The divorce gets messier when Dan walks in on a steamy scene between his brother, Keith, and Deb. Keith, who’s both Lucas and Nathan’s uncle, was dating Karen, Lucas’s mother.

Relations are even more complicated between the teen characters on the show. Haley, who is best friends with Lucas, was dating Nathan. As of last season’s finale, the two teen lovebirds were no longer dating – and had gotten married instead. Lucas, who was cheating on Brooke with her best friend Peyton, causes the girls friendship to fall apart. As of the season’s premiere, the two girls are becoming friends again when they decide to move on in a life free from boyfriends. Lucas, after causing problems between Brooke and Peyton, and getting in a fight with Haley, decides to start his life over somewhere new. So Keith, who has been shunned by both Dan and Karen, and Lucas decide to move far away from the town of Tree Hill, North Carolina.

Tuesday’s premiere picked up right where last season left off. Brooke and Peyton’s new friendship is tested when Lucas leaves a goodbye letter for the two of them taped on Peyton’s porch, but she doesn’t share it with Brooke. Although Dan's recovery from his heart attack last season is going slowly, he has the support of the entire town to help him through his crisis. Lucas and Keith decide to come back to Tree Hill to see Dan, because, after all he is family. Newlyweds Nathan and Haley experience some problems when Nathan’s mom doesn’t approve of their high school wedding. Overall, the premiere was good, but nothing shocking or unexpected was revealed.

The characters of One Tree Hill have believable personalities; however, the situations in which they find themselves are far from realistic. High school seniors don’t usually get married on a spur-of-the-moment decision and most men don’t go after their brother's wife. One Tree Hill is known for making these uncommon situations common in the lives of its characters. The acting is believable, as many of the cast have had previous experience. Hilarie Burton (Peyton) was a VJ on MTV’s Total Request Live; Chad Michael Murray started his career on the WB show Gilmore Girls and recently starred in the summer film Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff.

Some parallels can be made between One Tree Hill and Fox's teen soap opera The O.C.. Both shows have attractive actors playing spoiled teenagers in high school who can't control all the drama in their lives. The amount and extremity of the drama going on in these characters’ lives is fake and not representative of real life.

One Tree Hill is entertaining for many teens, partly because seeing the characters' problems make viewers realize how much better off they are. Though the friendships and family relationships are dysfunctional and tend to be unrealistic, the actors and the chemistry between them is what keeps viewers coming back. The unpredictably of One Tree Hill is addicting - one always wants to watch the next episode just to see what outrageous thing is going to happen next.

One Tree Hill airs at 9 pm on the WB. To visit One Tree Hill’s official website click here.

Discuss this Article

  • kellie (View Email) on September 27, 2004
    Hi chad i whould like to meet u and and the rest of the cast tell james i said hi i am ur biggest fan do u know when ever girl tell u she is u she is ur biggest fan i am i am i love u chad bye love kellie
  • yay! on September 27, 2004
    yea..one tree hills is TOTALLY addicting!! lol..but it's true, the plots are bad, but the actors are so awesome! <<3 u, chad!
  • di on September 27, 2004
    so true, u do feel guilty
  • Dan on September 27, 2004
    That show is a thousand times less fun as eating broken glass. Every time i stumble onto it, i cry on the inside.

    Unfortunately, my disdain for One Tree Hill doesnt extend to it's sibling show, The O.C., which i am addicting to. Darn the networks and their nicotine-like attractions.
  • English prof. (also a fan) on September 27, 2004
    I like one tree hill
    Some corrections for the article:
    - should be "a steamy scene"
    - "the girls' friendship"
    - "shunned by both Dan and Karen, and lucas decide"
    - and isn't hilarie burton peyton? brooke is sophia bush

