Gossip Girl, a trending show currently streaming on Netflix, is a teen drama series that premiered in 2007. It explores the everyday lives of wealthy, scandalous teenagers in Manhattan.
Throughout the series, various relationships and bonds are formed, with many characters betraying each other for personal gain. The main characters include Serena Van Der Woodsen, a blonde socialite, and her best friend, Blair Waldorf. In the first season, intense suspicion surrounds Nate Archibald, Blair’s boyfriend, and Serena, who has just returned from boarding school. Chuck Bass, a rich and arrogant teenager, creates conflict throughout the series, while Dan Humphrey, a lonely boy from Brooklyn, becomes an unexpected part of the scandalous group.
Since its debut, Gossip Girl has had a dramatic impact on its viewers. The show inspires some to want to live the affluent characters’ lives, with some saying they “want to book a flight to New York and have lunch on the steps of the Met,” according to Furvah Shah from The Cosmopolitan. The show’s diversity and inclusion resonate with viewers, making it relatable and grounded in one of the most diverse cities in the world. This appeal has contributed to an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79% on Average Popcorn Meter, along with 21 awards and 39 nominations at various ceremonies.
Despite its positive impact, the darker aspects of Gossip Girl have also left a significant impression on viewers. Blake Lively, who portrayed Serena from 2007 to 2012, expressed feeling compromised at times, stating, “I would not be proud to be the person who gave someone the cocaine that made them overdose, and then shot someone and slept with someone else’s boyfriend.” In interviews, Lively noted that while some loved her character, she often wished to convey a better message, especially given her role as a young teenager. Other actors, including Penn Badgley, revealed that they wished for a healthier and more positive experience while growing up in the show’s environment. While the cast’s reflections highlight some concerns, young viewers still find strong messages and themes that resonate with them. Through parent-child relationships, relatable characters, and pop culture influence, the series captivates its audience. Viewers are drawn in by the plot twists and drama not commonly seen in other shows.
The importance of friendship and family is a significant theme throughout Gossip Girl. The characters maintain their bonds despite extreme drama and betrayal, emphasizing that these relationships are the most important in their lives. Most parent-child relationships in the series are imperfect, yet they come together, offering insight into maintaining healthy relationships through ups and downs. Fans like Meredith Detwiler, a senior at Pennridge High School and a fan since middle school, note, “You also see that despite these extravagant city lives, they face average teenage obstacles.” The diverse characters and relationships allow viewers to form opinions and relate to their favorites.
Gossip Girl has garnered immense attention from fans due to its unique writing and departure from other popular shows. Viewers like Ashley Rohan, a student at Auburn University, appreciate how the series aligns with their desires for an ideal lifestyle in the expensive city of New York. The show’s impact on pop culture remains significant, with fans like Ashley sharing, “One of my best friends and I actually dressed up as Serena and Blair for Halloween this year, and everyone immediately knew who we were.”
Overall, Gossip Girl has dramatically impacted the television industry, maintaining its popularity for nearly 17 years and continuing to impact viewers’ lives. By portraying light and dark aspects of life, the series explores emotional themes such as friendship, family, wealth, and the power of love.
Sources:
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/02/penn-badgley-was-very-over-gossip-girl-by-the-end-of-gossip-girl#:~:text=Badgley%20went%20on%20to%20describe,period%20of%20his%20life%20unscathed.
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/blake-lively-gossip-girl-role-serena-73656/
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/gossip-girl
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a44504345/watching-gossip-girl-first-time-netflix/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397442/
