If they gave the cast the big $$$, its possible they could have stretch the series longer but fact is Bilson, Brody, Mischa, and Ben got launch into the entainment industry via the OC. If the ratings were still really good for Fox tasting, no doubt they would have kept it but the ratings die. Josh S, the creator wanted to move on as well. Season 2, the triangle between Zach/Summer/Seth, they stretch way too long which I think what was stupid about season 2, other than that it was really good. I think season 3 is what really screw it up, the whole Johnny storyline was stupid. The whole Seth can't tell the truth was lame as well. The whole Volcheck thing was stupid. Season 4 was good and bad but the cast/crew knew it was going to be its last season. Fox gave it 16 esipodes, that wasn't a good sign.