HERITAGE COLLECTION: "I'm Ya Sista"

Summary

Ride with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone

Heritage Collection: "I'm Ya Sista"

Release Date: February 18, 2026
Podcast Network: Dear Media
Hosts: Benito Skinner & Mary Beth Barone

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Episode Overview

In this special edition of the Ride Heritage Collection, Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone revisit one of their most iconic episodes, titled "I'm Ya Sista." The duo dives into a full-fledged deep-dive and celebration of the legacy and hilarity of the teen drama series Gossip Girl, focusing on its impact, memorable quotes, and the hilariously bad but inspirational line delivery of Jenny Humphrey. The conversation is high-energy, irreverent, and full of personal anecdotes from both hosts about their own journeys with the show, plus playful banter about awards season, New York quirks, and formative pop culture moments.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Heritage Collection Concept

[00:34 – 01:21]

• The hosts introduce the “Heritage Collection,” where classic, iconic, or favorite episodes are revisited and retitled for listeners.
• Examples of memorable episodes include "the lesbian cop at Ride Live" and "how many chickens there are in the world."
  Quote:
  • "This is something new we're trying where we are going to release iconic heritage episodes of the podcast in no particular order, and we're going to retitle them so you know exactly which iconic moment to expect." – Mary Beth [00:39]

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2. Playful Banter: Bestie Awards & Award Shows

[01:46 – 04:47]

• Ongoing joke about the fictitious “Bestie Awards” and the hosts' nominations.
• Lighthearted discussion about desiring and not desiring awards.
• Benito shares his experience at the MTV TV and Movie Awards, only to discover his category was cut from the show after sitting through the entire show.
  Quotes:
  • "It's like. I know it's tacky to, like, really want an award, but I, like, really want it this year." – Mary Beth [02:41]
  • "I don't know. They didn't tell me that they weren't going to do it. And mtv, if you're watching, like, it's fine." – Benito [03:16]

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3. Gossip Girl: An Iconic Show in Their Lives

[04:47 – 14:59]

• Transition into discussing Gossip Girl, regarded by both hosts as a foundational part of their pop culture education.
• Discussion about the nature of Serena and Blair’s friendship, the series' impact, and what watching as adults reveals.
• Host experiences: Benito’s “Gossip Girl resurgence” began with season two on a Delta flight; Mary Beth relishes the show’s rewatch value.
• Noting the massive ensemble cast and exhaustive, audacious storytelling – "go for broke" energy.
• Exploration of mature themes and societal undercurrents the show tackles; comparison to what’s missing from TV today.
• “The Bagel Bite Principle”—a favorite metaphor for not saving the best for last, applicable to both snack consumption and creative output:
  • "But what if you're full? So you should always eat the better bagel bites first." – Mary Beth [09:55]
  • "That's so true... they're going to get cold by the time you get to them." – Benito [10:01]

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4. Deep Dive: The “I’m Ya Sista” Line & Other Iconic Gossip Girl Moments

[15:16 – 21:00]

• Focus on Jenny Humphrey’s (Taylor Momsen) meme-ified delivery of “I’m your sister, it’s what I do,” which becomes a touchstone joke for the duo.
  • "She says it like she's in the Italian mafia." – Mary Beth [15:41]
  • Impersonations and imagined scenarios if Jenny had kept up the accent.
• Serena’s recurring “I gotta go” catchphrase:
  • "She cannot stay in any scene for more than, like, four lines before she's like, 'look, I gotta go.'" – Benito [19:44]
• The show’s complex female characters—Serena’s unapologetic sexuality and Blair’s distinctive wit.

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5. Social Satire, Controversy, and Pop Nostalgia

[21:00 – 24:00]

• Blair’s razor-sharp dialogue and the show’s habit of pushing characters to the edge.
• Brief polling on “worst Gossip Girl characters” with tongue-in-cheek disdain for Vanessa and Agnes, and recounting the latter’s over-the-top narrative arcs.
• Discussion of the Bart Bass Memorial Rotunda and the reality of NYC locations used on the show, plus iconic Rolling Stone covers and ad campaigns.
  • "I love the fact that they actually filmed in New York." – Mary Beth [22:57]

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6. Fashion, Product Placement, and Cultural Time Capsules

[27:13 – 29:13]

• Memories of standout fashion moments (Serena’s DVF dress, blazers, statement necklaces).
  • "The blazers we see in Gossip Girl. Six seasons. In six seasons, right?... It's a tapestry.” – Mary Beth [28:58]
• Nostalgia for product placements like BlueFly, Gilt, and even Bing.
  • "We should bring Bing back. Is Bing, like, still out there? No way." – Benito [27:37]
• The series as a window into shifting tech, style, and shopping culture of the mid-late 2000s.

