The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: A & E

Media Credit: The CW "Gossip Girl" made its debut last week on the CW11.

The CW11's new hit series "Gossip Girl" brings the drama of the west's "The O.C." to the east coast.

Airing last Wednesday, Sacred Heart students seem optimistic about episodes to come.

"I really liked it. For some reason, the way the narrator was unknown reminded me of 'Desperate Housewives,'" said Amanda Neglia, senior, Staten Island, N.Y. "She wasn't a character in the show, but she knew everything about everyone's life."

This new drama features scandalous relationships and high fashion of privileged preppy school teens on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

"It was kind of funny to me how these 17-year-old kids were drinking martinis at the bar but it wasn't a problem for anyone. I understand high school kids today find ways around the law and drink underage, but their ways seemed a lot less sneaky, and a lot more glamorized," said Neglia.

According to CW11's website, "Gossip Girl" is based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar. The stories demonstrate life in the big city from a teenager's perspective, which currently no television series has approached.

"I absolutely loved the premiere episode of "Gossip Girl," said Matthew Libassi, senior, Shoreham, N.Y.

"As much as I want to believe Serena will stay away from her previous bad girl image, I'm just not buying it. It's like trying to believe Paris Hilton will stay out of jail for the rest of her life," said Libassi, referring to a secret reveled of a love triangle during the premiere.

"'Gossip Girl' is definitely going to be a guilty pleasure, and I can't wait to see what happens next."

The executive producers include Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage from "The O.C.". According to an article from the New York Times by Melena Ryzik, the producers genuinely capture the quintessential meaning of the book series. However, translating that high-society world into contemporary teenage culture was tricky.

"I thought it was going to be the sort of Disney version of the books, really toned down and corny," said author, Ziegesar in the Ryzik article.

"They [Schwartz and Savage] got everything right," said Ziegesar. "I was thrilled."

The feedback and reviews from the season premiere of "Gossip Girl" are seemingly positive according to a small survey of students on campus. What remains to be seen is whether this show can become the leading primetime drama or if its ratings will plummet like its sister show, "The O.C."

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