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Why I XOXO "Gossip Girl"

Ah, love and marriage. They go together like a horse and... well, you know. Except, that is, when the couple is in dispute over a TV show. Which is why Jace has been kind enough to hand over his laptop to me, the future Mrs. Televisonary, so that I could voice my opinion about a show that I consider to be one of the best new breakouts of the season but that he doesn't watch. Gasp! How can this be, you ask? How can two people who share such an unhealthy passion for all things television, from Damages to Doctor Who, disagree about a show?

The show in question is Gossip Girl, a fizzy, fun, frolicking fable about a group of Upper East Side teens and their shockingly soapy lives. Not since Beverly Hills, 90210 has a show about teenagers been so ridiculous and so completely enthralling. Creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have brought to life a winningly wicked cast of characters, played with aplomb by a gorgeous and capable cast. Blake Lively is pitch perfect as fallen angel Serena van der Woodsen (doncha just love that last name?) who never seems quite at home in her old world of booze and boys nor in her new world, the idyllic "genteel poverty" of Brooklyn boyfriend Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley).

But it's the beautiful, tortured Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) who truly captures my attention from week to week. This minute Machiavelli in stilettos could take down all four of those other well-known Manhattan fashionistas with nothing but a glance. This is her city and everyone in it, her pawns, including boy toy Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) and the dastardly Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). Will Nate find out that Blair lost her virginity to Chuck? Of course. Will it be scandalous, shocking, and steamy? Of course. And will Blair connive her way out of this mess (and into another diva-worthy dilemma)? Of course!

And we'll be there watching. Like outsider Dan Humphrey, we get an inside glimpse--a ticket into this elite circle, comprised of troubled teens and their equally confused parents, including Serena's regretful mom, Lily (played with a sexy sadness by the wonderful Kelly Rutherford). And our journey is narrated by Gossip Girl herself (the always delightful Kristen Bell who is the icing on this cupcake of a show) guiding us through every dirty little secret.

To me, Gossip Girl is the ultimate guilty pleasure. To Jace? It's a snooze fest. But he has promised me that, during the strike downtime, he'll take another look at the show and I am certain that he will see the light (shining off of the Archibald family's famous diamond ring). With our marriage date approaching, I only hope that the issue can be resolved swiftly so that we can begin married life drama free. 'Cause we should leave the drama where it belongs. On TV.

Comments

The CineManiac said…
Future Mrs. Televisionary,
I couldn't agree with you more, it's the ultimate guilty pleasure and the wife and I tune in each week dying to catch another glimpse of the wonderful world of Gossip Girl.
Lucky for Jace, the entire series is going to be rerun, so maybe he can jump on the band wagon, besides with Gilmore Girls gone there's room for a new GG on the CW.
Anonymous said…
Dear FMT,

You couldn't be more right. I, too, have been trying to get your future hub to wake up and smell the deliciousness that is GG.

I can't believe how hooked I am on this show. I went from thinking the pilot was eh to wondering "Is it Wednesday, yet?!?"

Everything you said about the show - you've nailed it perfectly. But this is definitely my favorite (And totally accurate) part, "minute Machiavelli in stilettos"

Alright, Jace, it's time to accept your fate. You know you are going to get hooked on this show. Of course, now there's all this pressure....what will happen? You know you will love it. xoxo, al
Anonymous said…
Also, it was funny - when I first logged on the site and saw "Why I xoxo 'Gossip Girl'," I thought, Jace has finally come to his senses! :)
Carrie said…
Very cute article. Love this show, LOVE Blair Waldorf. Seriously, I think I'm addicted to her. She's freaking incredible.

Jace will come around, I'm sure of it!
Brian said…
I couldn't agree more. Gossip Girl is amazing.
Jace Lacob said…
Okay, okay, you have won me over with your wittily turned phrases and deliciously catty storyline descriptions. I might just have to reevaluate and give Gossip Girl a second chance, after all.
Liat said…
I have to confess that gossip girl is a guilty pleasure, and a delicious one at that.
Just one small correction - it's genteel, not gentile, which has quite a different meaning.
-M said…
I fought this battle with my husband over Dawson's Creek, The OC and now Gossip Girl. It's usually an arduous fight, but I always win in the end.
Anonymous said…
at the risk of seeming ignorant (but aslo as a foreign guy for who english is a second language), i would kike to know what XOXO means exactly.
thanks for anyone willing to enlighten me (clenariusfr (at) yahoo.fr)

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