“Good Girls Go Bad” by Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester (Download of the Day)

This song has already topped the Lewis Top 30, so a “Download of the Day” post should follow, right?

I’m not going to lie; my initial knowledge of this song was through Leighton Meester’s (Blair on Gossip Girl) involvement. It was also the reason why I chose to ignore it at first. As you may or may not know, I have an aversion to actors-turned-singers, so I figured I wouldn’t waste the time. I changed my mind after hearing Meester’s take on the 80’s classic “Bette Davis Eyes”.

I’m glad I did, because “Good Girls Go Bad” is the most instant song I have heard all year. It’s almost too easy to get hooked by the electro intro and the addictive title lyric. Once that draws you in, its impossible not to like this song, about a one-night stand with a goody two-shoes. There are so many good pop elements here, that its insane. There is the ridiculously addictive and anthemic chorus, driven by a guitar riff draped in synths. The breakdown after Leighton’s verse is reminiscent of a high school band number, complete with hand claps and a light drum beat. Then there is Leighton’s voice, which has more of a folksy-rock sound than you would expect. The fact that she can also do infectious pop is good sign for her career.

Everything comes together on what should be one of the summer’s biggest songs. Radio should eat this pop punk package up, not just because of the Gossip Girl connection, but because this song is too good to be ignored.

Rating: 8.5/10

Good Girls Go Bad [feat. Leighton Meester] (Album Version) - Cobra Starship

The CW's Gossip Girl Delivers Best Episode To Date

Gossip Girl is many things to different types of people. It's a visual Bible for tweens, a guilty pleasure for teens and young adults like me, and a source of corruption for adults. Rarely is it considered a genuine television drama worthy of praise.

Well, that may change soon because tonight, Josh Schwartz presented the best episode in the entire Gossip Girl series. Emotional, powerful, intelligent, and shocking, tonight's episode, entitled "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?", should silence the critics who brand the series as mindless fluff.

SPOILERS COMING UP

The episode focused on the aftermath of Bart Bass' timely death. For such a minor character, Bart's passing definitely caused a ripple effect. By ripple, I mean massive waves that threaten to crash onto the show's already shaky canvas. His death left many of the characters shaken, but no one more than his very troubled son Chuck. Usually impeccably composed in appearance and demeanor, the Chuck Bass seen tonight was completely dissheveled. His eyes were weary, his hair was scruffy, and his voice was gravelly. What was more interesting was Chuck's attitude throughout the episode. Chuck has always been a kinda bad guy, but he was bitter cold, even dealing with his step-brother Eric. The ice veneer finally cracked, thanks to Blair. Never one to give in, Blair fought hard to get through to Chuck. She even went as far as to say the words she never wanted to; "I love you". The words struck a chord with the broken Bass, who showed up in her room during her mother's wedding to Cyrus. There, Chuck finally broke down, crying sobless tears in Blair's waiting arms. It was a beautiful scene, probably the best in the show history. Ed Westwick's performance in this episode was a revelation, and if I wasn't certain that teen dramas will never be nominated Emmys, I would consider him a lock for a Best Supporting Actor nod.

Another big storyline affected by the death of Bass was Lily and Rufus's on-and-off relationship. The two met in Central Park, where he declared he would wait for her this time. Lily, after episodes and episodes of denial, finally admitted she loved him too and the two planned a getaway. However, that rendezvous seems to be postponed indefinitely, especially after the bomb that was dropped in the jaw-dropping cliffhanger.

The last few episodes have revealed that Lily was in fact institutionalized, like her son Eric. Bart's digging into her past was definitely unwelcome, but we didn't know why until tonight. She was sent to the institution because of attempted suicide or drug addiction. It turns out that Lily was pregnant, with Rufus' baby. BOMB DROPPED.

Just when you thought that the path was cleared for the longtime lovers to reunite, a whole mess of bricks are dropped in front of them. If Rufus' word can be trusted, than the chances of the bricks being lifted are slim to none.

The only weak spot into tonight's episode was the slightly dreadful Aaron/Dan/Serena love triangle. Amongst death, emotional breakdowns, and dirty secrets blowing up, these three are trying to decide which guy gets the girl? Honestly, there's no one to root for anyway; Aaron's annoying, Dan's an obnoxious, pretentious jackass, and Serena has REALLY bad taste. It's a lose-lose-lose situation.

Except for that small, but annoying blemish, tonight's GG was exceptional. The acting, particular Westwick's, was excellent, the storylines were appetizing while leaving us craving for more, the cliffhanger was shocking, and there was significant character development.

