61 Nostalgic Teen Shows to Watch Over and Over Again

"The O.C." didn't achieve teen-TV greatness by totally reinventing the genre, but rather by polishing its tropes to a new level and finding a cast with top-notch chemistry. Bad boy Ryan, "poor little rich girl" Marissa, geeky Seth, and popular Summer instantly became iconic characters (and romances), all while surrounded by a drama-packed world full of betrayals and murders along with the usual pressures of teen life. It became a genuine must-watch phenomenon during its time on the air, headlined the golden age of teen TV soundtracks, and was responsible for at least one truly unforgettable meme. All together now: "Mmmm, whatcha say..."