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‘One Tree Hill’ fans keeping show alive

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WILMINGTON, N.C. — When One Tree Hill made its debut in the fall of 2003, creator Mark Schwahn recalls, the ratings were so low that “Even my mother didn’t know we were on the air.”

 

“We were the lowest-rated show on any channel the week we debuted, but we were the only show to pick up every week for the next six weeks.”

Backed by an ardent fan base, who still travel from all over the world to coastal North Carolina in hopes of seeing one of the show’s young stars, One Tree Hill has survived to a sixth season, on Mondays, on the CW. It reached the magic 100 episodes needed for syndication in March, and with this season it matches the tenure of Dawson’s Creek.

“When we were in our second and third seasons, it was not fathomable to me that we would be here today,” actor James Lafferty said.

Schwahn originally pitched the show as a movie titled The Ravens, but it became a series about half brothers — played by Lafferty and Chad Michael Murray — in the fictional town Tree Hill, N.C., who compete both on and off the basketball court.

“We have never been supported by a big PR push or big marketing campaign,” said Sophia Bush, who as Brooke Davis competes for the affections of Lucas Scott (Murray).

“We really have never been anybody’s baby the way that shows that sort of have a guarantee of multiple seasons generally are,” she said. “So for us, it’s really been every year about our fans and their loyalty bringing us back and putting us back on the air.”

Still, the show was growing stale when Schwahn decided before the start of season five to move everything forward by four years, skipping the characters’ time in college.

“When Mark said, ‘I want to do this,’ I was so relieved,” said Bush, 26. “The last thing I wanted to do was go to college on the show. We’ve all seen the college years, and they don’t work — ever.”

The aging of One Tree Hill reinvigorated both the actors and the show’s fans. The average ratings rebounded to 3.5 million viewers in season five, the same as in the show’s first.

“When we made the decision, I think everybody here was excited. I know I was. Just the opportunity to play a little bit closer to your age,” said Murray, 27.

Nathan Scott (Lafferty) and Haley James (Bethany Joy Galeotti) are struggling with the trials of marrying and having a child.

Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), another love interest for Lucas, is the owner of Red Bedroom Records.

“Peyton’s gone from being such an extremist in high school, which was hard for me because I’m pretty mellow, to being a calmer adult,” said Burton, 26.

The contracts for the rest of the cast are up at the end of this season, but Schwahn and executive producer Joe Davola said the studio and the network are talking about a seventh.

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72 Responses to “‘One Tree Hill’ fans keeping show alive”

  1. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    I’m crossing my fingers!!

  2. peytonOTHfan Says:


    Am I the only one that doesn’t want a new season?

    Mark can change a lot of things in one season. LP might not be definite at this point, especially if Chad doesn’t sign up but for some insane reason Mark decides to keep on going with show. I’m just worried I guess. For LP and for future storylines in general. When shows just keep on going just because they can, the writing and storylines tend to suffer. FRIENDS should not have had 10 seasons. Gilmore Girls earlier seasons were great, but it dwindled at the end. Should I even mention 7TH HEAVEN? That should have ended ions ago but it kept on going. I want this show to end at a good note.

    If there is a 7th season, everyone better sign up. I don’t want any of the core five to leave. I don’t want it to be like THAT 70’s SHOW where two of the main characters disappear.

    No Chad? No Brooke? No Peyton? No show. Not for me.

    I guess I’m just a horrible OTH fan and I need to have more faith in Mark. I just don’t really have it. I’ll try to find that faith if we ever do find out that there is indeed a 7th season. We’ll see what happens this season first and foremost.

  3. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    Im happy about it and im not!

    As long as LP stay together i can handle it if not then i wont watch it anyway so it really doesent matter.Beverly hills 90210 was my favorite show and it went on for 10 seasons it was the same situation as this some of the actors did not want to resign but they all did and it lasted another 4 years that might be the same case for one tree hill but who knows. I think we have waited so long for lucas and peyton to be together and to have it not pan out the way we think it will due to a season 7 would just be ridiculous so i have faith mark will do the right thing(i hope) lol!

