I Attempted To Watch The Gossip Girl Reboot So You Didn’t Have To
What can I say about the television show Gossip Girl that hasn't already been said? It was lavishly fashionable, over-the-top, mean, and sometimes bitchy, rich teenagers, ruling the Upper East Side and it was entertaining. The new reboot, however, is the furthest from entertaining.
I was extremely disheartened to hear they were making a reboot barely 10 years after the initial show ended. While the show wasn't the best written, it was a guilty pleasure for a lot of us watching it. Something to watch for entertainment purposes and to enjoy watching spoiled rich kids fight against each other and then makeup within a few episodes!
Hollywood has always thought making reboots was a lucrative idea to bring more money to an already established show or movie, but sometimes they miss the mark and do it too soon. In this case, the reboot of Gossip Girl is too soon and should've never happened.
The show has barely been off the air for 10 years and to come up with the idea to reboot was not a smart idea. What would've been smart was to re-introduce the show to a newer and younger audience through some kind of anniversary with unreleased footage of the behind-the-scenes.
Using social media to ignite renewed coverage for the show. Or maybe I'm just the wrong audience for this show as it's clearly targeting teenagers. However, I can still watch shows with a focus on a younger audience without feeling like they're trying too hard to be interesting and diverse.
But here we are. Initially, I wasn't going to watch the new series but decided why not make an article out of it. And while watching it, I realized how big of a mistake this was.
The show "Gossip girl reboot" in my eyes is unwatchable!
Unfortunately, this will be my shortest review ever but here it goes. Gossip Girl 2021 reboot, sequel, whatever they want to call it, is unwatchable because it is boring. That's right I said it, absolutely boring.
None of the characters were interesting enough for me to sit through six, 59-minute episodes to write a full review. Yes, it was a diverse cast, and yes, they were setting up a rarely explored storyline of a non-monogamous relationship between three people, but it wasn't enough to keep me invested.
It was lacking something new and fresh. It presented itself as a Gen-Z type of show - which it was - but lacked the soapiness and finesse that the original was known for. If they had done a show that wasn't an almost copy of the original and tried something different maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. But they literally presented us a bi-version of Chuck and a mixture of Jenny/Dan for the "poorer" female lead.
My other gripe with the show is how none of the characters actually seemed to like each other. One of the main leads supposed friendship with some of the girls comes off as disingenuous as if their only friends for the sake of being friends.
While Blair & Serena were famously BFF/frenemies, once they got over their petty jealous squabbles were actually good friends. The relationship matured as they grew up over the years and it showed. There were so many little moments as the series went on, where you were truly rooting for their friendship and the lengths both would go to make sure the other person was always okay.
In regards to the storyline, I didn't like that we knew from the start who was the new Gossip Girl 2.0. Even though they brought back Kristen Bell to voice the part, it fell a bit flat at times. Like it was trying to retain the character flare that didn't quite hit the punch.
Gossip Girl is supposed to be a feared character who knows all the inner workings of the rich elite, but this new version lacks those insights. The last flaw I will mention is the acting. I'm not sure if any of the actors are new faces to the screen or not, but it felt too forced at times with their emotions.
For example, in scenes where the audience is supposed to feel bad for the characters, it doesn't come through because it's noticeable that the actor is trying to invoke an emotion out of me that's not there. And it makes watching those few episodes that much more of a torture fest.
Whether you decide to bite the bullet and watch the reboot for yourself, just proceed to watch it with no expectations. Maybe it'll make it easier to get through the episodes if you have zero hopes in the show.
Opinions and Perspectives
The original series had such great character arcs. These characters feel static in comparison.
They really should have learned from other failed reboots before attempting this.
I agree about the acting feeling forced. The original cast made everything feel natural despite how outrageous it was.
The original series built up tension so well. This one reveals everything too quickly.
Maybe if they'd set it in a different city with completely new dynamics it would have worked better.
I wanted to like it, I really did. But it's just missing that special something.
The original had such memorable catchphrases. This version just doesn't have the same quotable moments.
Even the school scenes feel less interesting somehow. Where's the hierarchy? The social politics?
The reboot lacks the aspirational quality that made the original so compelling.
I miss the way the original integrated social media of its time without making it the whole focus.
The original had such great guest stars too. The reboot feels so isolated in comparison.
They should have just left well enough alone. Not everything needs a reboot.
The original series knew exactly what it was. This one seems ashamed of being a teen drama.
I actually started rewatching the original after trying the reboot. No comparison.
The setting doesn't feel as magical as it did in the original. Where's the Upper East Side glamour?
Remember how shocking the original plot twists were? Nothing in this version comes close.
The original had this perfect mix of drama, romance, and friendship. The reboot is missing all three.
I wish they'd focused more on building unique characters instead of trying to recreate old dynamics.
