Let me tell you why I’m leaning toward the latter response to this teaser for the show’s post-strike return (below). I get that they’re trying to attract some new eyeballs with a little controversy here — it’s a buzz grab, right down to the oh-so-edgy inclusion of an obscenity-implying acronym. But what’s so provocative about this imagery, really? "Hey, America, our show has high-schoolers! Who have sex! With each other!" Way to push an envelope that was already pushed to death 18 years ago on 90210. The only thing that really makes this ad stand out is just how aggressively it objectifies the show’s stars. Don’t good soaps need some sort of character arcs for all those unrealistically perfect bodies to act out? I’m no prude when it comes to frank portrayals of sex on TV, but this feels more exploitative than ground-breaking. Doesn’t it?
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Comments (1-30) of 98 Add your comment
Yea, I’m with you Simon. More “meh” than “OMFG.” That being said, I’ll still watch it when it comes back.
That’s all old footage – nothing new. It also looks a little homemade, and not like an actual CW promo. Still completely excited for the new eps, though!
that wasn’t really a promo. most of those scenes were already aired. it seemed more like a raunchy psa for the viewers: don’t rush having sex. the only part that really seemed new was the grading of how dan did in bed. i guess there’ll be ego-destroying repercussions when the show returns.
Wonder what made the powers-that-be think that was the best route to take to promote the show coming back? Chalk me up for a “meh”.
I’m on the meh side. Didn’t Josh do something similar with the OC? Still can’t wait for the return!
Is there something worse than “meh”? How ’bout lame.
Ugh. It’s the new “meh” only more disdainful.
That promo just reminded me why I have not nor will I ever watch that show.
I see your “meh” and raise you a “bwa!”
I’m going to go with meh. It was pretty stupid and I’m still not going to watch that show.
I really hate this promo but I LOVE THE NEW PRINT AD of Blair/Chuck making out in limo with a big OMFG sign!!
Truth is sex sells. People that already watch the show aren’t going to stop watching.
Which episode had the largest rating increase for Gossip girl?? The one after Blair and Chuck had sex in the limo!!…Maybe if the ratings didn’t prove sex sells than networks would be less likely to use it..
The funny thing is that sex don’t play that huge of a role in the show like the promo portraying but if it helps the ratings increase im so for it..
NEW EPISODES OF GOSSIP GIRL RETURN MONDAY APRL 21ST!!!
If u want a real OMFG…look at the Serena/Nate print ad…now that’s RACY and going to be controversial!!!
It’s only meh cause it’s old footage. I’m still totally excited for the return!
Well, since I haven’t seen this apparently old footage, to me this is OMFG!
I agree with a previous poster that the print add version of this campaign is great (specifically because anyone old enough to be offended by “OMFG” has no idea what “OMFG” means!) but this version is kind of silly and is going to mislead a lot of skin-seekers. The way they’ve spliced together every bed scene from the 13 aired episodes to make it look like a cross between a grainy internet sex tape and an after-hours pay cable show is just going to disappoint many new viewers who will find it an extremely safe (albeit wonderfully well-written) network show that’s more about social class (and clothes!) than bed-hopping.
For all those offended by OMFG…it means Oh My Frakkin gosh or Oh my freakin gosh…enough said
I ahve to say that the Dan/Serena promo is hilarious…
Thsi show is well written..but truth is CW already tried all other types of promos to get the ratings to increase and it just didn’t attract new viewers. This definitely will…will some of them be disspaointed with the lack of sex scenes?? yup…but there probably alot more people that realize how AMAZING and ADDICTING this show is!!
I think it is a see-through desperate attempt to remind people that the show is still around. I can’t stand it when shows make KIDS look like glamorous members of society. 90210 was great because, yes they were pretty, but they didn’t come off like people in their late-20’s/early 30’s. (even though some of them actually were, haha)
For your information JennTima, all the actors on this show are in their YOUNG TWENTIES…And if you watched the show you would know that they don’t act like they act in their late20s/early30s…
From a advertising/marketing view…these ads are GENIUS. This DEFNITELY going to attract young adults to the show…hands down, no questions asked…
What is that song??? Anyone know?
Well, if your show is lame the only way you have to get ppl to watch is provocative advertising. You’ll get a bunch of dull ppl who will watch one episode, and if you’re lucky some of the dullest ones may stick around for more.
I find OMFG discusting. Sponsors should be boycotted and the producers are so hard up to get viewers they will stoop to anything..even if it harms our youth and society.
I find OMFG discusting. Sponsors should be boycotted and the producers are so hard up to get viewers they will stoop to anything..even if it harms our youth and society.
All I know is this is another ad campaign that will get conservative watchdog groups riled up (maybe that’s what the producers were aiming for?) The adult 18-34 crowd completely hate the watchdog groups, so maybe they’ll watch.
I don’t know why parents keep on blaming the tv shows for all their childrens problem. NEWS FLASH: Do some real parenting and stop blaming others!!
This show isn’t even for young teenagers anyways. This show knows exactly how to promote this show to 18-34 years old, which this show is geared more too anyways…They are the ones that came up with the OMFG term anyways…
I don’t see what the big problem is. I continue to see billboards for clothing ads that are MUCH more proactive than this..yet I hear no complaints for that…
ridiculous. don’t forget that this show stems from books which were targeted to teens and tweens.
I think it isnt scandolus/racy/dirty because “HELLO!!” We’ve all aready seen those scenes of the show. Its just a slighty racier still from what we’ve seen…and I’m sure teens everywhere has seen worse movies like American Pie…so come on worried parents you’re children know alot more and have seen 10x what you would think and the thing is it doesnt embarss us…
Laurie..don’t forget that the books actually HAD the F WORD used many times…while the show NEVER did…
The books were also much more scandalous than the show…
Watching the show, it’s not all about sex, it really isn’t. Hopefully, it will attract the viewers, but the most important arc of the show is actually the emotional relationships, such as the Chuck/Blair/Nate triangle (affecting Blair’s relationship with Nate, Nate’s friendship with Chuck and Blair’s reputation as Queen Bee) and Serena and Blair’s friendship. Sex is a just an after thought that stirs things up more, because, especially for teens, sex can ruin everything. Besides, they have their limits and the producers having to realize they can’t do a lot of things that happened in the book (to the full extent), they’re doing a great job.
I’m in that coveted 18-34 crowd that the producers said they were aiming for with this promo, and I’m firmly saying meh. OMFG, at people having sex? Come on, what demographic are they aiming for, 12 year olds? Who’s supposed to actually be shocked by a shallow teen soap opera trying to push the ever-popular sex envelope?
These billboards are offensive and in your face and forcing me to explain things I don’t want to to my six year old, among them how anyone could be som mindless as to watch such a supid show. Of course, I would say, this is America and you’re free to watch whatever you want in the PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME. Just keep your garbage off the billboards. I am boycotting their advertisers.
But what’s the song name’s?