I didn't have the time to catch the tv spots when by any reason a finished watching the first episode just a few weeks after the beginning of The O.C., but there's a great difference between both, even when they have a great cast, good scripts, One tree hill feels like something fresh and at the same time more emotional. Some episodes have incredible and beautiful stories, that reminds movies like "stand by me" or the first episodes of dawson's creek, it's that kind of innocence and at the same time deep drama where the whole cast make a terrific(unforgettable) work. It's the kind of show who you wanna watch for more than two hours a day feeling every episode just like a minute of the day. A real pure jewel for TV.

It's a bit difficult to accurately rate this show.

At its best it's several steps above most, if not all similar shows. At its worst it's nearly unwatchable.

The high school years in particular are generally much better than the standard high school series. The fall off that happens in season 5 and beyond is quite severe.

All in all, definitely give the first 4 seasons a watch and see if you like what happens afterwards.

One Tree Hill is Warner Brothers latest effort to emulate the success of its popular 90's teenage show Dawsons Creek and it a very good job overall. This show really will appeal to the teenage audience, and young adults and it is very plot driven to this age range. The show deals with a lot of sensitive issues that teenagers face such as: sex, drugs,marriage, adoption, affairs, conflicts etc.

The show is set in the fictional town of One Tree Hill and it stars: Chad Michael Murray as honest, likable Lucas Scott, James Laferty as spoilt rich child Nathan Scott, Hillarie Burton as the lonely but good hearted Peyton and Sophia Bush as the feisty but popular Brooke. The actors and actresses cast in these young roles really are the eye candy of the show. They all put in good performances and are totally believable in their roles.

Backing up the cast are a set of adult actors and actresses and these really add another depth to the show. Paul Johansson (Dan Scott) and Moira Kelly (Karen Scott) deserve mentions as they put in great performances as the respective struggling single mother and evil father of the boys. Craig Sheffer (Keith Scott) does a strong performance as Lucas step father and Dan Scotts bother, Barbara Alyn Woods (Deb Scott) makes a good long suffering wife and mother to Dan and Nathan look believable and Barry Cobin does a sturdy performance as Coach Whitey. The adult actors really shine in this show and they help to make the characters interact as well as the children on the show.

Underneath the shows skin is the running pulse of the conflict between long-lost brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott and that is what the whole show is built on. This show works so well is because it allows the adults as much air time as the teenagers and this lets the viewers care much more about all the characters, not just the teenage ones.

The characters are nearly all beautiful, teenage girls will droll over the eye candy of Lucas and Nathan and the teenage boys will droll over Brooke and Peyton. But the fact is that these characters are all very well written and it means that the audience identifies and likes each of the characters in their own unique way. They are certainly not two dimensional characters and as the actors and actresses can act means they are believable.

One Tree Hill is one of the most underrated shows on Television, and this is due to the fact that most people dismiss this show at first hand because they compare it with other teenage shows such as The OC and thats not really fair. This show has some human like quality that makes the show seem down-to-earth and relevant to many people. It does not have the fan base popularity that other teenage shows have, but it nevertheless has a very loyal set of viewers who tune in every week to watch the latest comings and goings on in Tree Hill.

There are some very good episodes of this show, but some others that aren't so good. But the show always churns out consistently good episodes and this means it is much harder to judge how good the show really is in its genre. If you want to see a good solid teenage drama that deals with real issues, in a human way, this is the show for you. Don't miss it 10/10

Once you've seen dawsons creek, saved by the bell and the OC - it becomes pretty obvious what producers of these shows are thinking. Take a set of issues provided by someone high up in the network, add some attractive 20-something actors who pretend to be teenagers and come up with a thin way to link the two. Except, this show is the best written teen drama I've ever seen. It's a laugh a minute, it doesn't try to ride the charisma or the attractiveness of the actors/actresses, it has genuinely funny short-term plots and climaxes to long-term plots. Not having American TV, I have to watch this type of teen show specifically from buying the DVD and this one is really engaging show-to-show, not jus a weekly dose to shut up fans. The slightly over-played basketball references about 'the game' are a bit tedious and so's the obscene over-emphasis on Dan Scott being an ass but this type of scene is usually followed by a funny pick-me-up scene. Definitely worth a watch.

One Tree Hill came on about the same time as The O.C came on, but the two shows couldn't be more different, and besides the fact that O.C attracts a larger audience, One Tree Hill is the better show. First of all, it has better actors. All the young leads are confident and convincing in their roles, and there is seldom a "false" moment on the show (as compared to The O.C, whose cast includes both the horrible mumblings of Mischa Barton and the horrible wooden acting of Benjamin McKenzie). The cast of One Tree Hill is of course helped immensely by the fact that their characters are so well written; they are people the audience really cares for, and takes an active interest in (as demonstrated on the multiple fan sites and message boards dedicated to the "Naley"-relationship and the "Lucas-Peyton-Brooke"-triangle.

