Glasses raised for 'Gossip Girl'
By Anna Williams, Staff Writer
October 7, 2007 | 2 p.m.
The creator of “The O.C.” is making his way back to television superstardom with “Gossip Girl,” a new series on the CW. The show combines all the necessary components of a scandal (sex, lies and money) and does it with the sophistication and glamour that only TV can produce.
Imagine “Sex and the City” except the characters are barely legal, Upper East Side NYC teenagers. It’s the sex addict, the emotionally unstable blonde and oozing drama throughout each episode that make shows like this so addictive.
Based on Cecily von Ziegesar’s widely popular book series that first hit the shelves in 2002, “Gossip Girl” entered television prime-time with a well-established fan base. By combining the book’s popularity with a cast that includes actors from "Entourage" and a number of independent and teen movies, such as “Accepted” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” this series is definitely going to appeal to “The O.C.”-deprived public. The show has the potential of a teen phenomenon; It includes current music supervised by the same person who worked on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The O.C.,” and it boasts chic clothing designed by the former costume designer for “Sex and the City.”
Gossip Girl, voiced by Kristen Bell of “Veronica Mars,” is the narrator throughout the series though the show never reveals her identity. Throughout the entire show, posts from her blog, “Gossip Girl,” are described. She constantly (and almost obsessively) updates all the drama and who’s whom in her territory.
Serena (Blake Lively), one of the main characters, has just returned home from a year of boarding school after neglecting to tell anyone she was leaving. Her status in the socialite life of NYC is comparable to Paris Hilton’s life in Hollywood. Consequentially, when she returns the entire city knows within minutes. The pilot episode briefs viewers about the social situations and events that led up to the point of Serena’s surprising return.
Serena’s former best friend, Blair (Leighton Meester), has taken her place as the “it girl” since she’s been gone and is less than happy to hear of her return. Blair learned that her long-term boyfriend, Nate (Chace Crawford), had a thing for Serena and is worried that she could create competition. As the plot unfolds, Serena’s racy past is revealed and Blair’s jealousy grows.
In just one hour, “Gossip Girl” pushes the limits of prime-time dramas by dealing with rape, teen drinking and infidelity. These provocative subjects lured in the target audience (teens and early 20s) and have kept them coming back for two weeks since its debut on Sept. 28.
Declare Wednesday nights girls’ nights: Order some Chinese, bust out the mani/pedi kits, and indulge in all the glitz and glamour at 9 p.m. on the CW.
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Watch the episodes free online at CWTV.com.
The pilot episode is also available for free through iTunes.