Lafferty (Nathan, One Tree Hill) turns 24 today.

Lafferty (Nathan, One Tree Hill) turns 24 today.

Re-watched the One Tree Hill pilot today on SoapNet and several things struck me.
1. It’s interesting to see where Nathan and Peyton started. You see them now, it’s hard to believe they were ever together. Then again, in almost every teen drama pilot, the characters start off way different from where they end up.
2. Same goes with how they look. They’ve grown up so much. And same can be said for all teen drama actors.
3. James Lafferty in particular is so baby-faced. Probably because he was only 17 at the time! And Nathan has a nipple piercing–what ever happened to that?!
4. Peyton’s room was set up quite differently, with her closet being used for her computer area.
5. Great Dawson’s Creek shout-out when Haley says to Lucas: Not that I was looking for something specifically, which implies some hideous sort of “Joey loves Dawson ” scenario and completely creep me out.
6. Brooke (Sophia Bush) isn’t even in the pilot. Similar to Luke Perry (Dylan) not appearing in the first few episodes of Beverly Hills 90210.
7. Interesting to recall that Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) was on Dawson’s Creek before this. Doesn’t even seem like the same actor–I guess because the characters are so different.
8. Wish I had time to write up comments on each show now that the series is on from the beginning again. Of course I’ve already seen all the episodes multiple times, but it’s interesting to watch them again after just watching season six.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Dennis in Brooklyn, N.Y.: Now that Mercy begins shooting way earlier to fill in the gap left by Parenthood‘s move to midseason, what does this mean for Michelle Trachtenberg and her stint on Gossip Girl?
Our sources tell us that Michelle Trachtenberg won’t miss a beat of Gossip Girl. She’s doing everything she was expected to do as of last spring, and Georgina’s episodes are good! However, Kelly Rutherford will be missing three episodes for her maternity leave. Still, despite Lily’s absence, expect her love child Scott (Chris Riggi) to stay front and center this season. Are you excited for the biggest Humphrey-van der Woodsen crossover of them all, or are you withholding judgment on Scott until you get to know him better?
Paula in Columbia, S.C.: Any news on 90210?
Ooh, Silver is not going to like this one bit: Next season on 90210, Dixon flirts with another woman. Her name is Sasha, and she’s a professional DJ who is said to have a Rihanna vibe. In other 90210 news, Annie stays psycho for the time being. As Monty Burns from The Simpsons would say, “Excellent.”
Duffy in San Jose, Calif.: I heard one of my heroes is guest starring in the first episode of the new season of One Tree Hill. Do you have details?
Yes we do, Duffy! Former NFL superstar Jerry Rice guest stars on the first episode of One Tree Hill this fall. He makes an appearance at Nathan’s son’s birthday party. Sophia Bush tells us it was mayhem when Jerry came on set: “It was really funny to see every guy lose his mind. When he walked on set, camera equipment was getting dropped and people rushed in. The grips, who don’t care about anything were like, ‘Oh my God, Jerry Rice!’ People went nuts. And I was like, ‘This is man world. We’ve entered a man cave.’ ”
Jenna from Kent, Ohio: Do you know who is coming back for the seventh season of One Tree Hill?
As we all know, One Tree Hill has a revolving door of characters. The other day when we spoke with Ashley Rickards, she said it’s not a question of if her character Samantha Walker is returning, but when: “I think Sam has a really strong bond with Brooke, and I don’t see that just vanishing overnight.”
Gaby in Dodge City, Kan.: What can you tell us about the new season of Entourage?
Autumn Reeser is back on our TVs! Happy dance! (She and fellow O.C.er Rachel Bilson have now officially been gone too long.) Autumn plays an upcoming junior agent at Miller-Gold who is hooking up with Gary Cole‘s greasy character, Andrew Klein. Also, we would like to formally request that Autumn become a regular in season seven and/or get a successful show of her own so we can hang out with her more.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
When is Gossip Girl going to give Jenny a better story line? — Clarice
MICKEY: Do you hear the Constance girls screaming, Clarice? That’s because Little J was named the new Queen Bee in the season finale. We recently asked Topsy Mopsy, er, Taylor Momsen how she’d fill Blair’s headband. “You know what, I hope she’s a bad queen bee!” she told us. “I’m sure [the writers will] find a way to tie it all together.” My unsolicited idea: Jenny needs a bf who charms Rufus while he corrupts her. She needs to earn that eye makeup!
Will One Tree Hill bring back Rachel now that Peyton and Lucas are gone? — Fernando
Will Robert Buckley be shirtless on One Tree Hill? — Sarah
MATT: Yes, Fernando, Danneel Harris is returning for a handful of episodes as Rachel, though I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe the not-quite-reformed bad girl will become Brooke’s new BFF? What I do know is that Rachel is part of a “great storyline,” says a source. To Sarah, I also have good news for you: Count on plenty of bare-chested Buckley, as he plays Nathan’s sports agent.
Mickey’s Mini Rant: This rant is pre-emptive: Casting Rumer Willis (who I’m sure is an awesome actor) as a lesbian reporter — particularly in the wake of the “bisexual cheerleader” debacle of 2008 — reeks of tokenism. Yes, Nine-Oh needs to diversify its canvas, but is a high-profile, one-episode gig the way to do it?
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Can we assume that Gossip Girl‘s Serena won’t be attending Brown now that she’s off chasing Daddy Dearest? — Becky
MICKEY: Here’s what Blake Lively told us about Serena’s plans in the wake of being slapped with that paternal jaw-dropper. “She’s thrown for this huge loop,” she says. “There are a lot of things she’s going to find out about her mother and about her background.” In other words, Serena will not be heading to Providence in the fall… but she might not be in New York either.
Do you know if One Tree Hill plans to cast an African-American or other minority in any of the roles being added? — Dee Bee
MATT: Thus far, you’re 0-for-2 on that wish, seeing as Robert Buckley and Shantel VanSanten have been cast as Nathan’s agent and Haley’s sister, Quinn, respectively. As for “Alex” (the supermodel fronting Brooke’s new clothing line), Tree Hill is looking at “all ethnicities,” so there’s some hope there. For what’s it worth, I can offer up this concrete piece of guest casting: NFL legend Jerry Rice will appear as himself in the Sept. 14 season opener.
Is there a shot for the CW to pick up Body Politic as a midseason replacement? From the sneak peeks I’ve seen, it looks like it’s got lots of promise, and I really need a weekly Jason Dohring fix! — Gina
MICKEY: I’m with you, Gina! Body reminds me of the heady mid-’90s, when I actually called Washington, D.C., home (in large part because of the movie St. Elmo’s Fire). My CW mole tells me that the Beltway drama is still in the running for a midseason slot, but that it’s up against the Gossip Girl spin-off, which has a few high-ranking fans in the building.
**Note: Brian Austin Green (David, Beverly Hills 90210) also stars in Body Politic.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Rachel in Mesa, Ariz.: Is it true that Robert Buckley is joining One Tree Hill in place of Brian Austin Green?
Yes, as we reported before, Robert Buckley has joined the cast of One Tree Hill as a sports agent turned friend of Nathan Scott (James Lafferty). On his new role Robert tells E! News exclusively, “I’m thrilled to be joining the One Tree Hill family and look forward to bringing this new character to the show.”