Gossip Girl OG vs Gossip Girl 2.0

Spotted. Everyone’s favorite show is back on screen, but can it live up to the original? The Upper East Side is a familiar setting for the activities of the super rich, but it now has a new group of teens making their mark. While it may seem familiar, with the Constance school uniforms and breakfasts on the steps of the Met, this reboot is not a carbon copy of the original. There are quite a few changes that have been made, but the scandal remains. 

When the original show aired on the CW back in 2007, it was an instant hit. Based on the book series, people could not get enough of the dramatic tales of the spoiled rich children of New York. Giving us icons, like Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, Gossip Girl OG cemented itself into pop culture for millennials everywhere. 

What made the original show so appealing? Why was it fun to watch? Well, for one thing, it seemed like a lifestyle most people could only dream about. Living life without a care in the world. The characters in the original show were unrealistic. They showed no guilt about their excessive wealth, and they did not stress themselves out with the issues of people less fortunate than themselves. That was part of the appeal. It was an unrealistic world for us to project ourselves into. Nearly a decade later, the reboot is taking a slightly different approach. 

I still would not say that Gossip Girl 2.0 is any more realistic than the original, but I think it is trying to be more aware of the world we live in today. First of all, there is the new cast. From just a photo you can tell that the reboot has a much more diverse lead cast than the original show. I will give them points for that. It also has been designed more for Gen Z than the original Millennial audience. With the literal Gossip Girl account switching from a blog site to a Twitter account. 

This reboot seems like it wants to create the same dramatic and outrageous setting as the OG, while still regarding real world views. I think that is where it messes up. Having the main characters aware of their wealth and privilege changes the entire meaning of the show. They are not supposed to be aware or care about anything that does not affect them. They are supposed to be spoiled brats that we somehow love to watch. 

I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the number of reboots coming out recently, but I have a hard time watching the reboot without constantly comparing it to the OG. I am sure it will be a great show though. I also think that it will feel slightly more grown up than the original, purely because HBO is producing it. I am very excited to see what else will come from the reboot in the future, and I am glad that a new generation will get to experience the franchise.