Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is an American teen drama series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007. Narrated by the omniscient yet unseen blogger "Gossip Girl", voiced by Kristen Bell, the series revolves around the lives of privileged young adults on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York City.

The series begins with the return of Upper East Side "It" girl, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) from a mysterious stay at a boarding school in Cornwall, Connecticut.[1] Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), whom creators describe as the queen at the center of their chess game,[2] is a longtime friend and occasional rival of Serena's, and the Queen Bee of Constance Billard School's social scene.[3] The story also follows Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), the bad boy of the Upper East Side; "Golden boy" Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford), Chuck's best friend and Blair's ex; and other characters of the turbulent Manhattan scene: Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), Nate's friend and Serena's on-again, off-again ex; Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), Dan's best friend; and Dan's sister, Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen).[4][5]

Each episode begins with the blog page of the Gossip Girl blog with Serena's picture from the pilot episode. Afterward, a recap of events relevant to the upcoming narrative is shown, which ends again with the blog page, only this time with a picture from other character(s) with a text about a recent event connected with the picture.

The narrator is Gossip Girl, voiced by Kristen Bell. She begins the recap with the sentence "Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite," and ends the recap with whispered voices saying "Where has she been?" "Serena" then the voice of Gossip Girl says: "And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me, xoxo, Gossip Girl." Some episodes end with Gossip Girl saying "You know you love me. xoxo, Gossip Girl."[citation needed]
[edit] Cast and characters
Main article: Characters of Gossip Girl

The first episodes of the first season included the original concept from the books, mainly following the lives of the five teenage characters in their high school years. Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) is often described as the 'it girl'. It is revealed that she has had a scandalous past that continues to haunt her, she is known for her many off-again relationships with the male characters and is known for rebellious drive outs. Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), an outsider who becomes a part of the turbulent Manhattan scene, an aspiring writer and fairly straight-arrow guy with a good heart and morals. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) is the beautiful Queen Bee of Constance Billard School's social scene, as well as Serena's best friend and occasional rival. Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) is the perfect "Golden Boy" of the Upper East Side, always being fought over by the prominent female characters. Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) serves as the show's antihero, being a womanizer and party lover with a troubled life and past that provide a hidden vulnerable side.

Beside the five regulars cast members mentioned above, three more characters appeared in the pilot episode. Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) is Dan's younger sister, who desperately tries to become the next Queen Bee, a goal that makes her realize the true values of life; Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) and Dan's father Rufus Humphrey (Matthew Settle).They share a romantic past that follows them throughout the show, and eventually leads to marriage. The Humphrey family is centered upon as they explore life on the 'Upper East side', Dan trying to look after his little sister as she discovers the party scene.

Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), enters the show in its first season as Dan's past love, and becomes a series regular after the 14th episode. Other characters include Eric van der Woodsen (Connor Paolo) Serena's kind and compassionate brother, who comes out late in the first season and becomes very close with Jenny. Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg) is an occasional antagonist in the show, with a recurring role. Carter Baizen (Sebastian Stan) appears as Chuck's enemy with a romantic interest in Serena.

Many characters appear as guest stars as parents and other relatives of the main cast. Eleanor Waldorf-Rose (Margaret Colin) and Harold Waldorf (John Shea) appeared as Blair's divorced parents, with Cyrus Rose (Wallace Shawn) as Eleanor's husband and Blair's stepfather. Dorota Kishlovsky (Zuzanna Szadkowski) is Blair's loyal maid. Anne Archibald (Francie Swift) and Howard "The Captain" Archibald (Sam Robards) are Nate's estranged parents, while William van der Bilt I (James Naughton) and William "Tripp" van der Bilt III (Aaron Tveit) are Nate's manipulative grandfather and cousin, respectively. Bartholomew "Bart" Bass (Robert John Burke) is Lily's late ex-husband and Chuck's demanding father, and Jack Bass (Desmond Harrington) is Bart's brother and Chuck's uncle. Celia "CeCe" Rhodes (Caroline Lagerfelt) is Serena's grandmother and Gabriela Abrams (Gina Torres) is Vanessa's mother.
[edit] Seasons
Main article: List of Gossip Girl episodes
[edit] Season One: 2007–08
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 1)

