Wednesday, October 10, 2007

"The Rich and Beautiful Get Down and Ugly."

Usually, when a commercial for the CW's GOSSIP GIRL comes on, nothing on it really grabs my attention...

...other than the insipidly moronic writing that has characters saying things like...

"This party is about excess. Stop talking. Start partying."

...or...

Rich Girl One: "Enough, ok?"

Rich Girl Two: "It's enough when I SAY it's enough."

...or my personal favorite...

“Take it easy Socrates. What we’re entitled to is a trust fund, maybe a house in the Hamptons, a prescription drug problem. Happiness does not seem to be on the menu, so smoke up and seal the deal with Blair, because you’re also entitled to tap that ass.”

Isn't that sweet?

Nothing reminds us that LEAVE IT TO BEAVER premiered 50 years ago like a show shoving the fact that 1% of 1% of America's population control all the wealth of this country.

Now I know how Beryl Mercer felt when James Cagney shoved that grapefruit in her face in THE PUBLIC ENEMY in 1931.

But just now, this particular piece of the commercial grabbed my attention...

"Discover a world where the rich and beautiful get down and ugly."

I'm sorry, but since we're surrounded by stories and images describing Britney's breakdown, Lindsay's coke binges, Paris in prison, O.J., the President, Haliburton and (insert today's celebrity scandal here), don't we LIVE in a world "where the rich and beautiful get down and ugly" every day of our lives?!?!

Needless to say, I probably won't be giving GOSSIP GIRL a try.

Although, I love the fact that they use my mother's song in their commercials.

9 comments:

Aaron said...

"Gossip Girl:" the very title alerts us that the show is so bad you can smell the COMMERCIALS through the TV.

And I'm sorry, if I told someone "enough" and they said, "It's enough when I say it's enough," I'd break their fucking nose...

Mike said...

While I cannot recommend Gossip Girl, the promos don't exactly tell the whole story.

It is written and produced by people who want it to be an over-the-top near-satire of the genre.

Evidence of such:

1) Previously never-athletic characters playing field hockey just so you can have a girl-on-girl short-skirt smackdown
2) Self-conscious meta-referencing to the fact that they are all high schoolers getting served $20 martinis in swanky bars
3) Public confrontations happen and then everybody reads about it on their Sidekicks/iPhones/gadgets while still at the same party
4) Primary male character whose only defining character trait seems to be "date rapist"
5) The choir from the all-girls school performing a Fergie song during chapel services -- which is one of the most awesome things you've never seen.

These are characters who talk like they are living on a bad soap opera because that's how they think they should talk. They create public confrontation scenes that should be gossiped (and blogged) about -- and sound ridiculous doing so -- because they thrive on the attention. And yes, this is the world we live in.

However, it is acted and directed (and promoted by the CW) straight without camp signifiers of any kind. And they almost get away with this disconnect to create something of subtle genius.

But they don't quite yet. They need to amp up the craziness and remove any sincerity -- but still not tell the actors (which won't be hard -- they don't seem too bright).

XOXO,
Gossip Girl

Stephen R. said...

Aaron - "And I'm sorry, if I told someone "enough" and they said, "It's enough when I say it's enough," I'd break their fucking nose..."

That, Sir, is why I love you!!!

Mike - When I said that I "probably" wouldn't be watching GOSSIP GIRL, it's because I kinda knew you would be giving me the inside scoop about this one. And if you think this has Camp Value, then I'll give it a try.

Perhaps we should watch an episode together. Dressed in our best DYNASTY shoulder pads. :)

Mike said...

Yes, I'm glad I can be known as that sort of expert for you. Meanwhile, as you defend the rights of the trans community on the blogosphere, I defend the right of the trash community.

Stephen R. said...

Mike - You are the new John Waters - - taking Trash to the next level!!! And being trash, I love you for it!

whimsical brainpan said...

But it seems like such a quality show!

Stephen R. said...

Whim - As Clairee says in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, "Spoken like a true smart ass!" I have missed you!!! Welcome back!

cb said...

I've been avoiding "Gossip Girl" in order to watch Bionic Woman. But with dialogue like "entitled to tap that ass"-- how could I NOT watch????

Stephen R. said...

CB - BIONIC WOMAN is currently my first priority new show as well, but I have to say that I'm really enjoying THE BIG BANG THEORY on CBS. Maybe I'll have to find a way to squeeze GOSSIP GIRL in there as well.