The good news about "The OC" is that FOX tries to fill a void and revive its primetime soap glory. The bad news is that this new series does not compare to the delicious melodrama of such classics as "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills 90210."

The scoop of "The OC" is simple. Bad East Coast kid joins wealthy West Coast family (in Orange County, hence "OC"), and attempts to survive Los Angeles' temptation-filled wasteland. The show entirely relies on the handsome looks of its young debuting stars, such as the corn-fed hunk Benjamin McKenzie, who plays Ryan Atwood.

The 24-year old Texan moved to Hollywood to star in the new show and is poised to become television's newest heartthrob. McKenzie is not worried about his bad boy image in the series. In a recent newspaper interview, he comments, "It's a Fox thing. They're trying to type me out. There are worse things in life, you know. I'm just really excited about the opportunity."

In last night's pilot episode, the makers of the show created a paradoxal blend of pretty youngsters with glossy images of wild house parties, cocaine binging, silly girl fights and teenage orgies. The writers are obviously inspired by the angst and nihilism of the early 80s that was so uniquely portrayed in Brett Easton Ellis' book "Less Than Zero."

"The OC" might look cute, but its storyline starts out weak and rather tedious. One wonders how many more pretty faces we need to stand before this show becomes interesting and provides the drama we so desperately crave on Tuesday nights.

Decide for yourself. "The OC" airs every Tuesday on Fox at 9:00pm ET.