  4. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    right on Gina!! how have you been?

  5. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    Hey Tutor wife im doing good just really busy wow i missed alot on the blog Huh lol

  6. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    Haha yeah you definitely did lol miss ya! xoxo

  7. LeytonTLA Says:


    i totally agree peytonOTHfan! as much as i love the show… i’m kind of hoping for this to be the final season. hopefully Mark would be able to come up with something good for the 7th… but if not, then i would hope he would want the show to go out on top. and if we don’t get all of the main characters back… it just wouldn’t be the same.

  8. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    LOl missed ya to WOW alot of arguments on here what the hell ship wars i think its ridiculous whats the point it is what it is leyton are together and like denise said people definetly have their blinders on lmao……

  9. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    Hahah yeah lots of fights but oh well lol… P. Sawyer and I have been holding down the fort… haha!

  10. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    Lol i bet you guys have!!!

    Where is p.sawyer? she needs to get her butt on here!!!!

  11. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    She is probably at school going crazy lol… I’m sure she’ll be on here at some point today!

  12. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    I need to change my picture,i will be back!!!!!

  13. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    I have to get back to work before I get in trouble for posting on here haha :) I’ll be on later Gina so come back :) Xoxo

  14. Denise Says:


    I’m gonna sound harsh, so please don’t take this the wrong way. But here is my two cents.

    If these actors are smart, they will accept a seventh season and enjoy the steady paycheck? Why? Because none of them will be break-out stars. They are good at what they do on this show but I think most will become like those actors that were on a semi-succesful show that after the show ends you will wonder where they went.

    You might find Sophia Bush in a few more genre-like shows, maybe Chad Michael Murray might land a movie here or there but Joy and James may find it difficult.

    I think the only one that might be succesful after One Tree Hill is Hilarie Burton because she is interested in things on the other side of the camera. Not to mention we don’t know yet what kind of attention her small role in the movie Secret Life of Bees will do for her.

    So, if The CW comes knocking and the offer is on the table and they are offering a good plot for a seventh season, my advice is for them to take it and enjoy the steady paycheck. Especially in these questionable economic times.

  15. Tutor Wife a.K.a LeytonOTH~Lucas: Peyton, you’ve helped me so much without saying a word. And I love you. Peyton: I love you. Says:


    Very true Denise!

  16. Mary Beth Says:


    I do have to say I agree with Denise. I think as long as there is a great story line for the 7th season it would be worth coming back for. Just please please please keep Leyton together us Leyton fans have been waiting so long. On a side note I promised myself if there was 7th season I would find a way to make it to NC.

  17. Niisu Says:


    I have to agree with you Denise. I’d love a 7th season but like I said earlier it’s worries me for Leyton. Please, I don’t want to start all over AGAIN! Or I don’t know lol Difficult to decide hahah. I mean it worked out fine in Friends in the end for Rachel and Ross but often it was so hard to watch. I don’t want to go through that again with all the drama and tears. Especially Peyton and all her crying. Just let the poor woman be happy for once. So I don’t know. Is there still enough story to tell?

  18. Mia aka (Gina)...♥Leyton=Destiny♥ Says:


    Very true denise i agree 100% i just hope that mark doesent toy with lucas and peyton if they do decide to have a season 7…..

  19. Christy Says:


    I agree with you Denise.

  20. charlene aka (Cha Cha) Says:


    I agree to denise…I’m pretty sure Mark can come up with some more awesome drama :) I will keep my fingers crossed for a 7th season…

  21. Gina....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    I think their is still a story to tell but like i keep saying mark is a little crazy lol if a season 7 is in the works who knows if leyton will marry but with the ratings so high it looks like were gonna get it wether we like it or not lol

  22. Ash Says:


    I just don’t know how a S7 will work with out a Core member which is likely to happen since Chad is probably not going to sign on. No matter what amount of money they offer him, I’ll be surprised if he does. I also don’t see Joy or Sophia signing on. Sophia wanted to leave since like S2 and she only came back because of being loyal to Mark and the fans, and she’s been admen in not continuing.

