Gossip Girl. Well, It's Actually Good, But...

From the Archives: So, this was from November 2007, a little after Gossip Girl first premiered. I love this post, not sure why I didn't get around to publishing it, except I'm sure I was editing it and forgot. I still watch Gossip Girl now. Its one that I try not to miss, but the first season was far superior to the second, so I'm hoping the third season will hold my interest. Interesting how things started out, because now Chuck has become one of the best characters on the show and you barely remember his earlier mistake with Jenny unless its mentioned, Blair has damn near become the lead over Serena, Dan and Serena have been just so-so in the second season, and Jenny was in a tailspin much of the season. We'll have to see what this new season brings, it ought to be interesting with college starting.

Wasn't this pitched several years ago to the WB as Manchester Prep (which was picked up and despite shooting episodes, never made it to the air? Because all though I am actually enjoying Gossip Girl (against my better judgment since I'm holding firm to my indignation with The CW for canceling Veronica Mars), one of the reasons I am enjoying it may be because I recognize it as the TV version of Cruel Intentions. There's no two ways about it, this is very similar. And before someone says that Gossip Girl is based on the books of the same title, I'll just point out that Cruel Intentions pre-dates the book series as well.

Some things are a bit changed, but this is Cruel Intentions, i.e. Manchester Prep. Chuck (Ed Westwick) has completely ripped off the Sebastian character completely, though he's much smarmier and doesn't have the charm of the Sebastian character that made him the likable bad boy (nor does the actor come close to being remotely as gorgeous as Ryan Phillipe). Dan's little sister Jenny (Taylor Momsen) is obviously similar to Selma Blair's naive Cecile character and Blair (Leighton Meester) is quite obviously doing her best to pull off the evil bitchiness of Sarah Michelle Gellar's Kathryn's character, but she's really not reaching that level just yet, which could be a good thing, Kathryn was a trip.

That being said. I am definitely on the Gossip Girl bandwagon. I do have a few problems with the show. (Note: I haven't watched the new episode this week - remember, I am still protesting the CW, so I watch the repeats that air on Sunday).

So, here is the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly thus far. We'll do this in reverse, in an effort to be (or at least appear) more positive.

The Ugly - I don't care what inner circle you are trying to join, even in high school, the morning after you have just escaped being raped, you are not rosy as can be and ready to continue your plan to infiltrate the popular people clique. No matter how much you want to play something off, I'm sorry, your target audience is teenage girls so I would have liked not to have seen the girl who was almost raped not be remotely affected by what happened just 12 hours later. Her brother is much more concerned than she is, and thank goodness for that, or the viewers may forget what the heck happened.

The Bad - Acting is only a strength with some actors/characters. Chuck, for instance, certainly seems to be forcing his bad boy mystique with the gravelly voice and the always shocking comments. He only appears remotely likable when he's with Nate, and even then it's a stretch. His scarf is also killing me. Ed Westwick, whose other acting credits I am unfamiliar with, may be a good actor, but right now, a lot of what he does seems forced and doesn't come naturally. Hopefully this will change over time. I also wouldn't mind him not being completely repulsive, so possibly lay off the rape attempts. Just a suggestion.

What's with the "Yes" girls? The friends of Blair and Serena, who currently appear to be just friends of Blair, are completely pointless. They damn near look like her slaves, the way they hang on Blair's every word, have no opinions of their own, and cater to her in any way possible. I would much prefer having another quality male and female supporting characters on the cast who actually contribute to the show. These girls are just window dressing thus far.

Why is Nate friends with Chuck? I'm thinking they've been friends since pre-school, the friendship has just continued, and Nate's father encouraged the friendship, but we haven't been told that as of yet, and some sort of background is needed. Besides Nate's indiscretion with Serena, he is in no way sleazy or smarmy like Chuck is, in fact, he's very likable and endearing, so it would be nice to know why nice guy Nate is friend's with attempted rapist Chuck.

What is with the previews of the night's episode right before the episode begins? I don't care if it's just pictures, I'm about to watch the damn show, I don't need it ruined seconds before so there is no surprise within the hour. I mean, about 99% of the entire show is activity done for shock value alone, so why would you spoil that? Makes no sense whatsoever and they need to cut that pronto.

The Good - Yes, there is a Good (there has to be since despite the bad, I do like the show).

Blake Lively - Let's be for real. Of the four actresses who starred in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the weakest, by far, was Blake Lively. I am happy to see she has clearly been honing her skills

Penn Badgley - Whereas Blake was the weakest but still was good in Sisterhood, Penn just plain couldn't act the first time I encountered him on the short-lived WB show The Mountain starring Oliver Hudson and Anson Mount.

Chace Crawford - The actor who plays Nate. He is GORGEOUS. I'm talking model beautiful. Getting a look at him is more than reason enough to tune into Gossip Girl. I'm not exaggerating.

Relationships - Several good relationships have shown to be the great strengths of the show. The ones that stand out the most to me: brother and sister Dan and Jenny; their father Rufus has a great relationship with them that seems to ground them; friendship between Dan and Vanessa; the friendship between Blair and Serena. So, great relationships on the show, seem to definitely be a positive for this show thus far.

I'm looking forward to what the rest of the season will bring. I'm an O.C. junkie, so I'm glad Josh Schwartz is back with some great teen angst to watch.