The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: The CW's "Gossip Girl."
What's it about? Based on the popular book series by Cecily von Ziegesar, "Gossip Girl" centers on a group of girls at a ritzy New York private school who have their (mis)adventures with sex, drugs, liquor and romance chronicled by an anonymous blogger.
Who's in it? Blake Lively of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley
The good: This is one of "OC" creator Josh Schwartz's two shows making it to air this fall, and if NBC's "Chuck" is the heir to "The OC"'s snappy dialogue, than "Gossip Girl" inherited all of its overwrought teenage drama — which I'm not sure anybody in primetime TV these days does better than Schwartz. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the acting from young cast. The soundtrack in the first episode is fantastic (though as yet there's no Bait Shop equivalent where the bands could perform).
The bad: I had mixed feelings about the narration (done by Kristen Bell of the late, lamented "Veronica Mars"), which was cute for a while and then quickly got old. And though it's all done well, nothing in the pilot really seems new; it's the same old teen crises with the same old characters (the wannabe popular girl, the shy guy, the forgotten best friend, the queen bee). Lively also looks distractingly old, even though she's actually younger than the much-younger-looking Meester.
Will I watch? I'll certainly give it a shot. If there's a way to make the tired teenage stories seem fresh, this show could be a worthy heir to not just "The OC" but also "Dawson's Creek."
To watch a video preview and see a gallery of photos, read more
Photos courtesy of The CW
Alberta Ferretti
Alexander Wang
Zagliani
I will probably watch the hell out of this...at least for the first season. We all know these shows go downhill after the first season.
1i love the books, this is exciting!
2i actually kind of like kristen bell.....?
3Oh yeah I will watch this, it looks really cool and I love that is in NY cause there's something more intriguing about it, besides most of the shows are in LA so....
4whiskeyrogue, I love Kristen Bell! She actually does a really good job with the narration — it's just that the narration itself is a little annoying by the end of the episode.
5I thought that Willa Holland was going to be Blair. And Jenny doesn't look anything like I imagined.
6Oh well.
I'll definitely watch this.
i read the books a while ago & i liked them, so i'll deffinatley be watching this.
7ive read every single Gossip Girl book, and i think the show slightly screwed the cast up. Nate should have golden hair and bright green eyes, jenny humphrey is supposed to be big boobed with super curly brown hair, dan is supposed to the skinny, weak, super introverted artist type.
8I will totally watch this. I just hope that they don't make the characters looks much different than I think they look. I hate that. :0(
9I can't wait for this show - Looks much better than my current obsession, Hidden Palms
10SO CANT WAIT!! i luv luv luv the books! I'm uber excited!!!
11Does this show smell like a TV series spun from the movie "cruel intentions" to anyone else?
12This show seems too predictable. I doubt I'll be watching anything on CW besides Supernatural.
13i cant wait. JUST CANNOT WAIT.
14i saw the pilot and loved it. seriously good cheezy drama.
15I hated the books, especially because they are marketed to the tweens, and are soft porn. There is nothing entertaining about them, and this show will bomb
16I hated the books, especially because they are marketed to the tweens, and are soft porn. There is nothing entertaining about them, and this show will bomb
17Does it have a pilot premiere date yet?
18The books were so cute! I'm just excited about a show where all the girls aren't bleach blondes!
19i am so ready for this show! it looks so good. i will be watching.
20This is too done.
21sounds okay, it might not come over here though...
enjoyed sisterhood of the traveling pants though!! so i have hope
22As a lover of The Hills, I'm sure I'll be watching.
23I've read some of the Gossip Girl books, sounds like it'll make for interesting TV.
Lets hope the show fulfills the intriguing book series. 
24can't wait for the show to start! i've read the books and i only hope they'll bring Vanessa into the show!
25i WANNA SEE IT NOW!
26it's like the o.c. meets the hills...
27i'll definitely watch this!!!
loved the pilot! thanks for the link, buzz! i'm definitely watching this one.
28LOVE it!
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