I love you so much, Brian. I am up for the day (+3) because I am not Serena. But I give myself +5 for not being Jenny, too. I hate her with the force of 1000 Chuck-in-Asian-pajamas rubdowns.
I give the show -8 for not making Chuck's dad all gray and ghosty. He didn't even say "woooo!" once! I mean, if we're gonna go there - have Chuckles writhe in ennui and be followed around by his dad - let's GO there. Have him ride around in a gray ghost limo, kick a gray ghost homeless guy, be followed by a pack of gray shifty ghost lawyers. He was a mogul, mofos!
Ok, I don't watch this show. I do occasionally catch 10 minutes of it when my girlfriend watches. Then I can't take it anymore and leave the room. So I don't know much, here.
That said, it seems to me that your rating system favors the most obnoxious and annoying characters on the show. I mean, that Chuck guy? Really? I want to choke him with a wooden spoon after watching him on screen for 3 minutes. And Blair? She's nearly as bad.
@lostarchitect: I have to disagree. While Chuck's intermittent newfound conscience is disheartening, I would still watch The Chuck and Blair show 100 times over versus any scene involving the blank/moping faces and insipid storylines of Serena, Rufus, or Vanessa.
I know Nate should be in that category, but he's just too pretty. And once in a while he gives those cute little looks to Dan that get my hopes up.
P.S. Bryan, the "Serena Bonus" addition is amazing.
@HollyQE2: I guess the thing is that I don't know the story line, so I'm only reacting to the characters themselves, sans story. And fuck, Chuck is ridiculous and annoying. Ugh, and those faces he makes... Not that Serena's not annoying, I just find her less so.
@Brian Moylan: Agreed. I find Chuck to be perfect in every way because I am mesmerized by his everything. Even with a side of Ghost Dad I wanted to bone him until his mysterious mother comes home.
@lostarchitect: When you started with "OK, I don't watch this show," I knew your critique wouldn't mean much. Then you dissed both Chuck AND Blair and proved me right.
Gossip Girl is all about the lesser of two evils. Spend a little more time with Vanessa and Serena, and then you'll understand. Or don't, and save yourself a lifetime of pain for having to put up with their awful, easy-to-hate-and-make-fun-of characters.
@chickachicka: Well, yeah, the fact that I don't know what's going on is really the whole point of what I was saying, and I wasn't critiquing so much as asking, "what the hell is going on here?"
Anyway, you're right, this show would drive me crazy if I watched it. Evidently, the characters I hated immediately are the most likable on the show! If the others are even LESS likable with more time spent viewing, there's no way I could watch without poking myself in the eyes repeatedly.
@lostarchitect: But see, we love Chuck and Blair because they are awesome. And we love Serena, Vanessa, Jenny, and the rest for being so incredibly stupid that they give us something to make fun of while loving C&B Music Factory. That makes the show completely lovable, even when you hate it.
I stopped watching this show after season 1, more or less because I got lazy.
And this recap makes that more than okay.
Serena: has an Archie Comics character quality to her - aside from some very vague traits (cleavage, rich), they just tack on whatever lines/personality bits are convenient for the storyline. Glorious! (When viewed from afar)
I'd like to award last night's episode with the title of "Most Unrealistic GG Episode ever," something which has hitherto been seemingly impossible to achieve. Why? you ask. Let me count the ways.
1) Serena knows who Barney Frank is? Sure.
2) WTF was with everyone asking about "Nassau County"? Say it with me: "Long Island."
3) Yes, Vanessa, you must come to the hospital at once! Even though you and Serena have never been anything close to resembling friends! And no one even likes you!
4) And why do you insist on believing that Paul Hoffman (is that his name?) is straight? HE ISN'T.
5) Really, Trip? You left a girl behind who was obviously going to wake up shortly and be able to tell all, even though your accident was a result of avoiding animals and not alcohol? Either "asshole" is your default mode or you are the most poorly written character ever.
6) THAT was how Jenny and Eric ended their feud? Two seconds of "I don't want to play Frenemies anymore"? Screw that.
