The Sun Sets on THE O.C.

When FOX moved THE O.C. to Thursday nights, it backed up its decision with a plethora of research that showed the program's audience was made up of THE trendsetters of the future - young teen and pre-teen girls who were already abandoning SURVIVOR in droves.

Well, so much for that strategy.

THE O.C. has been cancelled.

Those young trendsetters seem to be more interested in Dr. McDreamy or UGLY BETTY or something. After season 3's a year long Marissa Downer-Cooper angst-fest, THE O.C. has returned this year with guns blazing. It's brighter, happier and full of promise.

But, such is life on TV. Good shows come and go, the ebb and flow, their quality drops off and they fade away. Not this time. This time, the show has been reborn and it will be going out in style - strong, funny and yes, even innovative.

THE O.C. will return to the schedule January 4th with the first of 8 new episodes. Unfortunately, they'll also be the last of 8 new episodes.

Smoke 'em while you got 'em.