The creators of The CW's Gossip Girl revealed that early test audiences nearly caused the iconic Kristen Bell voiceover to be cut from the show. Despite initial negative feedback, producers Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz decided to keep it, recognizing its essential role. Bell's narration, distinct from her work on Veronica Mars, became a defining element of the series.
Background on the Revelation
During an appearance on the podcast 'XOXO with Jessica Szohr,' hosted by former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr, series creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage shared insights into the show's early development. The original Gossip Girl, which aired on The CW from 2007 to 2012, featured Kristen Bell as the unseen narrator delivering signature lines like 'Hey there, Upper East Siders' and signing off with 'XOXO, Gossip Girl.' This voiceover helped establish the show's campy tone amid its drama centered on wealthy Manhattan teens.
Test Audience Reaction and Decision
Schwartz explained that test screenings showed a drop in audience interest whenever Bell's voiceover began. 'People were into it, and then like, 'Who's this voice that's coming in and distracting me?'' he recounted. The team debated removing it entirely but ultimately chose to retain it, with Schwartz noting, 'We can't. That's part of the show and we just have to ride with it.' At the time, Bell was also narrating UPN's Veronica Mars, where her voice accompanied her on-screen role. However, her Gossip Girl performance created a 'entirely different character,' as Schwartz praised, calling it 'one of the most critical pieces of casting in the whole dang thing.'
Role in the Reboot
Bell reprised her voiceover for the 2021 HBO Max reboot, which Schwartz and Savage executive produced with showrunner Joshua Safran. 'When we did the new show... The one piece we needed to have was Kristen,' Schwartz said, emphasizing her role in setting the tone for the new cast of Upper East Side students. Despite her involvement, the reboot was canceled after two seasons in January 2023. All seasons of the original series stream on Netflix and HBO Max, with the reboot available on HBO Max.