Chad Michael Murray Movies

It took a great deal of intestinal fortitude for the WB network to schedule the first of its "prestige" drama series, Gilmore Girls, opposite the NBC powerhouse Friends on Thursday night. But the gamble paid off: a critical success virtually from the outset, Gilmore Girls gradually built up a loyal following which assured WB some of its best ratings of the year. The series was set in the town of Stars Hollow, CT, home of 32-year-old single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Martin) and her 15-year-old daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel). Having never married Rory's irresponsible father, Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), and long estranged from her wealthy parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop), Lorelai had been forced to go it alone in life, ultimately landing a good job as manager of Independence Inn, a Star Hollow landmark since 1779. She had also done a good job raising her straight-A student daughter, Rory -- though because of the close proximity of their ages, the relationship was more sister-sister than mother-daughter. As the first season opened, Rory was poised to enter the prestigious Chilton Prep School in nearby Hartford. The tuition cost obliged Lorelai to swallow her pride and seek out funding from her parents, who agreed to foot the bill on one condition: that Lorelai mend her relationship with them and once again become part of their lives. This condition was primarily set up by Lorelai's mother, who had plans to mold young Rory into the "perfect" granddaughter that her own child had never been.

In the tradition of Northern Exposure, Gilmore Girls was populated with a large and colorful supporting cast, ranging from lovable eccentrics to not-so-lovable drama queens. The staff at Independence Inn included pompous French concierge Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) and klutzy but talented chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy). Not far from the inn was the diner run by curmudgeonly Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), who, as the season wore on, revealed that he'd had a long-standing crush on Lorelai. The self-appointed "leader" of Stars Hollows' merchant class was Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), owner of the town's main grocery store and employer of Rory's off-and-on boyfriend Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki). Others in town included Rory's best friend, Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), whose efforts to assert her blossoming womanhood were constantly being thwarted by her super-strict Korean parents; busybody dance instructor Miss Patty (Liz Torres); supercilious Babette Dell (Sally Struthers) and her husband, Morey (Ted Rooney); and funky handyman Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn), a classic example of "still waters run deep." At Chilton, Rory ran smack-dab into a maelstrom of snooty snobbery and calculated cattiness personified by Paris Geller (Liza Weil), editor of the school paper. Halfway through season one, Lorelai began dating Rory's English teacher, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) -- a relationship that nearly cost Max his job. Complicating matters was the return of Rory's prodigal father, Christopher, who was still unwilling to make a permanent commitment to Lorelai -- or was it the other way around? Likewise on the romantic front, Rory found herself caught in the middle of the tempestuous relationship between the jealous, spiteful Paris and the trouble-prone Tristan DuGrey (Chad Michael Murray). The first season of Gilmore Girls ended on a cliffhanger as Lorelai pondered whether or not to accept Max Medina's marriage proposal. There was, however, no doubt that critics and fans alike had thoroughly taken Gilmore Girls to their hearts. ~ All Movie Guide

Season five of Dawson's Creek finds 18-year-old Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) fulfilling a lifelong dream by entering the USC film school. Even better, he lands a directorial internship in Hollywood -- but alas, the job lasts only as long as it takes egotistical movie director Todd Carr (Hal Ozsan) to fire Dawson. Meanwhile, Dawson's off-and-on girlfriend Joey (Katie Holmes) is enrolled at Worthington University, pining away for her high-school sweetheart. Joey's uninhibited Beverly Hills-bred roommate, Audrey Lidell (Busy Philipps), advises Joey to forget Dawson and sow a few wild oats -- which she does, with handsome Professor David Wilder (Ken Marino). Back in Massachusetts, Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) and Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) are attending Boston Bay College, when Jen enters into an affair with musician Charlie Todd (Chad Michael Murphy). And Dawson's pal Pacey, who has no intention of entering college (as if he would qualify!) is working at a restaurant and squiring a waitress named Karen Torres (Lourdes Benedicto) -- who, in turn, is sleeping with her married boss, Danny (Ian Kahn). Dropping out of USC, a disillusioned Dawson returns to Capeside, just before his dad, Mitch (John Wesley Shipp), is killed in a car accident. Now Dawson has all the more reason to remain home: he is undergoing psychiatric care to deal with his dad's death, and must stick around to comfort his mom, Gail (Mary-Margaret Humes). As the season progresses, Dawson finally loses his virginity -- to Jen. They move in together, but find they have less in common than they thought. Meanwhile, Charlie pressures Joey to accompany him on his band tour, Pacey spends a passionate night with Joey's roomie Audrey, and Jack attempts suicide after flunking out of school and losing his latest boyfriend in one fell swoop. Season five concludes as Joey prepares to take her long-delayed Paris vacation, Pacey goes to work as a security guard, Jack accompanies Jen to Costa Rica, and Dawson revs up for a wild time in L.A....but with whom? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

