Once a week, the members of The OC Round Table will deliver their uncensored, unabashed, unwavering views on various issues affecting the show and its characters. Not so much knights as raucous fans of this FOX phenom, these pundits will comment on every aspect that hits the airways, from Ryan‘s bird-like facial expressions to Luke‘s transition from hotheaded jock to complete and utter loser. Agree with their views? Disagree? Send in your thoughts, comments, questions or harassing diatribes to any or all of the supposed sages. They‘ll publish viewer feedback in each subsequent edition of the Round Table. Now, it‘s time to pull up a chair, meet our panelists and dissect their takes on the shocking twists and turns that comprise The OC.

The panel:

Name: Matty Rich Favorite character: Sandy The OC words to live by: Kirsten: So what do you want to be, now? Ryan: Seventeen. Contact: Private Message

Name: Mr. Blue Favorite character: Kirsten The OC words to live by: Sandy: Face it, your mom‘s a hottie. And I got her. Contact: Private Message

Name: Leighton S. Favorite character: Seth The OC words to live by: Seth: What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico. Ryan: What happens in Mexico? Seth: I don‘t know because it stays there! That‘s why we must go! Contact: Private Message

Choose your favorite inspirational guru on TV: Judge Hatcher, Dr. Phil or someone else?

Matty Rich: Dr. Phil redefines the concept of problem solving. He's tough, yet intense; firm, yet strict. If he doesn't inspire you, the good doctor will at least make you realize that it's all your fault. Marriage on the rocks? You need to compromise more. Favorite team lost? You picked the wrong good luck charm. Fired by your law firm because you are representing a crooked, powerful businessman? You eat too many Cheetos. Equipped with self-pity and self-loathing, you'll have no choice but to empower yourself, improving your fortunes and your chances for happiness. Sandy will realize this. Either that, or he'll keep wearing pajama pants, watch the Dr. Phil show and mock the pathetic attitudes and dire situations of others. And he'll still have a gorgeous wife.

Mr. Blue: Dr. Phil? ÊReally? ÊGive me a break. ÊThe biggest inspiration on TV is clearly X to the Z - XZIBIT. On Pimp My Ride he turns even the biggest heaps of garbage into serviceable rides. ÊAlways for someone worthwhile - a girl who wants to be a makeup artist, but needs to look good when she shows up at the clubs, a surfer who lit the inside of his VW van on fire with pot smoke or a Yoga instructor who owns the ultimate reflection of inner peace: a Land Rover with an ax bolted on the hood. ÊEither that or Maury "He's not our baby daddy you" Po-vich. ÊIn a close third is the team from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I cry every episode.

Leighton S.: I miss Martha Stewart. She was framed. I know she used to be a stock broker before she became a home decorating guru, but how could she be involved in insider training if all her efforts are going toward making linens and crafts for K-Mart? I mean, where would she find the time? She was just trying to put warmth in our homes and less money in our pockets. Who can blame her for that? It's a good thing. Free Martha! That bitch never showed me how to perfect the bunt cake.

Discuss TV gurus on the message board.

According to Jimmy, Julie's best talent is taking money from old men. What is your best talent?

Mr. Blue: Talking ... a lot ... about nothing ... read on, dear reader, read on.

Matty Rich: I can show you the world - shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, seriously, when did you last let your heart decide? I can also open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder, over, sideways and under, on a magic carpet ride. Trust me, it's a pretty cool talent.

Leighton S. : Juggling newborn puppies. It's rough.?

Discuss the new your best talent on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part I)

• I could be wrong. Maybe it's just me. I mean, I may be going out on a limb here. But I get the feeling that it's a new era in Newport.
• Was this an episode of The OC or an hour-long ad for The Killers?
• Orange County really should consider opening up a second place for teenagers to hang out in
• Pardon my French, but Marissa in a beret? Painful.
• It looked like a whoopee cushion stuck to the end of a broomstick.

Would you give Alex a different hairstyle?

