The Game Plan with Tate Donovan I Welcome to the OC, Bitches! Podcast

Tate Donovan is back in the pool house! This time to discuss his directorial debut on The O.C, Season 3, Episode 8, “The Game Plan.”
Tate discusses what it's like to move from being an actor to a director, and how directing has made him fall in love with the acting process again. He also gives some great behind-the-scenes scoop from directing this episode. They also discuss college and whether or not couples should stay together when they graduate high school.
The Game Plan Synopsis: Ryan, Summer, Seth, and Marissa think about what they'd like to do with their lives as they compile their college applications. Meanwhile, Johnny's surfing career takes an unfortunate twist when he gets hit by a moving car in a parking lot. Also, Julie finally reveals to Kirsten the secret about Charlotte.
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[@sooooooooz222]

Really hoping someone is going to plan for a big OC reunion for next year’s 20th anniversary that includes ALL the main cast (ehem Mischa and Ben!) That would mean SO much to an entire generation who loved your show!!

[@AliceEvelyn93]

Yes please!!!!

[@tamiresmachado5436]

I love that they addressed the fact that sometimes we feel like everything's gonna go wrong in the work we do, but we just need to relax, and let things happen naturally. Super relatable!

[@emmamarshall221]

I love how brutally honest Tate is! It doesn't seem like he is being bitchy for the sake of it, just telling it like he remembers it.

[@whatasillybilly]

It’s actually the best, makes it so interesting (and funny!)

[@SuckerForASkittle]

I agree! I'm pretty sure it's not always true when actors say "Oh I just LOVE working with so and so".

[@PrinceOfPersia8888]

Tate is so endearing, it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy to see him on screen! Glad you got him in the studio :)

[@mariahughes1118]

Fingers crossed that after Tate, Mischa and Melinda meet up that Mischa agrees to come on the podcast! Would be incredible to have Mischa on for last episode of season 3, even make it a two parter like Adam Brody!

[@ReubenWills]

That's a great idea!

[@fabianalvarez8908]

Yes please!

[@Irfan87]

Well it finally happened.

[@barryserpa5174]

“ this show is ruining my movie career “ My money is on Brody 😂 Sarcastic comedy

[@crikitaftw]

Tate is by far my favorite guest. He puts the biggest smile on my face, his stories are so entertaining. Also love the playfulness and great chemistry between him and Mindy. I always rooted for Jimmy&Julie.

[@abbysomnia624]

Hearing Tate say the word "fantastic" brought me right back to watching the show for the first time. God I love this!

[@tamiresmachado5436]

So sorry Mindy couldn't join them for the episode. I had covid, too, and I worked remotely during that time, and I gotta say it: it's definitely not easy. We get tired, and it takes a lot of effort and willingness to be productive... I love that Mindy was thoughtful enough to find a way to participate even though she was sick. That shows just how committed she is to whatever she dedicates herself to doing!

[@Cangirl94]

I loved hearing about Tates directing experience! I could listen to him story-tell all day

[@NELLISZ1]

I love how the video opens with Tate saying "I hope you guys rip into me"... and proceeds with Tate being the one spilling the BTS tea on almost everyone 😂

[@fatazoe2GV]

THE OC...best best best series in the entire world. I miss all of you, guys,too much!🥺💕💕💕💕

[@TheCoronaNiina]

You have to have Tate back again for his other episodes that he directed!! He is the best guest with all his tea😅 no but I love his honesty and he's so funny!❤

[@ks03624]

I love the alt universe episode, too. It takes us out of the usual OC drama, it's playful and fun, and it's refreshing to see that The OC didn't take themselves *too* seriously at the expense of a little fun.

[@zeldas_lullaby]

LOVED this episode! I thought all the technical discussion about being actors was fascinating, it never occurred to me that everyone wouldn't have worked hard to memorize their lines before showing up to set. Also, that was a fantastic voicemail question for Tate about Jimmy never coming back to acknowlege Marissa's death-this has ALWAYS bothered me!! It was validating to finally hear that it bothered him, too.

[@Klingon2468]

That was so much fun, I have a massive smile on my face. Can Tate come back for all the episodes he directed? Love you girls, Hi Rachel. Get well soon Mindy. ❤💋❤💋❤

[@NELLISZ1]

omg, that Cooper family reunion? ❤we better see some footage of that!

[@Miaa_Glow]

so glad to hear mischa is meeting up!

[@catherinemonaghan7210]

Great episode! Take a sip every time Tate says fantastic.

[@sel5824]

Love this! So much fun to watch. Love Tate’s warmth, such a great story teller. Great to see their own perspectives. Learning some acting/ directing techniques too!

