The TV series Gossip Girl is one of the most popular offerings on the Netflix platform. Set in Manhattan’s exclusive Upper East Side, Gossip Girl features characters such as the young, wealthy socialite Serena van der Woodsen and her similarly wealthy friend, Blair Waldorf. While many people will be familiar with the various trials and tribulations of the main protagonists in the show, perhaps fewer will be aware of the ways in which the rich and varied history of America and New York has been harnessed in the show. For instance, the ‘van der’ element of Serena’s name harks back to the often overlooked and forgotten era of pre-1664 New York, when the City was actually New Amsterdam under the colonial domination of the Netherlands.
In this exciting episode, Patrick (@historychappy) answers a range of questions from Elliot (@thelibrarian6) on the ways in which Gossip Girl has proactively harnessed the history of New York in particular and America more generally, in order to enrich its appeal and allure.
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