Gossip Girl - Zap2it's Guide to Gossip Girl

I'm sorry to say that Gossip Girl is struggling to pull in impressive ratings.  In fact, it's ranked incredibly low (at the 105th position) on the Nielsen chart.  But nevertheless, it's created a huge following of loyal viewers...most of whom prefer to watch the show on the CW's website or download it from iTunes.

According to Entertainment Weekly, "Gossip Girl is redefining what it means to be a TV hit...[It] is luring a new breed of viewer who can't always be counted by old-school methods."

Blake Lively, GG's Serena van der Woodsen, said,

"I feel like more people stop me a week on the street than the numbers are showing about how many people watch. How is that even possible?''

Josh Schwartz, the show's executive producer, told EW, "This show is a bigger deal than the ratings are reflecting.''

I could not agree more.  Need proof?  Just look at this Entertainment Weekly article...several pages long, and all about Gossip Girl!  Or what about the fact that the show has been on iTunes' 10 most-downloaded list since the pilot?! 

KnoxNews.com interviewed Matthew Settle, GG's too old to call him hot (but too hot to call him old!) Rufus Humphrey, father to Dan and Jenny.   Matthew points out that the fact that the show deals with the issues that are really facing teens, and isn't afraid to push the limits. 

"Those aspects of drinking and smoking are very much apart of life. Who are we kidding?  It's not a glorification of it, but it's a part of what these kids do," Matthew told the news website.

Another KnoxNews.com article argues the same point.  Courtney Bowers, a high school freshman who can relate to the show, writes in the article:

"This show illustrates the harsh realities every adolescent faces. Although these kids may have more money in their pockets, they still deal with the same issues as everyone else."

In the midst of critics who say that the show is inappropriate for the young teenage audience it attracts, Courtney, who sounds way smarter than I ever was as a freshman sums up the facts quite poignantly.  She said,

"While some situations are a bit too mature, the show does not place its primary focus on these inappropriate activities. Instead, it emphasizes that teenagers make those mistakes, but they can learn from them. As the show progresses, the characters grow and their true feelings are revealed. No one is one-dimensional; the mean, snobby girls actually have insecurities, and the troubled boys are coping with their rocky pasts."

Hats off to Ms. Bowers for already being an outstanding journalist AND for proving what Gossip Girl strives to prove: that high schoolers are complex and intelligent people who deal with issues just as serious as the ones their adult counterparts have to deal with!

Comments

i definitely agree that the ratings are NOT SHOWING its popularity...this show sells more than GREYS ANATOMY on itunes...
i also noticed that episode 7 (victor/victrola) had over 150000 hits in 7 days!!! (its one of the top viewed and top favourites of this month...)

AND the ratings did increase the most since the premier last week (for the seventeen candles episode)...so hopefully this trend continues

ive never been this excited about a show every week since lost and BSG!

Jasmine | Nov 20, 2007 10:42:09 AM | #

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i was talkin about gossip girl on youtube for the 1500000 hits...gossip girl is doing amazing on youtube and itunes...

jasmine | Nov 20, 2007 10:43:31 AM | #

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Here's an analysis of Gossip Girl's chances.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2007/11/01/gossip-girl-renew-or-cancel/

Bill G | Nov 20, 2007 10:45:35 AM | #

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i was talkin about gossip girl on youtube for the 1500000 hits...gossip girl is doing amazing on youtube and itunes...

jasmine | Nov 20, 2007 11:02:05 AM | #

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well thsi show can be the next 90210
90210 had low ratings at the beginning but yet was incredible popular...this is the same thing...
this show will lst

adrian archibald | Nov 25, 2007 9:42:42 PM | #

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this is the best show on tv and i love it i totally into it and to all the haters who thinks it is crazy you people are just jeleous

yale girl | Mar 24, 2008 7:39:56 PM | #

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It's good! luxury watch?

luxury watch | Apr 23, 2009 6:12:25 PM | #

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