Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County
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| Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County | |
|---|---|
| File:LBLogo.jpg The logo of Laguna Beach (from opening credits) | |
| Created by | Liz Gateley |
| Starring | Kristin Cavallari (Season 1 - 2) Lauren Conrad (Season 1 - 2) Stephen Colletti (Season 1 - 2) Lauren Bosworth (Season 1) Christina Schuller (Season 1) Trey Phillips (Season 1) Morgan Olsen (Season 1) Talan Torriero (Season 1 - 2) Jessica Smith (Season 2 to 3) Jason Wahler (Season 2) Alex Murrel (Season 2) Taylor Cole (Season 2) Cameron Brinkman (Season 3) Breanna Conrad (Season 3) Lexie Contursi (Season 3) Rocky Donatelli(Season 3) Cami Edwards (Season 3) Kelan Hurley (Season 3) Chase Johnson (Season 3) Tessa Keller (Season 3) Kyndra Mayo (Season 3) |
| Opening theme | Come Clean by Hilary Duff |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| No. of episodes | 43 (to date) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 21 minutes (30 min with commercials) /44 minutes (Season 2 Premiere) |
| Original release | |
| Network | MTV |
| Release | September 28, 2004 – present |
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (often referred to as "Laguna Beach") is an American reality TV show on MTV documenting the lives of several wealthy teenagers living in Laguna Beach, a wealthy community located in Orange County, California. During the initial development stage, one of the ideas was to set this reality show in Beverly Hills mimicking the successful fictional 90's FOX television show Beverly Hills 90210. Producers scouted numerous wealthy Southern California towns such as San Marino, CA before finally deciding to base the show in city of Laguna Beach. During the process of filming the first season, the now popular teen-drama The O.C. had just began airing on television. To ride off The O.C.'s booming popularity, the tagline "The Real Orange County" was added to the show's moniker before airing to cable-television viewers on September 28, 2004.
It differs from the usual reality show genre in that the show is structured as a traditional narrative (seen more commonly in fictionalized television dramas or soap operas) than a straight forward observant documentary.
Season 1 (Overview)
The show's debut season primarily featured the love triangle between Stephen, LC, and Stephen's girlfriend, Kristin. Stephen and LC have been lifelong friends, and the show alluded to romantic drama earlier in high school when Stephen juggled both Kristin and LC. Now, in LC and Stephen's senior year, LC plans to get Stephen for good, much to Kristin's dismay. The rest of the cast served as supporting characters that helped to further or complicate this love triangle.
The show also portrayed the daily life of LC along with best friend Lo, described as "Laguna Beach’s very own Paris Hilton."
Season 1 finale ended with Kristin and Stephen staying together as a romantic couple, despite the fact that Stephen and LC were heading off to college together 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.
Season 1 was filmed by MTV in the style similar to its other reality shows, such as "The Real World" and "Road Rules." Cast members were not instructed to be in certain locations or filmed by multiple cameras. Season 1 was an extremely successful show for MTV with outstanding viewer ratings. Kristin Cavalleri & LC emerged as break-through reality show celebrities, garnering media coverage beyond the Laguna Beach context.
Season 1 Cast
Lo Bosworth
Lauren "Lo" Ogilvie Bosworth (born 1 July 1986 in Laguna Beach, California) was a cast member of the first season of Laguna Beach. Lo's parents were fairly strict and though she said she was not allowed to join the cast, she really just did not want to go to Catalina Island. She was actually not allowed to go to with the cast on their trip to Cabo San Lucas. During Season 1, Lo was a senior and best friends with former castmate LC. During Season 1 she mentioned that she hooked up with castmate Talan. However, since starting college, the two have grown apart and do not speak. Lo now resides in the Three Arch Bay gated community in southern Laguna Beach. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Communications and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She lived in the Tropicana Gardens her freshman year. She transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles her junior year and now resides in Los Angeles.
