How 'The OC' Would Be Different in 2018

California, here we come.

August 5, 2018

The OC, for all its drama and chaos, was certainly a marker of its time. It premiered in 2003 and ended in 2007 – before the height of smartphones, social media, and all the technology that colors our everyday lives. And in some ways, a decade (or more, yikes) isn't that long of a time, but it simultaneously feels like a lifetime ago.

Of course, The OC would be completely different if it took place today. (Can you imagine all of those characters with iPhones?) In honor of Seth, Ryan, and the whole OC crew, we're going back to California one more time. Here are 15 ways the show would be totally different if it were set in 2018.

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Seth would totally have a Tumblr.
And he would certainly be internet famous with, like, zillions of followers.
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Instead of being a video game junkie, he'd be addicted to Netflix.
And you know he'd jokingly use the phrase "Netflix and chill" in the most awkward situations.

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He'd be first in line for the new Star Wars movies.
Of course, he'd have a LOT of opinions after each one.
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Marissa and Summer would Snapchat one another constantly.
Instead of texting and calling, there would be puppy filters and high-pitched voice distorters.

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And Summer would probably use hashtags in conversation in a sincere way.
"Hashtag ew!"
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Kaitlin "Mini Coop" Cooper would be an Instagram star...
...at 10 years old. And all of her 'grams would be of her pony, probably.

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The Cohens' kitchen would be filled with rainbow bagels and cronuts.
But there would be the regular bagels and schmear too, of course.
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And everyone's eyebrows would be as thick as Sandy's.
Does Sandy Cohen realize that he's got the OG Instagram brows?

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Ryan would belong to Newport Crossfit.
It sure beats cage fighting.
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Except you'd never know about it because he'd never post about Crossfit on social media.
Actually, he'd never post on social media at all. Ryan would be "too cool" for any of that.

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But speaking of social media...Julie Cooper would definitely be on Tinder.
Can't you just picture her lounging by the pool and swiping away?
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Kirsten and Julie would have clients like the Kardashians and Jenners.
Kylie Jenner would definitely visit the Newport Group to look for another house to add to her collection.

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Taylor Townsend would be gearing up to run for office.
You know she would have been a diehard Hillary supporter in the 2016 election. But now she'd definitely be taking matters into her own hands and figuring out how to run for president herself.
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The clothes would be SO different.
No more flared jeans, ruffled skirts, and halter tops. Hello, choker necklaces and ruffled shirts!

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One thing that wouldn't be different?
It would still be one of the greatest shows of all time.

De Elizabeth is a journalist specializing in pop culture, mental health, politics, LGBTQ+ issues and lifestyle. She’s currently an editor at Parents. Previously, she worked in editorial at Netflix and is the former weekend editor at Teen Vogue. She also writes YA and adult fiction. You can find her on ... Read More

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