Seeing Double: Ryan's Golf Cart Stunt Double!

The O.C. isn't really known for it's action-packed moments but it does have a few! And with those scenes you can always count on there being some epic stunt double action occurring as well.

An obvious stunt-doubled scene in particular is in season 1 episode 16 titled "The Links". You know the episode where the gang heads to Palm Springs for the weekend via Oliver's parents golf course mansion.

In the episode the group goes golfing and then at one point Oliver declares a race back to the club-house. Things get a little wilder than anyone except Oliver had expected.

They started racing like a couple of gentlemen but Oliver quickly turns the race into destruction derby! At one point Oliver drives his golf cart almost into Ryan and Luke's causing their cart to go out of control.

If you look closely during the above fast action cut scene you will see a stunt-man in place of where Ryan was sitting in the golf cart. On the very right you will see where Oliver and Marissa's cart comes close to making contact. Wrist cuff check, opened button up shirt check, bad Ryan wig check, check! Our theory is that Benjamin McKenzie didn't want to risk his charming good looks too early in his career so he said Hey Josh Schwartz hook me up with a body double baby! Alternatively perhaps Ryan couldn't pull off those kinda crazy golf cart maneuvers and Josh Schwartz had to call in the big guns!

The stunt double/stunt driver for Ryan according to IMDB is Matthew Taylor, he was in three O.C. episodes. He has been a stuntman for 20+ years and has doubled for some big Hollywood names including Brad Pitt!

Interestingly enough during the golf cart stunt shots Chris Carmack appears to be riding as Chris Carmack. Although the IMDB page for this episode states the stuntman for Chris was Kanin Howell (8 O.C. episodes). We couldn't find any scenes in this episode showing the stuntman Kanin Howell unless they did an epic job at disguising him as Luke (which could be possible). #stuntlife.

Rare Photos: Adam Brody the McDreamy of The O.C.?

Well played Fox, well played. 

Wish This Was Real: The Links Speedway Ultra Rare O.C. Sega Genesis Game!

One of the Everything The O.C. staff members happened to find this rare gem at a garage sale last Sunday! It's called The Links Speedway which was obviously inspired by The O.C.'s Season 1 Episode 16 titled "The Links"! After doing some initial research on the title we found out that this game was a prototype and never made it to box stores. Only a few copies existed and it's believed that the remaining copies were buried in a landfill to never be seen again...Until now!

The back of the game box reads:

"Welcome to The Links Speedway Bitch!

The most state of the art 16-bit Sega title out to date!

Just when Ryan thought things couldn't get worse, 

Marissa's new friend Oliver has finally went crazy.

On the last hole of the day Oliver declares a race back to

the club house. Ryan and Luke must WIN to stop Oliver

from ruining their trip and stealing Marissa from them.

But beware there are many turns and tricks up Oliver's

sleeve so race with CAUTION!

Navigate through 5 Palm Springs golf courses to win

back Marissa and get rid of Oliver once and for all!

Everything goes, are you ready to roll?"

Controversy 

Further research revealed there was some controversy regarding the game's content as it included violent golf cart crashes, underage drinking and lacked an 18 hole golfing function all the while being rated GA (appropriate for all audiences). The other minor problem was the media on which it was released, Sega Genesis was an outdated system even in 2003. Marketing analysis revealed that gamer's and fans of the TV show wanted the game but the studio just wasn't willing to risk lawsuits or compromise changing the original experience. So they decided to pull the plug on the whole idea and destroy the remaining copies, which is a huge shame! 

Game Features:

• 1 to 2 players (can play your friend or computer)
• Choose to be team Purple (Oliver and Marissa) or team White (Ryan and Luke) 
• Race one of the 5 Palm Springs golf courses
• Character hat and hair customization
• Original "California" soundtrack by Phantom Planet (midi version)
• Dialog box with character face
• Different Win/Lose outcome screens featuring Sandy or Natalie
• Realistic dirt flings off of back tires while driving
• Great sound effects
• Great Luke catch-phrases like "Im gonna drop The Great Gatsby on his face!" and "Speed up their gaining on us"
• Once your power meter is full a unique to character attack can be made

Minor complaints: 

• Ryan and Oliver are always the drivers, while Marissa and Luke are always the clubbers/beer throwers
• Phantom Planet's "California" song on a loop can be a bit repetitive
• Luke's golf clubbing attack is a bit more superior to Marissa's due to longer reach
• Marissa's beer throwing ability is a bit better than Luke's (which makes sense)
• A couple of the race tracks have very difficult/close to impossible obstacles
• Randomly a seagull walks across course 3 and can totally salt your game
• Oliver throws down money on the track that can lead to your golf cart getting spun around
• Ryan uses his smirk attack that can result in a 10 percent increase in golf cart power and speed

Above are The Links game controls! Notice the throw beer and club options by hitting X or Y. We found these to be the most satisfying attacks besides the typical ramming of team Oliver/Marissa's purple golf cart! 

Finally here is a little demo of the awesome game-play and head-turning graphics! We give this title a cool 9/10! It's a truly a one of a kind game and I must say flipping Oliver's cart and beating him to the club-house is therapy within itself as well as the epic Sandy Cohen cut-scenes! They don't make them like this anymore folks! See you on The Links!