[@katherinekassens2648]

New to the podcast since I just recently finished the OC. Love Melinda and Rachel, they were my favorite characters on the show! Tate brought great insight into directing, awesome episode and I'll keep watching for sure :)

[@amandadavis5687]

IM SO EARLY YES ANOTHER TATE EPISODE IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!! I love the podcast so much and Tate is one of my favorite ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tamiresmachado5436]

"I know I get into Brown and he doesn't!" - whenever Rachel remembers something, I always get surprised lol

[@laurayezagelian9042]

I love Tate on the pod! I am gutted that Mindy had covid, hope she is feeling better. Hoping for some great content from the charity table read and the convention. It's always great to have a director on the pod because they remember so much about every scene! Love the nod to Heat. I'm not sure if you guys remember the reason Marissa (SPOILER) is driving away in the S3 finale, she was going to go stay with Jimmy on his boat in Europe. It made me think there was some sort of offscreen redemption for Jimmy, his intentions were always good with his kids. Also, it was obvious Tate was talking about Adam being difficult on set but I don't blame him because of all the hours you guys had to put into the show per year.

[@juliashibuya5238]

It’s lovely to see Tate’s pov!! Melinda and Rachel, amazing as always

[@leftjab6145]

I think why they were so hard on her about college is because she went through so much. Being an alcoholic, depressed, overdosing, going to Oliver. She had so many issues she put herself in I think they want her to just be safe and make the right decision

[@marie-soleildobie7495]

Loved the fan’s questions!! I LOOOVE the alternate episode. 😍😍 Can’t wait for it 🙊🙌🏻

[@kylevesa2810]

Always great to have Tate back in, love how he and Melinda interact with each other. Glad a caller was able to ask Tate about him not being brought back after Marissa's death, I do like season 4 but it would have been nice if they had brought Tate back for the first episode at least and not an alternate universe one though I did like that episode.

[@marsipannable]

Love u guys bringing the old cast members again! Keep doing it😍

[@jasminemorraine9920]

👏🙌❤❤❤😍🤗🎬🍊👏🎙️💕Loved this podcast episode! It was so lovely and epic to watching you guys for having a beautiful conversation with your favorite person from TheOC cast member～ Memory lane! Welcome Tate Donovan in this poolhouse podcast, It is so great for having him back to talked about TheOC of Season 3, new story of his directorial debut... Way to go Tate!! You are wonderful in what you have created in TheOC Season 3 ep8, I love it!! This episode you directed it's turns out great! Loved the world you guys do in TheOC😍🍊🎬🤗 And when Mindy talked about The Chrismukkah in season 4 ep7, I like it!! One of my favorite too! We get to see Julie with Sandy, Jimmy with Kirsten together, the story it's very unique...A little twist only in this Christmas episode... You guys are Amazing!!! Thank you and see ya Mindy!! I hope you feel better soon dear, Love you Melinda!💕😍😘

[@DUBaviator]

Tate talking about the diner scene and Adam Brody saying to him ''this show is ruining my film career'' maybe he was joking but from the sound of Tate he wasn't, and from a previous episode of the podcast his last words to the crew when the show rapped ''Well it's been lucrative'' I mean what an asshole. Love Tate such a great guest so sad Mindy couldn't be there in person!

[@nicokl5593]

Oh yeah Mischa and Adam definitely wanted out of the show for Film careers. The actors playing the parents knew how hard it is to land this kind of job and how grateful they should have been, but of course they just wanted out. The film careers never really work out like the new actors think they will. All the promises made very few actors become bonafide movie stars.

[@Scatscar1985]

@@nicokl5593 Mischa Barton's IMDb page makes grim reading...

[@Davon85J]

To be fair, Adam said he regrets most of his behavior on The OC during his episode. Doesn’t excuse his behavior but he was young and definitely shown growth over the years since. Plus, from what Rachel said during his episode, Adam was getting offers for highly sought after movies. Being stuck on a floundering show (S3/4) when you have massive other opportunities in film has got to suck. He should have been more grateful for the show but it had to have been frustrating.

[@worthigirl2946]

I re-watched the series one weekend! Josh Schwartz needs another hit! Loved Heart of Dixie as well⚘️❤️✌️

[@ishoyproductions6273]

Feel better mindy!!! Another awesome episode I love how Tate addressed the whole work environment on set of season 3 perhaps the vital moments to change the course of the show, it’s all very interesting and captivating also these young actors were put through a lot . I feel like it’s easy for us to claim the core four we’re being brats and off the show but there is a lot of things going on in a young persons mind regardless of being on a hit tv show

[@ishoyproductions6273]

For instance working 18 hour days can you imagine being in your early 20s working 18 hours a day ? I think most of us don’t want to lift a finger after the first two hours of work especially In your twenties when you have little to no passion to whatever your work field is? We put actors and celebrities on a surreal impossible pedestal the fact of the matter is we are all human and like Tate says if we are not ALIVE then we are not really there at all. so being a “brat” or “ungreatful” is a valuable life lesson learned and the only way to learn it is to experience it

[@leksieb1]

I love how Melinda story tells

[@pierrealves2906]

Marissa doesn't freak to wrote for college. She freaks abour writing about something very traumatic that she went through. That scene is very important to me because I have to write about something very traumatic too. Was very cathartic to watch it and make me feel less alone. 🥺💜

[@agawaband9913]

Jimmy!!! What a great character and actor. Also I like your sandals

[@WRDend]

Great episode, Tate's awesome!