Leighton S.: Oh God, yes. Picturing her with anything but that cucumber-inspired roll on the top of her head makes me feel all funny inside. Seriously Alex, lose it. You can even keep the purple thingy. Spike it, perm it, put it in a bun. I don't care, just do something. Pulling it back like that makes you look like a hyena. Here's a suggestion: let it all down, work on a little strandy-curly thing, and pick up a pair of Lisa Loeb glasses. Not only will you jump up 6.7 notches on the sexy scale, you'll be able to work your way backstage all those live shows and just maybe lead singer will ask you to stay the night. Yeaaaaaaah, I missed you ...

Matty Rich: No.

Mr. Blue: Alex is beautiful. ÊPeriod. ÊYes, she could use a different hair-do, though her Gwen Stefani barrel roll, ride the big waves bangs doesn't keep her from looking gorgeous. ÊHow can Ryan not go for this chick? ÊThey've made him far too soft. ÊHe doesn't even give that angry look anymore. ÊHe SMILES a lot! In the words of NAS, you may leave the hood, but the hood doesn't leave you. Or something like that. ÊAnd Seth? ÊPlease. ÊHow is it he's gotten every good looking, non-annoying girl on the show (to recap - Anna, Summer, Alex) other than Teresa? Unbelievable. It's the one part of the show that I can't buy into. ÊRyan being the principal operator of the Land Rover? ÊOK. Marissa dressing like she does and taking herself seriously? ÊFine. ÊJulie taking over Caleb's firm and using her floozyness to attract business? Maybe. ÊSeth getting all those girls? ÊIMPOSSIBLE! ÊBut back to Alex, save for the fake tattoo, she's perfect. Seriously. ÊTattoos can be sexy on girls but please not the biceps. ÊPlease. ÊOther than the tattoo, there is nothing wrong with this girl, except that her stay on the show will be far too short. Therefore, our campaign for her to have her own show begins today. Seriously. ÊI mean this. ÊFox, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Discuss Alex's hairstyle on the message board.

Which of the four young couples has the most long-lasting potential?

Matty Rich: I spent a few hours researching it and it's official: Marissa and DJ are the most uninteresting, uncharasmatic, underweight couple of all time. However, it is this precise pointlessness that I believe will help the defiant dating duo. Lovers from opposite sides of the track? That's never been done before, but I think it could actually work. After all, who else would want to put up with Marissa's lack of pounds, wit, strength and ability to cry well? Who else would date a frickin yard boy? The two are meant for each, especially after Julie inevitably tries to break them up and - gasp! - this only brings them closer together.

Mr. Blue: None of the above. ÊI can't believe they put Ryan together with a Seth-esque dork. ÊI can't believe they put Seth with the best looking girl ever on the show. ÊMarissa employing the ways of her mother and sleeping with anyone? ÊFine. ÊWe know it won't last. ÊAnd Summer? ÊWell, even the fan that has never been in a relationship can tell hers won't last. ÊThey'll stretch out Ryan and Linsdey to see how self-destructive Marissa can become. You think Mexico was bad? ÊOr sitting alone, drinking? ÊWe've seen nothing yet ... I can't wait!

Leighton S.: Seeing how Ryan and Alex are both 35 in real life, I thought that was going to work but alas. My money is on Alex and Seth. They both have the live music bug and yet they're very different. I said it when we discussed the Anna/Summer issue (Leighton 1 - Other Round Tablers 0) but opposites attract. Alex and Seth can learn from one another, wear each other's T-Shirts, what have you. Plus, when you combine their names, you get something very racy: Sal. It was meant to be.

Discuss the best couple on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part II)

• Don't worry, Seth, Ryan asking out a girl for you is not emasculating at all.
• You know, Jennifer Love Hewitt was once my shortie. Alas, she also got served.
• Wow, that double date made the invasion of Iraq seem like a good idea? At least Lindsay isn't overly dramatic.
• Where can I buy my DVD of The Valley?

Discuss Random thoughts on the message board.