Mr. CR and I typically get along pretty well. Even if we didn't, though, we'd be stuck together for life now, because we now know a very sad secret about each other: We not only are addicted to the TV series Gossip Girl, but we actually went online to Gossip Girl forums last night to see if anyone else was as disappointed with the season finale as we were. At one point, Mr. CR looked up at me and said, "I really wish we were looking at this on YOUR computer, so it wouldn't be in MY search history."*
I can't help it, and I don't care. I love Gossip Girl, and I don't care who knows it,** and I'm actually feeling a bit bereft that there won't be any new episodes until August 31. Let's run down the case for the show, shall we?
1. Beautiful, beautiful New York City. There's always a ton of great shots of the city in each episode.
2. In the first season, there's actually a pretty great love story arc between the bad boy everybody loves to hate, Chuck, and the bad girl pretty much everybody just hates, Blair. In one episode, a very nice moment between them is a perfect marriage of good character development, good film, and a great song. I started college as a film major, and I still have way too much interest in quality cinematography, well paired with a nice piece of music.
3. It's just plain nice to have a guilty pleasure.*** I don't care if it's books or TV or movies or what. You've got to love a show with a promo like the one below, I'm sorry. And I particularly love having a TV guilty pleasure, for which I have to wait for new episodes. There's something pleasurable about waiting for something in our instant gratification and everything's on the Internet all the time world, I think.
*I didn't plan it that way, I swear.
**When I broke down and told my brother, mainly because he happened to be in my house on a Monday night at 7 p.m., and I had to inform him that he either had to get out or keep completely silent so I could watch it in peace, he left. I think he was aghast at my taste. But I don't understand how he can stand American Idol, so we're even.
***Please note, I feel barely old enough to watch this show in my thirties. If I had tween or teen kids, who I would guess are supposed to be this show's target audience, I don't know that I'd let them watch it as THEIR guilty pleasure. I didn't get to watch Beverly Hills 90210 in its first run until I went to college, after all--Mom, bless her, kept a pretty close eye on my TV consumption.
If it helps, Gossip Girl is often mention in my museum magazines for the show's dedicated use of contemporary art on set - not fakes, but actually art created by actual artists, many of whom are quite well known, and others who just need to make a buck. Ergo, by watching Gossip Girl you are actually supporting the arts.
Posted by: Heidi | 23 May 2009 at 04:59 PM
See? Mr. CR thinks I'm nuts to post this type of stuff but this is how I learn really important things like GG supports artists. Heidi, thanks for the info--that is really very interesting. I have looked at some of the art in their apartments and thought, "that's interesting..." although one of the characters just has a big painting/light box that says "Prada" in her house, which I don't get. Is it art? Is it advertising?
Still, very interesting. Yeah, that's right, I'm totally watching it just to support the arts!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 24 May 2009 at 09:46 PM
Okay, I know you just dissed this, but MY guilty pleasure is Adam Lambert. So there.
Posted by: Becky | 26 May 2009 at 11:43 AM
If you can look the other way on my Gossip Girl addiction (and crush on Chuck Bass, not the actor who portrays him, mind the actual CHARACTER Chuck Bass), I have no problem with your Adam Lambert Love. Is he the one who lost but should have won? I'm usually pretty good with pop culture knowledge but I can't keep American Idol singers or any of the Kardashian sisters straight.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 26 May 2009 at 01:24 PM
It's exactly how I felt about my Friday Night Lights, I could watch that for hours. I would pop in a four episode dvd and then be glued. My love is Tim Riggins, the character Tim Riggins, not the little boy that plays him. I will have to try the Gossip Girls next...
When are you reviewing books again CR? I miss your nonfiction guidance.
Posted by: katharine | 26 May 2009 at 04:17 PM
Yes, he's the one who was ROBBED. And who cares about the Kardashians.
Posted by: Becky | 26 May 2009 at 10:33 PM
Katharine,
Friday Night Lights! I never would have guessed. Good on you. We all need a TV secret that makes us happy.
Becky,
I hope your darling Adam has a long and happy recording career, even if he was robbed. And amen to your sentiment re: the Kardashians!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 01 June 2009 at 09:23 AM