'One Tree Hill' prepares for its final show

Sure, it was never going to win awards by the critics, but when "One Tree Hill" wraps up its run on Wednesday, it will do so with its head held high.

Like any show that involved "young people," it had its share of flaws. (Like, for instance: How can a small town like Tree Hill, N.C., produce an NBA player, not one but TWO international music recording stars, a nationally-known author and a well-known TV "evangelist?") But it should also be commended for figuring out new ways to do things. For instance: Why pull the "90210" stunt and have all the main characters attend the same college, when you can just skip ahead four years (and then skip ahead another few years later on)? Sounds kooky, but it actually worked.

At its heart, the show meant well. Like any show that has had a long run, it had to introduce new characters and replace old ones -- sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn't. But I always appreciated the effort. In addition, I think the storylines have been some of the best on TV for many years -- and I say that admitting I didn't watch many of the first few seasons.

This is a site devoted to "North Carolina" things, and "One Tree Hill" has brought great attention to the state, especially the Wilmington area -- even if the show only slightly referenced the Old North State (Nathan considering playing basketball for Duke; the state championship game being played at the then-RBC Center; Mouth having a UNC flag in his apartment; Nathan conveniently playing for the Bobcats, etc.). But the show developed a legion of hardcore fans that flocked to the Port City to find the River Court, or Karen's Cafe. And since "OTH" has found a niche on SoapNet, you can bet the fans will continue to make pilgrimages for years.

The last episode will air this Wednesday. Here is a preview of the 2-hour finale.

End of the line coming for 'One Tree Hill'

Full disclosure: I'm a big "One Tree Hill" fan. Haven't always been, but what can I say?

Anyway, it looks like the Wilmington-filmed (and quasi-based) TV series will be wrapping it up in the very near future, according to the Star-News.

The CW announced its new fall schedule today, but “One Tree Hill” wasn’t on it. The locally filmed series will be held for midseason. And according to a CW release, season nine will be the show’s last.

The CW has ordered 13 episodes, and while the release doesn’t specify that the final season will only be that long, it’s unlikely more episodes will be ordered. Though with this show, never say never.

Filming of the new season will start in Wilmington this July. If there are only 13 episodes, and “OTH” doesn’t need to replace any failed new series early, the show will completely wrap filming by the time the ninth season starts.

Here’s what the CW says will happen in the final season: “In season nine, how will Brooke and Julian juggle parenthood and their very young careers? With Nathan traveling more as an agent, how will Haley’s life change with a second child, an increasingly independent Jamie, and a busy café to run? Is a wedding in store for Quinn and Clay? Or Mouth and Millicent? And what’s to become of Alex and Chase and their burgeoning romance? Following a fictional four year jump in time, “One Tree Hill” has now spent four seasons exploring the experiences of twenty-somethings. Season nine will continue to grow and break new ground, as the show approaches the rarified air of 200 episodes.”

Sigh.

Wilmington-based 'One Tree Hill' enjoys record season premiere

“'One Tree Hill' started its eighth season Tuesday night, but it’s not getting old with viewers. The show helped The CW score its best Tuesday in a year," says the Star-News.

According to The CW, the made-in-Wilmington drama posted the network’s largest audience (2.2 million viewers) in its new 8-9 p.m. Tuesday lead-off position since Oct. 20, 2009.

The show premiere was watched by 10 percent more viewers than the season seven finale, which aired in May. ...

In the coveted 18-34-year-old female demographic, the show scored No. 1 in its time slot in markets including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Cleveland.

We'll see if it can keep up the momentum. The premiere featured several twists that you normally expect for a season finale, not a premiere. There's also a "are they dead or alive?" storyline that could work well or, if dragged out, could state that the show has finally jumped the shark. Let's hope not.

Quick hits: One more season for 'One Tree Hill,' and Screen Gems (sorta) moves to Atlanta

Some Wilmington-area entertainment news for ya ...

An eighth and final season for 'One Tree Hill'
"It's unconfirmed, but insider rumblings have begun that the Wilmington-filmed ‘One Tree Hill' may return for an eighth -- and yes, final -- season," says the Star-News.

"E! Online and Entertainment Weekly are reporting that CW execs are 'strongly considering' giving ‘OTH' a 12-episode run. Though only a half season, it would provide the show with ample time to wrap up its storylines.

"An official announcement is expected to come at the CW's annual fall TV programming lineup on Thursday, May 20. ..."

