If it wasn’t sad enough that “The CW” was basically turning into a “Gossip Girl” network, now it looks like their decision to drop the WWE was a HUGE mistake. Upstart network MyNetworkTV is now averaging higher ratings than it is.

“The CW” is what was left after the merger between “UPN” and “The WB”. What it has become, sadly, is not very good. While shows like “Smallville” are great, most of the programming on the network is expensive, and not all that entertaining.

MyNetworkTV, however, runs mostly reality styled shows and wrestling – and spends a fraction of what “The CW” does. Some might say – so what? These two networks are going for completely different demographics.

In some respects, you’re right. However, they are competing for the same number of Independent TV stations out there that need programming – and if MyNetworkTV starts consistently beating “The CW” you’ll start to see more Indy stations turn to the higher rated network…which could leave “The CW” out in the cold.

This is a big deal – and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

(S02E12) “It’s a Wonderful Lie”

Ah, to be young, vengeful and rich.

It should come as no surprise that the Gossip Girl guys and gals have been a little less than nice this holiday season. While I wouldn’t expect coal in their jimmy choo stockings, I wouldn’t be surprised if a non-designer named treat snuck it’s way in there (gasp!).

So exactly what naughty tricks am I alluding too? Well, let’s shine our light on Lil J for a moment, shall we? Hurt and extremely angry Jenny is easily convinced by the Blair wannabe’s that it’s high time Vanessa is served her fat piece of justice pie. Sneaking the unsuspecting new Archibald girl a see through dress just in time for the famed snowflake ball, not just one girl walked away embarrassed. It appears J’s just not cut out to be  so mean. She still has a conscious, and I recommend you hold on tight to what’s left little Humphrey. Luckily for the blushing Vanessa, it’d take more than a dress flop to turn him off of a good thing.

Now let’s see, what else are out upper-eastsiders up to this holiday season. Well, first off Aaron’s Ex, this abrupt yet charming Lexi is in town. Where Serena is sensual and demure, it appears Lexi is a downright Vixon, quickly setting her hooks into none other than lonely boy Dan. An ex for an ex, not bad, not bad at all.

Ironic no? Let’s all pause to appreciate this next bit of irony. With both the maid and the limo on the line Chuck and Blair decided to set each other up. It should come as no surprise that their destined dates turned into mini caricatures of each other. Really, why fight it? So what happens next you might ask. Duh, they fall for each other and leave their alpha twins just about ready to do the same.

Don’t even get me started about the grown-up drama. With Mrs. Van der Woodsen still pining over her childhood crush Poppa Humphrey, and of course all the while Bart Bass using all of his evil means to either get her back or ruin her life, you’d think the adults were as young as the kids. Just think about that for a minute. Teenagers that drink and have sex being raised by adults who seek revenge and gossip like school girls. It’s not surprising these characters are such a mess.

What happens next for the back-stabbing betrayed Jenny and what really happened to Bart Bass? There’s always next week.

XOXO~ Dena

(S02E11) “The Magnificent Archibalds”

If there’s anything tonight’s Gossip Girl has taught me, it’s that I am a sucker for a holiday themed episode. I’m sure I’m not alone. Heck, even the title character’s monologue was full of warmth, sentimentality and even a touch of heart. Who knew GG could be such a sweet sap?

In tonight’s episode she helped to guide us back into the crazy lives of our main characters where children were slipping away from their families, friends weren’t speaking, relationships were just hanging on by a thread, and even thanksgiving dinners seemed doomed from the start. But then, as with all good hectic holiday celebrations, each story line wrapped up nicely over a warm meal surrounded by loved ones and a toast of things to come.

