RATE IT/HATE IT! Blake's Allure

Gossip Girl starlet (and femme fatale of Ben Affleck's 'The Town'), Blake Lively brings a whole lot of pretty to the October issue of Allure magazine.


The thing is... there's some wacky airbrushing going on here. She looks lovely and all, but her eyes look almost other-worldly and her skin looks immaculate - almost Barbie doll-ish in its perfection. 


Does such a good looking girl require this much retouching? I don't think so. 

RATE IT! Gossip Returns

The kiddies' return to school means one thing in this household -- the Fall TV season is just around the bend.


It's the most wonderful time of the year...indeed! 


Despite losing 24, Lost and Ugly Betty at the end of last Spring, there's still an overwhelming selection of old TV favourites to choose from. 


Getting a jump on the pack.... Gossip Girl - which kicks off its fourth season next Monday. In the meantime, Blake Lively is featured on the October cover of UK Marie Claire. 


For once she's actually looking soft and pretty on a cover shoot. For such an attractive woman, they often put too much makeup on her - this time they got it just right. 

RATE IT/HATE IT! Casting Continuity Faux Pas

The CW has announced that the best looking Baldwin of the bunch will be guest starring on 'Gossip Girl' as Serena's mysterious long-lost Daddy.

In theory.... GREAT! Billy Baldwin will provide some much needed man candy -- provided he hasn't gone the way of his big bro' Alec.

But not so fast.....before we get too excited about the latest addition to our favourite UES peeps, the casting of Billy is a bit off colour --- if you recall from the not-so special flashback ep last season, Serena's Dad is blonde. VERY BLONDE. Not a whisper of Sun In or anything of the like to suggest that he was just faking it as a teen.

In the scramble to cast a big poppa for Blake Lively's Serena, looks like the casting department is suffering from short term memory loss. Continuity sure isn't what it used to be!

HATE IT! People's Choice Awards

I love a cheesy award show as much as the next couch potato but even by my own particular TV standards, the noms for the upcoming People's Choice Awards are just plain...weird!

Take Best Actress in a TV Drama. I adore 'Gossip Girl's' Blake Lively...she's wonderful, wears clothes really well, but the buxom blonde has no business being nominated. If GG should have an actress nominee, she should be Leighton Meester. Her portrayal of queen bitch Blair is headband & shoulders above Blake's one-note, mumbly Serena. And if we're going to give 'Gossip Girl' true props....where's Ed Westwick? The 'Gossip Girl' nomination abomination is just the beginning of People's Choice Awards screw ups.

'Mad Men' doesn't even exist in the People's Choice warped reality. Jennifer Love Hewitt gets nominated. So does Charlie Sheen. You get my drift. All together now, "Ew!"

The only saving grace? 'Ugly Betty's' America Ferrera and '30 Rock's' Tiny Fey won nominations -- but that's it. Seriously. Check out the nominations for yourself here. The PCA will be chucked to the undeserving on January 6 on CBS.

RATE IT! Gossip Girl 3-Ep. 10 Sneak Peek

Looks like Dan is a total chump once again, but what's worse... Lady GaGa will be upstaging everyone on next Monday's new ep. At least Jenny will have someone to compare bad makeup tips with.

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 9 Sneak Peek

Looks like we're in for more cheeky fun with the 'Gossip Girl' crew next Monday.

I just hope Eric and Little J aren't involved. Or Vanessa and her horrible, ratty don't.

OM3, indeed!

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 8 Sneak Peek

Step-sibs Jenny and Eric are feuding, Chuck's still pissed at Blair, and now Serena and Blair are revisiting the drama that being frenemies brings.

'Gossip Girl' is most interesting when hate prevails and the next catfight is just around the corner. Next Monday, perhaps?

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 6 Sneak Peek

I always feel ripped off when weekly TV series don't do seasonal 'holiday' episodes. Fear not because 'Gossip Girl' is dishing up some ghoulish fun next Monday.

Yay, Hallowe'en on the Upper East Side! Wonder if the little kiddies get their costumes from Duane Reade or someplace more posh?

I digress...Chuck's back on the market? Scary!

RATE IT! Posh Gossip

Rumours are swirling that Victoria Beckham will feature on 'Gossip Girl' this season.

Apparently, Blake Lively met Posh at her NYC fashion show & the pair hit it off, with Blake scoring Mrs. Beckham's word that she'd grace the GG set. At least Vic admits that she's no actress & just wants to have a fun adventure popping into Serena & Dan land.

Shame she won't be playing Chuck's former lover - now *that* would be worthwhile!

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 5 Sneak Peek

CAUTION...Spoilers may follow!!

Georgina Sparks, your time is up! Because of her meddling persuasiveness, the annoying spawn of Rufus & Lily returned to Manhattan just in time for their on/off wedding. Creepy Scott, the Boston brat with "issues" was finally revealed to Rufus & Lils as their long-lost son. Blame spazoid Georgina for upsetting the apple cart yet again. Is she done now? Can she be excused to join that other show she's part of over at NBC?

