'' (often referred to only as "Laguna Beach") is a reality TV show documenting the lives of several affluent teenagers living in
Laguna Beach ,
California , a wealthy community in
Orange County . The show contains similar themes as the
FOX hit
Teen Drama ''
The O.C. ''. It differs from most other reality shows in that it is structured as somewhat more of a traditional narrative than a documentary.
The Laguna Beach phenomenon started in late
2003 , when MTV producers started scouting locations to film a reality show about high school kids. The plan was to create a reality show that was shot in the essence of a prime-time drama. Originally, producers were to film at
Beverly Hills High School (in the tradition of ''
Beverly Hills 90210 ''). Producers then switched their main focus to Laguna Beach, California, a city in
Orange County , based on the popularity of the
FOX T.V. show ''
The O.C. ''.
Lauren Conrad or "LC" was an active member of
Laguna Beach High School 's student government, and was immediately noticed by MTV producers. Coincidentally, at the time of auditions a real-life love triangle was brewing among Conrad,
Stephen Colletti and bad-girl
Kristin Cavallari . Colletti and Cavallari began to date; however, now that they are going to separate colleges, they have an "open relationship" and are free, if they have no guilt, to date other people.
The show premiered on ,
Charles "Trey" Phillips ,
Talan Torriero ,
Christina Schuller and
Morgan Olsen . The show was a breakout smash hit and quickly became the second most popular show on MTV to ''
The Real World ''.
Laguna Beach was renewed for a second season which focused on Cavallari and her friends during their senior year. LC, Stephen, Talan and Kristin returned from the previous season as regulars and the new cast included:
Jessica Smith ,
Jason Wahler ,
Alex Murrel , and
Taylor Cole .
The second season of the show contained more drama and continued to score high ratings.
MTV describes Laguna Beach: "It's one of the wealthiest, most beautiful beachside communities in the world and MTV has unlimited access to the tight-knit power clique of eight rich, beautiful teenagers that live there. Their lives intertwine in ways you won't believe, until you drop in for a visit. Laguna Beach is paradise--a little slice of heaven on earth--why would anyone want to leave? The answer will come as you watch the best friends share experiences through parties, relationships, love and small town injustice. This is where the angst and the tumultuous affairs are the stuff of prime time drama, except this is all REAL. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Welcome to paradise, otherwise known as
Laguna Beach, California ."
Like most MTV shows, there is a strong musical presence within the show. Many episodes are named after popular songs and much of the show has a musical background. The show's theme song is "
Come Clean " by
Hilary Duff .
There has been some controversy about whether the situations on the show are real, mainly due to the use of multiple camera angles allowing the crew to capture all the action, which some people have criticized as they feel in reality this would not be able to happen. MTV's disclaimer at the beginning of the show states that "the people, the locations and the drama are all real."
In a ''
New York Times '' article, executive producer Tony DiSanto elaborated: "It's as real as any reality show. These are the real kids. The things they're saying are unscripted; it's what goes on in their lives. What we chose to show or not show is where we are editorializing. And just like any reality show, if two kids say they want to go out to dinner and we know that this one restaurant will not allow us to shoot in there then we can't get the scene. So we may ask them, 'You know what? Would you guys mind going to this one where they'll let us shoot?' They say yes or may say no. It's obviously their decision."
But one source tells that the producers tell some cast members, such as Taylor Cole, to go into their parents room for a shoot at her house because her room "does not look big enough."
The show's first season concentrated on the love triangle between Kristin, a junior, Stephen, a senior, and Lauren, also a senior. Kristin (Cavallari), is dating Stephen (Colletti), and Lauren (Conrad), or "LC" as her close friends call her. The season started out with the audience being introduced to LC and friends when they are discussing their party, "A Black and White Affair." LC narrates the first season and most of the drama is between her and Kristin.
The entire season featured the ups and downs of Kristin's and Stephen's relationship--Stephen would become upset when Kristin hooked up with other boys such as Talan (Torrerio) and her crush, Sam. Stephen himself was extremely friendly with LC, who had a crush on Stephen. The finale ended with Kristin and Stephen staying together, although Stephen and LC were going off to college in
San Francisco . Stephen went to
San Francisco State University , while LC attended the
Academy Of Art University , also in San Francisco, to study fashion design.
The show also portrayed the daily life of LC along with best friend Lo, described as "Laguna Beach's very own Paris Hilton." Lo lives by the adage of "Every day is a fashion show" and is always there for LC.
Morgan and Christina are best friends. Christina is the daughter of Dr.
Robert A. Schuller , televangelist and pastor of the largest church in California, the
Crystal Cathedral . Morgan's aim was to remain a virgin among all her high school friends who had frequent hookups. Morgan had only applied to
Brigham Young University for university, and is dejected after receiving a letter of rejection. MTV however chose to edit out the scene of her telling her father that she did manage to get a place in
Brigham Young University in the end. Christina sings and acts well, and one episode showed her along with her siblings at the
Crystal Cathedral . For another episode, she went to
New York City to audition for a casting director for Broadway musicals. Morgan and Christina had some awkwardness with LC and Lo due to Christina deciding not to invite LC and Lo to her 18th birthday party, however not much more is said on the matter. Morgan is now studying at BYU, and Christina is continuing acting and singing.
Best friends with Stephen since he was young, Trey is a senior and "the thinking girl's hunk." He is passionate about politics and activism. Several episodes showed Trey promoting his non-profit organization, Active Young Americans, and holding fashion shows to raise money for charity causes.
See Also: Characters in Laguna Beach
- Kristin Cavallari
- Lauren "Lo" Bosworth (Season 1)
- Lauren "LC" Conrad
- Stephen Coletti
- Morgan Olsen (Season 1)
- Trevor Arnett (Season 1)
- Christina Schuller (Season 1)
- Jessica Smith (Season 2)
- Alexandra "Alex M." Murrel (Season 2)
- Taylor Cole (Season 2)
- Trey Phillips
- Talan Torriero
- Jeff Boyle (Season 2)
- Jennifer Bunney (Seasons 1-2)
- Cedric Channels (Season 2)
- Alex Hooser (Seasons 1-2)
- Heidi Montag (Season 2)
- Loren Polster (Seasons 1-2)
- Casey Reinhardt (Season 2)
- Dieter Schmitz (Seasons 1-2)
- Morgan Souders (Seasons 1-2)
- Maria Scheidler (Seasons 1-2)
- Julie Larson (Season 2)
