Read the interview HERE.

With show-runner Josh Safran departing to helm Smash Season 2, and producer Sara Goodman elevated to his former role, one can at least hope (if not expect) this will actually be the case.

Schwartz confirms that the 11-episode Gossip Girl Season 6 will focus on a return to the “core dynamics and the core characters” that drew fans to the show in droves at the outset.

Adds Savage of the coming conclusion to the show:

“There are definitely some things we want to see in the Gossip Girl series finale, and we think we have a great opportunity to tell those final stories and honor our characters and honor our fans.”

“We’re all really excited for this final run.”

What about you? Are you excited or apathetic? Do you think the show will redeem itself in its final chapter? What kind of stories are you hoping to see in the sixth season swan song come October?

source: tvfanatic.com

MANILA, Philippines – Leighton Meester, who is best known for her role as Blair Waldorf in television series “Gossip Girl,” is the newest endorser of local clothing brand Penshoppe.

This places Meester alongside other celebrities such as fellow “Gossip Girl” co-star Ed Westwick, Hollywood star Zac Efron and “The Vampire Diaries” actor Ian Somerhalder, who is in the country for a photo shoot.

“Team Penshoppe officially welcomes Leighton Meester to Penshoppe All Stars,” Penshoppe said on Twitter.

The clothing company added that Meester will arrive in Manila for a “big Penshoppe show,” but did not mention a specific date.

Westwick, who played the role of Chuck Bass in “Gossip Girl,” arrived in Manila in June last year for his Penshoppe endorsement.

Somerhalder, meanwhile, is set to meet fans at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Thursday, May 24.

Getting big American stars as endorsers has become a trend among local clothing companies.

Bench, Penshoppe’s rival brand, has tapped “American Idol” finalist David Archuleta, “Pretty Little Liars” star Lucy Hale, and “The Vampire Diaries” actor Michael Trevino as its endorsers.

Its newest recruit is Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, who arrived in Manila on Tuesday morning.

Hollywood actress Katie Holmes, meanwhile, is the face of Kamiseta, a local brand of ladies’ apparel.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

CANNES, France (AP) – From the Upper Eastside to the south of France – via medieval Italy – Ed Westwick is on the move.

The “Gossip Girl” star was in Cannes on Saturday to celebrate a new movie, “Romeo and Juliet,” at a champagne reception on the beach.

Filmed in Italy, the British actor sports shoulder-length hair as Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, in this movie production of William Shakespeare’s romantic play.

The role of Romeo goes to another Brit, Douglas Booth, while Oscar-nominee Hailee Steinfeld plays the famous heroine.

Written by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes, it’s directed by Carlo Carlei.

Westwick told AP he studied the tragedy at school and they shot at the historic Juliet balcony in Verona – although they had a stunt balcony built too.

He starts filming the final series of “Gossip Girl” in July.

TEEN CHOICE 2012 will once again celebrate the hottest teen icons in television, music, film, sports, fashion, comedy and the web in the choicest, star-studded two-hour event airing live Sunday, July 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. “The Vampire Diaries” leads the TEEN CHOICE 2012 nominees with six nominations, while American Idol and Justin Bieber each garnered five nominations. In addition, new categories added this year include Choice Book and Choice Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Artist.

Starting today, fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day per category for their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2012 nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com. Host(s), performers, presenters and additional nominees will be announced soon.

TELEVISION

Choice TV Show: Drama

Bones
“Gossip Girl”
“Pretty Little Liars”
“Revenge”
TOUCH

Choice TV Actor: Drama

Penn Badgley, “Gossip Girl”
David Boreanaz, Bones
Ian Harding, “Pretty Little Liars”
Kiefer Sutherland, TOUCH
Ed Westwick, “Gossip Girl

 Choice TV Actress: Drama

Emily Deschanel, Bones
Sarah Michelle Gellar, “Ringer”
Lucy Hale, “Pretty Little Liars”
Leighton Meester, “Gossip Girl”
Emily VanCamp, “Revenge”