Spotted: A certain CW show called “Gossip Girl” that continues to create great buzz despite achieving little in the way of ratings.
Last year, only 2.6 million TV viewers on average tuned in to watch New York’s most stylish Upper East Side rich kids scheme their way through high school. That hardly seems to matter. The show is watched by many more online, the CW says, and it’s never out of the news: Its racy content continues to stir up controversy, while its attractive young stars are all over the tabloids and its costumes have launched numerous style trends.
Fans of the show — and the stars — now feel comfortable describing their style as a “Serena,” a “Blair” or a “Jenny,” depending on which of the characters dress the same way.
Since the show’s second season premiere essentially kicks off the fall TV season Monday, we thought we’d use its characters — the teen vixen, the plotting bad boy, the responsible nerd, the bad girl gone good, the empty-headed stud, the romantic dreamer — to introduce 24 buzz-worthy offerings for fall.
Serena van der Woodsen
Former mean girl Serena tries her best to be kinder,
but an imperfect past haunts her, filling her life with DRAMA. She’d dig …
The Ex List
Serena broke up with Dan, so this comedy about a woman looking for true love among her exes is a perfect fit. Debuts Oct. 3 on CBS.
Samantha Who?
OMG, Serena and Samantha are so much alike! Serena wants to forget her evil past; amnesiac Sam already has. Returns Oct. 6 on ABC.
Brothers & Sisters
Serena would totally get the odd family dynamics of the hit drama. Returns Sept. 28 on ABC.
Curt’s pick for Serena
Kath & Kim
Serena and her mom have a love-hate relationship, just like the low-budget pair played by Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. Debuts Oct. 9 on NBC.
Chuck Bass
Rich schemer Chuck’s take-no-prisoners attitude usually makes him top dog. He’d enjoy …
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Why? Because Chuck’s a terminator, and he’ll have the hots for the new baddie played by Garbage singer Shirley Manson. Returns Sept. 8 on Fox.
Entourage
Chuck’s a lone wolf, but he wouldn’t mind having a group of “yes” men following him around. Returns to Sept. 7 on HBO.
My Own Worst Enemy
Christian Slater plays a family man who has a secret life as a ruthless spy. Guess with whom Chuck identifies? Debuts Oct. 13 on NBC.
Curt’s pick for Chuck
Fringe
Secrets, mysteries, plots against mankind — just the thing for conspirator Chuck. Debuts Sept. 9 on Fox.
Blair Waldorf
This spoiled princess gets what she wants, no matter how many people she has to step on. She’d watch …
Privileged
Two rich Palm Beach sisters are forced by a new tutor to hit the books. Debuts Sept. 9 on CW.
Paris Hilton’s My New BFF
Ties in nicely with “Gossip Girl” — who knows if Serena will be in or out as Blair’s BFF this season? Debuts Sept. 30 on MTV.
Dirty Sexy Money
Blair would totally be into the back-stabbing ways of the super-wealthy Darling family. Returns Oct. 1 on ABC.
Curt’s pick for Blair
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle
Blair meets a British boy this season, so she’ll be into this TV import and its lead character — a demanding talk show host. Debuts Sept. 7 on Sundance.
Nate Archibald
He’s hot, but kind of empty upstairs. And his cardigan has a better personality. He’d stare blankly at …
Knight Rider
The supercar KITT has more personality than its driver, played by Justin Bruening, in this reboot of the ’80s series. Debuts Sept. 24 on NBC.
How I Met Your Mother
This “Friends”-lite sitcom has nothing to keep Nate’s interest, but he could totally identify with the title. Just wait until Monday to find out why, readers. Debuts Sept. 22 on CBS.
Easy Money
Nate’s family’s in financial trouble, so he might get an idea watching this new drama about a family running a high-interest loan business. Debuts Sept. 21 on CW.
Curt’s pick for Nate
Sons of Anarchy
Nate’s feeling pressure from the FBI as the new season begins, so he’d love watching the motorcycle gang fight “the man.” Debuts Wednesday on FX.
Dan Humphrey
Dan’s nerdy, funny, romantic and definitely a bookworm. He always tries to do the right thing. He’d watch …
Chuck
This show about a nerd who becomes the repository for America’s top government secrets would appeal to Dan’s geeky side. Returns Sept. 29 on NBC.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Like this show’s always surprising characters, Dan’s humor sometimes takes a walk on the dark side. Returns Sept. 18 on FX.
Eleventh Hour
Dan wants to take care of everyone, much like Dr. Jacob Hood, who is called in at the 11th hour to solve scientific mysteries. Debuts Oct. 9 on CBS.
Curt’s pick for Dan
Sanctuary
Decidedly middle-class Dan always feels like the outsider with ex-gal pal Serena’s wealthy friends, so he’d identify with the aliens who seek solace. Debuts Oct. 3 on Sci Fi.
Jenny Humphrey
The formerly sweet social climber knows fashion and has a romantic side, like her brother Dan. She’d love …
Stylista
Our fashionista Jenny would be glued to the CW’s reality show in which 11 style enthusiasts vie for an editorial job with Elle magazine. Debuts Oct. 22 on CW.
Crusoe
NBC’s historical drama based on the Robinson Crusoe story is filled with costumes and a romantic leading man fighting to return to his true love. Debuts Oct. 17 on NBC.
True Blood
This new drama about a girl who meets a sexy vampire has the romance and danger Jenny craves. Debuts Sept. 7 on HBO.
Curt’s pick for Jenny
90210
Jenny’s fish-out-of-water life resembles that of the Kansas clan that moves to the wealthy Zip code in CW’s reboot of “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Debuts Tuesday.
MORE DIRT ON FALL TV
Fall 2007 reboot
Several series that earned lackluster ratings last year are getting a second chance because the writers’ strike prevented the development of new shows, including “Pushing Daisies” (Oct. 1 ABC), “Chuck” (Sept. 29 NBC), “Private Practice” (Oct. 1 ABC) and “Life” (Sept. 29 NBC).
Buh-bye
Many series are signing off at the end of the season, including “ER,” “Boston Legal” (Sept. 22 ABC) and “The Shield” (Sept. 2 FX).
Wait for it
Many favorites won’t return until midseason early next year. Those include Fox’s “24,” CW’s “Reaper,” ABC’s “Lost” and “Scrubs,” Sci Fi’s “Battlestar Galactica,” HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” and “Big Love.”