@DahlELama: This is why GossipGirl is no longer on my TiVo.
That and 'Skins' (seasons 1 and 2) showed me that someone could do a properly written and completely fun teen drama that didn't make me want to take my eyes out.
@flaxen_vixen: YES. Also, the conversation between Rufus and the co-op chick. Also, pretending that Rufus would've gone to hit up the co-op chick instead of lingering in the apartment to make Lily talk about the letter. UGH, so much crappiness!
@DahlELama: And who, who in their RIGHT MIND would choose milksoppy, ineffectual, asexual Trip over Nate?? Even with all the mascara and blush Chase Crawford is wearing on the show, he still emits more testosterone than that other character ever could-- even if you sprayed him down with pheromones and made him wear plaid flannel. Trip gives me the skeeves...
@pony_express: Right?? I am loving Nate lately; it's like Chace Crawford took an acting workshop on the Internet. Trip looks like someone who should be on So You Think You Can Dance.
@DahlELama: Yeah, I loved how Trip thought no one would know there was anyone besides Serena in the car. There's only a bloody, DNA-filled head-crack in the windshield on the passenger side.
I watched this show in some part for FOUR TIMES this weekend. I seriously am in love with this show. The part when Vinny gets pink eye and Ronnie says it is because the "fat chick let something go" as he was sliding between her legs was priceless.
Brian this is awesome, but how in the hell you did it I do not know. It would take me 5,000 words to recap the first 10 minutes. I took Nyquil and was out at 11 but I was able to watch rest tonight because last night with my last bit of strength and consciousness I pressed record.
My fave quotes from the last hour:
I was going to Jerry Springer her ass
It only takes 9 lbs of pressure to break a nose
Don't let the spike hair fool you
The Situation tells me that we might have a situation
I am sorry sweetheart, I apologize for this broad right here
@adiam7: Don't forget Angie Jolie Trash-Balls' "I'm a c*ckblocker, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that! If you're a whore, you deserve to be abused!"
@snugbug: The delusion of these broads mixed with the self-awereness of the guys is such a rare mix. I am really mad at MTV now for not doing that Staten Island show
I just got through this on DVR.. Having not watched MTV in over 10 years, I'm blown away by the delicious excellence of this show.
Kudos to Brian for a fab recap, and extra brownie points for dubbing Sammy "Sweatheart" a "Helen of Troy" type..
This epic trash-fest totally reminded me of the narrative arc of the Iliad: Men fight over women; women are capricious and disloyal; everyone suffers from hubris; no one ever SHUTS UP.
I almost died when I saw the trash bags. Seriously? She didn't have a duffel bag or gym bag? Hell, even a back pack or one of those mesh laundry hamper bags would have been better. Snookie is either an actress or mentally unstable drunk. Either way she's entertaining.
They have only been in the house for like 2 days, and I wouldn't go in that hot tub without wearing anything less than a full hazmat suit.
@heywhat: ..Or as DJ Pauly (was it him? The guy who spends "30 minutes every day" gelling his hair into shape) put it so sensibly: "Don't you have ANY relatives you can borrow a suitcase from?"
every time i see a pic of snooki, i'm reminded of her back fat rolls (seen when she plunged into the hot tub). is this what happens when the implants take up too much space on a barrel-shaped woman?
@thatgirlinnewyork: Well, in poor Snooki's defense, she's like 4 feet 2, so even one extra helping of mani-COTTEH probably translates into back fat on her wee frame.
thanks for the memories, brian! please also add "juiced up" to the lexicon, as in snookie insists on finding a "juiced up guido". i can only think this is about the "protein" drinks.
@thatgirlinnewyork: I heard Juice Head a few times, and I was really trying to figure this one out using context clues. My first guess was that it meant the girls really like dudes who take steroids but that would also mean the ladies like shrunken balls. Then I went to urbandictionary, and one of the definitions was someone who gets really drunk in public places and said dumb shit before passing out/blacking out. My dream man!