The first season main focus is Serena's sudden return to the Upper East Side following her mysterious disappearance. Initially, Serena's one night-stand with Nate Archibald, lover to Serena's best friend Blair Waldorf, was considered as Serena's reason to leave. However, near the end of the season, the cunning Georgina Sparks, Serena's former friend arrives on the Upper East Side, revealing that the night Serena slept with Nate didn't end there — Serena went to Georgina's apartment and a man died in her hands under the influence of drugs, while being taped. The season also revolves around Serena's relationship with outsider Dan Humphrey; Blair's relationship with Nate and her affair with his best friend Chuck; brief romance between Serena's mother and Dan's father; Blair and Jenny's mentor-protege relationship; and the arrival of Dan's former best friend Vanessa Abrams. The season ends with the revelation of Serena's mystery, and Chuck leaving Blair at the airport, before leaving for Europe.
[edit] Season Two: 2008–09
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 2)

The second season mainly explores the senior year of most of the characters, the continuity of their new found relationships, their final encounter with "Gossip Girl", and their attempts to get into college. The first couple of episodes feature part of the summer vacation, respectively week before the start of the school year. The role of "Gossip Girl" is slightly decreased. She continues to run her blog, but she keeps the ultimate information for herself, sending it in the final episode as the last blast, where Serena decides to find out who "Gossip Girl" really is, but ultimately fails. The season's main mystery is Serena's involvement with Poppy Lifton, a secretive socialite that tries to steal money from Serena and her friends which ultimately leads to the return of Georgina Sparks, who claims to be changed but eventually decides to get revenge on Blair. The season also focuses on Blair and Chuck, who were labeled "the heart of GG" by People magazine.[6] At first, both characters negate their feelings for one another, and go through random schemes and manipulations. After all the games are done, both of them eventually say "I love you" to each other. Other storylines include Blair's attempt to enter Yale University; the death of Bart Bass which proves to be a very bad influence on Chuck and the exploration of his involvements; Dan's transformation from outsider to insider and his relationship with Serena's teacher Rachel Carr; Serena's relationships after breaking up with Dan; Jenny's career as fashion designer and her rebellions which ultimately ends with her becoming the next Queen Bee; the end of Nate and Chuck's friendship and Nate's friendship with Dan; Nate's family problems which continue to grow and affect on his new found relationship with Vanessa; Rufus and Lily's relationship after Bart's death, their engagement, and revelation that they have a son.
[edit] Season Three: 2009–10
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 3)

The third season focuses on Blair, Dan & Vanessa getting into NYU along with movie star Olivia Burke (Hilary Duff),[7] whom Dan starts dating; Nate getting into Columbia University; Serena taking a year off from school; Jenny becoming Queen Bee at Constance; and Chuck running the Bass family company, along with now adoptive mother Lily van der Woodsen. The first couple of episodes feature part of the summer vacation, respectively the week before the start of University and School. The role of "Gossip Girl" is slightly decreased throughout the season.

Throughout the season there were many guest stars including Joanna García as Bree Buckley, a love interest for Nate; America's Next Top Model creator Tyra Banks as Ursula Nyquist, a larger than life actress whom Serena served as a publicist for a short time; William Baldwin as William van der Woodsen, Serena and Eric’s father, Lily’s ex-husband and Rufus’ long-time rival; and cameos by Lady GaGa, Tory Burch, Jimmy Fallon, Plastiscines, Georgina Chapman and Sonic Youth.[8][9][10]

The tenth episode of the season caused a significant amount of controversy. Parent groups urged the CW not to air the episode that contained a threesome. The preview for the episode revolved around an "OM3" theme. CW ignored these requests and announced that it was going to air the episode as planned.[11]

Robert John Burke, who played Chuck's father, Bart Bass, returned for A Christmas Carol themed episode in December, while Desmond Harrington returned as Chuck's uncle Jack Bass with a major storyline involving all Upper East Siders late season, affecting Chuck and Blair's relationship again revolving around Jack and Chuck's estranged mother Evelyn Bass Fisher (Laura Harring) about their plan on getting the Empire Hotel from Chuck. He eventually had to relinquish it because of false rumors made up by his uncle, Jack Bass, about having had affairs with the employees.[12][13]

The season focused hugely on Jenny Humphrey's development and downward spiral. She spends a good part of the season alienating herself from Eric, her former best friend, and chasing after Nate, who has his heart set on Serena. At the end of the season, due to her one night stand with stepbrother Chuck Bass and new drug dealing habit, her father and Lily send her to Hudson, New York, to live with her mother. Other story lines include Blair and Chuck's attempt and ultimate failure at having a successful relationship, Dan and Vanessa moving from friends to something more, and Serena's attempts to find herself through a new job and brief love affairs with Carter, Nate's married cousin Tripp, and eventually Nate himself.
[edit] Season Four: 2010–11
Main article: Gossip Girl (season 4)

