TV Show: “Gossip Girl”
Release Date: July 8, 2021
Cast: Jordan Alexander (Julien Calloway), Whitney Peak (Zoya Lott), Emily Alyn Lind (Audrey Hope), , Eli Brown (Otto “Obie” Bergmann), Evan Mock (Akeno “Aki” Menzes), Tavi Gevinson (Kate Keller), Thomas Doherty (Max Wolfe), Zion Moreno (Luna La), Savannah Lee Smith (Monet De Haan)
Our Rating: A

Arguably one of the most iconic TV shows of the 2000s, “Gossip Girl” has finally gotten it’s well-deserved reboot. Almost nine years after the show’s finale, the reboot kicked off following an entirely new group of Manhattan’s elite as they are stalked by the all-knowing instagram account “@gossipgirl”.

This series in particular follows half-sisters Julien Calloway and Zoya Lott who after years of hiding their newfound bond from their feuding fathers, finally get to meet face-to-face. Zoya begins highschool at the famous Constance Billard where she joins her sister and her dysfunctional friend group. At Constance, the students overpower the staff but that all changes with the resurgence of Gossip Girl.

“I thought the reboot was really good, it’s different from the original but still very enjoyable. It doesn’t try to mirror the original or copy it at all, it’s a new story,” sophomore Anabelle Gonzalez said.

The new rendition of “Gossip Girl” includes themes of fame, love, friendship, sexual assault and provides representation for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community. The show also features tasteful cameos from original cast members such as Margaret Colin (Eleanor Waldorf) and Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota Kishlovsky), that add a hint of nostalgia without overpowering the plot.

“The reboot is different to the original because although the original characters were semi-famous, they weren’t influencers who had to deal with nonstop comments and media coverage,” sophomore Angie Veliz said.

With a never-ending series of twists and turns, the plot of “Gossip Girl” is sure to always keep the audience guessing. This version is less about revealing the identity of gossip girl and more about what the characters learn about their own identities. Throughout the season, the characters overcome a lot of internal struggles and show a lot of personal growth. The series is filled with Blair and Serena-style takedowns and betrayals, due to the involvement and impact social media has in the character’s lives.

Oftentimes, shows tend to include inaccurate portrayals of slang and social media in the lives of teenagers. On the other hand, “Gossip Girl” depicted social media and slang in a realistic way without seeming outdated or trying too hard. This makes it easier for the audience to connect to the characters and in turn, form a deep attachment to the show.

Cinematically, “Gossip Girl” ’s consistently clean and sleek shots maintain the modern aesthetic that the plot introduces. The shots of the characters on the streets of New York City are a definite highlight as they manage to keep the focus on the characters even in the most chaotic of places. The soundtrack features modern hits like “brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo and “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande. These songs reinforce the youthfulness the show is centered around.

The new “Gossip Girl” is certainly different from its predecessor and that isn’t necessarily a flaw; although they share a name and exist in the same universe, they are separate stories and should be seen as such. The “Gossip Girl” reboot brings drama and entertainment to audiences everywhere. Fans can’t wait to see what Season 2 brings for this new set of characters.