[@TyneeBubbles]

When I look at Tate, it's Jimmy Cooper, but when I hear Tate, it's Hercules 😂😂

[@lucasferrell7793]

I found somebody claiming that Jennifer Aniston contributed more to Friends than Tate did. I ripped them a new one! I got your back, Tate!

[@bretth4988]

Why can't I find the Alan Dale interview on yr channel?????????

[@danieljohnpeters]

Love these, getting the DP on would be awesome

[@tamiresmachado5436]

43:54 - 44:06 OMG, Rachel lol

[@leftjab6145]

Hercules is here!

[@pierrealves2906]

Love this episode. 💜

[@tamiresmachado5436]

"I have an audition!!!" 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@carmenpichon2974]

In Melinda’s defense the closed caption did say “sundae” and not “sun days” so I thought the same thing, Melinda!!! That was a weird thing to say anyway

[@GodJet81]

I came on this video wondering if Tate still sounds Hercules ish😁

[@DanielMazz]

Love Rachel shoes epic interview

[@francescapapini7421]

Questo episodio è bellissimo 😍

[@kbob9625]

I forgot Olivia was on the OC!

[@tamiresmachado5436]

About the diner scene at the beginning: poor Tate!

[@debm6967]

Rachel you should go because Wilson, Scott and Kaitlyn will all be there from Hart of Dixie!! They need you there!!! ❤️

[@Scatscar1985]

Get well soon, Melinda!

[@elisam643]

Great episode and great fun! It does saddens me however how the cast totally took the mick out of the show at this point (which, yes, the stories weren't great and it's nowhere near the quality of s1, but it was still their job) and didn't even learn their lines, very disrespectful 😐 I guess by this point they were not invested anymore and just wanted the show to finish, but it's very unprofessional. Was it Adam Brody that said the line "this show is ruining my film career"? How sad, it ruins a little the good memories of the show

[@daltonferrell6353]

I always thought it was implied that Tate (jimmy) was in town for funeral, comfort Julie and kaitlyn etc and then went back to his life?? Because it did do a jump in time so it can be interpreted. Just like how Lindsay and hailey didn’t come back for Caleb’s funeral. Implied they were there but we were so focused on Kirsten. Idk.

[@incs843]

Hailey si estuvo en el funeral de Caleb, incluso se lleva a Kristen a un spa para que preparen la intervención en casa

[@NELLISZ1]

Does anyone pls know which other episodes of the show Tate directed? On Imdb, it states only this one...

[@Davon85J]

It’s very unprofessional but I find it hilarious that Brody said the show was ruining his film career to Tate 😂😂

[@wildrice8199]

I guess I can see why they didn't have Jimmy back in season 4, since Julie goes through a series of new guys during that time. They probably didn't want the viewers to still be thinking about Jimmy. Also those first couple episodes were sad enough with the existing characters without adding Jimmy to the mix.

[@emidrummer9]

Mr Coop !!

[@titeoce52]

But they did a funeral scene with SPOILER Johnny, so ...

[@LinkInBi00]

1:08:30

[@R2Ro925]

Someone turn up the AC in there. Tate is dying!

[@davidecortese9301]

😃😃😃😃

[@Scatscar1985]

There's not much talking about the plot...

[@ishoyproductions6273]

Well that’s because it was important to tell tates directing experience take on it… because Melinda and Rachel previously discussed that’s why they wanted to bring him back … to discuss that. If he wanted to talk about the episode plot he did that in two other episodes of the podcast, Melinda try’s to incorporate more story and plot but to a point it has to feel organic and natural ! It was the best episode of the podcast in my opinion We got all the tea ☕️

[@P8log]

Hahah, I really disliked the couple in the show~^^

[@lbrando18]

Tate looking like an old Louis bag. Melinda needa let him in on her eternal youth secrets aka her doctors number because she looks amazing. Seriously her neck looks so good.

[@juliatutor8099]

I don't really see that...If he dyed his hair, you probably wouldn't say that

[@ashleighjohnstone2260]

Wow rude! He doesn't even look that old it's just his hair.