TV Ben McKenzie is rewatching The O.C. with his 7-year-old daughter "It's adorable and really weird to watch it with your daughter." By Samantha Highfill Samantha Highfill Samantha is a writer based in Los Angeles. Television is her one true love, and she tweets about it. A lot. EW's editorial guidelines Published on May 9, 2023 07:24PM EDT Welcome to The O.C., Ben McKenzie's daughter! On the final episode of Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke's rewatch podcast, Welcome to the O.C., Bitches, Ben McKenzie joined his former costars and O.C. creator Josh Schwartz to talk about their memories making the Fox drama about a kid from Chino who showed up in Orange County and changed just about everything. During the episode, McKenzie revealed that he has a new perspective on the show, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, because he's been rewatching it with someone special. "I haven't been working in the last couple years because I've been doing this stupid book thing, and so they [the kids] think that their mom is cool because she's in movies, but they're not aware of my work," McKenzie says, referencing his wife, Morena Baccarin. "So I let Frances watch The O.C. at 7 years old ... bad idea, bad idea. She of course loves it, like absolutely loves it. I had to cut it off after two episodes because I was like, 'Oh my god I forgot about the smoking.' I remembered the drinking. And there's cocaine." Ben McKenzie on 'The O.C.'. WB/Everett And yet, despite the dark side of Orange County, McKenzie says that "she really wants to continue watching it," adding that, "It's adorable and really weird to watch it with your daughter." That being said, the experience has given McKenzie a chance to look back on the show that launched his career. "I have to say, on many, many, many levels it holds up," he says, adding that Frances is always ready and eager to hit play on the next episode. Joking that this is "terrible parenting," McKenzie adds, "I feel like Gotham would've been a better move than The O.C. in a weird way, even though there's people dying left and right." Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Chris Pratt shares an 'Easter egg' about the time he played the guitar nude on The O.C. The O.C. stars Mischa Barton and Rachel Bilson get emotional rewatching Marissa's death I'm Still Not Over... Marissa dying on The O.C.