So it's no secret that Gossip Girl is a New York City version of the O.C., written by the same guy (Josh Schwartz) and sharing the same supervising producer (Stephanie Savage). Also, the shows are both teen soaps, and appeal to the same general audience...

But I love this: People.com took it one step further, and compared the shows character by character, and I think the results are entertaining and a little startling! Mischa Barton and Blake Lively (Serena) do have similar looks, as do Rachel Bilson and Leighton Meester (Blair)...Creepy! But I guess they've nailed down the perfect mix of people that attract a young, hip audience!

There's also this Prime Time Pulse interview with Stephanie Savage, producer of Gossip Girl (and once a producer for the O.C.!). Murtz Jaffer sat down with her, and they talked in-depth about the differences between the two shows. Ms. Savage said the biggest difference was the setting:

"I think the setting and the world is a big difference. I think that The O.C. is fundamentally a beach community. It's a noveau-riche world. The outsider characters being Sandy Cohen and Ryan Atwood are really different than the characters on Gossip Girl...I think definitely New York is its own character in the show. And it was really important to us and the books are set in New York that we shoot the pilot and the series in New York."

Maybe it's because I've always been more East Coast than West Coast, but I prefer Gossip Girl to the O.C. Which do you like better?

Comments

Well, I was definitely in love with the OC, but I was sooo disappointed when each season was worse than the previous season. I really love GG so far... let's hope GG just gets better and better!!

Angie | Oct 12, 2007 12:42:14 PM | #

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That's freak! I new Blake looked like Misha (as in the a peel for me) but I would have never thought of the adults being like Julie or Sandy. Thanks for posting it out :], now if only they bring in someone like Anna (Samarie's Character) or an Oliver look alike *shrugs* one can only hope for the first.

Jeffrey | Oct 12, 2007 5:21:02 PM | #

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I would rather that they stick to characters from the books than bring in an Oliver type character. Within the twelve book series there were a lot of guest characters that came and went. The possibilities are endless. Really didn't like the "has been" that was on the show this week and I guess its because I didn't know how the hell he could fit in the overall world of Gossip Girl. But I guess its just me...
It's kind of funny that people are comparing GG to OC, given that The O.C. premiered after the first couple of GG novels were published. I just wish Josh Schwartz could have read all of them instead of just the first one or at least read detailed synposis' oe each novel.

Mark O. Estes | Oct 12, 2007 9:15:16 PM | #

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personally...oc was good for the first season...but after that it went downhill. Another think I didnt like about the OC was there only 4 main teen characters...at least GG has six which adds variety. I also like the cass of GG better (sorry but misha bartan CANNOT ACT...never knew why ppl liked her that much). Also I like how GG focus on the teens and not the adults ( i actually wished there was no rufus storyline...BORING).

I LOVE CHUCK/BLAIR...they have great chemistry!!!!!

sara | Oct 14, 2007 1:53:59 PM | #

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Mark O. Estes | Oct 14, 2007 3:46:20 PM | #

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Well, sara I agree with you on The O.C.'s glorious first season, but disagree to an extent on the parents point. It was Sandy, Kirsten, Julie, and Jimmy that made it bearable at times to watch The O.C., but I agree that the adults story line is highly unnecessary in GG. I dont mind Rufus, but will somebody please kill The Captain Archibald? He makes Chuck look like a decent person.

Mark O. Estes | Oct 14, 2007 3:49:44 PM | #

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Gossip Girl all the way!

Nikki | Oct 14, 2007 8:04:50 PM | #

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I'm really enjoying GG so far, but I don't think it's idnetical to The O.C. Some of the actors might look similar (like Mischa and Blake), but I think that sometimes the characters on GG act nastier to each other. There wasn't really any jealousy between Summer and Marissa, but you can tell that Blair resents Serena for being more popular.

I like all the storylines with the GG teens, but so far Nate and Jenny have been boring. I agree that the parents on GG are more annoying than the ones on The O.C. Nate's father and Blair's mother are cut from the same cloth. I would rather find out more about Rufus and his estranged wife.

Paige | Oct 15, 2007 8:42:02 AM | #

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At the beginning, the O.C. was a phenomenon. Gossip girl doesn't even come close. GG is lacking the sympathetic character that the O.C. found in Ryan. He was the bad boy trying to be good, who had some tough breaks in the past, but now had a new chance at life. We could always cheer for him. But the characters in GG are all equally good and bad. While that is more realistic, it doesn't make me love any one character. If there is no one to cheer for, I don't feel the need to come back every week.
While the O.C. was essentially based around males (Ryan being the introductory character, his relationship with Seth being the main friendship), GG is based around females (Serena being the introductory female, her friendship with Blair being the main friendship) So GG is more catty, but less hot.
As for the relationships, Ryan and Marissa had the whole star-crossed lovers thing going, whereas I could not care less if Blair and Nate stay together.
And really, there is no Seth Cohen on GG. I mean, where is the comedy supposed to come from? Chuck? I think not.
GG is not even close to any standerd set by the O.C.

Mandy | Oct 17, 2007 8:19:28 AM | #

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I love the OC but Gossip Girl is more fun and how can you compare it when it just started? it will get better.

tt | Oct 30, 2007 1:41:13 PM | #

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i absolutley loved the o.c. and i find tht gossip girl lacks the humour and sweetness the o.c. had to balance out the drama but we will just have to wait and see!!

kimberly | Oct 30, 2007 1:43:50 PM | #

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I can't believe people are actually trying to find out which show is better - there is NO competition for The O.C. It only ended because Mischa decided to quit. She was losing fans quickly becuase of her character, Marissa, and her changing behavior and attitude. The only way they could let her leave the show and go on, was to kill her off. The writers didn't really have a choice. After Marissa died, it was all downhill from there. I think season 3 was the by far the best season, and Taylor just couldn't take Marissa's place. Gossip Girl is fun, sure it's a great show, but it just doesn't match up to The O.C. at all. There's no emotion, no good storyline, unnecessary characters, just bratty, spoiled teens and high school drama, nothing new or interesting. There's just no competition between the two shows. The O.C. wins this one by a long shot.

rachel | Nov 10, 2007 9:04:23 AM | #

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