On February 16, 2010, The CW announced it will renew the show for a fourth season, beginning in Fall 2010.[14]

Taylor Momsen, who plays Jenny Humphrey, will be absent for an unspecified number of episodes when the show returns, due to her summer concert schedule for Warped Tour with her band, The Pretty Reckless.[15] It was later reported that Momsen will only be absent from the first half of the season, and will be back in time as a main character during November sweeps for a number of episodes.[16] The fourth season will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.[17] and was scheduled to premiere September 13, 2010.[18] A trailer for season four was released August 16, 2010, titled "Oh Mon Dieu" ("Oh My God" in French), and was entirely in French to coincide with the season premiere, which is set in France.[19]

The first half of the season's main mystery revolves around Juliet Sharp (Katie Cassidy), a secretive girl with an agenda against Serena. The second half of season 4 will build on the complications of Serena's new found relationship with Ben as well as Chuck trying to regain control of Bass Industries from Russell Thorpe (Michael Boatman). Elements will also focus on Chuck's relationship with Raina and also involve Blair and Dan's growing friendship.
[edit] Future

Showrunners have revealed that they have a "definite endgame in mind" and know how the series will end, but not in the near future.[20]
[edit] DVD releases
Complete Season Release dates DVD Extras and Bonus Features Number Of Discs
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4
1st August 19, 2008 August 18, 2008 October 22, 2008 November 13, 2008 (Brazil)/April 15, 2009 (Australia) Unaired Scenes, 3 All-New Featurettes, Music Videos, Gossip Girl Featurette, GG Couture Featurette, A Gossip Girl Wedding Featurette, Gag Reel and Free Download of the Original Bestselling Book, read by Christina Ricci. 5
2nd August 18, 2009 Part 1: April 13, 2009
Part 2: August 10, 2009
Complete: September 28, 2009 October 2, 2009 September 24, 2009 (Brazil), October 28, 2009 (Australia & New Zealand) 5th Ave. Meet Gossip Girl: Click icons on a graphic map and tour the Gossip Girl crowd's favorite haunts. Faces Behind the Design: Creative forces behind the show's art and fashion. Chasing Dorota Webisodes. Gag Reel. Downloaded audiobook of the bestselling novel Gossip Girl, You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar, read by Christina Ricci. Unaired Scenes. 7
3rd August 24, 2010 August 23, 2010[21] October 2, 2010 September 1, 2010 (Australia)[22]/ November 4, 2010 (Brazil) Gossip Girl Mode: Interactive Viewing Experience on Episode "The Empire Strikes Jack", A Gossip Girl Fabulous Affair: Throwing a Party Gossip Girl-Style, Plasticines "Bitch" and Lady GaGa "Bad Romance" Music Videos, Gag Reel, Unaired Scenes. 5[21]

Note: In Australia there is alternative cover art for Season 1. There are also three different versions of Season 2. The standard edition, a special 8-disc edition and an alternative cover art. (Which is the same cover art used for Season 2, Part 2 in the UK).

Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Gossip Girl are also available through the iTunes store where each episode can be purchased separately or in complete season sets.
[edit] Broadcast

The series first airs on The CW, Mondays at 9/8 central.[23]
[edit] Ratings

The series premiere was watched by 3.50 million viewers and achieved a 1.6 Adults 18-49, coming in last place in its 9:00 p.m. timeslot on Wednesday nights.[24] However, the show was noted to have held the best audience retention of America's Next Top Model.[25] The season ended with 3.00 million viewers.[26] The second season premiered with 3.43 million viewers.[27] Although, the third season was the least watched to date, it was the most successful with a 1.1 Adults 18-49 average rating.[28]