I almost couldn’t believe how perfectly sweet the characters were all being to each other. After weeks of refusing to budge if she didn’t get her way, Jenny reunited with the Humphrey’s. The brattiest chic in New York learned to share when Blair was pulled back into the folds of her family (which now includes two very happy dads). Even Chuck, Vanessa and Nate found themselves being reunited for a greater cause when the FBI came a knocking and convinced Nate it’s time to give the Captain up. If it weren’t for that letter declaring his love to Jenny that Vanessa later found, I almost thought I’d be seeing flames to go along with the sparks set off between those two.

In fact, the only person truly set out in the cold this chilly November night was none other than Mr. Bass, but I have to wonder, will it have any affect on his already icy heart?

I sense revenge coming from a man who’s used to getting what he wants. You can’t have your pie and eat it too (you’re no Blair), so enjoy that stuffing and grab a turkey leg, we’ve got another two weeks before that storyline plays out. Spend it with the ones you love.

XOXO~Dena

(S02E10) “Bonfire of the Vanity”

Someone call the firemen, little J’s future just went up in flames.

After running away from home Jenny went to the only other lifestyle she knows, that of a rebel. Oh how quickly the innocent days pass by. New “angry” Jenny moves in with Agnes in the hopes of starting up her own line. Hmm, two teenage girls move in together in a life with no rules… sounds like a recipe for perfection right? Wrong. Quickly realizing that the immature Agnes was only going to slow her down Jenny takes on the line herself thus ruining a brief friendship/partnership and, more importantly, losing a bed.

As luck would have it her backer still had her back, but not without parental consent. With Daddy and Mommy H shaking their heads know it appears Jenny’s got something else in mind, good ol’ emancipation. Way to pull a Macauly Caulkin J. Does it really have to come to this?

Onto other, less thrilling news, Serena has become Aaron’s muse overnight. Too bad this artist likes his women several at a time. Toying with Serena’s sense of freedom he’s got her in his court for now, but I don’t expect that too late too long. S may not be a stickler for the rules, but she’s also not very good at sharing. Just ask Vanessa.

Birds of a feather flock together. Blair, also not a fan for sharing her prized possessions, attempts to get rid of Mama’s new BF Clyde. For a short little bald guy, Clyde sure does know how to win over a Waldorf woman. Knowing that girls just want to have fun presents Blair with a surprise visit from Cyndi Lauper and all is forgiven. For now at least.

Dan on the other hand, may not win acceptance nor forgiveness so easily. After coming just a stamp away from sealing his fate as the most hated Brooklyn boy out there, he actually managed to do some good. Holding off his New York Magazine article and instead sending in the copy of Chuck’s expose Papa Bass brings father and son close together. Who knew a short story could make such a big impact.

So will this Aaron the artist learn to paint a scene for two? Is Lil J out of both house and home? Can Cyrus pull off the title Mr. Waldorf? Does Dan deserve his five minutes of fame? Only time will tell.

XOXO~Dena

(S02E09) “There Might be Blood”

When I was in elementary school my mom wouldn’t let me watch Saved by the Bell. I’m pretty sure that reruns of 90210 were off the table too. Regardless of how much of a fuss I put up about the importance of watching this show that “everyone” else was watching, mom held firm until I reached an older age. Her reason being? Basically that the show depicted an unrealistic view of what relationships were really about. First Zach’s all over Kelly, and then suddenly he’s all over six other girls before going back to Kelly. If this was what teenagers of the time were doing, mom wanted no part of it. Makes me wonder how mom would feel about Gossip Girl.

Surely today’s elementary and middle school lunch tables are being surrounded by little girls envious of the lives Lil J, Blair and Serena are living. They’re probably also pining over the beautiful boys with names like Dan, Nate and bad boy Chuck. But do they get how distorted this show really is? How damaging it could be if watched by a young impressionable mind still seeking out the truth in life?

Now I know, times have changed. Babies are having babies, teenagers are drinking like the best of any college crew and I’m also sure that blackmail is being flung around like gossip in crowded school hallways. The truth is though, this isn’t something to praise by featuring in our home screens each week as a drama to be watched and enjoyed. These type of plot lines should be seriously examined and used as an example of what not to do these days.