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7. Guest Star Mania and Behind-the-Scenes Gossip

[30:34 – 31:34]

• Celebrating notable guest stars: Hilary Duff, Tim Gunn, Rachel Zoe, Tyra Banks, Liz Hurley.
• Playfully critique some plotlines as over-the-top yet foundational to the show’s charm (i.e., easy Ivy League transfers, college subplots).
• Highlight of how Serena sometimes worked implausible jobs (PR, on film sets).

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8. Representation, Queer Characters, and Show Legacy

[31:34 – 34:48]

• Shoutout to the show’s gay and bisexual characters, notably Eric and Elliot.
  • "Eric, he never became the villain. And, like, I love that he always had, like, good ethics." – Mary Beth [31:48]
• Reflection on how, while problematic in some ways, Gossip Girl still holds up as compelling TV.
• Fun IMDb trivia: Ed Westwick was almost not cast because he was deemed too “serial killer” for a romance lead; Leighton Meester dyed her hair brown to win the role of Blair.

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9. Personal Impact and Why They ‘Ride’ for Gossip Girl

[34:52 – 36:13]

• Both hosts explain the show’s comfort and significance, especially for Benito who connected with it deeply during his closeted years.

  • “It's brought me so much peace, and it's brought me back to that time, which is so fun.” – Benito [34:53]

• Mary Beth and Benito appreciate being able to “ride” together for the show, and encourage listeners to rewatch classics with friends.

  Memorable Finish:

  • "I'm your sister. It's what I do." – Mary Beth [35:31]
  • "I gotta go." – Benito [35:35]
  • "We ride and die for Gossip Girl, obviously." – Mary Beth [35:45]

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "It's the bagel bite principle ... start with your best stuff and you'll write better stuff." – Mary Beth [09:55]
• "They go for broke nonstop on Gossip Girl. They're going for broke. And just the sheer amount of episodes is dizzying." – Benito [09:16]
• "She says it like she's in the Italian mafia." – Mary Beth [15:41]
• "I'm your sister. It's what I do." – Jenny Humphrey line, impersonated by both hosts [various, ~17:07]
• "She cannot stay in any scene for more than, like, four lines before she's like, 'look, I gotta go.'" – Benito [19:44]
• "The line reads that she gives are just so... it's at the level of, I see." – Benito [20:54]
• "The blazers we see in Gossip Girl... It's a tapestry." – Mary Beth [28:58]
• "We ride and die for Gossip Girl, obviously." – Mary Beth [35:45]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Heritage Collection intro & awards banter: [00:34 – 04:47]
• Deep dive into Gossip Girl: [04:47 – 14:59]
• “I’m Ya Sista” and iconic dialogue: [15:16 – 21:10]
• Worst character polls and show controversies: [21:45 – 24:22]
• Fashion and product placement nostalgia: [27:13 – 29:13]
• Guest stars/behind-the-scenes trivia: [30:34 – 31:34]
• Representation and legacy: [31:34 – 34:48]
• Personal reflections and wrap-up: [34:52 – 36:13]

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Tone and Style

True to their “bimbo” persona, Benny and Mary Beth keep the conversation fast, witty, and irreverently affectionate for Gossip Girl. Their tone is playful, self-aware, and deeply nostalgic. They mix jokes, personal confessions, and fandom-level knowledge, making this episode a love letter to formative TV—with a heavy dose of millennial sass.

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for Gossip Girl fans, pop culture nostalgia-seekers, and anyone who enjoys witty, best-friend banter with unexpectedly insightful media criticism. At its heart, it's a celebration of formative television, shared obsession, and friendship—reminding listeners to unapologetically “ride” for what brings them joy.

"XOXO – Ride."

Transcript

[A]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production.

[B]

Hey, can you come pick me up? Yeah.

[A]

What's wrong?