  23. Christy Says:


    I really want the show to go on as long as it possibly can, but not if the core cast aren’t there. It just wouldn’t be OTH without Chad, James, Joy, Sophia, or Hilarie. So I guess I only want a season 7 if everyone is coming back for it. If not, it’s probably best to go ahead and end it.

  24. Denise Says:


    I truly believe if the got the “core four” to sign the show would be fine. If Sophia Bush wanted to leave I really think the show would be fine without her. Brooke wasn’t in the Pilot, she was brought on as comedic relief and I think the show would go forward well without her.

    The show could center around the brothers, Lucas and Nathan, and their wives and family. It would shift the focus of the show a bit but also tighten it back up. Because the show at its inception was about the Scott brothers and now it could be about the Scott brothers and their families.

  25. Mary Beth Says:


    Again I have to agree with you Denise. :) The beginning idea was the Scott Brothers. Don’t get me wrong I love Sophia Bush’s carachter and her as an actress but it would be possible to continue the show if she didn’t resign she could become a recurring character and not have to sign a full contract. I would be happy with Season 6 being the last season as long as they wrap up all story lines tightly. But I would LOVE a Season 7 if the storyline was good an kept Leyton together.

  26. Moriah Says:


    This is my opinion. i am all for the 7th season . i am up for it as long as LP gets married this season. and what can they do for a season 7 .. i think mark will come up with something. i hope if there is i hope it is focused on brooke. like brooke getting married since every one is getting married or is already married in the show .. leyton and naley then there lonely brooke. and in 7th season they can show a leyton baby to. that would be so cute. but i am also nervous since if there is a 7th season some thing bad can happen to leyton. then i think that i will stop watching it. because the same thing will happen. and i am a hug leyton fan i <3 them so cute lol. so they need to get married this season with or with out a 7th season. but i am all for a 7th season as long as leyton stay together and get married this season.

  27. Elizabeth Says:


    I definitely think the show would be fine without Sophia but I think the ratings would drop. There are a lot of rabid Brucas fans who already want to boycott the show based on the lack of Brucas interaction

  28. Brucaslover Says:


    I really dont see the show surviving without brooke. I mean the producers said she wasnt ment to be a major character but the fans loved her. And the pilot didnt do that great in ratings. I think if the “core 5″ signed then the show will continue to be successful. But ratings would deffintly go down if the main 5 werent there anymore. So if all 5 dont sign on i dont see there being a season 7.

  29. Brucaslover Says:


    i agree with what christy said. :)

  30. Vivian Says:


    I really don’t think the show could go on without Sophia Bush considering she has a lot of fans as well as all of the cast members do. And remember without the little triange (or friendly triangle whatever it might be now) theres no drama which means no show, So i don’t think leyton fans should be too sure about if brooke left leyton would be safe cause Mark would likely bring another “Brooke” in the picture ;]

  31. Carline ---Can a text message change your life? ---I believe it can! XD Says:


    Yeah i agree with you, Denise!
    But i also agree that it wouldnt be the same without the core 5.. but it would work with the core 4..
    either way.. i’ll work for me. haha

    i dont know, whatever happens, happens..
    & its true that the fans are keeing One Tree Hill alive. :D i love that! hehe

  32. Carline ---Can a text message change your life? ---I believe it can! XD Says:


    oops.. hahaha i meant ***IT’LL work for me!*** haaha i’ll work for me. hahahah soo funny.. anyways my badness. :P

  33. Moriah Says:


    i dont think the show could survive with out brooke. like in certain situation when the fans are done watching the peyton / lucas haley/ nathan drama they turn to brooke who is usually a happy person. i think this season is great. as of now i think its better then season 4 . and i dont think brooke is replaceable. and brooke i must say brooke is one of my fav characters and i cant picture brooke not in it. i think that if one person doesnt sign its going to be weird since season 7 will start and it will be like what happened to this person where did they go.

  34. charlene aka (Cha Cha) Says:


    I agree guys…I love brooke the show would’nt be the same without B Davis…they would all have to sign on for s7 for it to be great :)

  35. Ash Says:


    It seems Joy/Chad are the ones not signed on to do a 7th. I don’t see how a 7th will work. LOL!!