Stephen Colletti
Stephen August Colletti (born 13 February 1986 in Laguna Beach, California) is a main character of the first two seasons who continually found himself in a love triangle with childhood friend LC and Kristin Cavallari. Stephen was dating Kristin in the beginning of Season 1, and she often visited him at his workplace, Laguna Surf and Sport. On the trip to Cabo San Lucas, however, Stephen was enraged with Kristin after she danced provocatively on a table and appeared visibly intoxicated. He then drifted to Lauren, but later surprisingly asked Kristin to senior prom. At the end of Season 1, Stephen attended San Francisco State University to study radio and television communications, accompanied by LC who was studying fashion design in the same city. Stephen is currently a MTV VJ on MTV's TRL. He is currently dating Hayden Panettiere who is staring on the new show Heroes.. Stephen was also featured in the Disney TV show "Bug Juice" during its' second season run at Camp Highlander in North Carolina. He was a camper in Session A and B from Cabin 28.
Kristin Cavallari
Kristin Elizabeth Cavallari (born January 14, 1987 in Denver, Colorado). Kristin was a cast member for both the first and second season. Before moving to California, Kristin lived in Connecticut, Colorado and Barrington, Illinois. Once her parents divorced, her father moved to Laguna with her older brother Michael, while Kristin moved with her mother to Illinois. A step-father and step-brother ensued. Like most children, she rebelled to get attention, and caused enough trouble for her mother to send her to live with her father, Dennis, who worked as an apartment developer. Kristin attended a private Catholic School in her freshman year on her parents' wishes, but then transferred to Laguna High School in her sophomore year after meeting members of the Laguna Beach cast at a Driver's Education course she took at the school.
Kristin was one of several teenagers who had their lives captured on the MTV reality show Laguna Beach. Interest in her was sparked among viewers as they watched her progress from being a self-doubting High School junior (1st season) to a popular, confident, school-ruling senior (2nd season). Her part grew steadily bigger on the show, and became a fan favorite due to her incessant drama, bitchy attitude, promiscuity, handle on men, and beauty. Aside from her role on Laguna Beach, she has also earned other acting roles, though she has had a tendency to be typecast. She briefly attended school at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
LC
Lauren "LC" Katherine Conrad (born 1 February 1986 in Newport Beach, California) was one of the principal characters of Seasons 1 & 2 and became a reality show celebrity for MTV. Her father, who is an architect, built the family home in Laguna Beach, California where LC, her younger sister and brother were raised. On the show, she was the narrator and major character who nursed a crush on cast mate Stephen Colletti. Her other, more recent, love interest was castmate Jason Whaler.
Her interest in fashion design began in the seventh grade, which led her to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for one semester before she transferred to a different school. She earned an intern position for Teen Vogue Magazine in Los Angeles, and now lives in L.A. to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where she majors in her dream subject, Fashion Design.
She now stars in her own reality show, The Hills, which is also on the MTV network. The Hills was recently renewed for a second season, which LC has been quoted as saying should air in early 2007.
Trey Phillips
Charles Trey Phillips (born 11 March 1986 in Los Angeles, California) was a senior and Season 1's "the thinking girl’s hunk." He has been friends with fellow cast member Stephen since they were both toddlers. He is passionate about politics and activism. Season 1 showed Trey promoting his non-profit organization, Active Young Americans, and holding fashion shows to raise money for charity causes.
Morgan Olsen
Morgan Olsen (born 1986) With her best-friend Christina Schuller, she was a cast member in Season 1, and appeared in a few episodes in Season 2. Morgan was imaged as the "good/innocent" girl. She often stood out from the rest of the cast because of her decision to abstain from pre-marital sex. Although she had no plans to audition for the show, she was influenced by a friend who encouraged her to participate.
Morgan was new to the school during her senior year and made friends really fast. She and Christina became extremely close during the filming of Season 1. Morgan was rejected from the only college that she applied to, Brigham Young University. Her reaction was shown on camera. Despite that televised event, Morgan reportedly started attending classes at BYU in the Fall of 2004. Morgan appeared in the first episode of Season 2 titled "Since U Been Gone."
