Spotted -"XOXO"

Don't get me wrong... I'm all for stretching the boundaries, and I actually enjoy watching 'Gossip Girl', but this ad campaign got me thinking...

Yes, we live in a time when text messaging and abbreviations are second nature to us, and as a catch phrase, this works pretty well for the show. However, I question the abbreviation itself.

I'm no fuddy-duddy, nor some religious fanatic. That's not my issue. I'm just wondering what in our society is becoming acceptable language in advertising. What if we weren't so familiar with abbreviations? The only reason we understand OMFG, is because we've used the phrase verbally in it's full phonetic glory. Would we have allowed this campaign to run had the words been spelled out? Some how... I think not. I think there might even be an uproar.

My case in point, the CW network also ran TV commercials with these letters flashing one by one, large as it can fit on your TV screen... but wait a minute... The commercial that ran at 8pm is not the same as the one that ran at 11.30pm?!?? The "F" was missing! ... So here we have a PG version - of an abbreviation, mind you - of the commercial for the younger followers of the show. Obviously, the network themselves thought it was questionable as well.

That said, the show itself isn't in any way full of sex scenes as it would so seem, jugging from this billboard. Abbreviations aside, the OMG version of the commercial at 8pm is more representative of the show, cutting from one drama to the next, while the OMFG version at 11.30pm is all just sex, from one single flash back scene in the whole series. "Hello?"

More things happen in one episode of 'Gossip Girl' then in an entire season of, Dynasty! The plot keeps moving and honestly, it's all fun fluff and not at all inappropriate for teens. Unless the network's intention is to step it up a notch for a later time-slot and an older audience for next season, this billboard and the late night commercial, is, quite frankly, misrepresentation. In fact, I don't even recall the "F" word ever being used verbally or even in a text message on the show.

The real catch phrase for this show is, for me, and should be, "XOXO", as Gossip Girl herself signs off on every episode. Now, I would have much preferred to see that in huge letters on a billboard, and be greeted by text-messaged hugs and kisses on my flat screen TV. Wouldn't you?