I am Blair Waldorf.
It may seem like a lot for you to take in at once, but yes, Miss TLC is VERY Blair Waldorf-like. I come off like a bitch (and sometimes act very much like a bitch), but I am a good person inside. I care deeply about my close friends, but I don't always act like it. I am EXTREMELY into clothes, image, status, looking pretty and having the most attractive friends, but I am also very down-to-earth. I find joy in ruining someone (when they deserve it), but I am not above getting my own feelings hurt... well... maybe I am. ;) For the most part, I have acted chaste throughout my life (kissing and dating w/o much else feeling like no one really deserved me), but I definitely have a sexual side (see: "Victor/Victrola" episode). I am sarcastic and harsh, petite and adorable, funny and mean. I am Blair Waldorf.
Needless to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the show "Gossip Girl". I actually bought the first book years ago when it was released (only because the cover looked interesting), but soon found out that it was marketed to, and about teenagers. I finished it anyway, and thought it was good, but not great. Therefore, when the rest of the books in the series were released, I chose not to buy and/or read them. So when the commercials began to air last year for a show with the same name, I shrugged it off. The people looked attractive enough, but I wasn't at all interested in the lives of teenagers. However, I happened to be home on the night the premiere episode aired, and so I watched it. It was ok. I vaguely remembered the book, and realized there were many differences, but it wasn't at all outstanding to me. I didn't plan to watch the second and third episodes, but they were repeated on a Sunday night a few weeks later while I was cleaning out my closets to make room for new clothing and left them on. I was hooked. The show got MUCH better by the 3rd episode and I actually found myself looking forward to the 4th. What's to love about a show focusing on the lives of prep school teens you ask? I'll tell you...
Current Ad Campaign
There are several different versions of the commercials touting the return of new episodes tonight (4/21/08). They have an element of envelope-pushing. In the original airings, the letters O, M, and G would flash on the screen (which any respectable-technologically-savvy-text-messager-du-jour knows stands for Oh My God). Then as the commercials became longer and steamier, they added the letter F in the mix, as in O, M, F, G (no explanation necessary).
Personally, I don't think the commercials ARE inappropriate for a show marketed simply to pre-teens and high school students. However, the makers of the show aren't stupid, and they know that a TON of people in their 20s, 30s, and beyond are also tuning in on a weekly basis. They know that these kinds of spots appeal to them, and also calm their concerns that the show is "too young" for them.
I don't have a final opinion on whether or not their tactics are right or wrong. They definitely acheived their goal in creating buzz, and all my friends (who are in their 20s and 30s) LOVE the ads (which was the point). I just still don't think my younger cousins and friends (in their early teens) should be watching something celebrating tons of sex and games of musical beds amongst 16 and 17 year olds on regular network TV (regardless of whether or not it goes on in real life).
I've posted all the commercials below for you to view in one place, and also so you can witness the progression in the edginess of the ads as time went on.
The First Preview Aired:
The Second Preview Aired:
The Third Preview Aired:
Media Attention
"Gossip Girl" has CLEARLY taken over the media world. Between a Gap clothing campaign, paparazzi shots of Chace Crawford and Carrie Underwood plastered all over the tabs (when they were dating), rumors of other castmembers dating and acting up around NYC, bloggers going nuts with play-by-plays and previews, dirt on the sudden departure of castmember Nan Zhang (who will supposedly be replaced by another Asian female), a NY Daily News feature on Ed Westwick this past weekend, an AMAZING NY Magazine feature, and TONS of major ad features all over the 'net.Spoilers
Don't watch the following clips if you don't want to see a preview of tonight's episode, "The Blair Bitch Project".
Clip #1:
Clip #2:
Clip #3:
Clip #4:
And if you are interested in reading the description of tonight's episode (as well as the next three), just drag your mouse from the end of this sentence, to the beginning of the next sentence (which starts with "There are several...").