Christina Schuller
Christina Michelle Schuller (born 8 September, 1986 in Orange County, California) is the daughter of televangelist Dr. Robert Anthony Schuller who is affilated with the Crystal Cathedral located in Garden Grove, California. During her stint in the first season of the show, Christina was usually seen with her friend, Morgan. During one episode, the pair headed to New York where Christina aspired to become a professional Broadway singer. She now attends the University of Southern California.
Talan Torriero
Talan Christopher Torriero (born 2 November 1986 in Markham, Ontario, Canada) was an original cast member in Season 1 as a high school junior. Although he had professed his love for Taylor at the beginning of Season 2, he continued to hook-up with Kristin on numerous occasions including the night he simultaneously revealed his deep feelings to Taylor. This made Taylor extremely angry and led to argument while the two were at the beach, though they still ended up as each other's date to the winter formal dance.
Talan was engaged to Kimberly Stewart, only to break the engagement days later.
He has subsequently appeared in a cameo on Kathy Griffin's Bravo TV reality show "My Life on the D-List".
Season 2 (Overview)
With Season 1 seniors gone, Season 2 focused on Kristin and her "power clique." This clique included supporting cast members Alex H. and Jessica Smith, both of whom shared the camera last season (Jessica as Dieter’s girlfriend and Alex as Kristin’s best friend). This season followed the expected "Battle of the Cliques" and various love triangles experienced by the "power clique" members.
Another Season 2 storyline followed the love life of Season 1's LC. Having left college in Northern California, she returned to Laguna Beach and found a new love interest toward the end of the season in the form of Jason, playboy extraordinaire. Stephen made an appearance surprising LC with chocolate and flowers around Valentine's Day.
Season 2 marked the advent in the change of filming style that MTV used for this show. The show took on a narrative tone and was filmed with multiple cameras. Critics remarked that with the aforementioned changes and other notable departures from the traditional documentary genre, they were skeptical of the veracity of this MTV reality show. However, MTV still maintains that this show is about real people and real situations.
Season 2 Cast
- Kristin, Stephen, LC, and Talan returned for a second season with the following new principal characters:
Taylor Cole
Taylor Lauren Cole (born 12 February 1987 in Orange County, California) was featured in Season 2 as the best friend of fellow cast member Alex M.. At times, she and Kristin could not stand each other, but Season 2 showed them patching up their difference and becoming friends. She currently attends the University of Arizona, and to her credit, she seems to actually be pursuing a college degree.
Alex M.
Alexandra "Alex" Leah Murrel (born 27 January 1987 in Orange County, California) was featured on Season 2. She was best friends with Taylor Cole. Alex M. played a part in this season's love triangle, which included Jessica Smith, Jason Wahler, and herself. Jason was going out with Jessica until Alex went to Winter Formal with him.
Alex M. currently shares an apartment in West Hollywood with fellow cast member Alex H. and close friend Britt Delano. She also modeled for a Bongo campaign with fellow cast members Kristin, LC, Stephen, Jason, and Talan. She is trying to make her mark in music. She is currently recording her debut album, which is said to be released September 26, 2006.
Jessica Smith
Jessica Renee Smith (born 15 September 1987 in Phoenix, Arizona) was a minor character as Kristin's friend and Dieter Schmitz's girlfriend in Season 1. However, during Season 2, her airtime increased and she became a principal cast member. During this season, Jessica briefly dated Jason, but the two broke up after she could no longer handle his wandering eyes.
She has briefly appeared in Season 3 as Cameron's girlfriend.
Jason Wahler
Jason Daniel Wahler (born January 11, 1987 in Orange County, California) was portrayed as the resident Don Juan of Season 2. Although he was officially in a relationship with Jessica at the start of Season 2, he hooked up with Alex M. and LC throughout the season. As a result of his actions, he not only jeopardized his relationship with Jessica, but also her friendships with his hook-up partners.
