Oh my dear Gossip Girl, what would I do without you? As you guys probably know, me and GabrielleAdelle LOVE this show to pieces. However, as I began writing this I started asking myself “What makes Gossip Girl so special?” Let’s go back to my early shallow beginnings, back when I was in 9th grade almost all of the girls I knew were reading the Gossip Girl books so I asked my friend to lend me hers to see what they were all about. I only got as far as the second book and once I finished my sister told me that the CW was premiering a show based on the books, and little did I know that the first episode was basically the first book. I never cared to pick up the books again. I mean, look at all the pretty! (By that I refer to the male characters of the series)
Up to this day, I don’t think I have ever missed an episode of this show. I know most of my friends who once started to watch it ended up never catching up since SO much stuff happens in each episode, it is hard to keep up with the drama. So then, back to my question, what makes it so special? The show brought to life these characters that live the life that I’ve always wanted, the lifestyle of the rich and the famous that these Upper East Side kids get without even asking for it. They get everything handed to them: designer clothes, luxurious parties, vacations at exotic places, cars, jewerly, etc. You name it, they have it. Who wouldn’t like to live a life with no worries about money? To me, Gossip Girl was an insight on “what it would be like” if I lived that life.
The never-ending drama, the plot-scheming, their secrets and keeping up with each character’s love interest, are many reasons why I’m glued to the screen every Monday night. Even though the show isn’t full of an Academy Award nominated cast, or have the best plot lines or Aaron Sorkin-like dialogue, the show aims to do what it does best: to keep people entertained. As a girl, I love the fashion featured on the show, Tim Gunn just doesn’t make an appearance on any TV series, let alone a celebrity as huge as Lady Gaga performing a full song. The music featured on the show has me most of the time downloading songs from each episode and discovering new artists without having the cast members sing it on the show.
When it comes to the script, it is witty, funny, sarcastic, full of pop culture references that I love. Blair Waldorf is my favorite when it comes to quotes, such as “Whoever said that money doesn’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop“, “Once men have tasted caviar, it baffles me how they settle for catfish” or the classical “I’m Chuck Bass“. Meanwhile, some of the characters might come off as obnoxious or spoiled, we have to keep in mind that these people have appearances that they need to keep, they are full of layers and slowly but surely you’ll get to see their true self and at times you’ll realize how alike you are with them.
In my opinion, shallow TV shows like Gossip Girl or 90210 aren’t there to make us, normal hard-working people, feel bad about ourselves. I think these shows are there just to show us that even though we feel like money is everything, it really isn’t, that even as cliched as it sounds money can’t buy you love, friendships or even your family. I believe these type of shows or movies that talk about the life of the people who are millionaires are there for the sole purpose of entertainment and that we watch them for the sole purpose that they are our guilty pleasure.
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