One Tree Hill also has excellent writers, who are not afraid to deal with heavy topics like teen pregnancy, date rape, drug abuse and school shootings. The dialogue has a true ring to it, and the story lines are believable and engaging. It is hard not to get caught up in the lives of the Tree Hill teens.

Lastly, and most importantly, One Tree Hill has heart. A lot of it. Love and friendship are the main themes of the show, and the writers, directors and cast have a way of making themes old as time feel new, fresh and interesting.

Rumour has it that the WB won't renew the show for a fourth season. Hopefully, this is not true. One Tree Hill has so much potential, so much talent, heart and soul, and it would be a true shame if the WB decided not to renew it.

Normally, I just scoff at shows of this nature, but I happened to watch the pilot episode while working on a project because the TV was already on the WB channel from the previous show. Next thing you know I was wrapped up in this show, which seems to be the best of the genre. For once, this is one that doesn't borrow from 90210 or My So Called Life, yet seems to make its own direction. Sure, it is still has the cliches...28 year old, socially evolved high school students with attractive 32 year old parents, but once you get over this, the show really shines! I hope it has a future, although I doubt it will last very long since the OC is getting all of the buzz simultaneously.

First time watching oth was somewhere in 2010, when I was a teenager, at that time I was in love with the show. Rewatching it in 2022, I realize is such a great show, maybe I like better this format, but nowadays there are not made like this. This show has soul and maybe is just me, but is just an awesome series.

It was as if Dawson's Creek was written with Melrose Place in mind. It has DC's heartfelt declarations and MP's taste for tacky drama. The soundtrack was heaven to any alternative music fan. And music lovers in general. It has a very artistic approach, which I love. And the fact that producers stopped making CDS, was the really disappointing thing about this show for me. I also think it should've ended sooner. The series dragged on for too long, near the end of its run. Some of the actors are weaker than others, but it goes with the territory. It's also the last good teen drama in my book, so it's not one you should skip either. Perfect for some binge watching sessions.

This show started out really well, and got better with each season. It was one of my favorite shows. Until season 8. From season 8 and on, I've been embarrassed to admit that I still watch this show.

The characters Chase, Quinn, Clay and Alice are pointless. I have no interest in any of their stories. I miss the core OTH group and the relationships between them. That group of friends gave the show its heart and soul. There are so many new characters on this show that it lost its intimacy and charming nature. The show now seems shallow and dull.

Also, to the writers - please stop using the phrases "you know that" and "you goof," as in "I love you, you know that" and boyfriends/girlfriends referring to each other as "you goof". It's no longer cute, and it is bordering somewhere between extremely annoying and downright obnoxious. I cringe every single time I hear these phrases.

I gave this show a 7, which would have been a 10 if it had ended with season 7... and would have been a 2 if it had started with season 8.

UPDATE: Season 9 makes up for the crappiness of season 8. Stick it out. You wont regret it. I'm raising my rating to an 8.

Well the show starts off fairly decent , a decent story line and above average character development. Then it just went haywire, the plot made no sense, logic was thrown out of the window, most hilarious coincidence and TV gimmick, even the acting became downright terrible. The fan base of this show are all a bunch of kids either physically or mentally who have 0 idea about reality and how the world works. It does not deal with anything real and you probably wont learn anything worth while from it. Even the love stories are downright horrible, it's almost hard for me to believe that i use to like it , but then again in the first season it wasn't this horrible. It's disappointing how highly this is rated , what even more sad is that most retarded fans will just read the summary of my review and click 'NOT HELPFUL' because that's just how they are, this may as well be the show that ruined a lot of teen age lives in fact, because they see this and expect these , totally illogical stuff and then they face reality and blame life ! Do yourself a favor don't watch this anymore , it will do nothing but waste your time.

I am in love with this show. I absolutely adore Chad Michael Murray, and am so glad I made the time to sit down and watch this show on its' premiere night. I haven't missed an episode since. This show is full of lessons for teens with a crappy attitude towards life, and it doesn't hurt that Chad is one of the characters teaching us these lessons. Yes, the story line is a little crazy and hectic, but deep down, there is a lot of love between characters. Hilarie and Chad look wonderful together on screen and have an undeniably great chemistry. James and Chad have a good chemistry as well, and I can't wait to see how their relationship evolves. I am hoping that they will become better friends. I wouldn't miss an episode for any reason. I am obsessed, and I'm perfectly alright with that.

Easily a show you can fall in love with again and again. Beautiful story of love and friendships and betrayal. It all ends the way it was meant to after 9 wonderful years of stealing it's audiences hearts.