Jason appeared as LC's boyfriend on her MTV spinoff show The Hills. In August 2006, it was reported that LC and Jason had broken up yet again and that this time their break-up was violent. LC and her best friend and roommate Heidi notified their apartment management that they would be moving out and if Jason appeared he should be removed from the premises.[citation needed] However, this event occurred between filming seasons for The Hills. He appeared in Episode 6 of Season 3 where he was shown as friends with Kyndra's on-again and off-again boyfriend, Tyler.
Other cast (Seasons 1 & 2)
- In addition to the principal cast members, there have been significant secondary characters, as follows:
Dieter Schmitz
Dieter Blair Schmitz (born December 21, 1986 in Orange County, California) appeared in the first two seasons as the best friend of Stephen and LC. He had briefly dated Jessica, some of which was filmed during Season 1. Dieter has started a charity called "Running Home 4 Teens". He attends Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California.
Cedric Channels
Cedric George Channels (born 26 November 1986 in Orange County, California) was shown as Jason Wahler’s best friend and sidekick. He currently attends school at the University of Arizona.
Alex Hooser
Lauren Alexandria "Alex H." Hooser (born 14 November 1986 in San Diego County, California) was shown as one of Kristin's two best friends. She appeared at the start of almost every Season 1 & 2 episode. She was often seen watching Kristin pack for various events, like visiting Stephen or the Cabo trip. During season 2 she hooked up with Jeff B. during Winter Formal. Alex H. mentioned her plans to attend college in Santa Monica, California during Season 2. She currently lives with Alex M. in L.A. and has appeared in a few episodes of Season 3. Alex is also known for her uncanny resemblance to Roz Doyle, from the popular television series Fraiser.
Casey Reinhardt
Casey Beau Reinhardt (born 1 July 1986 in Los Angeles County, California) [1] appeared in Season 2. On the show she was referred to as "The New Girl" with an awesome house. That is, until one afternoon she had coffee with LC, her subtitle then changed to "LC's Friend". She has competed in numerous beauty pageants, such as, the Miss California Teen USA, the Miss Orange County Teen USA, and the Hawaiian Tropic Teen Miss.
She is currently studying at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California to be a child-care technician, and is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She is also an aspiring model and actress.
Morgan Souders
Morgan Nicole Souders (born 14 April 1987 in Orange County, California). Morgan served as the link between the two cliques: Taylor & Alex M. and Alex H, Kristin & Jessica. During Season 1 her loyalty lay with Kristin et. al., but in Season 2 she shifted to the other side with Alex M. and Taylor. Morgan currently attends San Diego State University.
MTV is offering the Complete Second Season with an exclusive Bonus DVD that contains over 30 minutes of highlights from the After Show including footage of the cast members’ cribs, details about Laguna fashion, answers to fan emails, etc.
Season 3 (Overview)
Critics dubbed Season 3 as "Laguna Beach: The Next Generation" as its cast was formed with all new teenagers. Seasons 1 and 2 cast members, such as LC and Kristin Cavallari, have all graduated and this season followed an entirely new group of kids. Most of the cast members were in their junior year during the shooting of Season 3 and born in the year of 1989.
This season's storylines illustrated and intertwined the dynamics of the new cast's different cliques. The plot battles between Season 3 cliques resembled the same conflicts that occurred during Season 2 with Kristin et. al. versus Alex M. and Taylor. Season 3 pitted Tessa and Raquel/"Rocky" (dubbed the "good girls") against Kyndra and Cami (dubbed the "mean popular girls"). Another storyline dramatized the love triangle between Kyndra, her boyfriend Tyler, and flirty "single-ish" Cameron. Season 3 also followed Laguna Beach's homegrown rock band, "Open Air Stereo," with cast members Chase as lead vocal and Kelan in lead guitar.