Season four premiered to 1.83 million viewers and a 1.0 for adults 18-49.[29] Episode 4.04 hit season highs in all categories with a 2.8 rating in The CW's target of Women 18-34, a 1.7 in Adults 18-34 and 1.1 in Adults 18-49.[30]
Season Timeslot Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Rank U.S. Viewers
(in millions) Rating
Adults 18-49
1 Wednesday 9/8c
(September 19, 2007 – January 9, 2008)
Monday 8/7c
(April 21 – May 19, 2008) September 19, 2007 May 19, 2008 2007–2008 #196[31] 2.35[31] 0.8[31]
2 Monday 8/7c September 1, 2008 May 18, 2009 2008–2009 #168[32] 2.48[32] 0.9[32]
3 Monday 9/8c September 14, 2009 May 17, 2010 2009–2010 #135[28] 2.02[28] 1.1[28]
4 September 13, 2010 May 16, 2011 [33] 2010–2011
[edit] Critical response
Gossip Girl poster featuring critical review

Gossip Girl initially received mixed reviews. Due to the show's pedigree as an adaptation of The New York Times bestselling novel series, the show was considered to be one of the more anticipated new shows of the 2007–2008 television season. An August 2007 survey by OTX, a global media research and consulting firm, placed the show on the list of top ten new shows that viewers were aware of.[34] Though the pilot was the recipient of many positive reviews from publications such as Variety, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and the Boston Globe, other reviewers described it as a guilty pleasure rather than an hour's worth of must-watch television.[35][36][37][38] Metacritic gave it a score of 54, based on the reviews of 26 different publications.[39]

However, author Cecily von Ziegesar has expressed support for the show, noting that all of her major plot points were present in the pilot.[40] The Parents Television Council has shown particular criticism of the series, especially with its "OMFG" ad campaign from April 2008.[41] It also named the episode "Victor/Victrola" the worst television program of the week in which the episode originally was broadcast.[42] Quotes from the Parents Television Council review, as well as negative quotes from the San Diego Union-Tribune, New York Post and the Boston Herald, were used on various advertisements for the second season. The Hartford Courant chronicled a variety of negative responses to the ads. The ads included quotes like "Every Parent's Nightmare", "Mind-Blowingly Inappropriate" and "A Nasty Piece of Work" in what appears to be an effort to continue the 'rebellious teen' style of the show.[43]

As the show continued its first season, the response became considerably more positive, and by the second season critical response was favorable. Metacritic gave the new season an improved score of 71. "Summer's been good to this girl," claimed Entertainment Weekly, who awarded the series its highest grade of "A."[44] The New York Daily News claimed the show had found its footing by stating "It knows exactly what it wants and needs its new hybrid product to be. The hockey fights video of teen romance drama." Gossip Girl was designated the "Best. Show. Ever." in April 2008 by New York magazine.[45]

Toward the conclusion of the first season, Janet Malcolm of The New Yorker criticized the show for its deviations from the novels. She has stated that the series was, "related to the original only in the names and outlines of the characters." She further asserted that, "Without von Ziegesar's fast, mocking commentary to propel them, the TV episodes are sluggish and crass – a move from Barneys to Kmart."[46]
[edit] Accolades
Year↓ Result↓ Award↓ Category↓ Recipients↓
2008 Nominated Artios Award Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Pilot - Drama[47]
2008 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Program[48][49]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[50][51]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Show[50][51]
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[50][51] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Male[50][51] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2008 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[50][51] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[50][51] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[50][51] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[50][51] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Female[50][51] Momsen, TaylorTaylor Momsen
2008 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Male[50][51] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2008 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite New TV Drama[52]
2009 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Personality or Actor[53] Blake Lively
2009 Nominated Costume Designers Guild Outstanding Costume Design for Television Series - Contemporary Eric Daman
2009 Nominated Prism Award Drama Episode

For episode "Woman on the Verge"[54]

2009 Nominated Prism Award Performance in a Drama Episode[55] Blake Lively
2009 Nominated ASTRA Award Favourite International Program[53]
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[56]
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[56] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[56] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2009 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[56] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice Music Soundtrack[56]
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[56] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2009 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Parental Unit[56] Settle, MatthewMatthew Settle
2009 Won Young Hollywood Awards Breakthrough Performance Male[57] Ed Westwick
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Show Drama[58]
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[59] Meester, LeightonLeighton Meester
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[60] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford
2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Scene Stealer[61] Duff, HilaryHilary Duff
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress Drama[62] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama[63] Badgley, PennPenn Badgley
2010 Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Villain[64] Westwick, EdEd Westwick
2011 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite TV Drama Actress[65] Lively, BlakeBlake Lively
2011 Nominated People's Choice Award Favorite TV Drama Actor[65] Crawford, ChaceChace Crawford