I'm a big fan of the O.C and never for a second believed that One tree hill could be as good as it. But I was wrong. One tree hill is better than the O.C. At least in my opinion. Sure, O.C is a good teen show with the usual "teen drama" problems and also with a lot of humor. But what is it the that makes One tree hill better? I think that One tree hill basically has a better story to tell than the one in O.C. Although One tree hill may lack some of the humor that's in the O.C, it's a much more interesting show to watch. The characters are so much more intriguing and has much more depth than the characters in O.C. And then One tree hill doesn't have this obsession with DRAMA... The events unfold in a realistic way and the show just have a slower pace. Although I may add that I've just seen about half of the first season... So I might be taking all of this back in a while... But for now I'll just say that I love this show and everyone ought to give it a chance.

Season One: 9/10

Themes: Drama, Romance, Basketball, Love Triangle, Friendship, High School & Family.

Top three characters: 1) Lucas Scott, 2) Peyton Sawyer and 3) Nathan Scott.

Nathan Scott (James Lafferty) is the arrogant star basketball player of the Ravens in Tree Hill, North Carolina. His father Dan Scott (Paul Johansson) is overbearing and a crooked car lot owner. His lead cheerleader girlfriend Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) is artistic. Her best friend is shallow fellow cheerleader Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush). When Nathan takes a joy ride with the bus, most of the team is suspended and the wise basketball coach Whitey (Barry Corbin) recruits Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) to the team. Lucas is the bastard child of Dan. He and his mother Karen Roe (Moira Kelly) are barely acknowledged by Dan. His friends are Mouth McFadden (Lee Norris), Skills Taylor (Antwon Tanner) and Haley Jams (Bethany Joy Lenz). He works in Dan's brother Keith (Craig Sheffer)'s garage.

This is more than beautiful people watching. No doubt, these are beautiful people. The characters are archetypes. It's a sibling rivalry. It's several Romeo and Juliet. It's rich and poor. The first few seasons are great teen melodrama. It does go on way too long. The show is able to keep a few of the original characters but that doesn't stop the slow slide especially in the last few seasons. While I don't mind jumping ahead 4 years in season 5, the reunion feels forced. The fact is the show starts off with great characters and a photogenic cast. By the last few years, the show has fewer characters that I care about and too many new characters that I don't care about.

I didn't actually watch this when it first came out, i only started watching it about 6 weeks ago when I bought season one at a video store. All i can say is, this show is awesome. I have not been able to turn the DVD off, I am now finished with seasons 1-4 in less than 2 months.

I love everything about this show, the plot lines, the characters, the conflict. Its all freaking great. i have grown to know all the characters and respect them in their own way. Lucas, Nathan, Haley, Peyton, Brooke, Karen, whitey, Kieth, mouth, rachel, bevin skills, deb, and Dan i suppose are all cool in their own way.

I think that i will probably start watching them all again.

I don't normally watch many American TV shows but I love this show quite a lot. I'm a big fan of One Tree Hill and I think it's a brilliant show. I've been watching OTH over in the UK every Saturday on channel 4's T4 slot. It took a while to grow on me but now I love it. This show deals with all kinds of issues and it has real drama that really appeals to anyone. I really like Brooke she's really really grown on me at first I thought she was really annoying and I didn't like her but now she's great we've got to see a warm and caring side to her it was when Lucas was in hospital after the car crash and we really got to see the real Brooke. She's since found out about Lucas and Peyton seeing each other behind her back and now she's really hurt and feels betrayed by them. She may have her moments when she says stupid things at the wrong time but Brooke is a fun wild and fantastic friend who we all wouldn't mind having around. The entire cast are all brilliant in their roles Craig Sheffer, Moira Kelly, Chad Murray Michael, Sophia Bush, and co are outstanding. One of the best teen American shows I've seen in a while since The OC. I love this show and I'm really pleased to see that OTH is in its second season already and I think that's great. I hope many more keep coming to our screens to keep us fans coming back for more.

I just had the misfortune of catching this lowest common denominator WB dreck while round at my brothers. OTH is basically Popular without the black humor that made that show bearable. All the clichés are there: bitchy popular girl(s), dreamy thoughtful guy, tortured musician girl, jock guy desperate to succeed.

They've just excised the equally clichéd geek crew (y'know the pseudo-goth, skate slacker etc) As usual in this kind of ultra-generic teen fast food, all the actors who are meant to be in high school are in their mid-twenties and show no spark of originality beyond their shallow character types. The girl who is into NoFx must be into her thirties, I mistook her for a teacher! I know I'm not the target audience for this drivel, but please, could the scriptwriters not come up with a single original idea or character, or at least inject some humour that doesn't derive from bitchy remarks from one 'plastic' to another? Not a single original bone it its body. At least Dawson's Creek was so lame it was funny.

The producers and fans of this show should be made to watch Heathers on a loop to see how this type of material should be handled.