So yea, in tonight’s episode things were kept interesting. Jenny moved away from a very good family life to pursue her dreams (at the age of 15 mind you), Serena had daggers thrown at her but didn’t seem to mind as long as Blair made it through another day with the perception of perfection, and Dan sacrificed Chuck – a living, breathing, feeling individual – in order to make his own dreams come true. And sure, maybe some weak attempt at proving a point that sex should be performed with a individual that you love, not just out of sport, could be perceived amidst the Blair and Emma drama. A noble point, if you can find it among all the other smut.

The problem is, if you want to see anything of value in the twisted dramatic plot lines of Gossip Girl you’d really have to search. And who wants to put that much time into a half an hour show? As for me, I’ll continue watching it with a mature perspective and appreciation for nice clothing. Why will you be tuning in?

XOXO~Dena

(S02E08) “Pret-a-Poor-J”

Spotted, Little J dancing around in her bra with photographer in tow. Someones awfully scandalous tonight.

Gossip Girl is striving for new levels of rumor mill fodder. Tonight’s episode started out with a bang when Jenny quit her designing job after being swayed by a night out on the town with her new BFF the model. Sounds promising, I’m sure.

Then Dan is caught doing a good deed in the form of helping Blair. Since when does anybody besides Serena willfully help Blair? B’s a brat and rather hard to love if you catch my drift. If not, just ask Chuck, he knows all about it.

Too bad for Dan his selflessness didn’t win him any brownie points with Serena. She’s too busy ogling, turning down, and then pathetically going back for Aaron the artist. Childhood romances are short lived, and as even S can tell, forgettable. However, at least this was sign that it’s time to move on from Dan.

Back to Little J and her scandalously clad ways. Nate tracked her down fearing the worse from her semi-creepy photographer and caught her just as she was taking it all off. After rushing her out of the building and back home to Daddy he showed her exactly why he would even care… with a big fat kiss.

Let’s just hope he’s not another frog.

XOXO~ Dena

(S02E07) “Chuck in Real Life”

So remind me again why I bothered watching Gossip Girl tonight? I could have just as easily popped in a packet of microwave popcorn, hopped into my pj’s and settled down for the steamy star-packed Cruel Intentions just as easily. Let’s face it, the plot wouldn’t have changed much.

Boy likes girl. Girl likes the chase. Girl bets boy with girl as prize. Boy falls for the wrong girl.

That pretty much sums up the Blair Bass with Vanessa as victim drama of tonight’s show.

Now… on to something a bit more original.

Lonely Boy’s got a new friend. Poor Nate Archibald has been taken in by the Humphrey’s where they can shower him with love, attention, and well, a running shower. Not a bad deal for a rich boy turned squatter.

The love didn’t flow as easily with the Bass/van der Woodsen clan.  Eric’s gay and that’s A-OK (by me included), but all was not well in Serena’s world. Upon being asked to conduct a press interview all about what a wonderful family and upbringing she’s had, the beans were spilled. Apparently Mrs. van der Woodsen was a better date than a mom. No shocker there. Lucky for us, gourmet dessert and a walk in the not-so-fresh city air can mend broken families. I always knew cake was good for you.

(S02E05) “New Haven Can Wait”

Give me a break. Now I know it’s hey-day was before  Gossip Girl’s fan’s time, but have the writers not seen Saved by the Bell: The College Years? Or even Boy Meets World for that matter? We all know things went down hill when even Feeney showed up to join the cast in college.

Lessons must be learned people, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years it’s that no “teen” cast should make their way into the next step of life together. It sounds nice and all, and I’m sure it’s a clean transition for any producer of a hit show, but realistically, it just doesn’t happen. Besides, there’s better ways around this inevitable transition into adulthood. You could learn to follow the characters separately post-graduation as they attempted to do with Dawson’s Creek in the later seasons. It’s survival of the fittest at it’s best. Only the strong shall survive, right Dawson? Or, my personal favorite thus far, take a cue from One Tree Hill, and have them reunite post college. Not only does it not kill the show, it reinvigorates it!

