Summerland (TV series)

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Summerland
Format Drama
Created by Stephen Tolkin
Lori Loughlin
Starring Lori Loughlin
Shawn Christian
Merrin Dungey
Ryan Kwanten
Jesse McCartney
Taylor Cole
Kay Panabaker
Nick Benson
Zac Efron
Opening theme "Beautiful Day" by Steve Plunkett
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26
Production
Executive
producer(s)		 Stephen Tolkin
Remi Aubuchon
Aaron Spelling
E. Duke Vincent
Running time 42 mins. (approx)
Broadcast
Original channel The WB
Original run June 1, 2004 – July 18, 2005
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Summerland was an American television series that aired on the now defunct WB. The series ran from June 1, 2004 to July 18, 2005. Reruns currently air on The N & on Ten Network in Australia.

Contents

[edit] Cast

[edit] Original cast

Ava Gregory is the main character in the TV series Summerland. She is in her mid 30s and is raising her sister's three children Bradin, Nikki, and Derrick Westerly after their parents' tragic deaths. She lives in a beach house with the children, her on again/off again boyfriend. Johnny, her best friend Susannah, and another close friend, Jay. Ava has a very hectic life and also faces the stressful task of raising three children, who are all devastated at the loss of their parents and who deal with their loss in very different ways.

Johnny is Ava's ex boyfriend yet still remains her roommate until Season 2. He gets along tremendously with the kids and opens up his own restaurant. Despite hiding it, he is desperately still in love with Ava.

Susannah is Ava's best friend and buisness partner.

Jay is an Australian native, who lives with Ava in Playa Linda and is the "big brother" to the children. He was dating Erika, despite his notorious behavior for being a playboy.

Bradin is the eldest of the three children who copes with the loss of his parents by drinking, getting involved in drugs and having sex with his girlfriends. He earns a reputation as a wild child but also as an exceptional surfer. He is offered a sponsorship by many major companies but his personal problems seem to get in the way on more than one occasion. Bradin enjoys surfing and hanging out with his girlfriends. Bradin seems to always be in trouble at home whether due to his drug problem and collapsing down the stairs or losing his virginity.

Erika is Jay's girlfriend who also coaches Bradin occasionally with surfing. She leaves to take care of her mother but returns and begins dating Bradin.

Nikki is an exceptionally bright child who starts off trying to take over the "mother" role but eventually settles in and makes many friends including Cameron. Nikki forms a crush for Cameron and eventually they create a on/off relationship.

Derrick is the youngest child and can't quite get over the loss of his parents at such a young age. He is very close to his Aunt Ava.

[edit] Additional cast

Cameron is Nikki's best friend and on/off boyfriend. He lives with his divorced alcoholic father (portrayed by C. Thomas Howell who also dated Ava) who has many problems. Nikki helps Cameron get through a lot of troubles. In season two Zac Efron became a part of the main cast after appearing as a recurring star in season one.

  • Sara Paxton, who played Sarah, a troubled teen with an addiction to pot, also guest stared on the show. She plays Bradin's (Jesse McCartney) new girlfriend and pressures him to use drugs.
  • Carmen Electra was also another renowned guest star appearing in Season 2 as Mona, the partner of Johnny looking to invest in a bar and later starts dating and living with Johnny. However in a tragic car accident Mona is killed leaving Johnny heartbroken. He changes the name of his bar to "Mona's Sandbar" in memory of Mona who transferred her share of the property to Johnny before she died.