MTV took a ratings risk in casting all this season's principals with unfamiliar cast members. However, certain featured alumni from Seasons 1 & 2 appeared in Season 3, such as Jessica Smith (Season 2 cast member and Cameron's girlfriend), Breanna (who is the younger sister of LC) and Cami as Kyndra’s sidekick. MTV acknowledged that Season 3 ratings declined over Seasons 1 & 2, but qualified that the ratings dip was expected because of the casting overhaul. MTV stated that they are committed to continuing this series with a full 15 episodes for Season 3 and will keep the core cast through Season 4. In that sense, Laguna Beach is being treated as a "franchise" show similar to MTV's Real World and Road Rules programming.
Season 3 Cast
Tessa Keller
Tessa Nicole Keller (born 20 March 1989 in Orange County, California). Tessa is of German American, Irish American, Filipino American and Chinese American descent. Tessa served as the narrator for Season 3 and is also a model for the surf wear companies Hurley International and Lucy Love. Tessa enjoys designing her own clothes, which includes the dress she wore to prom.
In her sophomore year, Tessa had a serious illness that landed her at the hospital in a medically-induced coma. Eating disorder rumors arose as the cause of her hospitalization, however it was confirmed she suffered from Stevens-Johnson syndrome catalyzed by an allergic reaction to an antibiotic prescribed by her dermatologist for acne (Source: Daly, Melissa. "My Friend Ditched Me!" Seventeen Magazine Dec. 2006: 102.). During her stay at the hospital Tessa allowed only a few people to visit her one of them being her lifelong friend Chase. Prior to her illness, Tessa had been close friends with Kyndra but claims Kyndra was one of the friends that did not support her during "the time she needed her the most". It has been revealed that Tara was the best friend who ditched Tessa but because of her refusal to be a main part of the cast, MTV decided to focus on the drama between Kyndra and Tessa.
During the filming of Season 3, Tessa lived with Rocky's family in the Laguna Beach community as her permanent residence is in San Clemente. After her junior year, Tessa transferred to San Clemente High School. Since the end of filming season 3 Tessa and Rocky are no longer friends and it is still unknown whether or not Tessa will be cast in season 4.
Rocky Donatelli
Raquel "Rocky" Nicole Donatelli (born 25 April 1989) [2] is of Italian American descent. She enjoys cooking and dancing in her spare time.
Prior to this season, Rocky was best friends with LC's younger sister, Breanna. In Season 3, they were no longer best friends because of an unexplained rift (which was most likely caused because of Rocky's friendship with Tessa, who Breanna dislikes). Rocky became best friends with Tessa. The two of them were the "nice girls" of Season 3 and had a bit of a rivalry with the popular clique. Season 3 also showed Rocky's relationship with a guy named Alex who was from another school.
Kyndra Mayo
Kyndra Alyse Mayo (born 29 June 1989 in Orange County, California) is of Hispanic and White American descent. Kyndra inhabited the role of "Queen Bee" and leader of the popular clique this season.
Season 3 showed Kyndra shopping, partying, hooking up with boys, and talking about Tessa & Rocky. As such, she and her sidekick Cami were cast in the lead roles of "rich bitches." Another member of her clique was Lexie Contursi.
During season 3 Kyndra hooked up with Cameron at her barbeque not caring that he was "dating" Jessica. Although Cameron denies to have ever dated Jessica to her in Episode 2.
Unlike Cami, Kyndra has publicly stated that she is not bothered by the way that she was portrayed in Season 3. In an interview, she said "If everyone played the little nice girl, then no one's gonna watch the show. So I'd rather draw people into watching the show." In keeping with this sentiment, she has acted so uncooperatively since the end of filming Season 3 that MTV publicity executives and the show’s executive producer issued apologies to Kyndra’s interviewers. [3]
Cami Edwards
Cameron "Cami" Michelle Edwards (born 24 March 1989 in Orange County, California) is of African American and White American descent. She has stated that she considers herself "a quarter black and three quarters white." Cami had a cameo appearance last season as Jason's prom date, as well as participant in Morgan Soulder's poker party, thus serving as a bridge character, albeit minor, from Season 2 to Season 3.
