The O.C. Product Placement: Ryan Atwood and His Apparent McDonald's Addiction

I hear in Chino Ryan had a really mean McDonald's addiction, in fact TJ and Ryan would often hold burger eating competitions but of course Ryan's mother Dawn had to pay for it, TJ what a freeloader! I don't know if that is actually true but there is a very tasteful product placement moment in the season 1 episode 2 "The Model Home". Seth and Marissa came up with a place for Ryan to hide out so he wouldn't have to go to a foster home. They gathered the  necessities which includes a tent, candles (way too many if you ask me), a lounge chair, putting practice (even though Ryan doesn't play golf), the Model home mix-tape CD and Oh yes a nice big bag of McDonald's Food and large drink to wash it down. Notice how both logos of the famous McDonald's arches are perfectly displayed front and center!

The O.C. is actually filled with tasteful and sometimes not so tasteful product placement moments all of which are awesome never the less. The purpose is obviously for brand recognition and basically a commercial within a show. Product placement in TV shows are so slick that often times they are subliminal, you suddenly want what the characters in your favorite show have and you don't even know why. Weather it be a new cell phone, new clothes or what have you. I find it super fascinating. So go out there and grab yourself a double cheese burger, fries and a drink or if you are really daring just ask the drive through window for the Atwood special they'll know what you mean ;).

The O.C. Woops: Whats that stage light doing in the Cohen's driveway?!

Lets face it, a film editor has to go through hours and hours of footage and tidy it all up in a 42 minute package that has to flow and make sense. Within all that editing and multiple episodes there is bound to be some continuity errors and mistakes. On The O.C., there are a few bloopers/woopsies moments but this one is by far the most obvious - yet no other sites have ever covered it. This is an Everything The O.C. exclusive!

So Marissa and Jimmy decide to come visit the Cohen's. If you look closely (or not) you will notice a stage light behind a little ways behind Marissa's red Mustang. It will become very apparent as the camera pans to the right (as Kirsten walks to the door). It is a stage light on a black stand. This stage light helps with the illusion that the characters are actually outside in sunny Newport Beach, when in reality they are on a soundstage! The only thing is, these lights are suppose to be completely unseen!

Its pretty laughable sight once you spot the error, makes you shake your head and think how the heck did they let that one slip by?! If only the tree on their front door was a bit thicker, sigh...

Where to find:

Season 2 Episode 1 "The Distance"