'One Tree Hill' May Still Be The CW's 'Ugly Stepchild,' But Its 'Escapist Fun' Is What Keeps Fans Coming Back

It seems like there's buzz around every show on the CW, except "One Tree Hill." And the irony in that is that the show actually has more viewers each week than those other heavily marketed series like "Gossip Girl" or "Melrose Place." Even so, the celebrity residents of Tree Hill — most of which have been around since moving into the town in 2003! — aren't that worried about the lack of publicity because they love what they can get away with on a show that doesn't get put under the typical TV magnifying glass all the time.

"A benefit of being sort of the ugly stepchild on the network," star Austin Nichols explained to the LA Times, is that they can "go for things" like his "passionate, 'Fountainhead'-like romance" with Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) on the show's current season.

Austin's onscreen love, Sophia, thinks that the show's draw also comes from the fact that despite how successful the characters become, their core problems are the same as everyone else's. "The show this year is about the obstacles facing adults in their 20s and even late 20s," the actress explained. "No one can relate to being a rich fashion designer, but everyone at that age thinks, 'Who am I becoming? Where is my life going? Who do I want to spend forever with?' You get the escapist fun with the grounded drama."

Paul Johansson, who plays infamous baddie Dan Scott, admits that the show can even do things as crazy as have his character kill someone and then seek redemption as a motivational speaker of sorts. "Sometimes, I just put a script down and go, 'Mark's sick.' He's sick, you know? But it's an evil genius," Paul said referring to "OTH" creator Mark Schwahn. "We're never boring."

Part of Mark's so-called genius is keeping the cast grounded in a grassroots sort of way. According to the LA Times article, he and exec producer Joe Davola keep their stars busy with mall appearances, charity events and other kinds of promotional opportunities. James Lafferty, who plays basketball pro Nathan, admits he doesn't mind to work on his days off. "It's nice to interact with the viewers, to know that someone appreciates what we're doing all the way in North Carolina."

So, are you a big "One Tree Hill" fan? Why do you keep checking out the gang week after week?