Cami filled the role of Kyndra's sidekick this season. She and Kyndra formed the core of the "mean popular girls" clique that rivaled Tessa and Rocky. As the narrator of Season 3, Tessa dubbed Cami the "Queen of Mean," because of Cami's tendency to be sarcastic. After Season 3 aired Cami gave an interview [4] objecting to the way that she and Kyndra were portrayed. Cami stated that she looked forward to Season 4 because she intended to "clean things up," implying that she was not a "mean girl" and that other cast members were not as positive as they were portrayed.
Cameron Brinkman
Cameron Warren Brinkman (born 30 January 1989) is of White American and Lithuanian descent. He is a member of Laguna Beach High School's waterpolo team. Cameron is your typical innocent bad boy player. He was initially linked with last season's Jessica Smith, but now they are simply close friends. This is due to the fact that he became engaged in a love triangle with Tyler and his on-again off-again girlfriend, Kyndra. Cameron had a hard time during the Senior Graduation during Season 3 as most of his friends were seniors, and they have all now left Laguna Beach for college. Cameron looks forward to going to college to join his buddies.
Chase Johnson
Chase Kenneth Johnson (born 17 July 1988 in Orange County, California) [5] [6] is of White American descent. He is the lead singer of local rock band Open Air Stereo, currently signed with Sony/Epic Records.
It was rare to see Chase in Season 3 outside from band performances, band meetings, and band rehearsals. He appeared to socialize with all the other male cast members. The few times Chase appeared in non-band related episodes was to comfort and counsel Tessa. Yet, he remained a principal cast member because of the episodic time devoted to Open Air Stereo.
Breanna Conrad
Breanna Christine Conrad was born on August 23, 1989 in Laguna Beach, California. She has lived in Laguna all her life. She is the middle child in her family. She has an older sister, Lauren (who was in the main cast in seasons one and two) and a younger brother, Brandon. As a follower of Kyndra's lead in the "power clique," she was portrayed as a nemesis of Tessa and Rocky. She is a member of the Laguna Beach High School tennis and soccer teams. In her spare time she enjoys gymnastics and dancing.
Kelan Hurley
Kelan Obrian Hurley [7] (born 28 July 1987 in Orange County, California) is of White American descent. He is the lead guitarist of local rock band "Open Air Stereo" with fellow cast member Chase. He currently attends San Diego State University.
One of Season 3's storylines sporadically followed the musical and professional growth of his band. Kelan's band publicly stated that he and his band mates did not care about the accuracy or honesty of the show's storylines. However, once the band realized the potential media exposure the show presented, they "knew it would be stupid to pass up an opportunity to reach out to more people and have them hear our music, and we're going to make it work."
Lexie Contursi
Alexandra "Lexie" Brianne Contursi (born 18 September 1989) is of Italian American and White American descent. The show's production labelled Lexie as the resident "Ice Princess" because of her icy, stand-offish demeanor. She enjoys dancing and has a career goal of becoming a professional dancer. She is a member of Kyndra's clique and was only shown peripherally in Season 3 as a minor supporting character. During the entire season Lexie steered clear of all Laguna boys.
Other cast (Season 3)
Derek LeBon
Derek Maits LeBon
Although Derek is one of the "popular boys", we are first introduced to him when he asks Tessa on a date, to the annoyance of Kyndra and Cami. Eventually the romance dies out (he begins to ignore her) and he is then shown as a good friend of Cameron's. Derek was also seen as Lexie's prom date. He graduated high school in 2006, and now attends UC Davis majoring in Economics [8].
