Gossip Girl: Unrealistic Virtual World

Gossip Girl, a TV show trendy years ago among the teenage population, and now popular on Netflix, provides for one to be a critic of American culture. Taken place in the Upper East Side of New York, the show follows eight teenagers, Dan, Jenny, Vanessa (the ‘outsiders’), Serena, Chuck, Blair, Nate, and Eric as they navigate their life in New York. All are absorbed in the wealthy, dramatized society. The show’s plotlines are over-exaggerated and usually result in betrayal and feuds. However, when observed closely, the show may convey an underlying truth. Therefore, Gossip Girl demonstrates the stereotypical lifestyle of the wealthy through the portrayal and actions of its characters, and yet the show provides little deeper and meaningful truths. 

Gossip Girl displays a small level of truthfulness, and also shows overused, fabricated scenes. For example, when Vanessa finds Dan’s secret book about his personal relations with his wealthy friends, Dan confesses how he will never be able or want to fit into their society. Dan does not care about the repercussions, but would rather share the truth about his friends’ world. However, Gossip Girl represents a more fictitious society. The characters in the show often flash their wealth, wearing high designer fashion, riding in limos, and attending prestigious gala parties every week. Additionally, Blair, the ‘queen bee,’ requires that no one sits above her while she sits on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art before school. Blair often acts and treats people as though she rules New York. Moreover, the tips Gossip Girl receives through her website contain harmful information, showing how these group of ‘friends’ can be very manipulative and damaging towards each other. 

Gossip Girl reflects the cliched behavior of rich and spoiled teenagers, but still delivers a sort of authenticity. Gossip Girl portrays a potentially prominent society to be tawdry. In Gossip Girl’s world, most problematic situations result in ideal ways. The romanticization of this ‘perfect’ materialistic world seems to intrigue most Americans, leading to its great popularity. The effect of Gossip Girl may be overwhelming, making one question the similarity of today’s modern society.