The dialogue in the reboot tries so hard to sound current that it already feels dated.
I agree that waiting longer might have helped. The original is still too fresh in everyone's minds.
Maybe we're all just nostalgic for the original, but this really does feel like a pale imitation.
Does anyone else miss those over-the-top party scenes from the original?
The original actually made me care about what happened to the characters. This version, not so much.
I feel bad for the actors. They're trying their best with weak material.
At least the original had some humor to balance out the drama. This is just pure angst.
The whole teachers becoming Gossip Girl plot is just wrong on so many levels.
Remember how exciting it was not knowing who Gossip Girl was? That mystery drove the original series.
The fashion choices in the reboot feel like they're trying too hard to be edgy and avant-garde.
I think they misunderstood what made the original series so addictive.
The original villains were love-to-hate characters. These new antagonists are just annoying.
I kept waiting for it to get better but just gave up after four episodes.
They should have explored different aspects of teen life instead of trying to recreate the same dynamics.
Even the locations feel less glamorous somehow. The original made me want to move to New York.
The lack of genuine friendship between the characters makes it hard to invest in any of the relationships.
I wonder if younger viewers who never saw the original enjoy it more? Because as a fan of the first show, this is painful.
The original had such great character development over the seasons. This feels stagnant from episode one.
You make a good point about them copying character types from the original. It feels lazy.
I miss the grand schemes and plotting. Everything in the reboot feels so small scale.
The original's problematic elements were part of its charm. This version tries too hard to be politically correct.
Why did they have to make the teachers so creepy? It's uncomfortable to watch adults stalking teenagers.
The original had such great music moments too. The soundtrack in this one is forgettable.
I actually think the non-monogamous relationship could have been interesting if they'd executed it better.
It's like they took everything fun about the original and replaced it with forced social commentary.
The parents in the original were part of the drama. In this version, they're just... there.
Perhaps the biggest issue is that they're trying to make it too realistic. The original worked because it was pure fantasy.
The original cast became cultural icons. I can't see any of these new characters having that kind of impact.
I miss the witty one-liners and clever dialogue. Everything in the reboot feels so heavy-handed.
The original scandals were outrageous but somehow still believable. These new plotlines just fall flat.
I tried watching it with my teenage daughter and even she couldn't get into it. That says something.
Even the drama feels low-stakes compared to the original. Where's the scandal? The betrayal? The shocking twists?
The social media aspects feel really forced, like they're trying too hard to appeal to Gen Z viewers.
I'm actually glad someone else pointed out how boring it is. I thought maybe I was just being too critical.
They should have just made a completely new show instead of trying to cash in on the Gossip Girl name.
The original had iconic moments in almost every episode. I can't remember a single memorable scene from the reboot.
Maybe I'm just too old for this now, but nothing about these characters feels authentic to me.
The lack of chemistry between the cast is so obvious. You can't manufacture the kind of spark the original ensemble had.
I feel like they missed an opportunity to do something truly different with the concept instead of just modernizing it.
Watching the teachers become Gossip Girl was painful. It made absolutely no sense and felt incredibly creepy.
The original wasn't perfect, but it understood what it was. This reboot seems confused about its own identity.
I actually liked some of the new characters, but the show didn't give them enough time to develop properly.
At least Kristen Bell came back as the voice of Gossip Girl. That's literally the only thing they got right.
The original show had this escapist quality that made it perfect guilty pleasure viewing. The reboot seems ashamed of being a teen drama.
Does anyone else feel like they're trying too hard to make it socially relevant instead of focusing on good storytelling?
You're absolutely right about the friendships feeling fake. Blair and Serena's complicated relationship was the heart of the original show.
The problem isn't just the acting or writing. The whole concept feels forced, like they're trying to recreate lightning in a bottle.
Not sure I agree with everyone here. The non-monogamous relationship storyline was actually pretty groundbreaking for mainstream TV.
The original had this perfect balance of drama and humor that made even the most ridiculous plotlines entertaining. This one just feels flat.
I watched all episodes hoping it would get better, but it just felt like a watered-down version trying too hard to be relevant.
Knowing who Gossip Girl is from the start completely ruins the mystery that made the original so addictive.
Anyone else miss the fashion from the original? The new wardrobe choices just don't have the same impact.
I actually enjoyed the diverse casting, but they needed better writing to make these characters compelling. Representation isn't enough on its own.
The original Gossip Girl wasn't exactly Shakespeare, but at least it was fun to watch. This new version takes itself way too seriously.
Honestly, I think they should have waited at least 20 years before attempting a reboot. Ten years isn't enough time for nostalgia to properly kick in.
I couldn't agree more about the reboot lacking the magic of the original. The chemistry between Blair and Serena was something special that just can't be replicated.