Synopsis

In the small town of Shelbyville, Tennessee in 1978, five local teenagers are suddenly sent into a frenzy when they learn of the return of homegrown movie star, Sondra Locke. Clancy (JASON RITTER) and Melora (AUTUMN REESER), best friends on the verge of falling in love, set out with friends Bobbie (HILARIE BURTON), Ray (DEREK CARTER), and Glen (MICHAEL MCKEE) to track down the star in hopes of grabbing onto her “fur coattail” and hightailing it to Hollywood.

Interwoven with the hijinks of the teens is the tragic story of Clancy’s wounded parents, whose lives are unfolding behind closed doors. Clancy’s father, Billy (KEITH CARRADINE), has suffered recent personal and financial misfortunes. Paralyzed with guilt and grief, Billy leads him and his wife, Joan (ALLISON JANNEY), down the dark path of failure and self-destruction. Joan valiantly fights to hold the family together while trying to protect Clancy from the fallout.

The unique, real-life town of Shelbyville, Tennessee sets the stage for this journey of hope told through the eyes of Clancy, a teenager who witnesses the damage and heartache of the broken human spirit while discovering the possibilities of what the future holds in store.

This fall, Hilarie Burton, host of MTV's wildly popular request show TRL, is hooking up with Chad Michael Murray on The WB's One Tree Hill. As Peyton Sawyer, a gorgeous yet complicated girl who is torn between two half-brothers, Burton is prepared to have her hands full. "My character is a good girl, but she is also kind of [sexually] suggestive. This is definitely not your mom's drama. This is going to be very realistic."

On One Tree Hill I play: "This really interesting girl. Her name is Peyton. And she's very contradictory. Yes, she is captain of the cheerleading squad. But she also goes home and listens to punk music. She's into really dark art and probably rips the heads off of Barbie dolls. Basically, she's a train wreck."

The mean girls from my high school years can: "Eat their hearts out! I could reveal many of the names of the girls who used to make fun of me. But I won't. Now I'll just dare them to make fun of me while they watch me on TV!"

Peyton's romantic future is: "A little uncertain at this point. I have no idea what is going to happen to me on this show. I wish I had a some information because everybody wants to know who I get to make out with next? I have no clue. For all I know I could be making out with the coach."

On first season growing pains: "Moving down to North Carolina, we all had our little hardships. We were all away from our friends and we were very isolated down there. I was homesick. Joy [as in Bethany Joy Lenz] came to my rescue. She knew exactly how I was feeling. She's a very old soul and very spiritual. She can make any situation better."

On backstage crushes: "When Brian Greenberg first sashayed his way down to Wilmington all the girls had crushes on him. He is a very cool, very talented guy who also happens to dance really well."

On being a menace to suburbia: "I just might be the worst driver on the show, but that's only because I am a New Yorker! We don't drive in the city, we ride the subways. Duh! If you put me down in suburbia and give me a 1986 Mercedes of course I am going to run into things and hop curbs and stuff."

On being bad: "It's a different way of life down here. We aren't in New York where everyone is so body conscious. I'm having a really great time indulging in all sorts of bad habits like my chocolate and hot water diet. I drink plain hot water and chocolate, a lot of chocolate. I do that and yard work. I've never felt better!"

On the King of Tree Hill: "People think James is shy, but James Lafferty is a gentleman. He doesn't need to draw attention to himself, and he doesn't feel the need to prove anything to anybody. I really appreciate that. James Lafferty is going big, big places. He's a very talented man. I just wish he were older. See! I have a crush on James, but who doesn't?"

On her secret plan for Peyton: "I've always had crushes on my teachers. So, of course, I think Peyton should have a crush on some kind of an authority figure or teacher. She would get such a kick out of trying to seduce an older man."