FROM ‘GOSSIP GIRL’ TO ‘CARRIE DIARIES’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanFor six seasons and five years, we were mesmerized by a group of privileged teenagers on Manhattan’s Upper East Side who grew up right in front of our eyes. “Gossip Girl” was ‘the’ program introduced on the CW Channel. No one could have imagined how it would have taken off to draw in 1.5 million viewers and a 0.8 rating among age groups ranging from 18 to 49 years of age just to find out how the final episode would end and fatefully end the series for good.
We watched the drama unfold for Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass, Nate Archibald, Dan Humphrey and their friends and families week after week, season after season.
This was all based on the book series of the same name by author Cecily von Ziegesar. The television adaptation was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. Each week the music was perfectly matched to the episode and we were introduced to new, contemporary artists. Over the years, the fashions of the most prominent young adults to hit the streets of New York became the hottest trend-setting styles for all age groups across the United States.
Sometimes the most simplest of problems became cliffhangers that kept us coming back for more, but in the end, they all grew up and now it seems as if these elite young adults and their parents will live happily ever after. Blair and Chuck got married after years of heated love and passionate breakups and they have an adorable little boy. Serena and Dan who were starstruck lovers for years and years ended the show as they exchanged their vows to begin their life of wedded bliss. The plotting Georgina Sparks was seen with evil Jack Bass which made for a most appropriate match. Lily van der Woodsen, after ping ponging between Bart Bass who met an untimely death in the second to last episode and for the second time and Rufus who was supposed to be her soulmate, was seen paired up with Serena and Eric’s real dad, Dr. van der Woodsen. Rufus found the new love of his life and Nate after many years of unsuccessful relationships was rumored to be running for a mayoral seat as the press approached him coming off a plane and headed for Dan and Serena’s wedding.
There were cameo appearances from Jenny Humphrey and Eric van der Woodsen as well. The biggest surprise of all was learning that ‘Gossip Girl’ whose identity was clouded for all these years was really ‘Lonely Boy’ himself, Dan Humphrey. Writing his way into the life of the elite, he exposed many a dirty lie and shocked all with the news which signed off the show.
As we awaited the final episode, we were treated to a one hour retrospective look at the series over the years with everything from the relationships of the cast to the clothing to where the episodes were shot across the city, a concept unique to the show as curious onlookers always watched the filming, and finally how the show became a household name which was definitely confirmed with the numerous award nominations that the show received and winning 18 Teen Choice Awards. The series was broadcast in 197 countries. In 2008, The New York Times reported that “Gossip Girl” had a profound impact on the retail world and the first show was conceived as a fashion marketing vehicle. It truly became a pioneer in mobile communications with it timeless text messages to spread the word.
The show hit its highest level of success in January of 2012 when after the 100th episode, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, visited the set and proclaimed that January 26th was now to be ‘Gossip Girl Day’, citing the cultural influence and impact on the city’s economy as the reason for the proclamation. With shows such as this one, they attracted visitors to the city and consistently contribute to major revenue streams. In 2009, Anna Sui, a favorite designer of the fashion capital of the world, created a line inspired by “Gossip Girl”.
So now that the curtain has come down on “Gossip Girl” and the characters will move on to other roles, what new series will fill that void?
Well, beginning on January 14, 2013, Sex and The City marks a sort of return to television with a much younger Carrie Bradshaw arriving in New York City for the very first time with the debut of the new CW Series, “The Carrie Diaries”.
This series follows a young Carrie Bradshaw during her senior year of high school during the early 1980’s and leads into the next part of her life in New York City as she begins her writing career. We are returned to the Big Apple to follow a more naive’ Carrie on her adventures in the world of fashion, dating sagas, meeting of media moguls and so much more.
We are excited to see what producers of “Gossip Girl” , Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, have in store for us with this prequel to the original series. They are the creativity behind this latest series along with Len Goldstein and Candace Bushnell. AnnaSophia Robb, our newest Carrie, has much in common with Sarah Jessica Parker from her adventurous soul to a head full of blond curls. She is no stranger to film and television with such role credits to her name such as ‘Because of Winn-Dixie’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Race to Witch Mountain’. She has won many awards and the excitement is building to see what “The Carrie Diaries” has in store for us.
The CW Channel will continue to entertain us. With the retirement of “Gossip Girl”, “The Carrie Diaries” begins a whole new chapter into a new generation carrying on life in New York City. Tune in on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. EST to see the debut of this new and enlightening series.
PHOTO CREDITS: The CW Channel
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