Gossip Girl may be the most high profile show shooting in Manhattan, but it's making mistakes. In order to help Josh Schwartz successfully navigate Serena and Blair through the city, Gossip Gaffes will present the each episode's biggest New York no-no and advise how to correct it. You know you love me.
Never mind Blair telling Jenny the color of that dress was last season. (That electric blue was actually three seasons ago.) Never mind the Bass family owning The Palace, which I believe is a Helmsley property (although I could be wrong on this). This week's biggest Manhattan mistake was a simple one, but it could have left Serena dead. Dead!
As Jenny, Dan and Serena end their night after the ill-fated "Kiss on the Lips" party, Serena is dropped off at The Palace Hotel. After an awkward goodbye, Serena exits the cab, opening the door into oncoming traffic. Although this is occasionally acceptable, especially late at night on Madison Avenue, the fact that she simply opens the door without looking is complicated by her exiting the cab without looking.
In reality, the cab driver screams at her. Horns blare. Passing drivers yell, "Stupid bitch!" The door is hit by another taxi barreling down the avenue at fifty or so, resulting in a shoulting match between the drivers, who then turn on Serena and shake her down for cold cash.
The proper way to navigate the exit is to pre-plan who is getting out first before getting in the cab. If this is not possible, then everyone exits to the curb, allowing the far passenger to exit, say awkward adieus, and then pile back into the taxi to the bitter impatient stare of the driver.
It's the nuances of Manhattan that matter. Following those nuances will take Gossip Girl from "OC on the East River" to a true New York moment.
Thanks for asking. I'll keep it brief.