Alex Atkinson
Alex Atkinson
Alex is Rocky's on-again-off-again boyfriend (but they are mostly on). His first appearance on the show was before Rocky's Christmas party. He was a senior at San Clemente High School and Rocky said she liked him because "he goes to another school, but he's friends with EJ, so he's still 'pluged in.'" He attended Laguna Beach's Winter Formal with Rocky. He later broke up with her at a bonfire and attempted to start something with Lexie, who he asked to the Open Air Stereo concert. However, he claimed to have "realized his mistake" and got back together with Rocky in time for prom. When he disappeared during prom Rocky became upset and they got into a fight which Cami tried to mediate. They did stay together after his graduation (which Rocky attended). Both Rocky and Alex stated that even after the season finale they are still dating.
Tyler Dowers
Tyler Dana Dowers
Tyler is Kyndra's on-again-off-again boyfriend and Nikki's older brother. He made a very brief appearance in Season 2 alongside Jason Wahler.
Nikki Dowers
Nicole "Nikki" Demming Dowers
Nikki is Tyler's younger sister. On Laguna Beach, she was seen with Kyndra and Cami, her good friends on the show.
Candace Siegmund
Candace Suzanne Siegmund
She is a part of Kyndra's "popular clique." and appeared in Episode 1 as one of the "catty girls" at Kyndra's barbecue.
Rachel Swimmer
Rachel Lorreine Swimmer
She is a part of Lexie's "popular clique."
Alex Mars
Alexander Mars
Alex asked Kyndra to prom at a tattoo parlor.
Tara Springer
Tara Kathleen Springer
She is a part of Lexie's "popular clique." According to an article in Seventeen's December 2006 issue, she is the best friend that ditched Tessa during her illness.
Nick Walker
Nicholas "Nick" John Walker
Friend of Cameron's. It was noted in one of the episodes that Nick showed interest in Rocky and asked her out on a date.
Nick Gross
Nicholas "Nick" William Gross
Nick is the drummer for Open Air Stereo.
Braeden Hurley
Braeden Hurley
Braeden is Kelan's younger brother and is the bass guitarist for Open Air Stereo.
Alana Bunte
Alana Camille Bunte
Alana is Nick G.'s girlfriend and had minor appearances during this season.
Matt Renault
Matthew "Matt" John Renault
Matt is friends with Kelan, Derek, and Cameron. He asked Cami to Prom by suprising her while hiding underneath a gift-box in a hole dug into the sand on the beach. He currently attends school at California State University, Chico.
Jade Kapololu
Jade Kapololu
Jade is Kelan's ex-girlfriend. They both attended prom together. She is close friends with Tessa and is friends with other cast members as well.
Controversy
Starting with Season 2, there has been a lot of debate over how "real" and "true" the show actually is due to the quality and quantity of the camera angles and the alleged public discovery that many of the show's scenes are supposedly manipulated by the producers.
Critics who allege that the show's events are manipulated cite Season 2's "Peace Bonfire". It is purported that the MTV production crew staged the bonfire before allowing the cast to interact with one other and also instructed Jason on his entrance and dialogue. Another cited event from Season 2 is in Cabo San Lucas where Alex M. confronted Jessica. It has been asserted that MTV producers stopped Alex M. before the confrontation in order to advantageously set up the cameras to fully capture the scene. Aside from the physical manipulations of the scene, critics contend that MTV edits film footage to produce friendships and relationships that do not actually occur. [9][10]
However, MTV maintains that this show is a reality TV show. Before each episode, a frame is run that states that this show is about real people and real situations.
Episodes
US Premiere Dates
- Season 1 - 28 September 2004
- Season 2 - 25 July 2005
- Season 3 - 16 August 2006
Official Show Websites
Virtual Laguna Beach
In August 2006, MTV started the Alpha test of Virtual Laguna Beach VLB Site In September 2006, the program went into Beta. The platform, created by Makena Technologies, also the creator of There.com Ex1. Many guests have appeared in Virtual Laguna Beach. Raquel "Rocky" Donatelli of Laguna Beach, Open Air Stereo, Vanessa Anne Hudgens of Disney's High School Musical, Kyndra and Cameron "Cami" of Laguna Beach, and the band Cartel.