It makes me wish that new episodes ran through the Christmas season.

To vote for Gossip Girl as Best Primetime Show, visit the BWU Website at http://brandonbestworst.webs.com and click on the "BWU Awards" link at the top of the website

Gossip Girl Recap: Episode 1

It's back!

The gang from America's favorite guilty pleasure Gossip Girl is back to scintillate with their tales of sex and drama. Considering how underwhelming last season's finale was, this was definitely an improvement.

The saga of kindred spirits Blair and Chuck hit a surprising dramatic note this week. Their pairing always seemed like a cat-and-mouse game, so to speak. It gained some layers as Blair, home from Paris visiting her father and his boyfriend, brought some random guy home to make Chuck jealous. The plan worked, thanks to some well-placed jabs (planting a special pin on the guy's sleeve and making Chuck see it, for instance). Twice in one episode (more than ever), we saw Chuck be vulnerable. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough, and Blair went off with the mystery guy.

Did I mention the mystery guy was a Lord from England?

Things have definitely changed in the saga that is Dan and Serena. The reformed party girl was practically a recluse in the Hamptons, faking a relationship with Nate as she nursed a broken heart. Dan seemed to have taken his ex-girlfriend's title of "slut", by getting it on with practically everyone in the city. While he was two-timing with the ladies, his promising writing career fell to the wayside; he was fired from a very important internship. Realizing that he made a mistake, he took the Jitney to the Hamptons to be with Serena, and with a little help from Serena's granny, he got to see her at the White Party, making out with Nate.

For some reason, Dan the man-whore had the nerve to act all sanctimonious with Serena, who was kissing Nate to make his married girlfriend jealous. All was well by the end, and GG's golden couple was reunited.

As for Nate, he obviously learned nothing from his fling with Serena, as he has now started another affair with some married woman. This seems pretty predictable; they'll fool around, he'll develop feelings, she won't be available, blah, blah, blah.

Overall, it was really Blair and Chuck's episode. I never really thought that I would be rooting for them, but I guess I am. We'll see what happens next, when the adventures in the Hamptons should wrap up.

Brandon's Best and Worst...of the 2008 Teen Choice Awards

BEST

Blake Lively - Just her being there....(and she won some stuff too!). Best Dressed Female

Mariah Carey performing "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" - one of her best performances in the last few months

The "Do Something" Award Winner - It's nice to see normal kids rewarded for the good things they do.

Jonas Brothers' bodyguard getting a mini-surfboard - It's nice to see normal bodyguards rewarded for keeping three musical brothers from being mobbed/kidnapped/attacked/clothes torn off by crazed fans

Jojo - She hasn't done anything in awhile, but she looked fantastic

Jonas Brothers - Among their six awards tonight, they won something about Red Carpet Fashion. Tonight, they deserved it (even with Nick channeling Don Johnson from Miami Vice). Best Dressed Male(s).

The Dance Crew stuff - The ACDC Dance Crew kicked some serious ass.

Gossip Girl Dominance - It was no brainer that Gossip Girl would end up winning big at the TCA.

WORST

Miley Cyrus - I have seen some bad hosts before (Ryan Seacrest at last year's Emmys, for one), but she sucks. She sucks so bad, that she can barely get the audience hyped.

Ask The Jonas Brothers - I was bored by the second question. I know that the TCA people moderate the questions, but come on! Ask them anything, and those are the ones they are asked? GMAB.

Miley Cyrus Winning Choice Music Female Artist - OK, WTF!?!?!?!

Mariah's Outfit - I love you Mimi, but Blake Lively is dressed classier than you are, and right now, there are ads circulating across the country of her in mid-orgasm. If she is dressing classier than you are, and you are like 15 years older than her, there is a SERIOUS problem!

Lil' Mama's Outfit - What the HELL is was she wearing? I didn't know Little Bo Beep was hood!

Lauren Conrad winning ANYTHING - Isn't her 1/2 hour of fame up yet?

The Overall Show - Quite frankly, I was bored. I used to watch the TCA along with The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, and it used to be really cool and exciting. Now that I'm actually a teen, hmmm, not so much.

[Picture of Blake Lively provided by JustJared]

UNBelievable: Gossip Girl Star To Release An Album!

Why???

Leighton Meester, who plays evil bitch (and my favorite character) Blair on CW's Gossip Girl, is reportedly working on a pop album!

New York Magazine reported that Meester revealed her pop star plans to press in Canada. It is supposed to be completed in a few months.

WHY???

