We Go Behind the Scenes of Hart of Dixie to Hug the Crap Out of Rachel Bilson and Scott Porter

Stars spill deets on new CW dramedy airing tonight

By Kristin Dos Santos Sep 26, 2011 8:54 PMTags

Well, that was easy.

Mere hours after posting a review for the CW's new dramedy Hart of Dixie, in which we professed we want "to hug the crap out of" the entire cast, we were invited to the set to do just that.

See? Stalking works, kiddos! 

I sat down with stars Rachel Bilson, Scott Porter, Jaime King and Cress Williams, and here are five things you must know about Hart of Dixie, which premieres tonight:

Don't Blink....There's an O.C. Homage! Rachel is reuniting with Josh Schwartz, who created The O.C. But she's also quick to point out that her Hart of Dixie character, Dr. Zoe Hart—a Manhattan doctor who moves south to Bluebell, Alabama—is not Summer Roberts. "A lot of people are asking, 'Oh are you going to be Summer-ish?' But I'm me, you know? So [there are] mannerisms and certain things I can't help but act that way. But this is a different character." Then she adds with a laugh, "You know, there is an 'Ew' [in the pilot], but I was very careful about how I delivered it. I probably threw it away just so it wouldn't get it too much attention!"

Scott Porter Promises You Everwood and Dawson's Creek Fans Will Dig It. Proving himself something of a prodigy to one Mr. Coach Eric Taylor (Friday Night Lights forever!), Scott (who plays Rachel's love interest George) has this to say about how Hart stacks up to the fall competition: "I think we are exactly what America needs right now.There's a comfort to our show that I think people are going to fall right into step with and it's a special little town with amazing actors. We win. We win all the way around." The show's small-town feel with a big-time love triangle will also appeal to old-school WB lovers. It's that anticipation, the want, that desire to see two people together," Scott explains, nodding to George and Zoe's chemistry, despite his engagement to long-time love, Lemon (Jaime King).

The Scripts Just Get Better, According to the Cast. "There's a lot that is being unraveled," Jaime explains, "and every week I get my script I'm like, 'Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!' Every time that I read it you get to see how complex these characters really are."

Tierney Bricker/ E! Networks

There Are Two Reasons for FNL Fans to Watch. Not only is Jason Street (Scott Porter, duh) in the house, but also Cress Williams, who starred as Vince Howard's lower-than-life father (and agent poser) in the final season of Friday Night Lights. "I get that a lot!" he says with a laugh when I admit I kinda want to slap him at first sight. "Thankfully, this time I'm doing something really different to show, hey, that's not me!

On this show, I'm the mayor, Lavon Hayes. An ex-NFL player who is a bit of an eccentric. I have me a pet alligator by the name of Burt Reynolds. I need one scene where I walk him down the street and I will be content. I could just retire at that point." Alligator = Emmy.

They Are Huggable. Exhibit A: This on-set photo. Exhibit B: Check out Hart of Dixie tonight on the CW and come back right here to let us know what you think.

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