Why The Shake Up?
"It initially was The Trembler, which just referred to the earthquake, but Josh [Schwartz] likes when the title has the old double meaning going, so I decided on The Shake Up since not just was terra firma no longer firma, but people’s lives were shaken up as well."
— John Stephens (Co-Exec. Producer), Writer of The Shake Up

What do you get the girl who never stops talking?
After 22 years of living, I must admit I have finally become a believer in the teachings of my grandparents: It truly is better to give than receive. But what exactly do you give a girl like Taylor Townsend? She asks Summer to get her sexy lingerie (which is both an awkward, yet tantalizing request). She scoffs at Ryan’s dictionary. And although his collection of French love poems strikes her fancy, Ryan hardly shows creativity or warmth in this decision. Taylor needs something intangible. Something she can take with her everywhere. Something grand, but not grandiose. I know exactly what Taylor needs: a Talkgirl. The girly version of the Talkboy tape recorder-like devise used by my personal hero Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone flicks. The present would enable Taylor to talk to herself and then replay it over and over again. It would be like Taylor talking to Taylor; and we all know the person Taylor enjoys talking to most is Taylor. The poor man’s Sidekick, the Talkgirl is sleek and small, and could fit in to any crowded Chloe handbag...plus it’s pink. I also have an inkling that when I give Taylor this glorious birthday present, she will break up with Ryan for me. Does anyone know where I can buy a Talkgirl without having to transport to 1992?

What do you get the girl who at one time never stopped drinking?
Almost on a daily basis, the same question arises: if Kirsten was to hold a baby shower, what would I get her? Baby clothes from Kitson? Caleb Nichol back from the dead? A weekend stay at a Newport spa? A six-pack of O’Douls? The dainty tempered elder Cohen appears to have it all, so this is no easy task. However, she could use one of those stress-relief balls. You know, that red or blue squishy ball that sits on the desk of hedge fund managers to relieve the boss whenever temperatures boil. Kirsten may break the thing in its first day, but knowing I provided 24 hours of relief would be enough for me. While others would bombard her with hideous onesies, I would get her what she really needs: relief. You’re welcome, Kirsten. Now on to more important items of discussion – do you have any younger similarly blonde female cousins?

What do you shoot your first movie about when you have never shot a movie?
Six hours of a pool. Nope. Ryan's emotional purging. Not so much. Summer requests Seth shoot a movie about "anything that engages you in the world." The problem here? Very little truly engages Seth. That’s what makes Seth Cohen Seth Cohen. Sure he shows a little flair toward the alternative with his whiny musical darlings, Penguin button-downs and non-stop allegiance to Vans, but what truly engages Seth is not an item; rather it is a person. The exact person who hands out the shooting assignment: Summer Roberts. After all, before he even said a word to her, he named his boat Summer Breeze. "Summer Year Round," would be a montage-laden film full of all the reasons Summer "engages" Seth. Probably more of a chick flick than a Sundance rouser, "Summer Year Round" would be a hit as a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. Who knows, Seth could become the John Hughes of Lifetime.

Song of the Episode
"The Sad Song," Fredo Viola

Quote of the Episode
"It's a satire."
— Seth, explaining his pool video to Summer

The O.C. Forecast

• Ryan looks up “Chino” in his dictionary (and finds a picture of himself)
• Sandy prepares for the baby (by buying a miniature surfboard)
• Taylor decides to make the whole year her birthday
• Summer buys Taylor the lingerie she asks for
• Kirsten wonders if an earthquake is a good sign for things to come with her pregnancy
• Kaitlin always liked the Earthquake ride at Universal Studios
• Julie always hated that Kaitlin liked the Earthquake ride at Universal Studios
• Seth becomes the next John Hughes (after doing a “Sixteen Candles” prequel)
• Metz wants a Talkboy