Hasn't she learned from Scarlet Johansson, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Heidi Montag, hell even Eddie Murphy?

Actors DO NOT make good pop stars!

Tyler loved her.

Gossip Girl Finale: Sugar - Spice = Not So Nice!

After Desperate Housewives delivered the so-far best season finale of the year, I was sure that Gossip Girl would match it, if not beat it.

It was just okay.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVED Blair destroying Georgina, and I LOVED that she worked with Dan to do it. But that was really it.

The problem with this episode was that it seemed a bit contrived. Everything was tied up in a nice little bow, with no real drama to hook viewers for the next three months. Nothing was left up in the air; there was no WOW moment at all. Although the episode raised some questions (will Nate and Serena hook up? Dan and Vanessa?), there was really nothing worth talking about the next morning. It seemed like the writers were preparing for the show's cancellation, because that episode could've been a series finale.

In fact, they should've made the last episode the season finale. That episode would've been perfect, because the cliffhanger at the end would've kept people talking way into the summer.

To me, the season finale was too sugary and sweet for such a spicy show.

P.S.: Evidence the season finale was a disappointment: I actually want Georgina back (only a little bit!)

Gossip Girl Recap: The Secret is Out!

It's official, I H-A-T-E Georgina Sparks!

The bitch is not only evil, she's a pathological liar. She concocted that bullshit story as easily as she downs a shot of tequila. I cannot believe that she can even look at herself in the morning after everything that demon witch has pulled. It's that exact reason why I cannot wait for her inevitably delicious downfall.

Also on my shit list this week is Dan. For someone who is so smart, he is dense as hell. Even Stevie Wonder could see Serena was lying about sleeping with that guy. After months of happily-coupled bliss, she just, all-of-the-sudden, begins to lie and cheat? Come on! He is also stupid with Sarah/Georgina/Demon bitch, whose crap he drank up like those coffees he bought for them. It's almost pathetic. I cannot wait for the look on Dan's face when he learns that the girl he slept with (unless by some godgiven blessing, he couldn't get it up) is an evil, lying, manipulating, drug-addict shedevil.

Onto the big reveal. I figured that Serena didn't actually kill someone, but the situations were even less dire. After he thing with Nate at that weding, she ran off to some hotel party, where Georgina set up a sex tape scenario with some guy named Pete. She was too drunk and depressed to do it, so she told the guy to do some Coke, that he provided. He did, and he died. The guilt ate Serena up, and that same night she catched a train up north and began her exile. It turns out that Serena's guilt comes from not an actual crime, but from being a good person and not some soulless monster. See why I hate Georgina?

Some other stuff happened, but I wasn't really paying attention to that stuff. It was nice seeing Dan, Blair, and Chuck work together, although previews indicate it won't last long. Also, Lily and Rufus kiss, which could potentially throw her marriage into jeopardy.

The season finale is next week, and I seriously can't wait. It seems like Georgina will FINALLY be exposed. I'll be DVRing it, for sure.

Quote of the Day: "With friends like these, who needs armies" - Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl: Just When You Thought You Knew Everything...

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS EPISODE YET AND DON'T LIKE SPOILERS, IGNORE THIS POST!

Talk about a cliffhanger!

The last 30 seconds of this week's Gossip Girl quite simply shocked me. I have spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what she did that was so bad. Everything from marriage to rape went through my head, but NEVER did I guess murder.

Before I get into that, let's talk about the other shocker revealed today. It turns out that Jenny's new boyfriend Asher is gay, and his boyfriend is none other than Eric Van Der Woodsen, Serena's little brother. You would think that Jenny would be outraged when she found her boyfriend she was using was actually using her. Instead, she further sullied both her reputation and her dignity by not only going along with the lie, but adding to it; 15 year-old Jenny lost her virginity to him. All the lies were exposed during Jenny's big party, courtesy of Eric and Blair. Surprisingly, Jenny's "friends" value honesty. GMAB.

Georgina continues raising hell in Serena's life. She befriended Vanessa and Dan as "Sarah", and outed Eric at a family dinner. Let's not forget about that video she sent Serena of whatever she did wrong. I thought Blair was a bitch, but apparently I was wrong. Georgina makes Blair look like Mary Sunshine.

Onto the shocker. So THAT'S the reason why she left New York. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Serena actually killed someone, or at least was responsible in someone's death. What's even more shocking is Georgina's lack of response. It's almost like she doesn't care. That is truly evil.

It appears that the revelation will launch Serena's downfall. According to next week's preview, she completely falls off every wagon and even cheats on Dan? It's going to be some serious DRAMA!