For those that don't watch the show, last night's episode (which I can only guess is the season finale), was perhaps the most shocking season-ending episode of any show I've ever watched. And yes, I'm not ashamed to admit I watch it. Good writing; good cast; good show.

Screen Gems opens Atlanta studio for more 'urban' settings

"The North Carolina studio where such stars as Michelle Williams and Chad Michael Murray got their start is expanding to Atlanta, partially because movie companies have asked for cityscapes that Wilmington can't provide.

"EUE/Screen Gems has begun the process to lease the former Lakewood Fairgrounds in Atlanta for a new studio lot called the Georgia Film and Television Center," says the AP. ...

"EUE/Screen Gems plans to build a sound stage of up to 40,000 square feet, about the same size as Wilmington's "Dream" Stage 10 which opened a year ago, said Bill Vassar, the executive vice president of the Wilmington studio. ...

"Vassar said that movie and television producers had asked EUE/Screen Gems to consider building in Atlanta for several reasons, including that they need cityscapes for some productions. Wilmington works well for country and suburban settings, but it does not have a background that substitutes for large urban settings.

"NBC, Vassar said, had 17 pilots this year that were all based in big cities. None came to Wilmington because it could not stand in for such places as New York or Chicago. ..."

Garofalo, Smart to star in Wilmington medical drama

One Tree Hill won't be the only game in town in Wilmington for long. CBS' Untitled Medical Drama will start shooting at EUE/Screen Gems studios this month. The pilot is scheduled to shoot in the Port city for about three weeks. Then, it will be considered for pick up. New series are usually announced around the second week of May.

“This is great news for workers and the economy in the Southeastern part of the state,” said Governor Beverly Perdue. “This project will bring hundreds of jobs and much-needed revenue over the next few months and it is exactly what we expected once we were able to make North Carolina more competitive through an increased film tax credit.”

The ensemble drama from executive producer John Wells (“ER,” “Southland”) chronicles the travels of a mobile medical team that helps in medical crises around the country. The show's writer is Hannah Shakespeare (“Ghost Whisperer” and the 2007 “Bionic Woman” series).

“Twilight” actress Rachelle Lefevre is set to play the lead, a young and competent doctor. Actress Amy Smart also is attatched.

It was also announced that Janeane Garofalo is signed up. She will play "'Angel," the chief nurse and operations manager.

'OTH' fans flock to Port City for reunion

More than 30 fans of the TV show "One Tree Hill" have arrived in Wilmington for a reunion -- and the get-together is not even sanctioned by the show or the studio.

The attendees came from across the state and Southeast, as well as Canada, the UK, France and other states.

While the wide-spread geography of the fans is impressive, perhaps more impressive is the fact that the event had no backing or support from The CW, which airs the show, or Warner Bros., the show's production company. The studio tour, location tour, hotel arrangements and such were all accomplished through the efforts of one fan from Miami, Fla., ChristyAnne Arancibia [according to the Star-News].

“It was a comment that was made through a live chat we had,” Arancibia said, referring to what gave her the idea for the “One Tree Hill Fan Reunion.”

You can read more about it here.

Quick hits: Cheap Trick to film 'One Tree Hill' episode, and the Asheville baseball team is for sale

Cheap Trick filming 'One Tree Hill' episode

"... According to Warner Bros., rock band Cheap Trick will be in town this week to film an episode of the Wilmington-made TV drama. The band will perform during a 1980s-themed benefit to raise money for Tree Hill High arts programs," says the Star-News.

"The band has been around since the 1970s playing a mix of pop and punk that has earned Cheap Trick 40 gold and platinum albums. ..."

Asheville Tourists for sale

"Two members of the corporation that owns Asheville's minor league baseball team said talks are being held about selling the Tourists," according to the Citizen-Times.

"Officials from Palace Sports & Entertainment in Detroit, which own the Tourists, didn't return phone calls Monday.

"But Mike Bauer, who is based in Asheville and is the executive director of Palace Baseball, said negotiations to sell the team to an unnamed party are ongoing. ..."

No more 'Earl' but 'OTH' renewed

NBC's "My Name is Earl" has reportedly been canceled, meaning no more TV presence (for now) for Kinston's Jaime Pressly.

It's been reported before that the idea for the show "just came" to creator Greg Garcia several years ago while he was vacationing on the Outer Banks.

GogoRaleigh.com stated that "Earl" is co-produced and co-written by Raleigh native Bobby Bowman, so it's a double boo-hoo for the Wolfpack State.