  36. Nickie Says:


    I LOVE ONE TREE HILL!!!!!!!!

    I LOVE LUCAS AND PEYTON TOGETHER

  37. Moriah Says:


    why are joy and chad not signing

  38. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    you’ve got to be kidding ME !!!!!!!

    GINA WHAT THE HELL ? you went M.I.A for like almost 3 weeks
    and you dare say I need to get my butt in here ? :O LMAO.

    I have missed you like crazy and I was worried sick.
    Thank god you have a nice neighborhood ( I really have no idea how you spell that word ahah) anyway like I was saying. Thank god she was there.

    You suck Mia
    but your lucky I love you bitchy -xxx-
    YOU better get your butt in here SOON !

  39. Gina....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    HEY BITCHEY I MISSSSSSSED YOU XOXOXOXOXOXOXOO

    LOL I NEW THAT WOULD PISS YOU OFF HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA(GET YOUR BUTT ON HERE)

    IM BACK LOL EVERYTHING IS FINE I JUST HAVE BEEN SO BUSY SORRY :(

  40. Gina....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    DO YOU LIKE MY PICTURE COMMENT LMAO

  41. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    THERE P.SAWYER I FIXED IT(MIA)JUST FOR YOU LOL

  42. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    Yeah I do
    I missed you and you knew I would be worried SICK

    AHHHHHH I misssed you did I say I MIISSSSED you :)
    and your damn caps lock AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !

    but your okay ? right .
    not sick nobody died no drama.
    everything is fine ?

  43. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    EVERYTHING IS AWESOME I JUST DONT HAVE TIME SOMETIMES WITH WORKING ALOT IM TO TIRED TO GET ON HERE LOL BUT I DID MISS YOU VERY MUCH BITCHEY BUT YEAH NOBODY DIED THANK GOD LOL

  44. Moriah Says:


    why are chad and joy not signing

  45. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    yeah thank god

    but now your here that is all that matters

    and by the way Tutor wife says Hi (well again) LMAO.

  46. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    HEY MORIAH I DONT KNOW WHO HAS SIGNED SO FAR?

  47. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    AND WHO SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SIGN?????

  48. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    TELL TUTOR WIFE I SAID HELLO AGAIN LOL

  49. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    ahah Yes I will.

  50. Denise Says:


    Wrote a litle fan fiction that could be some seventh season drama:

    http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4580494/1/But_Life_Always_Seemed_to_Get_in_the_Way

  51. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    DENISE I JUST READ THAT EVERYBODY SIGNED ON EXCEPT FOR CHAD AND JOY IS THAT TRUE?

  52. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    I THOUGHT THEY WOULDENT KNOW UNTIL AROUND MARCH?

  53. Denise Says:


    I think it is way too early to worry about anything. They have just aired five episodes, it is only the first of October and negotiations won’t actively start until the new year or beyond.

    Everyting is speculation. But give Mark another year and also the numbers OTH is getting, plus the crash and burn of some of the CW shows they were banking on, will give them the capitol to make anyone happy who is unsure about coming back.

  54. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    ahah thats what i told you Gina.

    by the way
    Love your fanfic Denise
    you made me cried with the words you use. LOL

  55. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    OK THAT’S TRUE WELL I HOPE IF THEY DO DECIDE TO DO ANOTHER SEASON JOY AND CHAD WILL HOPEFULY DECIDE TO COME BACK BUT I GUESS I WILL WORRY ABOUT IT WHEN ITS TIME LOL

  56. Mia(Gina)....♥Leyton=Destiny♥..From the pilot we designed a world where Lucas and Peyton are meant to be together: Mark Schwahn Says:


    LAU AHAHAHHAHAHA I DONT WANT ANOTHER SEASON WELL I DO AND I DONT LOL

  57. Denise Says:


    Ahh, lau, thanks.

    I am hoping when I get to Wilmington in a couple of weeks for my One Tree Hill set interviews my reputation will precede me and they will go ahead and give me a job.

