One Tree Hill: Judgement

I believe success is determined in a variety of ways and meanings to different people. Some viewers classify a show as successful  based off the ratings and good reviews, others believe success comes from the quality of the show and the amount of money it brings in for the network. A show is successful in my eyes when its’ writers and directors use the power of their voice to convey a useful message along with an entertaining storyline to engage their target audience and leave an impact creating a legacy lasting long after the final episode. One Tree Hill was a successful television show because of the way it related to its target audience, how the story was told, and the overall message viewers can take away after completing it.   

The writers of One Tree Hill involved its audience by incorporating their culture and highlighting their known shared substances. I have discussed audience involvement increasingly  through out the course of this blog because Tv shows attract people by the way the general qualities of a culture are projected as conventions in a specific genre to compel an audience, and is very important in determining the success of a show. How successful were the creators in studying their audience? Can the viewers relate to the struggles and accomplishments of the characters? The early 2000’s culture was  definitely present in every aspect of One Tree Hill. The theme song, soundtrack, fashion, and teen interaction was all correspondent to the popular trends and actions of high school kids of this time. Guest appearances by current stars from different areas of entertainment created anticipation for the audience to look forward to every week. The Social issues presented in One Tree Hill were more complex and heavy than others of its time.The demographic responded so positively to the show that it won two Teen Choice Awards before the series finale in 2006.

This show deals with range from death, divorce, infidelity, and absence of parents to teenage pregnancy, popularity, and peer pressure. The issues the teens deal with in the show are relatable to the situations of teens past and present.

The message of a show can only be understood if the story is told the correct way way. One Tree Hill falls under the Teen Drama Genre because of the audience identification with the characters, the high school setting, multiple interpersonal conflicts that carry from week to week, as well as its main purpose to entertain. These familiar narrative conventions form expectations created by the viewers that correspond the audience’s previous knowledge from viewing other shows in this genre. One Tree Hills success revolves around the Hermeneutic Code because suspense attracts viewers. Before the opening credits a voice over recaps what happened during the previous week leaving the viewer with a reminder but leaves them on an edge wondering what will happen in the next hour. The writers use enigma, the disruption of equilibrium, to intensify the plot and create conflict on the show.

For example Keith Scott was driving Lucas to the airport to meet his Mother and accidentally ran a red light. A car coming from the opposite side tbones the passanger side leaving Lucas unconscious. This is the last scene before the closing credits. This intrigues viewers to watch the next episode the following week of the show to see if the delay, or the desire that has gone unfulfilled (which in this case is if Lucas has survived) will be restored. The Resolution occurs and equilibrium is restored when Lucas wakes up the following episode with no serious injury and he and his Mother are reunited in the hospital. The writers of One Tree Hill kept the audience emotionally engaged using consubstantiality while utilizing the Hermeneutic code

The final and most important contribution to the success of One Tree Hill was the consistency in promoting of the overall meaning behind the show which was not being afraid to be yourself and always remember where you came from. There are many messages in the show that represent the importance of the tittle in the meaning behind the show. The introduction song , Dont Wanna Be, by Gavin DeGraw, repeat the words “I don’t wanna be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately” promoting self assurance to its audience. The address of Tree Hill High is one Tree Hill St. and is the center of all major events that happen throughout the season. The school shooting, school events, the championship basketball game, and daily conflict all lead back to Tree Hill High.

This was the center of the show that brought all of these characters together and what they had in common and expressed their interests and capabilities. A famous scene from the show takes place in one of the final episodes in the first season. Lucas meets his Mother, Karen, at her local town diner after winning the championship game. After having a nostalgic conversation about their lives in Tree Hill and how he has grown over the season, Karen told Lucas, “There is only one Tree Hill Lucas Scott, and it is your home.” No matter where life takes Lucas he can always say Tree Hill made them into the person he is. The parents of the teens in the show are also from Tree Hill and attend the same High School as their kids. This town and this High School are the heart and behind the show.

The impact One Tree Hill has on its audience that watches it for the first time is still powerful today. The actors that were casted for these roles still remain best friends today. One Tree Hill  was so realistic because the actors didn’t even have to act like friends, they are seriously like a family and have incredible chemistry. I believe a show is successful when its’ writers and directors use the power of their voice to convey a useful message along with an entertaining storyline to engage their target audience and leave an impact creating a legacy lasting long after the final episode. One Tree Hill was a successful television show because of the way it related to its target audience, how the story was told, and the overall message viewers can take away after completing it.