XOXO, Gossip Girl
There is nothing like a dose of New York City charm to lighten one’s spirits. Gossip Girl follows the scathing lives behind the surface of Manhattan’s elite. From fashion designers to music producers, to good-ol’ New York old money, these high schoolers' problems consist of sex and drama rather than livable wages. Regardless of status, Gossip Girl illuminates the reality of the upper class and the scandalous risks they are willing to take.
In Season One, Gossip Girl’s scathing Instagram resurfaced, thanks to nerdy teachers Jordan and Kate. In the first episode, these curators of the account were revealed, a complete contrast to the constant questioning behind the 2007 Gossip Girl’s identity. The original series uses Gossip Girl whenever possible, throwing twists and turns into the plot. This involvement provides more structure to the character’s storylines and is a reminder of the impact of media. Instead of having Gossip Girl as the main character, the revival highlights her when necessary––to emphasize drama. It does not utilize Gossip Girl to her greatest potential, usually highlighting a blast at the beginning, middle, and end of an episode. Plus, knowing the mastermind behind the source does not leave room for mystery. With that being said, the teacher’s storyline seems to be drawn out and less exciting than the trials and tribulations of the Upper East Side.
Similarly, Gossip Girl (2021) illustrates the importance of having BIPOC characters in power. In the original Gossip Girl, the cast was dominated by white individuals, perpetuating the narrative that only white people can hold places in power. However, high schoolers are now confident in their identities, ranging from different races and sexual identities.
Watching this reboot was like a breath of fresh air in comparison to the original Gossip Girl but that does not stray away from the fact that both of these shows are extremely unrealistic.
Yes, New York City’s Upper East Side is an affluent neighborhood uptown, featuring gorgeous apartments overlooking Central Park, trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and designer shopping down Madison and Lexington. However, underage drinking, threesomes, and uncontrollable spending is a reach when looking at the reality of the UES. Inevitably, growing up in New York City is an extreme experience, filled with the go-go-go attitude of a bustling city, but Gossip Girl highlights small truths within NYC. In high school, people rarely hold Birkins and Bulgari instead of backpacks as the show suggests. Uniforms mirror typical uniforms, unfortunately not including Serena’s loose tie look and Julien’s extra large button-up and berets are seen among tourists more than locals. However, without this wealthy facade, the show would most likely lose some of the glitz and glamor viewers crave.
It is no surprise that the 2007 Gossip Girl boosted teenagers into the industry, most notably, Blake Lively and Penn Badgley. The story, although unrealistic, is saved by the moving cast and their acting––especially Leighton Meester as Blair; the needy fashionista who cured her insecurities by scheming. These actors are definitely not on the shortlist for the next Emmy, however; they are incomparable to Gossip Girl (2021). The casting directors went the same route when casting, seeking new and diverse names in the industry, but this expectation only went so far. There has undoubtedly been an improvement since Season 1, but Gossip Girl (2021) has its faults in the acting department.
It’s redemption? Bringing back cast members from the original Gossip Girl. Most recently, the infamous Georgina Sparks returned as her insatiable self in the comfort of Dan and Serena’s home (sidebar, it turns out they have a kid? Who is lactose intolerant…?). In the first season, we saw Milo Sparks whose unforgettable role in Gossip Girl (2007) as Dan’s “son” has gone down in history as one of the weirdest GG plotlines. Other familiar faces have been Elenor Waldorf, Cyrus Rose, Nelly Yuki, Dorota, and Vanya. These nods to the original Gossip Girl satisfy devout viewers who care about the fate of the characters we grew to know and love. Now, I am only crossing my fingers to hear Penn Badgley’s mysterious voice and Blake Lively’s contagious laugh one of these days… but let’s stay realistic.
Nevertheless, Gossip Girl (2021) has its perks and is ultimately an entertaining watch. It continues to shine a light on the realities of social media and a glimpse into the flashy New York lifestyle. I am looking forward to seeing the final episodes of season 2 to fully analyze the character development and hypothesis the next steps these elaborate writers may take.