[B]

Nothing.

[A]

Are you sure?

[B]

Yeah, no, I just need a ride. Ride.

[A]

Ride. I just want to have fun.

[B]

Start your engines.

[A]

I'm Benito Skinner.

[B]

I'm Mary Beth Barone and this is Ride.

[A]

Ride.

[B]

Hello and welcome to the Ride Heritage Collection.

[A]

The Heritage Collection.

[B]

This is something new we're trying where we are going to release iconic heritage episodes of the podcast in no particular order, and we're going to retitle them so you know exactly which iconic moment to expect. Moments that come to mind. The lesbian cop at Ride Live Massive we're talking about. I'm your sister.

[A]

I was there. It was rare.

[B]

It was rare. NDA and of course, how many chickens there are in the world.

[A]

Oh, I just got a boner. Oh, my God. Wait, Marybeth just cut her finger and is bleeding. I guess we have to go.

[B]

Enjoy this episode. We hope it's a tasty treat for you. We're gonna have fun going through the archives and picking out these episodes for you.

[A]

Think about what we're doing right now. We do exist in the world. Isn't that trippy to think about? Let's go on the journey for the Ride Heritage Collection. How do these things stay in the air? Mary Beth Lynn, Richard Isaac San Baroni. Do you know what the hell is coming up?

[B]

What?

[A]

The Bestie Awards.

[B]

When are they?

[A]

They're right around the corner. They're in two weeks. And you are nominated. And so is Stassi. Baby. Besties of the Year. I have to pee so bad. Me too. Me too. I'm like, it hurts.

[B]

Wait, who submitted me for Bestie of the Year?

[A]

Me. Me. And dear media, there's a. For your consideration, billboard of you on Santa Monica Boulevard. Mm. FYC Bestie of the Year. I'm serious. You have a really good chance. I mean, Stassi's won a few years.

[B]

I want the crown.

[A]

No, I know, I know.

[B]

It's like. I know it's, like tacky to, like, really want an award, but I, like, really want it this year.

[A]

No, I know. And that's what's hard. It's so hard when you really want it. You know what I mean? That actually takes me back to when I was nominated for an mtv. Like, what was it? TV reality. It was like the TV reality one. It's not the, like, movie Awards. It was like the mtv.

[B]

Mtv TV and Movie Awards or something. Yeah, something MTV TV and Movie Awards.

[A]

But it was like social media breakout and I went to the awards and they didn't call it at it. I sat through a three hour program.

[B]

Why would they do that?

[A]

I don't know. They didn't tell me that they weren't going to do it. And mtv, if you're watching, like, it's fine.

[B]

So what?

[A]

They just. I found out later, later on social media, that Bella porch, she kicked my ass. And rightly so. I mean, I'm glad, you know, I'm glad she won. Yeah. But.

[B]

Well, we're gonna go to the bestie awards together.

[A]

We're gonna. Yeah. And they're definitely gonna do. I mean, bestie of the year is like that. That's the last one that they do.

[B]

It's four hours long.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What are the other awards?

[A]

I knew you'd ask. Best bestie Kiss. Yep. Bestie ensemble, which is more like groups also.

[B]

I feel like they have best besties on film. Besties, besties, Besties in a drama, Best besties in a musical or a comedy. And then best besties in a TV show.

[A]

And then there's worst bestie.

[B]

Okay, that's controversial.

[A]

Yeah, that one's tough.

[B]

Who's in the category for that one?

[A]

Well, I got nominated last year because I forgot your birthday. I didn't.

[B]

I withdrew you. I withdrew your nomination, though.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

I said. I called them and I said, I can't. This is not. Because I. I wanted it this way.

[A]

Thank you so much, Gorg. But yeah, I'm, like, excited. This also, like, a month later because it's like, it's award season. The Fabu Awards are after, and it's like, the most fabulous people. You're nominated for Fabu of the year as well. And it's crazy because it's just you and Stassi, baby. No one else is nominated for bestie of the year. And she will be so happy. Who's another bestie of the Year?

[B]

Well, as you know, Serena and Blair won besties of the year in a TV show all six seasons.

[A]

I love their relationship because obviously today is the Gossip Girl special. I think everyone knows what's coming, and everyone knows what's coming. And Serena and Blair are such an iconic friendship because they're actually not friends at all if you watch the show.

