In Rolling Stone chief critic Alan Sepinwall’s new book “Welcome to the OC: The Oral History” (via TooFab), Adam Brody admits that his behavior became unprofessional in later seasons as he became dissatisfied with the material. Series creator Josh Schwartz said Brody’s waning interest in the series was not an isolated incident.
“By the time we got to Season 3, we were all burned out,” Schwartz said. “We had shot so many episodes so quickly and I don’t think it was a happy set for a lot of it. Honestly, everyone was over it at this point. And I was one of those who was over it at that point. It’s been a great ride, but it’s been an inconsistent ride.”
Julie Cooper actress Melinda Clarke recalls: “We were very conscious in Season 3 of how unpopular the scripts were, particularly with children. Adam and Ben [McKenzie] said, ‘We’re grown men and we’re still in high school.’ They never actually talked to me about it in person, but that was the general opinion on set.”
Brody claimed he was “polite to everyone,” but still showed his disdain for The OC on set.
“I liked the directors and the team. And I got along really well and didn’t keep people waiting,” the actor said. “I would never yell or yell at anyone or say anything damn mean. But I think I made my dislike of the later episodes clear. I didn’t mask it at all and I’m sure I openly mocked it a little. That’s why I’m not proud of it.”
“I started to care less about creativity,” Brody continued. “I blame myself for lack of professionalism and disrespect for work. As for the engagement as a whole, all I can say is that they are different shows, Season 1 and [the later seasons]. If the quality had been the same as the first season, I would definitely have been much more committed… The quality and my commitment went hand in hand.”
Schwartz recalled that Brody’s acting changed as his interest in the series waned, suggesting that the actor was becoming lazy on set – so much so that they made his character Seth a stoner to accommodate the actor’s apparent disinterest to hide.
“Brody just changed his delivery, his investment in it,” Schwartz said. “His style has changed so much that we felt we had to accommodate him creatively. “Kaitlin gets Seth addicted to weed” prevailed here. We asked ourselves, ‘How do we explain his lethargy on screen?’ And if we can at least write that he’s stoned, then we’re not trying to write over that.'”
Welcome to the OC: The Oral History is available for purchase now.