We waited through all that season finale hoopla last Spring, for this? Was I the only viewer who felt the big climactic "true identity" moment when everyone, including Scott's new step-siblings Dan, Serena, Eric and Jenny, discovered their blood ties to this freak was a bit of a... non-starter? No big drama.... no freak outs from the kiddies (I'm disappointed in YOU, Little J!)? The announcement went over like a pot of Rufus' famous chili --- la de da...no biggie. Kinda feel ripped off. I was hoping for fireworks, waterworks, SOMETHING!

At least the arrival of Hilary Duff is adding some newfound life to the gang. Let's hope she sticks around for awhile and that her story line lives up to its potential. I'm digging her and Dan together, so please GG writers, make it interesting! Here's a peek at next Monday's episode:

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 4 Sneak Peek

What would I rather watch? Rufus getting married (which is the title of this episode, BTW), or Chuck manhandling Blair while she speaks like Minnie Mouse?

Here's your answer.

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 3 Sneak Peek

I'm not sure why the ratings are under achieving for season three of 'Gossip Girl'. There's been just so much to love *and* hate!

Love: Blair's popularity crisis at NYU; Chuck -- everything about Chuck; and free-spirited, paparazzi magnet, Serena (the best boobs on TV, defo - and the paps agree, no?).

Hate: Vanessa --- horrible hair, tragic choice in boyfriends (Lily/Rufus Jr., are you kidding me?); and the limp Nate storyline. Why bother?

And now that it looks like the spawn of Lily & Rufus has slumped his creepy ass back to Boston, we can revel in the arrival of Hilary Duff. Lovely Hils portrays a love interest for the newly pumped up Dan -- cue more shirtless scenes for Penn Badgley, I'm sure. Why go to all that trouble if you're not going to show it off?

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3-Ep. 2 Sneak Peek

Trouble in rich kid paradise? The world would fall off its axis if Blair and Chuck didn't fight. Can't wait for tonight's episode.

Apparently the ratings for the GG premiere were down from usual estimates -- I blame that f-ugly annoying spawn of Lily and Rufus. He's creepy!

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3 Premiere TONIGHT

Please do not call me after 9pm this evening as I will be otherwise engaged.

Gossip Girl, season 3 debuts tonight! New characters, new schemes...Blair & Chuck, oh have we missed you!

(photo: the CW)

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3 -- Spoiler

Now we *all* know what Serena did this summer. Sort of. Photos would have been nice, thanks.

Great to see that the writers are current with their paparazzi flavours du jour (Cristiano Ronaldo, anyone?).

RATE IT! Chuck and Blair in ELLE

With 'Gossip Girl' gloriously returning on Monday, September 14, the press machine is in full flight, pumping out articles and features throughout the media.

One of the best... the feature in the new issue of "Elle" magazine. 

Chuck & Blair (well, okay Ed Westwick & Leighton Meester) in full designer finery. Such a fabulous on-screen couple. 

Roll on, September 14! Can't wait!

(photo: gossipgirlinsider.com)

HATE IT! Harper's Bazaar

I've had it. I've had it with Harper's Bazaar.

Such a waste of trees...this magazine is full of vacuous pretentious trash from cover to cover. Snotty, too self-important. A tastemaker to people who probably wouldn't dare speak to me should I stumble into their path -- you catch my drift.

I was gifted a subscription to this magazine last Christmas. The gift giver lovingly gave me several subscriptions -- knowing how deep my addiction to magazines is (Thanks! Best gifts I got!) -- and thought that I might enjoy several magazines that I don't normally purchase. Harper's was one such zine.

I literally flip through each new issue within 5 minutes. I rarely stop to read anything in here and frankly, none of my friends care to take any of the discarded issues off my hands. Says a lot. 

The latest issue is only worthy because Leighton Meester is featured. Other than that, it would go straight to the litter box - if I had a cat.

RATE IT! Finally! Season 2 DVDs

Season two 'Gossip Girl' DVDs are here! 

Time to get reacquainted before the big season 3 launch this September... but it looks like Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester are already reacquainted. Check out this sizzling photo shoot from an upcoming issue of 'Elle' magazine. 

Is it hot in here? It's great to have Chuck and Blair back.

(photo: gossipgirl insider.com)

RATE IT! Gossip Girl Season 3 Sneak Peek

How I have missed my spoilt NYC friends! September 14 cannot roll 'round soon enough.

RATE IT! Promising!!

Me likey! GG's Blair and Chuck get reacquainted on the streets of the Big Apple this summer.

Love it! Looks like season 3 of 'Gossip Girl' - set to set up shop on September 14 in North America - is going to be steamy! 

(photo: gossipgirl insider/the CW)