First episode impressions: ‘Nancy Drew’ (TV review)

Similar to what The CW did with “Riverdale” a few years ago, “Nancy Drew” (Wednesdays, CW) has been updated for modern times, and out of the gates, it’s refreshingly less silly than what “Riverdale” turned into. The mix isn’t precisely what I look for: It’s much more contemporary than it is a throwback, and it

‘The O.C.’ Season 1 review

Brainerd Dispatch: TV review Great cast treads familiar ground in ‘The O.C.’ By JOHN HANSEN Aug. 21, 2003 With its beautifully filmed shots of beautiful people mingling along beautiful California beaches (backed by the kinda beautiful strains of Phantom Planet), it was apparent from Fox’s previews that “The O.C.” would at least succeed as a

‘Gossip Girl’ Season 1 review

“Gossip Girl” Season 1 (2007-08, CW) – Sure, these Upper East Siders’ personal dramas are small compared to the world’s. But in their world, prep school power struggles and cash-driven courtships are everything – and uber-blogger Gossip Girl knows it.

Hilary Duff has the right stuff for ‘Gossip Girl’ (TV commentary)

Hilary Duff submitted a pilot episode that got turned down this season; that allowed “Gossip Girl”(8 p.m. Central Mondays on The CW) to cast her for — as every report on the subject says — “several episodes” as starlet-turned-student Olivia Burke. Basically, she’s a recurring character whose amount of recurrence is to be determined.

‘Gossip Girl’ a welcome break from reality (TV review)

I admire shows that address the recession — it’s part of the fabric of “Medium” and “Friday Night Lights,” and “The Simpsons” had a nice episode about it last year. But I also like shows that are completely oblivious to America’s economic meltdown, to the point where they flaunt how out of touch they are.

Happy (day after) Mother’s Day from ‘Gossip Girl’: Brittany Snow returns to TV (Commentary)

It’s appropriate that Brittany Snow spells her name the normal way, rather than “Britney,” “Brittani” or “Britni.” The actress strikes me as an old-fashioned girl, because I first saw her as Meg Pryor in the 1960s-set “American Dreams,” that 2002-05 NBC series where Donovan’s “Season of the Witch” played in the background during every episode.