While adults on TV seem to be romancing each other with nary a kiss, high schoolers on the other hand, are hopping into bed left and right on the CW’s new smash hit “Gossip Girl.” Oh, and doing burlesque night club strip teases. And having sex in limos. And having more in the back room on bar stools. All while wearing fabulous, couture designer clothing!
When these kids aren’t having sex? They’re drinking champagne and ordering designer cocktails at New York City’s fanciest bars and hotels. And their parents are snorting cocaine.
Chastity may be the new cool among adult television series, but it certainly isn’t among those series catering to teens. “Gossip Girl’s” message seems to be the following: the quicker and the more often you can take it all off for the boys, the more popular you’ll become! Who needs romance when you can simply have unfullfilling sex with dark-haired rich boys you hardly know? Who needs morals anyway? Morals are so passe! Why save yourself for something special when you’ve already got all that life has to offer: money, money, clothes, and more money!
So I admit: I’m a bit addicted to the trashy series (based on the similarly trashy novels first penned by Cecily von Ziegesar, now penned by anonymous writers-for-hire) but here is the thing: “Gossip Girl” (which airs on Wednesday nights at 9 on the CW) is probably one of the most adult-heavy content shows on television right now, yet it’s masquerading as a show for teens. It preaches the gospel of empty-calorie friendships, relationships, and family-life. And speaking of gospels, last episode had rich-girl Blaire Waldorf inside a confessional, dressed as if a widower, telling a priest about her night of strip teases and “lost virtue” with a similarly rich bad boy named Chuck–even though she isn’t Catholic. I suppose adults can find the humor and irony in all this smut–but can teens? Especially teen girls?
What do you think? Are you watching “Gossip Girl,” too? Are your kids? Does this show have anything of value to offer, or is it as trashy as I think it is?
posted November 28, 2007 at 10:36 am
I am a Mother; Grandmother and a Great- Grandmother 3 times. I have not seen this trashy show you talked about AND I won’t see it. What we ALL need to do is PRAY!!! There is so much going on in this world that I wonder why God hasn’t whipped these wicked people off the face of the earth!! It is hard to pray for these people- but GOD tells us to do just that. So as a christian, I will pray for them. Maybe some of them will be saved before it is to late. Thank you
posted November 28, 2007 at 12:49 pm
From the bits and pieces I’ve seen–I never stop on it for long for precisely the reasons you described–it is mostly trashy filler, and, no, I don’t think teenage girls will differentiate between irony and messages from the cultural mileau. Earlier in the season, there were some moments about friendships and forgiveness, but those seem to have gone by the wayside, and I’ve stopped watching altogether.
Unfortunately, in the time I was in high school about 5 years ago (my senior year), this was a reality for a lot of girls, minus the money and couture. Sex has become like kissing was for generations past. It’s expected, and often demanded, for the ruse of a relationship to get off the ground for a lot of teen girls. I’m not saying this is how it is for all, but it does happen in real life more than anyone would like to think. That is the truly sad part. Perhaps the cultural pendulum will swing again. Let’s all hope so.
posted November 29, 2007 at 10:36 am
NO.NO.& NO!!!!!I refuse to watch simply for that reason. What has become of abstinance for our children? It`s like null & void. Even though it may be good for television ratings this is one person who still has some MORALS and again I REFUSE to watch the program. ALL the people who agree with me let me hear ya say ‘HEY!’
posted November 29, 2007 at 10:50 am
NO,NO,& NO! I `ve never watched it nor do I ever plan on it. All I can say is….SHAME,SHAME,SHAME.It may be good for the television ratings but as for this person & my family,two of which are pre-teens, we will serve the Lord!
posted November 29, 2007 at 11:05 am
Smut like the Gossip Girls sitcom should be banned with the rise of Aids/HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases being diagnosed in teenagers and young adults now more than ever. Our youth may be getting mixed messages and really immoral behavior resulting from decisions based on such information but are we just going to stand by while they destroy themselves–it’s like a form of suicide that is gradual. We act like the teens of today are adult enough to make such long-lasting consequences and we pay for it. What’s the purpose of such behavior other than to degrade or lack regard for ones own life. May we adults take a stand for healthier behavior for the sake of our future–the children and teens of today.
posted November 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I absolutely don’t agree with you all. You are all blinded preachers and false profets!
posted November 24, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Excuse me very much, I ment : you are all blinded by preachers and false profets.
posted January 31, 2009 at 3:02 pm
This is ridiculous. This review would make sense if the teenagers watching it were complete morons who cannot distinguish reality for fiction, fun from real life. With these American religious groups always complaining about this and that, it’s pretty obvious they think no one but them is sophisticated enough to watch anything other than Lifetime. Ridiculous.
“I suppose adults can find the humor and irony in all this smut–but can teens? Especially teen girls?”
How offensive.
posted November 10, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Bullsh*t. This series is just about posh kids. They dont know how to spend their money and time. Wankers.
If you want to see a good and realistic teen drama, just watch the british series called SKINS! Thats more like life. At least in Europe.
Top series man!
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