[B]

But they love each other and they will come through for each other.

[A]

And before we get into the Gossip Girl special, because we want to talk about it a lot today, so our intro is going to be shorter. I do want everyone to know I was recently in a car with Terry's entire family. I was still sitting in the front seat, which I think is.

[B]

That's very alpha, isn't it? I don't think that's polite.

[A]

I don't think so either. It should have been Terry's dad, but every time I offer it to them, they're like, no.

[B]

You said Terry's mom.

[A]

No, I know, but sometimes I do it based off height because it really is, like, more leg room. So I'm not trying to. It's not really a power thing. I just, you know, and I get nauseous and what happened? Make me go dizzy.

[B]

You're in the front seat. Terry's driving.

[A]

It's been silent in the car for a sec. And then we start talking. We were talking about traveling, and then someone brought up the Hollywood sign and it kind of being, like, bigger than they had thought. And I just. Out of nowhere, I guess not really out of nowhere, but I just. It was silent for a second, and then I said, the Eiffel Tower is actually a lot bigger than you'd think. And it was so quiet in the car. You know when you can actually hear a car being on? Yeah, I heard that. And then you heard the motor and the axle. And after a second, I said, well, that's my big statement of the day. And Terry's dad, I've never seen him laugh this hard at a joke that I've had. I mean, like, I make the king laugh, so that's. Don't get twisted.

[B]

That's dad humor. Because you're, like, self deprecating and a little bit sarcastic.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

And it's like, that's, like, perfect.

[A]

That's what they like. They were raised on Seinfeld, so they're just like, wow, that's.

[B]

Yeah, they were raised on seinfeld in the 90s.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And what were we raised on? Gossip Girl. Let's get into it.

[A]

Gossip Girl. Let's go.

[B]

Wait, where are we going?

[A]

Who cares? Ride spotted. One bisexual and one F it. At Dear Media. What are these two cooking up? Only time will tell. Welcome to the Gossip Girl special.

[B]

Oh, my God. The moment we've all been waiting for.

[A]

You know, recently this woman was like, you're not allowed to say f it. And I was like, okay, well, fuck my drag.

[B]

Who said that?

[A]

Just this random person. I think she, like. She's of a different generation, which I respect. Maybe the word is like, you know, I don't know. It's called taking the power.

[B]

A younger. A younger generation.

[A]

No, older.

[B]

That's not what I would have thought.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Interesting. Well, wherever she is today, I hope she's okay.

[A]

We are so excited for today's episode. We really got this girl.

[B]

I was so happy when I visited you and you revealed to me that you were rewatching it. I've watched it from start to finish a few times, and I watched it when it was on tv, but I hadn't rewatched in a few years. And so you were on season two when I got there. I've been keeping up with it since I left.

[A]

I. It's been crazy. I actually started on a Delta flight. They just had season two randomly on the little tv and I was like, yeah, I'd love to. So I started with season two. I will at the end go back to season one, which I always love doing. Like, if I rewatch Sex and the City, I start with two, and then at the very end I go to one. I just think it's like, I don't know, it's all a story.

[B]

It's subversive. Yeah, it totally is.

[A]

Yeah. Cause then you go from the series finale to the pilot, which I just think is like, amazing, amazing.

[B]

You'll see how much they've changed.

[A]

Oh, it's so fabulous. So I started re watching Gossip Girl, and I just realized I'm kind of the king of watching something once and then I don't go back to it. So of course I watched all of this. This was like a huge part of, like, my high school, middle school era of life. I grew up with these girls. These girls raised me. And so just getting back into that and kind of like seeing things that went over my head. It's a perfect dramedy. It really is.

[B]

The sheer size of the ensemble is so impressive. And then you think about the fact that they have over 20 episodes a season. Yeah, they were churning out storylines. And I do think watching it as an adult, like you said, I'm picking up on things that I didn't notice the first time around. Like there's a whole subplot that is very like, Jeffrey Epstein esque of, like a girl that's basically being sex trafficked and then Chuck tries to save her. It's like all these things that seemed like fiction, but actually were rooted in what was really going on in, like, New York high society. Yeah, I just think they really were not afraid to, like, go there and shine a light on the underbelly. TV shows really don't do that anymore. They're not holding a mirror up to society in that way.

