Josh Schwartz

Josh: (on shooting in New York City) I always feel like an outsider here, so the show's a chance to romanticize this city. It's my own way of getting into this [unattainable] world.

Josh: You have to know what your story is and really try to stick to that. But it's also really valuable to hear people's response along the way – it's a balancing act, to balance the two.

Josh: (on the audience of "The O.C." and "Gossip Girl") I love writing for this audience. They're so passionate. When you're a teenager and you connect with something, you connect with it in such a profound way.

Josh: I love writing for the actor and tailoring the part for them and letting that evolve.

Josh: (on Marissa Cooper's death on "The O.C.") I don't know how many people outside of the industry knew [that Marissa was dying]. A lot of people were surprised. People had been speculating for a while that it was going to be her, so whether it mitigated the finale or whether it drove more people to watch it, I don't really know.

Josh: (on relating to the characters on "Gossip Girl") Things are tough all over. Hopefully, even if you're not from this world. And you know, I'm not from this world but I was still kind of drawn to it through the books. You know, we try to make it so that the issues that these kids have are universal regardless of where you grew up or how you grew up.

Josh: (on his new show, "Gossip Girl") It's really a sophisticated take on teenage life in terms of the lives that they lead. It's a heightened reality and I think it's also you know, reflective of some of the behaviors of going on out there.

Josh: Obviously, this is a cyclical industry where things are in and then people burn out on them. Right now we might be witnessing a little bit of that with maybe the procedural drama. Certainly there's got to be a little bit of reality show fatigue happening.

Josh: (on the most difficult aspect of being a producer) Staying creatively connected to what you're working on as you try and balance budgets, and schedules, and ratings and personalities.

Josh: [The O.C.] has been such a great thing for me and has been such an amazing experience.

Josh: (about "The O.C." and how the fans reaction changes it) So obviously fan reaction initially, while I hope they love the show, isn't going to be able to change any storylines in the immediate future.

Josh: (about "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County", the reality parody of "The O.C.") I love it. I'm so addicted.

Josh: (about when he first started appreciating music) I was in fourth grade, back in 1986 or '87, and I was at my first concert: Huey Lewis and the News at the Worcester Centrum. It's not the coolest story in the world. I was standing on my seat, on the tip of my feet, and Huey made like he had fake binoculars to scope out the audience. Then he pointed at me and said, 'This song is dedicated to that little guy right there'. It was 'The Power of Love.' That kicked it all off for me right there.

Josh: (on "The O.C." being canceled) This feels like the best time to bring the show to its close. Thanks to the hard work of our cast, crew and writers, we have enjoyed our best season yet, and what better time to go out than creatively on top. It has been an amazing experience and a great run. For a certain audience, at a certain time, The O.C. has meant something. For that we are grateful.

Josh: (on what's hot in "The O.C.") We're in the home stretch, like the last 10 episodes of the season when the show always kicks it up a notch.