Schwartz still likes hanging in ‘The O.C.’

AP: What kind of impact has “The O.C.” had on your career and your life?

Schwartz: It’s been just the most remarkable roller coaster ride in the last couple of years and it was totally unexpected and really thrilling. I had no idea what I was doing when I started and now I feel like I’ve learned to become a professional. In your mid to late-20s, it’s kind of a crazy time in your life anyway, you’re just kind of figuring yourself out and coming to terms with growing up and all that, and to have that simultaneous with something like this happening was doubly overwhelming.

We had George Lucas on the show. I’ve gotten to meet Steven Spielberg at some function and his kids watch “The O.C.” Just being able to have all these bands that I love on the show, all this music, so it’s been really crazy. And it’s really fun. It’s been fun to be able to share this with my family. My parents have “O.C.” viewing parties every Thursday night with all their friends. I got my sister an internship on the show.

AP: What’s the best part?

Schwartz: Getting to come to work every day. I mean, getting to wake up in the morning and be like, OK, this is what I always wanted to do and I get to do it.

AP: Will we be following “The O.C.” characters into college and beyond?

Schwartz: I think we’ve got at least one more good year in us, so we’re going to do some pretty radical stuff at the end of this year. The season finale is going to be the craziest thing we’ve ever done and it will launch the show in a whole new direction next year. So I’m excited about next season. And then beyond, I don’t know. We’ll see.

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