    Don't post this comment if you don't want to but please make the changes
  • letty (View Email) on September 27, 2004
    all i want to know is when can people from texas actually san antonio texas meet famous people like him and amny others they never seem to come here and there are many fans who cant leave for many reasons and they just dont seem to care
  • .. on September 27, 2004
    brooke is played by sophia bush. hilarie burton is peyton.
  • Anon E Mous on September 28, 2004
    yea, and in real life, Chad Michael Murry proposed to Sophia Bush. Nice choice, Chad. I always liked her the best
  • storywise (View Email) on October 26, 2004
    Lucas was never a bad boy. James is more gorgeous. Hey, it's true. No squinting, no bad nose job, better body, sexier voice, cuter smile, can act provided these idiot writers give him something intereseting to do. Anyway, this show isn't even worthy of being called a guilty pleasure anymore. Mark Schwatever doesn't know what the [censored] he's doing. I miss Joss Whedon.
  • nicole (View Email) on November 4, 2004
    one tree hill is the best show ever chad is hot and i hope he has a nice marriage with sophia bush
  • girl am on December 15, 2004
    CaN'T wAiT 2 C dA nXt SeRiEs Of OnE TrEe hIlL aNd ThE O.C hOpE ThAt ChAd AnD sOpHiA R VerY hAPpY 2gEtHeR bYe LoL
  • saderia (View Email) on January 2, 2005 at 3:43 AM
    Ive been in this show since it came on in 03 and ive been into ever since and i never miss a eppy and you no want some of the story lines or not as fake as we like the think some people have gone through some things as on the show loke your mom or dad sleeping with your aunt or uncle i know a couple of people who could tell you a earful about their family tangle of family chaos and brothers hated eazh other and both have the same parents and still can get along and a lot of people have married young but a lot of them were pregant just like beyonce's sister who married at 17 and was pregant and still is married so yes this show is like real life to some people and also can understand the show and am 22years old and not a teenager and my mom watches it to so a lot of adults and lot older adults also watches and im not ashamed or guilty about like it either its the best.
  • ashley (View Email) on January 24, 2005 at 1:44 PM
    what,s up ? nothin much in my crazy world just chillin in class.I,am a fan of one tree hill a want to say i,am the bigist but i cant bacause everbody alway,s say the same thing,s so who is really the bigist fan anyway i like all the cast so all of you keep up the good work.
  • Tanya on January 28, 2005 at 2:33 PM
    Chad Michael Murry is HOTTTT!!!!! an I sweat him...
  • Denise Sevilla (View Email) on February 14, 2005 at 12:45 PM
    I think that chad is an amazing actor and really cute
  • Karen (View Email) on March 3, 2005 at 12:20 PM
    hi! I'm karen, I'm from argentina..I speak english baut not verry well. I always wacht One tree hills , n' I love It.
    well I want that someone can write me ...
    p/d: rubio estas barbaro...blond you re' realy good loking..I like you because in the history you re' a nice guy and a good person
    kisses
    karen
  • chad is hunky on March 4, 2005 at 5:29 PM
    i love chad as lucas he is soooooooooooooooooooo
    hottttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • milana (View Email) on March 13, 2005 at 12:59 AM
    I think that chad is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooo hot. I am his biggest fan rust me!
  • Magda (View Email) on March 20, 2005 at 10:11 AM
    And James Lafferty is sooooooooo hot too! I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • danielle weller (View Email) on March 21, 2005 at 9:23 AM
    O MY GOD LUCAS AND BROOKE ARE ENGAGED I NEVA NEW THAT WOT R THEY DOIN E SHOULD SO BE WITH ME AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  • Lisa on March 27, 2005 at 2:11 AM
    We are not buying this ridiculous storyline of Lucas suddenly having stronger feelings for Brooke, after only spending to days with her, and after only coming back two days from Charleston.

    Especially, when two days before, he was still in love with Peyton Sawyer. Even saw her before he left. Even left the letter at her door. It's idiotic!

    And the writers can't make us forget with their silly attempts that Lucas only used Brooke. No feelings were really there. Well, no real feelings anyway. We all know that!

    Lucas loved Peyton with all of his heart!!!!
  • Maria (View Email) on April 8, 2005 at 7:28 PM
    Hello! my name is María and i'am fron argentina, and i want to say that One tree Hills is the best TV program that i have ever seen! I've been in this show since it came in 03.... ok that was only that i want to say! Good luck!
    Maria!
    Oh! I forget something lucas you are perfect!!!! and Nathan too! bye!
  • sarah (View Email) on April 16, 2005 at 2:23 PM
    THE SHOW IS GREAT! I cant wait too see next weeks episode. I hope that it turns out the way that I think it is going too. I just hope that Brooke brakes up with Felix and gets back together with Lucas. I have seen about every show that has been shown. I got really mad when Hailie went with what ever his name is well chris,but anyways I Love this show. I want the show too be shown every day not just Tuesday.
    Sarah
  • pysia (View Email) on May 3, 2005 at 2:15 PM
    Ten film jest zajebisty!!!
    Oglądam każdy odcinek i nie moe bez niego żyć!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • annamarie (View Email) on May 5, 2005 at 9:31 PM
    I LOVE THE SHOW!!!!!!!!!
    IT IS SO ALSOME. I SEE THE SHOW EVERY TUESDAY AND NEVER MISS ONE SHOW. I HOPE TO DEATH THAT BROOKE DOES NOT DARE TRY TO GET WITH NATHAN.And I PRAY TO GOD THAT BROOKE GETS WITH LUCAS ONE DAY IN THE SHOW.THIS SHOW GOES WITH ME WHILE I GO TO BED. I HOPE IT STAYS ON TELEVISION 4 EVA. I CAN GO ON 4 HOURS BUT I AM GOING TO STOP. THANKYOU ANNAMARIE
  • brianna on May 15, 2005 at 2:09 PM
    I love one tree hill so much i really wish i could meet the cast but i live in canada. and it is so far away i just really want to meet them that was be the best dream every and I love all the guys on there James is my favorite he is sooo hott!
  • Samantha (View Email) on May 17, 2005 at 8:56 AM
    One Tree Hill is one of the best shows in a long time. It makes you feel like your really going through what they are. I love the show so much & i would love to meet the cast. I live in South Carolina, and it's so close from where ya`ll film. Maybe one day i will .. haha probably not but maybe! I love this show, don't ever end it ! All the girls are so pretty, and all the guys are soo hott!
  • ellie (View Email) on June 2, 2005 at 12:54 PM
    hi my name is elliot but everbody call me ellie i really dont like peyton but i
    like brooke and lucas i was very happy
    when i saw that they are marryied
    and i like one tree hill bye
  • leah on June 5, 2005 at 5:59 PM
    i think one tree hill is the best show ever.it is really good.
  • 05er on June 11, 2005 at 1:29 AM
    y do ppl write to the actors like they're gonna read it?
  • CHRISTIAN (View Email) on July 17, 2005 at 5:05 PM
    LUCAS ON ONE TREE HILL IS SO HOT THAT I WISH I COULD SEE HIM IN REAL LIFE AND GIVE HIM A HUG AND I CAN'T BELIVE HE HOOKED UP WITH BROOKE SHE IS SUCH A SNOB WHO WOULD WANT TO MARRY HER OH WAIT LUCAS MARRYIED HER BUT HIS REAL NAME IS CHAD MICHAEL MURRY AND HIS WIFES NAME IS SOPHIE ON ONE TREE HILL
  • x- Taz -x (View Email) on August 4, 2005 at 10:17 AM
    i luv one tree hill!!! its absolutely fab.i luv chad michael murray even mo,i think he's d hottest celeb eva!

