From a New Yorker: 10 Thoughts I Had Watching the New Gossip Girl
Bazaar contributor Casey Kohlberg lets us in on a Gossip Girl secret. The new series has rather large Louboutins to fill—does it live up to the hype?
Gossip Girl. Love it or hate it, the soapy teen drama that ran from 2007-2012 has a fashionable cult following. But does the revival stay true to its glamorous New York roots?
As someone who was roughly the same age as the frenemy duo, Blair and Serena, I wasn’t about to miss the new series airing on HBO Max. I watched the original pretty religiously to the point that headbands became my trademark accessory. My high school graduation was mere weeks after the second season graduation finale. Alas I didn’t have an epic Chuck and Blair-esque kiss outside the Plaza hotel, but I swear I’ve gotten over that now.
Needless to say, I had a personal connection. It was the show that kicked off my interest in fashion and made me want to work in media. It also really shaped a lot of my love-hate relationship with New York, more consciously than I care to admit. Despite my love for the Gossip Girl universe, I was skeptical. Reboots these days never quite live up to the magic of the original. Having said that, the first episode, without revealing too much, left me wanting more.
One of the most exciting things about the early aught’s version of this show was all the very specific insider-y, New York References. So as a New Yorker, here are some Big Apple musings I had watching the show. Unlike Gossip Girl, I’ll tell you a secret. You know you love me. XOXO (Caution: Spoilers Ahead!)
- I love the homage to the opening scene, specifically that Kate Keller (Tavi Gevinson), is DEFINITELY taking the J train into the city from Brooklyn, which is colloquially known as the worst train.
- In another niche reference, the actor who plays Julien’s record producer father is the same actor who plays Lenny Bruce in the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, another NYC fave. (It’s a yearly occurrence to see them film outside my apartment in vintage 1950s dress.)
- It brings me a lot of joy to see the steps of the Met, again. The Met is still and will always be so iconic.
- The oblique reference to Dumbo House–the Soho house outpost in Brooklyn, makes me laugh. Feels like a bit of a wink.
- The quip about Zoya (Whitney Peak) waiting for the light to change, is also SO TRUE. “Real” New Yorker’s always jaywalk. Always.
- Julien’s monologue about the places to go is so accurate in so many ways–just so spot on and not only for Gen-Z.
- Back to the Dumbo Hall/Dumbo House reference. I love the fact that Obie and Zoya are actually walking in front of the building where Dumbo house is.
- That scene where Obie and Zoya are changing out of their wet clothes in front of the window is why I have my blinds closed 24/7. It’s an unspoken rule.
- The Christopher John Rogers show at the Armory feels so real too. Such a NYFW staple to go to shows at the Armory, although it’s usually Marc Jacobs.
- And later, as Julien and Obie are breaking up, when she mentions the afterparty at The Blond down in Soho, very much a Fashion Week place.
Lead image courtesy of instagram/@gossipgirl