@femputer: @Helio: i said "protein" to be kind...roids are a given, and kind of explains the exceptional level of stupidity espoused by the male household members. the wimmins? perhaps it's the implants and the years inhaling nail tip solvents in cheap korean salons (not to denigrate our fine korean sisters out there--hats off for the entrepreneurial spirit!).
@femputer: @Helio: i think there is an explanation somewhere on the parallel between "juiced" as "drunk" and "roided"-- you get attention from a limp guy who can't deliver at evening's end. takes all the pressure off one's pouf maintenance and waxing habits (to say nothing of the nail tips).
12/08/09
I give the show -8 for not making Chuck's dad all gray and ghosty. He didn't even say "woooo!" once! I mean, if we're gonna go there - have Chuckles writhe in ennui and be followed around by his dad - let's GO there. Have him ride around in a gray ghost limo, kick a gray ghost homeless guy, be followed by a pack of gray shifty ghost lawyers. He was a mogul, mofos!
12/08/09
That said, it seems to me that your rating system favors the most obnoxious and annoying characters on the show. I mean, that Chuck guy? Really? I want to choke him with a wooden spoon after watching him on screen for 3 minutes. And Blair? She's nearly as bad.
So, what's your strategy here?
12/08/09
12/08/09
I know Nate should be in that category, but he's just too pretty. And once in a while he gives those cute little looks to Dan that get my hopes up.
P.S. Bryan, the "Serena Bonus" addition is amazing.
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
Gossip Girl is all about the lesser of two evils. Spend a little more time with Vanessa and Serena, and then you'll understand. Or don't, and save yourself a lifetime of pain for having to put up with their awful, easy-to-hate-and-make-fun-of characters.
12/08/09
Anyway, you're right, this show would drive me crazy if I watched it. Evidently, the characters I hated immediately are the most likable on the show! If the others are even LESS likable with more time spent viewing, there's no way I could watch without poking myself in the eyes repeatedly.
Also, Brian might be right about the boobs.
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
And this recap makes that more than okay.
Serena: has an Archie Comics character quality to her - aside from some very vague traits (cleavage, rich), they just tack on whatever lines/personality bits are convenient for the storyline. Glorious! (When viewed from afar)
12/08/09
1) Serena knows who Barney Frank is? Sure.
2) WTF was with everyone asking about "Nassau County"? Say it with me: "Long Island."
3) Yes, Vanessa, you must come to the hospital at once! Even though you and Serena have never been anything close to resembling friends! And no one even likes you!
4) And why do you insist on believing that Paul Hoffman (is that his name?) is straight? HE ISN'T.
5) Really, Trip? You left a girl behind who was obviously going to wake up shortly and be able to tell all, even though your accident was a result of avoiding animals and not alcohol? Either "asshole" is your default mode or you are the most poorly written character ever.
6) THAT was how Jenny and Eric ended their feud? Two seconds of "I don't want to play Frenemies anymore"? Screw that.
12/08/09
That and 'Skins' (seasons 1 and 2) showed me that someone could do a properly written and completely fun teen drama that didn't make me want to take my eyes out.
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/08/09
12/07/09
12/05/09
12/05/09
12/05/09
I read this to my mom and we cried laughing.
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
My fave quotes from the last hour:
I was going to Jerry Springer her ass
It only takes 9 lbs of pressure to break a nose
Don't let the spike hair fool you
The Situation tells me that we might have a situation
I am sorry sweetheart, I apologize for this broad right here
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
Kudos to Brian for a fab recap, and extra brownie points for dubbing Sammy "Sweatheart" a "Helen of Troy" type..
This epic trash-fest totally reminded me of the narrative arc of the Iliad: Men fight over women; women are capricious and disloyal; everyone suffers from hubris; no one ever SHUTS UP.
I'm hooked!
12/04/09
They have only been in the house for like 2 days, and I wouldn't go in that hot tub without wearing anything less than a full hazmat suit.
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
I've never heard any girl actually admit she was looking for someone on the nut-shrinking regimen, but there you go.
12/04/09
12/05/09
12/05/09
12/04/09