you know you love me

In October, the New York Times published an article about the lack of the economic crisis (aka real world concerns) in popular TV shows, including Gossip Girl and 90210, which are both on the same network.

Did someone say "economic meltdown"? You wouldn't know it from the youth-driven pop entertainment currently topping the charts. Conceived and put into production well before the Dow plunged below 10,000, this patently escapist fare might seem stunningly ill-timed. But as the latest sales figures, television ratings and box-office grosses attest, ogling the consumption of the mega-rich retains a near-prurient allure.

For the most part, I agreed with the article, but it's not just Gossip Girl. The CW network, home to Gossip Girl and 90210 also ran another TV show earlier this year called Privileged, which follows the tutor of two spoiled rich girls in Palm Beach, Florida. MTV also has The Hills and The City and E! has Keeping up with the Kardashians, all which follow real people who have yet to be affected by the recession.

As the recession continues, the networks keep churning escapist content, while ironically, networks cancel TV shows because they aren't making money. The Hills has a new season coming up soon, and good 'ol Gossip Girl keeps pumping out episodes and has also been renewed for a third season this fall.

Twenty years ago or so, it looks like a similar story. Economic crisis?  Check. The nation was in a deep recession in 1982 and unemployment was at a high (10.8 percent). In 1987, there was a global stock market crash where the Dow dropped 508 points on October 19. Popular TV shows blatantly ignoring economic crisis? Check. Dynasty and Dallas. Dynasty had a spot on the top 30 highest ratings from 1981-1987, and it reached #1 from 1984-1985.

Rewind all the way back to the Great Depression and you have the same concept with just different technology. Since TV shows weren't around, the next best thing to escape from economic woes was to go watch a movie about the rich and famous.

I'm not saying that the Gossip Girl writers should in write that:

- Blair Waldorf's dad lost millions from his investments in those repackaged securities and had to sell his chateau in France

- massive layoffs at Bass Industries (and the fact that a high school kid is in charge of the company) had the workers holding Chuck Bass hostage for 24 hours

-  Rufus Humphrey closed his art gallery because no one buys art from him in this economy.  

I doubt the writers will turn to the economic angle because that's not what we as viewers want to see or hear. We get enough of that from the news. But maybe us drooling over the clothes and wares constantly peddled by the shows will inspire us to go out and buy them. So in some twisted way, the absence of economic troubles on this show might actually help the economy.

xoxo,

Jess Ramos '09