[edit] Crew

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season 1: 2004

# Title Original airdate Code
1 "Pilot"  June 1, 2004 40384-001
Nikki receives an unexpected invitation from her Aunt Ava to go to California but her mother is annoyed that it will interrupt her school work. So the relationship between mother and aunt is somewhat strained when neighbors in Kansas ask for help in a serious emergency. 
2 "And So the Day Begins"  June 1, 2004 40384-002
Ava Gregory was just where she wanted to be in life and had everything she wanted. She has received a phone call saying that her sister and brother-in-law were killed in an accident, and her life is changed as she has inherited their three children. Bradin is the oldest who learns to adapt to the change by taking up surfing. Nikki who is the middle child stays up in her room and tries to take over the mother figure roll. Lastly, Derrick tries to figure out how to give his mother a birthday present in heaven. 
3 "Fireworks"  June 8, 2004 40384-003
Ava falls for Kyle, a recently divorced man, but their dating life becomes complicated when she learns that he is the father of Nikki's new crush, Cameron. Meanwhile, Bradin's efforts to protect Erika from a guy (Tanner) with questionable intentions don't go as smoothly as possible. 
4 "Into My Life"  June 15, 2004 40384-004
Ava discovers that there is some marijuana in Bradin's backpack. The realty office takes up all of Johnny's time causing him to break his promise to Derrick. 
5 "The Grass Is Greener Than You Think"  June 22, 2004 40384-005
At the roommates annual summer luau party, relationships are started, rekindled, and ended. Ava learns a terrible secret about why Johnny broke up with her years ago. Susanna pretends to be involved with Jay to ward off advances from her ex boyfriend (guest star James Black), and Nikki believes she must seduce Cameron in order to keep him interested in her and away from his ex-girlfriend Amber (guest star Shelly Buckner) 
6 "Big Waves"  June 29, 2004 40384-006
Jay is upset that his old knee injury is keeping him from competing in the local surfing competition but Erika has plans to get him in the event. Meanwhile, feeling overwhelmed by the disarray in the house, Ava asks Johnny and Susannah to help her organize things but no one can agree on how much structure is really needed in the house. Also, Ava and Susanna organize a fashion shoot with a photographer who had a one night stand with Johnny. 
7 "Heat Wave"  July 6, 2004 40384-007
When Derrick's friend finds a naked picture of Ava and takes it home with him, Ava has to do some expaining to his mother why Derrick and her son had them. Meanwhile, Bradin goes to Jay and Johnny for advice when he considers having sex with Sarah for the first time, but the next night Bradin feels hurt and confused when he sees Sarah on a date with another guy. Nikki's possessiveness is putting a strain on her relationship with Cameron. Bradin meets a young mysterious girl named Callie. 
8 "Secrets"  July 13, 2004 40384-008
Ava begins to get really worry about Bradin's relationship with his wild girlfriend Sarah after they get caught by the police for swimming near the pier at night. Bradin begins to think about breaking up with her, but he finds it harder to do than he thought it would be. Erika is caught off guard when a former boyfriend shows up, which is pretty obvious, as Nikki observes while talking to her. Meanwhile, Derrick misinterprets a friendly embrace between Susannah and Johnny on a camping trip. 
9 "Skipping School"  July 20, 2004 40384-009
Ava begins to think that it might be in Nikki's best interest to skip her last year of junior high and go straight to high school, but Nikki does not think that it is. Sarah invites Bradin to run away with her to Mexico, but he soon discovers that she's actually attempting to get out of going away to a strict boarding school. Also Erika's estranged mother shows up unannounced and attempts to get Erika to leave Jay and Playa Linda to come home to live with her. 
10 "Kicking And Screaming"  July 27, 2004 40384-010
Erika moves in with Jay after she gets kicked out of her apartment. Elsewhere, Susannah and Ava need a backer for their clothing line to keep their business going. Johnny and Ava rekindle old feelings after chaperoning Derrick and Martha on their date. 
11 "Life In A Fishbowl"  August 3, 2004 40384-011
Johnny realizes his feelings for Ava when he sees her having a great time on a date with Nikki's principal, Dr. O'Keefe (Jay Harrington) and becomes a little jealous. Meanwhile, Bradin considers taking his friendship with Callie to the next level but is confused when Sarah comes back to town. 
12 "Yummy Mummy"  August 10, 2004 40384-012
Amber and Nikki are very shocked when Cameron shows up with a new girlfriend, Jordan. Bradin begins to practice with other guys on trying out for a surfing team with good members Zack and Lucas, but things get really complicated when he finds out Tanner is Lucas' brother. Also, Ava is interviewing people for the jobs of sales, marketing, etc., for her fashion line. 
13 "On the Last Night of Summer"  August 17, 2004 40384-013
Relationships are reconsidered. Ava has doubts about getting serious with Simon because she still has feelings for Johnny. Johnny may make a choice that will take Ava away from him for good. Susannah reconsiders quitting her partnership with Ava. Jay has second thoughts about Erika moving in with him when she wants to redecorate his place. Bradin is confused by Callie's hot and cold actions. Nikki suffers when she remembers her parents death. 

[edit] Season 2: 2005

.