    cya
    me xXx
  • Nicolle (View Email) on August 14, 2005 at 10:17 PM
    OMG I LOVE ONE TREE HILL ITS MY FAVE SHOW I WATCH IT EVERY MONDAY. I LOVE CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY AND HIS WIFE, I LOVE THEM BOTH ON THE SHOW I TOTALLY THINK THEY SHOULD HOOK UP ON THE SHOW I MEAN COME ON U GUYS ARE MARRIED. ANYWAYS ITS MY FAVE SHOW I LOVE IT SO MUCH
  • Kelsey (View Email) on September 30, 2005 at 4:06 PM
    I luv this show 2 death! I mean it so GREAT! Just the things that happen r great. My fav..... characters r Brooke and Lucas. I never watched the 1st season but i loved the 2nd! I have a feeling the 3rd is gonna be the best. I just hope that Lucas and Brooke get together in the 3rd season. After she rudely left him devestated!!!
  • courtney (View Email) on October 10, 2005 at 4:06 PM
    One tree hill is on a new night and time its on at 8:oo on wed. On WB well for new york its WB. any wyas my fav chacters are mosly every one
  • sonja (View Email) on November 3, 2005 at 6:29 PM
    Hi. My name is Sonja and I am from Newfoundland, Canada. I have been watching the show from the beginning. I would love to meet the cast some day that is one of my dreams. I love James and Chad. I think Nathan and Haley belong together. One Tree Hill rocks.I love you guys
  • pam (View Email) on November 20, 2005 at 12:21 PM
    ey! i love watching one tree hill, the casts hve great chemisty and you'll see it on the way they act. the stories are a bit complicated but still realistic. everytime i watch the show i feel like i can relate to all the characters. well, its a plus to have chad playing lucas' he's really hot! no other actor could play it better.
  • rachel (View Email) on February 20, 2006 at 4:30 PM
    Hi. My nameis Rachel. I am from Cleveland,Ohio. I think Chad and Brooke should be together. Nathan and Haley should be together. Good luck Brooke at cheer! I am a cheerleader too!!!!!!!
  • carissa on March 28, 2006 at 2:07 PM
    i love one tree hill
  • Rachel (View Email) on June 4, 2006 at 12:45 PM
    My name is Raquel. I'm chilean.. I see one tree hill every single tuesday (they release the new episodes at tuesdays by FOX) And I know alL the seasons..
    All I can say by now is that... I HATE BROOKE!!!!!!!!! She shows Peyton as the lover thief when SHE was the one that got in the middle of their relationship... She Knew Peyton was into lUCAS AND LUCAS INTO HER. (iF U can remember the episode of the scott money burn party... Peyton told her everything that had happened between them and that she was so sorry for runninmg away from him coz in that now she alrealdy liked him.. but however...BROOKE GOT IN THE MIDDLE.. and she has the face to tell Peyton stole lucas from "HER"?? Nooooo.. forget it.. I HATE HER.... SHE IS A FREACKING [censored]
  • aicha (View Email) on March 31, 2007 at 8:53 PM
    i hate brooke cuz she make fun of peyton mom death she is ugly and mean to her bff lucas and brooke are not pft couple is peyton and lucas are snd brooke is rudy to lucas when they were a relationship she yelling at him
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