akv musings: life, travels, becoming a doctor: gossip girl

As I watched the last Gossip Girl episode for 2008, tears streaming down my face because of the raw emotion between the characters, I couldn't help but think why this show is so addicting, so damn good.

Gossip Girl is a close-up view of the fabulous lives of Manhattan's elite: they are wealthy, great-looking, and have absolutely no adults controlling their lives. Being in high school, of course there's mad drama but I think what is so attractive is that these kids are beautiful, wealthy, and witty - and also have crazy messed up lives. And so we watch because we pity them but also because we are so attracted to their lifestyles.

Take Charles Bass, for example (surprise!). The only child of the late Bart Bass, Chuck is now the richest kid in Manhattan and lives his life as such: he flies in women from all over the world for back massages and "other services", drinks at his father's hotel bar, takes his limo everywhere, and shows public disdain for anything not of his “world” (i.e. Dan from Brooklyn). But he is also loyal to a fault with his friends, pines after Blair, and he is always pining for his dad's attention and approval. Add on his affinity for manipulation, blackmail, pastel pants, and shark sweaters and you've got a deep, intense character worth following.

So you've got this fabulous combination of drama, relationships, fashion, high-end mannerisms and life-styles, witty one-liners and comebacks - what person wouldn't be addicted to this? And the producers know it too: in a recent advertising campaign, they used the negative comments about the show TO SELL THE SHOW.

Comments like “mind-blowingly inappropriate” etc are exactly the thing that teens want to hear! These marketing people deserve a prize! I stare at mine every day (haha thanks J)!!!

And the latest sign that Gossip Girl is genius? The latest songs by Britney and Xtina have been used for specific character promos. “Womanizer” for Chuck and “Keeps Getting Better” – which has the line “sometimes I’m a super bitch” – for Blair Waldorff. This stuff doesn’t just write itself, these people are brilliant! Genius!!