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The demise of "Beverly Hills, 90210" left a hole in television programming. Suddenly teenagers no longer had a venue to watch their peers try to balance the torments of maturing with the drawbacks of wealth. Fox hopes to fill that void with the new drama "The O.C." Think of "O.C." as "90210" if it had featured the troubled Dylan instead of the perfect twins Brandon and Brenda.

The drama revolves around Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie), a teen from the wrong side of the tracks whose family can be considered a nightmare at best. His father's in prison and his mother is living with her boyfriend who beats Ryan. Ryan's older brother doesn't offer much of an example either. He convinces Ryan to help steal a car.

The car theft leads to a high-speed pursuit by police and then a night in jail. Ryan is saved further jail time by a slick public defender who empathizes with his clients.

"Stealing cars because your big brother told you to is stupid and weak," Sandy Cohen tells Ryan. "Those are two things you can't afford to be."

Sandy (Peter Gallagher) understands what Ryan is experiencing. Sandy was raised in a troubled home on the wrong side of town. Thanks to perseverance, a law degree and a wife with a six-figure income, Sandy lives the good life in Orange County. Or O.C. has some refer to the exclusive community.

After Ryan's mom kicks him out of the house, Ryan turns to Sandy in desperation. What else can Sandy do but take Ryan home to the gated community where he comfortably lives with his wife and son, Seth.

Sandy's wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), is not thrilled to have a stranger invited into her home.

"You brought him home?" says Kirsten. "This is not a stray puppy, Sandy. You are endangering our home."

"He's not a criminal mastermind," Sandy responds. "He's a kid who has no one and nowhere to go."

Ryan is not the typical kid from Chino. His grades are poor, but he tested in the 98th percentile on his SATs. He is perfectly coiffed and well dressed. Ryan doesn't look the part of a troubled youth. He looks too clean cut, as if he already belongs in the exclusive O.C. From the start, Ryan's looks and demeanor are a better fit with the rich kids than what Seth has to offer.

Seth (Adam Brody) is a quiet kid, studious and well mannered. He doesn't fit with the rest of the in-crowd who like to spend their time drinking, doing drugs and engaging in sexual escapades. He clearly will rely on Ryan to expand his horizons.

Ryan is instantly besotted with the girl-next-door. Marissa (Mischa Barton) is a beauty who is troubled by her family. Her mother is overly critical while Dad is overly indulgent, perhaps to cover up his shady business dealings, which have him in trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Marissa responds to her insecure home by drinking and dating a crass guy who cheats on her.

Relationships are defined after Ryan takes Seth to a party. Seth learns he can count on Ryan and that his dad is willing to accept some wild behavior.

"I know there is something else out there," explains Sandy after his wife questions why he is willing to overlook their child's bad behavior.

"The O.C." fails to establish Ryan's troubled background. There is only one scene between Ryan and his mother. The rest of the story is accepted on faith. McKenzie just doesn't look the type to come from the bad side of town. His clean look and soft features would have better served a rich-kid role. But he is handsome enough to be the next teen heartthrob.

"The O.C." features a group of aimless kids who have nothing to share but wealth and attitude. Two things that should help this drama become a hit with its target audience.

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