Tonight's episode: The Blair Bitch Project
Having been recently dethroned as Queen Bee, Blair returns to school with the support of her BFF, Serena. Dan visits his mother and upon his return home he's surprised to meet Rufus' new girlfriend. She apparently spent the night and is now making pancakes in the kitchen. We see Blair at a club alone at a huge table waiting for her friends to arrive, but no one has shown up yet. Jenny's drive to popularity hits when she does something illegal to fit in. The we see her going to sell some of her things to a consignment shop.
Serena struggles to adjust to living with Chuck, and receives disturbing packages
from an unknown sender.
Episode airing April 28, 2008: Desperately Seeking Serena
Serena's world becomes a chaos when a former friend the evil Georgina Sparks returns to town. Dan sees Serena preoccupied and he assumes that it has something to do with Chuck, her soon step-brother. Nate connects with the last person he expected, Vanessa.
Hazel and Penelope try to recruit Nelly Yuki to be part of their club but it is not easy. Blair supervises the whole operation and hatches a plan to sabotage her biggest rival, Nelly Yuki. When Nelly breaks down after being reminded of her recent break-up with her boyfriend, the ladies find their way in and Nelly comes to the Waldorf penthouse. Then Blair invites the boyfriend over.
Meanwhile Serena goes out with Georgina but things get so bad that Serena thinks someone spiked her drink. Jenny develops a crush on 16-year-old dog-walker, Asher Hornsby, who might be her ticket to permanent popularity.
Episode airing May 5, 2008: All About My Brother
Serena tries to confront Georgina but she leaves before Serena had a chance. After this Serena says that she and Georgina are not friends.
Episode airing May 12, 2008: Woman On The Verge
No released plotline yet.
There are several other released tidbits about the next few eps of GG. One is that there will be a gay character emerging amongst the bunch. People typically felt that Chuck would be an easy target here since he sometimes acts fem-ish, and he is bisexual in the books. However, there is one main thing to remember here - the books are VERY different than the show. They basically laid down the groundwork for the show, but the details aren't the same. Vanessa is bald in the books, Jenny is a brunette with a gigantic chest, Dan is a REAL loser, Rufus is a dirty eccentric man, Serena's brother Eric is older than her, and so on and so forth. So I don't think the book reference is enough to suspect Chuck. PLUS, Chuck is clearly not over Blair and I've heard murmurings that they will rendezvous once again. In case you thought his "sorry, I'm over you" speech in the bar in the last episode was real, you were wrong. Watch the scene again and see how he looked crushed after she leaves. It was all an act. Considering Serena's brother (1) tried to kill himself and it was never explained why, (2) has been a good advice spewer and friend to Serena and Jenny but nothing more with any of the ladies, and (3) there is an actual episode coming up entitled "All About My Brother", I'm thinking it's him. We shall see.
The last released spoiler is regarding Nate and Vanessa. For some strange reason, they kiss at some point in the upcoming eps. They are one of the most unlikely couples imaginable, so I'm not quite sure what sparks an interest in either one of them. Either Vanessa is trying to piss Blair off, or Nate is sick of dealing with prep school bitches, but we will soon find out. In case you don't believe him, here's an actual show of them filming that scene:
Chuck
Lastly, I want to take a moment to speak about my man. I think Chuck is SUCH an asshole (but in a good way), and I tend to like those types of guys (sigh). Many girls tell me they think he's funny-looking though. I definitely see them going to little too far with his semi-feminine clothing and hairstyles sometimes, but for the most part, he has delicious lips, and a delicious voice, and a delicious way of being a asshole. ;) So for those of you who find him unattractive, I hereby post my favorite pics of him...
That's all for now. I will definitely write more about the show in the future. I actually know someone who was picked up for a small part in the next few episodes, so perhaps I'll even have a chance to speak to her about her experience on the show. Until then...
I know you love me...
xoxo ~ Miss TLC a/k/a Blair Waldorf
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