‘Mindblowingly inappropriate’ was just one of the comments made in the public sphere about the controversial show.
American teen drama television show Gossip Girl has by far been one of the most popular, and perhaps polarizing, shows of its genre in recent time.
Gossip Girl is relevant in the context of studying ‘popular’ texts in terms of a mediatated public sphere, not only due to its at times controversial themes, but also its basis of the Gossip Girl blog itself.
I’m not going to spoil it for those not yet in the know by revealing “who is Gossip Girl” (a hot topic amongst fans), but will say that the blog itself served to follow “the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite”, documenting their every disreputable move.
Gossip Girl ran for six seasons, premiering on (American television channel) The CW on September 19th, 2007; throughout the series’ duration (concluding with the series finale on December 17th, 2012) it generated much discussion within the public sphere.
By the time credits were rolling in the pilot episode, the show had demonstrated a ‘heightened reality’ scenario, in which privileged teens had been shown drinking alcohol, doing drugs and having sex, all in this world of plenty which is Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Certainly, the show complies with common perceptions in regards to a mediated public sphere; within this first episode it had broached issues such as sexualisation of youth, and aggressive sexual behavior – and in extension issues in regard to gender, among other things; on a whole, it could be suggested, it was considered an immoral show.
Towards the end of the first season, the show had generated both criticism and applause among the wider media sphere; according to the American Parents’ Television Council, which opposes the show’s themes, “the show conveys the message that sex is a tool used to manipulate people” and “is not recommended for viewers under age 18”.
One of the images in Gossip Girl’s shock-tactic advertising campaign, showing characters ‘Serena’ and ‘Nate’ in rather ‘compromising’ positions.
During the second half of the first season, producers (in my opinion, ingeneously) harnessed criticism within the public sphere to promote the show. As TV Fanatic said when the posters were debuted, “the network recently launched a scandalous ad campaign that can be summed up in four letters: OMFG”.
Author of the original book series on which the show was based, Cecily von Ziegesar, addressed such concerns on her blog, Cecily’s Blog, saying:
“Just because your daughter reads about partying, does not mean she is a partier. Just because she reads about drinking, does not mean she is a drinker. And just because she reads about girls with boyfriends, does not mean she is desperate for a boyfriend. I am writing to entertain, not to encourage dangerous lifestyles.”
I agree with Cecily’s sentiment here in terms of the show; itdid not hold the pretence of reality, and, although highly influential, it’s audience should be respected with the ability to make their own decisions in terms of the way their behaviour was effected by it.
The second original advertising image which kicked off Gossip Girl’s shock-tactic campaign, this time showing characters ‘Blair’ and ‘Chuck’ getting up close and personal.
Throughout all six seasons, the show continued to appall and delight viewers with its themes, most notably a threesome sex scene which involved two main characters and guest star Hilary Duff (no longer a Disney darling).
Although all loose ends on the show have all been tied up, it will remain as one of the most confronting and controversial television shows, and will certainly continue to generate conversation in a mediated public sphere, for better or worse.
P.s. Thankyou Polyvore/Gawker for the image.
P.p.s. Thankyou Conneelly for the video.
P.p.p.s. Thankyou Colleen of the Couch for the image.
P.p.p.p.s. Thankyou Fanpop for the image.
