After seeing someone do a search for “Ziering going to jail” I was intrigued follow up on this. My page was infact first on the list (A first) BUT more important I stumbled on an article comparing the OC to 90210. The writer uses ‘Ziering’ to describe a lead actor. I suppose it could be a verb too … see for yourself.
From http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/030815.html
…Q: Do you think “The OC” has “Beverly Hills: 90210″ potential? — Joe Dyton, Trenton, N.J.
Fox’s “The OC” has great potential … but it’s no “Melrose” or “90210.”
SG: Potentially. The pilot was tremendous — I haven’t enjoyed bad TV that much since the heyday of “Melrose Place.” They incorporated elements of “90210,” “The Karate Kid” and just about every ’80s movie ever made (evil boyfriends, hot chicks falling for soft-spoken outcasts, the whole shebang). It’s extremely well-done (the first two episodes were directed by Doug Liman, who also did “Swingers” and “Go”). The acting was just good enough that it didn’t detract from the show. Everyone looked good, which is always important. There were just enough holes in the plot that it made you think, “Hey, wait a second …” And the music was perfect.
Of course. I see a few problems here. First of all, the pilot was considerably better than the second show. That scares me. Second, the lead actor (Benjamin McKenzie) is a little too old to be playing a 16-year-old outcast. He’s fine now, but in two years, he could go Ziering on us. Third, in the second episode, one of the characters fondly remembers watching the Pistons-Lakers Finals in “’86.” Just an egregious mistake. Makes me wonder if the writers are paying attention.
But here’s the big thing: None of the “OC” actors — with the possible exception of the Aryan boyfriend — are bad enough to rate on the Unintentional Comedy Scale, an integral part of 90210′s success. Remember David Silver singing and dancing, Tori Spelling’s cleavage (which looked like a a thumbprint in a pound of ground beef), Noah Hunter rattling out his lines like his mouth was on fire, or every scene with Ian Ziering? Remember Dr. Michael Mancini on “Melrose,” or the immortal Andrew Shue? I’m not sure “The OC” has these things, which brings it closer to “Dawson’s Creek” than anything. And that was the problem with “Dawson” — it always took itself too seriously. That’s why I didn’t like that show. Josh Jackson stumbling through his lines can only go so far.
Anyway, my jury’s still out on “The OC.” After two weeks, I can only give it a 15 out of 10. We’ll see if that changes. And if you don’t like it … well, “Welcome to the SG, bitch.”
It’s great to have a name that carries so much …………… dignity.
-Josh Ziering-