Gossip Girl - Zap2it's Guide to Gossip Girl

Rumors are flying around Hollywood that the writers strike could be ending by early next week, which would at least mean that we could finally find out whether or not Gossip Girl will be back for a second season!  The Underwire Blog is reporting that the very basics of a contract have been worked out between the writers and producers, and that Writers Guild East and Writers Guild West will have a major meeting on Saturday to look over the agreed-upon aspects of the contract.

So if the strike is settled, what will happen to Gossip Girl?  The show has been undeniably popular—with its star Blake Lively even making an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman earlier this week—but since it's success has been limited to iTunes downloads and people watching it online, the show's ratings have been weak.  The question is, are they too weak to warrant a second season, and should other factors (like iTunes downloads) be considered?

According to BuddyTV.com, "...the show came in last place in its 9pm Wednesday slot with only 3.65 million viewers" during its premiere episode."   However, BuddyTV also said that "although the network hasn't been able to translate all the hype into substantial TV ratings, fans have shown a similar affinity for new media, consistently making Gossip Girl the most downloaded television program on iTunes."

The CW's president of entertainment, Dawn Ostroff, said, "When you look at all the ways people are getting Gossip Girl episodes, whether on TV or TiVo or streaming or downloading it, clearly there's a very strong core group of viewers."  So to sum up: lots of viewers, low TV ratings.

What does this mean?  Will there be a second season of Gossip Girl?  According to a recent Reuters article, fewer script-based shows will return for a second season than normal, because networks have seen that reality shows and game shows don't hurt their ratings. 

"Lower-rated shows whose futures already were in doubt will either be placed on hold for possible relaunch in the future or be canceled altogether," Reuters' Steve Gorman said, adding that "scripted series that come back will share the airwaves with many of the reality TV and game shows that have flooded the networks in recent weeks as strike-proof programming."

Ouch.  It looks like Gossip Girl's future hangs in the balance.  But I know this much, the sooner the strike ends, the better its chances for a comeback are! 

Comments

The CW would be C.R.A.Z.Y to let Gossip Girl go. ANY network would be crazy to let ANY scripted programming go. Folks are watching more reality shows because there is nothing else to watch now and in the past, reality shows had to have a good gimmick to last. I hope that networks learn from disasters like Nashville and countless others that have failed.

Mark O. Estes | Feb 7, 2008 10:34:03 AM | #

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i hope gossip girl comes back!!!! its too amazing to not return with a second season...and the last episode shows theres clearly no ending yet

kt | Feb 7, 2008 10:34:19 PM | #

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i hope gossip girl comes back!!!! its too amazing to not return with a second season...and the last episode shows theres clearly no ending yet

kt | Feb 7, 2008 10:34:28 PM | #

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There is an article on EW and TV guide that states that if the strike is really over...GOSSIP GIRL coming back for a FULL SEASON (all 9 episodes) that will air in end up April to start of June!

I can't wait! It's the only new fall show that is coming back for its full season...I think CW going to give it one more chance to increase in ratings.

This show is a HIT. It's obvious by the number of people talking about it, its popularity in DVR ratings, Itunes, and on other downloadable websites....its HUGE. It is also doing well in other countries (Canada, Australia, etc).

And the thing that pisses me off about GG being cancelled is that its ACTUALLY GOOD. I can't get enough of it, I love the cast, storylines, music, location, and clothes. There's no other show like it on air...

CW definitely going to be making a grave mistake if they cancel this show. CW has never gotten this much buzz abotu a show before...EVER.

Kara | Feb 8, 2008 12:54:52 AM | #

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This show is AMAZING!! CW has to be crazy to not show a second season !

Carolanne | Feb 8, 2008 3:08:21 PM | #

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I think that this is completely ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!! Gossip Girl was GREAT and never really ended and thats the end of that already!!! absurdity i say!!! everyone i know watches the show. i dont get it. it needs to come back soon...very soon!

Sabrina Varanese | Feb 8, 2008 4:51:55 PM | #

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gossip girl CANNOT be cancelled. EVERYONE loves it, and I will die if it ends! It is my favorite show ever. this show is AMAZING. it would be just stupid to let it go.

jb | Feb 8, 2008 8:40:37 PM | #

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This is the oddest show ever for ratings. It doesn't get high ratings yet it IS hugely popular. I don't understand why the viewership isn't translating into high ratings. Doesn't make sense at all...

There was article about GG ratings last week that stated that only 500 000 of the total viewers for GG are teens however ALOT of teens do know about this show and watch it. It's because all the teenagers and young adults are NOT WATCHING LIVE! A huge amount of itunes viewers of GG have never watched live and this is also a reason why its one of the most downloaded show (legally and illegally) and one of the most watched shows by streaming video.

CW has to find a way to get these viewers to watch live...

I love Gossip Girl and can't wait for it to be back in April/May!! Come on guys, we have 9 episodes to prove to CW we DESERVE a second season!!

Mike | Feb 10, 2008 1:59:37 PM | #

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i thought the first season wasnt over yet... just till the wirters strike ended... they ordered more than 13 episodes!

| Feb 11, 2008 11:07:20 PM | #

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i thought the first season wasnt over yet... just till the wirters strike ended... they ordered more than 13 episodes!

| Feb 11, 2008 11:07:26 PM | #

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if you let gossip girl go.... that is not the best idea fans and viewers love gossip girl just because i has had little rating doesnt mean the ratings will always be bad they could go up if you give gossip girl a chance... the Odones didnt get Lorenzos Oil on the first try!

Sherri | Feb 12, 2008 4:37:06 PM | #

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If your going to take something off the air take reaper off its a horrible show and doesnt have the best message

| Feb 12, 2008 4:38:26 PM | #

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im new to watching gossip girl and i gotta say it was a pretty good series they didn't give enough people a chance to view it cause only 13 episodes i say keep it on longer and you'll see the difference.

new | Feb 14, 2008 7:13:20 PM | #

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chyeaaaaahhh!! Gossip Girl betta be bacc! cuz i luv that show! its my 2nd fav show after OTH! i will be so mad if Gossip Girl is cancelled. & for all you haters, stfu

anonymous | Feb 19, 2008 4:04:29 PM | #

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Hi i'm from Spain and i've just discovered gossip girl few weeks ago,and i completely lovee ittt!! I love the carachters and the story is great!! please see it on Tv and there will be a second season or more. DON'T CANCELL IT IT'S MY FAVORITE SHOW

gossip girl 4 evahh | Feb 23, 2008 5:48:37 PM | #

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I live in Sydney, Australia and Gossip Girl is watched by my whole school well from yr 4 - yr 12 and there is like 140 people in each year. Everyone i know loves and watches Gossip Girl it is the best!

gem | Mar 8, 2008 10:12:25 PM | #

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It looks like Gossip Girl's future hangs in the balance. But I know this much, the sooner the strike ends, the better its chances for a comeback are!
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