# Title Original airdate Code
1 "The Wisdom to Know the Difference"  February 28, 2005 201
After months of being gone Johnny returns home he is shocked to learn that Ava asked Simon to marry her. Nikki becomes very upset that Ava has asked Simon to marry her since she feels Ava is meant for Johnny. On the other hand, Derrick is very excited at the news because his family will now be complete. When Bradin's coach questions his effort on the surf team, he considers trying performance-enhancing drugs to help him be better. 
2 "I Am The Walrus"  March 3, 2005 202
Three FBI agents come in and they are looking for Susannah and everything Dubois International related; Bradin is suspended from the school surf team then has to go to the hospital because of a drug overdose. 
3 "Sledgehammer"  March 14, 2005 203
Nikki helps Cameron run for student president of their school, but Cameron does not want to follow Nikki's plan and winds up embarrassing and annoying her. Ava is angry when she learns Bradin is skipping his tutoring after returning to his surf team. Jay sides with Bradin, which causes a rift between the two. Mona questions Johnny about Ava. And a special someone just also may move back to Playa Linda. 
4 "Life Goes On"  March 21, 2005 204
At school, Derrick talks with his friends about a father/son sailing race where all of his friends are going to compete with their dads, but Derrick will be with Ava. Two of his friends say Derrick can't compete with Ava, which makes Derrick very upset and he begins to fight with them, sending all the boys to the principal's office. The secretary calls Susannah, Johnny, Jay, Ava, and Simon to pick Derrick up. Derrick tells Ava he doesn't want to race with her as she's not a father. Causing everyone to become more distance for Ava and Simon to work it out. Nikki becomes frustrated with Cameron and the school elections. 
5 "Mr. & Mrs. Who"  March 28, 2005 205
Derrick is with the ambulance where Johnny and Ava are waiting to get news on how he is doing. Simon feels the sudden urge to rush the wedding and Ava isn't sure if that's exactly what she wants, and won't admit it. Nikki lets out a loud roar at a big family dinner putting Johnny on the spot. Mona's soon to be ex-husband comes to town to sign the divorce papers. 
6 "The Pleiades"  April 4, 2005 206
After the wedding debacle, Ava seems strangely calm and wants to start a wedding line. Nikki feels very guilty about Ava and Simon's breakup and is consantly reminded that it is her fault. After having sex on the night of Ava's wedding and then having Ava walk in on them having sex again, Callie considers dumping Bradin because she feels thats all he wants to do. Mona warns Ava to stay away from Johnny. 
7 "Where There's a Will, There's a Wave"  April 11, 2005 207
Ava, Susannah, and Colby discuss designing a wedding dress for a pop-star to help give with their clothing line exposure. Ava admits her feelings for Johnny. Bradin breaks up with Callie after realizing his feelings for Erika. 
8 "Leaving Playa Linda"  April 11, 2005 208
Ava is disappointed to learn that Johnny and Mona have moved in together, and decides that it's time to finally admit her feelings for him. Meanwhile, after Nikki falls for an older guy in high school and finds out something unexpected about him then realizes that she still cares for Cameron. When the family sees how strong Bradin's feelings are for Erika, they advise him against a relationship with her, and encourage him to leave town to join a surf tour with Jay as his chaperon. 
9 "Signs"  June 13, 2005 209
Several months have passed, and Bradin, who has just returned from his surf tour in Hawaii, is asked by his sponsor to replace Jay with a top sports manager who can turn him into a major media star. Meanwhile, Nikki learns something troubling about Cameron's home life, and Ava returns from a business trip to Milan when she hears that something has happened to Mona. Old flames reignite between Ava and Johnny, although it may be too much for Johnny. 
10 "The Space Between Us"  June 20, 2005 210
Bradin comes home after the surf tour abroad with Bryce, another surfer. Jay is concerned about the way Bradin is living his life now that he's become famous. Meanwhile, when Nikki's poem is chosen for publication and she is asked to read it in front of an audience and Amber offers Nikki alcohol to steady her nerves. After learning of Bradin and Nikki's troubles, Ava returns home from her European business trip. 
11 "Safe House"  June 27, 2005 211
When Bryce's sister Faith comes to town, Bradin becomes attracted to her, even after Bryce warns him to stay away. Ava asks Johnny to move back into the house. When Nikki goes to visit Cameron, his dad throws him back into the house. Nikki talks to Ava about what she say and Cameron soon starts staying at their house, until Kyle, Cameron's father, comes looking for him. Nikki suspects that Cameron's dad (Kyle) abuses Cameron. 
12 "Careful What You Wish For"  July 11, 2005 212
When Bradin saves his friend Bryce's life after a surfing accident, Bradin is offered a chance at a career. Jay reports a robbery in his shop that is closer to home than he hoped for. Lastly, Susannah has problems of her own in her new serious relationship. 
13 "What's Past Is Prologue"  July 18, 2005 213
Bradin becomes involved in a scuffle with a reporter at a Wave Crasher promotion. Derrick's friends finds Bradin's new "Bad Boy" image cool and Derrick basks in Bradin's reflected glory. Isabel tells Jay that she is pregnant and together they decide to be parents. Nikki conspires with Colby to get Johnny and Ava together and Erika and Bradin discuss their future possibilities. 

[edit] History

Summerland was part of the wave of summer programming that rose after Fox's 2003 success with The O.C.. The first season - of 13 episodes - aired from June - August 2004, and was a reasonable success.

The series benefited largely from the star appeal: Loughlin's return to television, and Dungey - who had become well-known on J.J. Abrams's cult series Alias. Teen star and hearthrob McCartney also launched his major singing career during this time, which helped the show appeal to a younger demographic. Taylor Cole's glamorous and well-endowed physique became pronounced to the public image. Australian soap star Kwanten also helped ratings on the show.

[edit] External links

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