In other N.C. TV news, "One Tree Hill" has reportedly been renewed; however, a couple of the main stars (not going to give it away) will not be back.

In addition, NBC has renewed "Parks and Recreation," which features Asheville native Paul Schneider as Mark Brendanawicz.

The moon is up, but the sun has not quite set on 'One Tree Hill'

Fans of The CW's "One Tree Hill" (and I count myself among the many now -- see below) can rejoice: the show will get a seventh season.

“If that’s true, then I’m very excited,” Matthew Sullivan, a “One Tree Hill” set decorator, told the Wilmington Star-News.

Wilmington Regional Film Commission director Johnny Griffin said he had seen the rumors online but had not been officially informed. He said the formal announcement is good news for the 125 or so local crew members who are still working on season six.

“These folks can end this season already knowing they have a job,” he said.

Fans, meanwhile, want to know how many of their favorite actors will keep their jobs. The Internet has been abuzz lately with rumors that some of the core cast members, whose contracts expire after season six, would not be back.

CW publicist Jeff Tobler said Tuesday he had no information about whether all the regular cast members had re-signed for a seventh season.

“One Tree Hill” has filmed in Wilmington since 2003. The CW’s order for a 22-episode seventh season will give the drama 152 episodes in total. That makes it the longest-running project to be filmed in the Port City, surpassing “Dawson’s Creek” by 24 episodes.

I've often been one to make fun of the show, thinking that it's just your typical teen drama. Well, it is. But of late, I have come to see the light regarding "OTH." I'm a late-bloomer, having caught up through just Season Five -- the "skip-ahead four years" season. That device was brilliant, in my opinion. Instead of having the same cast of characters just happen to wind up at the same college, we start to go back and see what led them all back to quaint Tree Hill, N.C. Yes, it's contrived, but it's less degrading to the viewer than some shows have done. (How did David Silver just happen to graduate from West Beverly with everyone else?)

The writing on "One Tree Hill" is much better than some other like-dramas. And it's always fun to pick out the Wilmington-area landmarks.

'One Tree Hill' keeps on keepin' on

I'm only posting this because -- for whatever reason -- there seems to be intense interest (particularly across the globe) about the TV show "One Tree Hill." Enjoy.

When One Tree Hill debuted in the fall 2003, creator Mark Schwahn remembers, the ratings were so low that "even my mother didn't know we were on the air."

"We didn't even know if we would get a season two," he said. "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. We were so low, we were like a test pattern."

But 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 survived to a sixth season, airing at 9 p.m. Mondays on the CW [according to the Associated Press]. It reached the magic 100 episodes needed for syndication in March, and with this season matches the tenure of Dawson's Creek -- the teen-angst drama that preceded One Tree Hill in Wilmington and on the WB.

Dawson's what? 'One Tree Hill' picked up for a sixth season

To hear the folks at One Tree Hill talk, the specter of Dawson's Creek has always hung over them.

Until now.

It was announced on Monday that One Tree Hill will be back for a sixth season, effectively matching Dawson's run in Wilmington.

“It’s sort of unimaginable,” Mark Schwahn, One Tree Hill’s creator told the Wilmington Star-News.

"Dawson’s Creek is a huge, big, wonderful show that when you come to Wilmington to make a pilot, you have this spectre of this show looming over you and it seems unattainable to go as long as they would,” Schwahn said.

Locals crew members expressed a relief in knowing that after wrapping the recently ordered six episodes to be filmed for season five, they’ll go on a short hiatus and get right back to work.

Michael J. Hall, a construction coordinator on the show who also worked on Dawson’s Creek, was “a bit surprised” to learn the show had been renewed. He first learned about the sixth season approval when called by the Star-News for comment. He was in New Orleans working on a feature film.

“Yee ha!” he said. “I came here to do a show during the strike and I was unaware that after the strike was resolved, they’d come back and shoot a few more episodes for season five. So I’ll definitely be home for season six.”...

A sixth season for the show, which employs between 125 and 150 locals, is good news for the local economy, said Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. In the past, One Tree Hill has spent roughly a million dollars an episode, he said, “If they order 12 or 13 or 22, that’s how much more we’re going to get in the local economy.” ...

The One Tree Hill pick-up is just the most recent good news for Wilmington’s film professionals. HBO confirmed Thursday that an adaptation of the BBC series Little Britain will begin filming here this month.