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.
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.
Gossip Girl 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 – on a whole, some considered it an immoral show.
Gossip Girl had generated both criticism and applause among the wider media sphere by the end of Season 1; 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 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.”
Throughout all six seasons, the show continued to appall and delight viewers with its themes and, 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.
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.