To those who have grown up with the radio and TV versions of the old Lone Ranger series, this retro TV-movie adaptation will appear as if it has just landed from another planet. Gone are such familiar trappings as "The William Tell Overture," the bushwhacking Butch Cavendish Gang, the title character's backstory as a genuine Texas Ranger, and faithful Indian companion Tonto's Pidgin English. Instead, the viewer is offered a wall-to-wall rock score; a twentysomething hunk of a Boston law student named Luke Hartman (Sebastian Spence) who morphs into the Lone Ranger; an equally youthful and remarkably articulate Tonto (Nathaniel Arcand) who dabbles in mysticism and has a hottie sister named Alope (Anita Brown); authentic 19th century dialogue such as "I love you guys!"; and even a skinny-dipping sequence. Yes, the Lone Ranger still rides a white stallion named Silver and fills his guns with silver bullets; yes, he still sports a mask; and yes, he dedicates his life to being a "champion of justice" after the brutal murder of his Ranger brother. Otherwise, it's "Hi Yo, Dude!" in this radical rethinking of The Lone Ranger, which debuted February 26, 2003, on the WB network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Growing up on the proverbial "opposite sides of the tracks" does not prevent wealthy high-school basketball star Nathan (James Lafferty) and less-than-wealthy but equally athletic Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) from becoming teammates, competitors, and occasional kindred spirits as One Tree Hill begins its first season. No sooner has the locale of Tree Hill, NC, been established than we discover that the egotistical Nathan and the introspective Lucas are half-brothers, both sharing the same father (but compelled to keep this information secret, mainly because many in town still believe it to be merely a rumor). Lucas' entrée into Nathan's privileged world has its perks, namely gorgeous teenager Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), though Nathan's girlfriend is somehow drawn to the humble Lucas. As for Nathan, he forges a curious friendship with Lucas' best friend, Haley (Bethany Joie Lenz), an enigmatic young lady for whom the phrase "still waters run deep" might have been coined. Meanwhile, the adults in the boys' lives try to come to grips with the choices (good or bad) that they've made in the past, simply because the relationship between Nathan and Lucas has suddenly forced the issue. As as the season draws to a close, one wonders if the boys are destined to become close chums or bitter enemies -- while a number of deep dark secrets involving the rest of Tree Hill begin bubbling to the surface. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cute but geeky high-school student Samantha Martin (Hilary Duff) is knocked off her feet by her father's untimely death, which leaves his diner and Samantha's well-being in the care of Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge), Sam's thoroughly wicked stepmother. Not one to take on such menial tasks as dishwashing and mopping floors, Fiona exploits Sam's dependence as a method of hoisting any dirty work off her own shoulders. School is hardly a break for Samantha, particularly when Shelby (Julie Gonzalo) is around; spoiled, wealthy, and popular, Shelby treats Samantha nearly as badly as Fiona does. Samantha's life is irrevocably changed, however, by two events: a makeover of epic proportions and a sudden electronic correspondence with a mysterious young man. Due to a misplaced cell phone and a series of fateful coincidences, Samantha and her Prince Charming develop a romance through text messages and e-mails, and ultimately promise to meet face-to-face at the biggest school dance of the year. Of course, getting there doesn't go smoothly, and Samantha may miss her chance to meet her dream date -- none other than Austin (Chad Michael Murray), the most popular boy in school. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Senior year. A time to grow up, to forget, to forgive, to dream, to learn to love all over again. People come together -- except Dan, consumed by anger as he tracks down whoever started the fire that almost took his life. Tree Hill is rocked by powerful new events -- the good, the bad and the catastrophic. The good: Haley fights to save her marriage, Peyton comes to terms with her birth mother, Brooke creates a hot clothing line, and Keith comes home. The bad: Dan gets a rival for worst person in Tree Hill -- a conniving redhead named Rachel, the new girl at school. The catastrophic: Tragedy strikes Tree Hill High, and suddenly who wins the cheerleading tournament or basketball championship seems insignificant compared to who lives. And who doesn't.

Goodbye, Tree Hill High. Graduation nears. And with its approach comes the realization that, for students and parents alike, life is changing forever. There are new loves to nurture, old scores still to settle. The longtime triangle of Lucas, Peyton and Brooke finally comes down to two. The memory of Keith - or is it his spirit? - inspires Lucas and Nathan, and haunts Dan. Peyton is terrorized by a stalker. Two expectant mothers are about to raise Tree Hill's population stats. Lucas begins to wonder what really happened the terrifying day Keith died. And the Ravens - led by Coach Whitey Durham - have one last chance for hoops glory and the state championship. Live for now. Make way for what's to come. Hello, future...