    You know, I would kill writing lines for Peyton. LOL

  58. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    lol Yeah I know exactly what you mean XD
    lol your hilarious.

    go to bed bitchy ttyt xxx

  59. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    OH MY GOD
    YOU should Denise :O
    sometimes people tell me I should write for for oth but you would be 10000 times better than me. ahah

    and your welcome
    You should write more fanfic I love reading them ahah
    I’m a fan what can I say ahah !

    they definetly should give you a job .. i don’t know what they are waiting for…

  60. Denise Says:


    HaHa hopefully they are just waiting for me to get down there and meet everyone. Oh wait, I am doing that already.

    OMG, wouldn’t that be a dream come true. And then I would be assured to get to meet Hilarie. LOL

    I am hoping to snag her for a podcast interview while I am down there. That is my goal.

  61. P Sawyer Scott (lau) `` No matter what happen to either one of us you will always be in my heart. -`` Says:


    LMAo
    yes you are. ;)

    OH MY GOd
    I hope you will get an interview with her if you do
    I’M gonna DIE :O

    Say hi to Hilarie for me will you ahah
    kidding.

  62. Anom Says:


    There’s new stills for 607 & 608.

    http://www.fanforum.com/27401965-post34.html

    http://www.fanforum.com/27402160-post35.html

  63. jess Says:


    i don’t understand how people think the show would survive without sophia. sophia and chad are the most wanted celebs of the show. and Hilarie as the most successful?? who ever wrote that is out of their mind or completely obsessed with her or leyton. she may be good behind the scenes but hasn’t been in anything except this year.

  64. Brucas_is_Endgame Says:


    AMAZING POINT JESS!!!
    sophia bush is their NUMBER ONE ACTRESS. she has been more popular out of one tree hill, and as mark says, the most beloved character on the show! The show is known for HER AND CHAD! Hilarie and the others have had little success outside OTH! THE SHOW COULD NOT GO ON WITHOUT SOPHIA. it would lose so many viewers. Whoever said that clearly doesnt know ANYTHING about show business, or the show itself. The core five are the base and foundation of the show. People who are obsessed with Leyton or Peyton literally have blinders on. I couldnt name you anything Hilarie has been on besides OTH. but with chad and sophia i can name a million. Sophia : Hitcher, John Tucker Must Die, (both won at TCA 07), and now shes coming out with TERRRIFIC movies, TABLE FOR THREE AND THE NARROWS. Whats hil doing? oh right i heard about Secret Life of Bees, what is she doing the falshbacks? cute. oscar winning right there. Dont get me wrong, I love hilarie. Shes amazing, but i am trying to prove my point.

  65. PeytonElizabethSawyer Says:


    since you asked…hilarie burton was an mtv vj, in the indie flick “the list” recently, and (cant find the info on here, dont feel like diggin around that hard), but there was info on here about how she’s gotten into the life in wilmington and has started a production company there or something, also heard something about a band, joy is a talented singer and probly will pursue that to a larger degree upon the end of one tree hill, maybe some of them will be successful but want to pursue other things as well as, or instead of, acting. personally, i think the show would be much weaker without every single core five member. i think most fans of the show feel that way. good for sophia for having lots of movies coming out, but to me that doesnt necessarily equal success (obviously i hope it does for her, just making a point), nor does it mean that the other four are not or will not be successful as well.

  66. PeytonElizabethSawyer Says:


    .

  67. PeytonElizabethSawyer Says:


  68. PeytonElizabethSawyer Says:


    grr why isnt my gravatar changing?!

  69. PeytonElizabethSawyer Says:


    uno mas,,,

  70. ormonok Says:


    sorry only actrres will maket is Sophia bush.she startet in movies befor oth.She is great actres,this other’s r 0.

  71. ormonok Says:


    i hope paiton will die and lucas will married brook.Payton is a ho……she stol her best friends,boyfriend copi of 90’s 90210.Brenda and kelly.

  72. NALEY4eva Says:


    NASTY!!! although I guess everyone is allowed their opinions. I think Leyton will get married and have pretty little babies, not as cute as Naley’s babies but still cute!

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