Alright, so maybe I’m getting ahead of myself here. Nothings set in stone quite yet, or ivy for that matter. These lucky boys and girls still need to get through senior year first. Lucky for Jenny, it looks like she won’t have that problem. Miss Designer’s on the right path to making it big.

As much hype as I put into the major disappointment of packing the whole crew into Yale for a day, if not a future, we left tonight’s show with Blair and Bass’s destination unknown. Coincidental? I’m willing to bet not. Perhaps there will be  a little college love for the kookiest uncouple we know. So what college takes spoiled, conniving rich kids? If not Yale, maybe the other members of the trinity. Princeton or Harvard anyone?

So, can this show continue to make the grade? Just wait and see.

XOXO~ Dena

(S02E05) “The Serena Also Rises”

In tonight’s Gossip Girl fashion week took over New York. It was like Project Runway meets The Hills. The girl’s drama, of course, took place around Mrs. Waldorf’s runway show where Blair was out to sabotage both Lil J and Serena in one fail swoop. Lesson learned though, it’s hard to take down girls that know what they want.

Now the only thing left for poor Blair to do is throw another hissy fit and stomp those designer stilettos as Serena walks away. Careful she doesn’t step on your toes B.

Meanwhile the Humphrey kids are becoming quite the rebels. In an effort to improve his writing Dan went out on a wild quest to get inside Chuck’s head. I love writing as much as the next girl, but even I would pass on that one. Regardless, all it landed him was in a not-so-private jail cell and a phone call in to Daddy.

Lucky for Danny boy though, Ol’ Mr. H was too wrapped up in the cyclone of activity that is Lil J. As a budding designer Jenny decided to scrap school and get to sewing in order to take fashion week by storm. Even after having most of the ruin placed on her for all wrong-doings at the Waldorf show, it looks like Jenny’s got quite a designing future ahead of her. Maybe she gets that rebellious drive from Dad.

Daddy Humphrey may not always be on top of things, but at least he cares. That’s a lot more than Chuck’s poppa can say. Mr. Bass isn’t who anyone would call a bundle of sunshine and lollipops. With a son who’s clearly deprived of loving Senior Bass is headed down a path of yet another bad relationships and taking Lily van der Woodsen with him. Poor Lily’s got a file on her large enough to keep anyone guessing at the various secrets inside. No peeking though! Mr.B’s got this all wrapped up. Consider it a late wedding gift.

Here’s to the unlucky bride!

XOXO ~ Dena

(SO2E04) “The Ex Files”

As they say, “The higher you fly, the faster you fall.” Dan and Lil J know all about it.

One day they’re blooming socialites and the next their bags are getting dumped, hearts are being broken and titles are quickly being taken away.  Hmm… I suppose Blair knows a thing or two about that as well, doesn’t she? Not that I think that will last for long. She’s always had a certain knack for getting what she wants.

Lordy, lordy, lordy! Look who’s making out with someone in their forties! Nate’s not the only one hot for Momma Catherine. I, for one, am glad her and the Lord are on their way out. I’m not sure that I could taken another episode of the Lord’s blatant stupidity. Besides, now Blair can focus on more important things. Someone oughta catch up to Chuck’s plotting, and I think she’s just the girl to do it. Better jump to it B.

Now Amanda is an intriguing character. Hopefully the writers will keep her around for more than just this one show. Nobody likes a quick exit. Besides, who else is going to keep Dan’s mind off his impending doom?

Besides, Serena’s back in action, which is just the jump in plot I believe Gossip Girl needs. From the looks of it, all of the drama that we’ve witnessed thus far has been child’s play compared to what we can look forward to now that S has trumped Queen B. Look out Manhattan’s because this game’s just beginning!

XOXO~Dena