(September
26th, 2007. - Editor)
Blake Lively
(Accepted), Leighton Meester (Surface), Connor
Paolo (One Life to Live), Chace Crawford (The
Covenant), Ed Westwick (Children of Men), Penn Badgley
(John Tucker Must Die), Taylor Momsen (Spy Kids
2), Kelly Rutherford (Melrose Place), Sam Robards
(The West Wing) and Matthew Settle (Brothers and
Sisters) star in the ensemble cast drama Gossip Girl,
airing Wednesdays on CW.
Based on the books of the same name,
the series revolves around the lives of a group of over-privileged Manhattan prep school teens, whose
scandalous lives are revealed online by the mysterious blogger known
only as Gossip Girl. For the readers on the Internet, the group is a
mysterious collection of exotic characters who enjoy the best things
in life. In reality, they are a cruel and self-centered group of teens
who are already developing their skills for lying, cheating and
stabbing each other in the back. But that is exactly the kind of stuff
that make for great reading.
Considering how much press and public attention is being given to
young, rich, do-nothings these days, just because they are young,
rich, do-nothings, I have the strong feeling that this series could
catch on. I understand that people, especially young people, like to
imagine themselves living in different worlds, with different friends,
family and opportunities. This series offers a window into one of
those worlds letting the viewer experience at least a little of what
it might be like to live there all the time. That fantasy is
attractive to viewers and for that reason, there should be
considerable early interest in this series. That and the extra
publicity of bringing a book to the small screen as a drama series
should be enough to launch this effort. From there, success or failure
will come from one thing. If the intended audience likes these
characters and their circumstances enough to tune in again next week.
I think there is enough here to raise the interest, but I am not the
intended demographic.
If the characters created on this series are credible and likeable to
the target young demographic, this series has all the making of a
modern-day Beverly Hills 90210. If the audience fails to connect with
them, or worse does not like them, this one will be on the chopping
block very quickly. The Wednesday night time slot is not right for
this series, but The CW network is often forced to place shows in
their line-up where they fit, not always where they should be. The
lower expectations that come with a drama series on CW may be the
reason this one is around long enough to build an audience. The youth
audience will have to come to this one, like they did with 90210,
Melrose Place and The O.C., but if they do come it will have been
worth the wait.
-- Editor --