[A]

They go for broke non stop on Gossip Girl, they're going for broke. And just the sheer amount of episodes is dizzying.

[B]

It really feels like they didn't know when it was going to be over. So they were like, we have to just throw every single storyline in and if we have another season then so be it. Like, we'll figure it out.

[A]

Yeah. They're kind of like, I do like that. It feels like they're saving nothing. Which I do think is how you should write something. It's like, don't save it for later. Like, do it. We're on set. Let's do it. She's pregnant.

[B]

It's the bagel bite principle. So my friend Jake has the bagel bite principle. You know when you make bagel bites and they come out of the oven and there's like three that look just like far superior to all the other ones?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you'll wait till the end to eat those three. But what if you're full? So you should always eat the better bagel bites first.

[A]

That's so true. And also they're going to get cold by the time you get to them.

[B]

Exactly. So thank you, Jake. I always think about the bagel bite principle. Like, start with your best stuff and you'll write better stuff. Like, yeah, you know what I mean? And they Gossip Girl is like, I think it's really inspiring as like a writer to watch how they just like did not let up for five seconds. Motivation comes and goes. But habits, habits show up even when you don't feel like it. Ain't that the truth, Pinky? AG1 is the easiest habit you can start now to support consistency even when motivation isn't perfect. Especially in February when January motivation dips and winter routines need a reset. Most supplements over complicate things with tons of pills and confusing timing. An impossible schedule to maintain long term, AG1 simplifies your nutrition. Multivitamin, pre and probiotics, superfoods and antioxidants all in one scoop. It's an easy daily reset that brings foundational nutrition no matter what your schedule throws at you. Weekend trips, oh my God. 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[A]

We have to talk about some of the things that have really, like, stood out to us because what really, like sparked this Gossip Girl resurgence for us is that of course, this Delta Airlines, this incredible Delta Airlines flight I was on. And then we got home and then we went to Vancouver to do a show and I had just remembered the way that Jenny Humphrey said this line and we thought it at the same time. We're like, it's the I'm your sista line.

[B]

I'm your sista. And she says it like she's in the Italian mafia.

[A]

She's in the Sopranos, like. And so we spent 20 minutes trying to find her saying this line. And when we found it, can I.

[B]

Say, it was after midnight, and we just weren't gonna go to sleep until midnight.

[A]

No, no, no. I knew that she was gonna be in the. Which also, we'll get to the fact that the loft is in Williamsburg, and the whole time they're like, ill Brooklyn, and it's like, fudgeing Williamsburg. It's like a, like, $4 million loft in Williamsburg. And the fact that they never just, like, call. They just show up places, which in New York would take you an hour and a half to get to each of these spots. To go from Williamsburg to the Upper.

[B]

East side, like, that's a lot of time underground.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And, well, they couldn't call ahead. They don't have service, and they fucking.

[A]

Underground with brunch, which will, like, any kind of, like, breakfast. They're eating so much breakfast in the waff.

[B]

Waffles, waffles, waffles.

[A]

No. And just, like, Serena's always eating berries. But we find Jenny Taylor Momsen and the delivery of one line. Who knew it could spark a revolution?

[B]

It has really swept the nation and, dare I say, the globe.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I think you have to do it first. It's so. Oh, my God. When you do it.

[B]

So she's at the. She's at the kitchen counter, and Dan is there. He's cut himself shaving. And Jenny makes a little comment, and then Dan looks at her and she goes, I'm your sister. It's what I do.

[A]

I'm your sister.

[B]

It's what I do.

[A]

It's so. You know that the editor saw that, and he's like, the fuck? We're using this tape.

[B]

He's like, we have to use that one. Sorry.

[A]

That's so fucking major.

[B]

That will be heard around the world.

[A]

I'm your sister, it's what I do.

[B]

It's what I do. I'm your sister, it's what I do.

[A]

Could you imagine if she did the rest the episode in that accent? What would the director have done? I think about this all the time. These scenarios in my head make me laugh so hard. Like, showing up to something and wearing the most insane thing you could possibly put together. It's like the Kristen Stewart thing had she had an Australian accent in Diana. Like, I guess I'm a people pleaser. So I would be like, it's great. Like, we'll use it, right?

[B]

You wouldn't say, we can make it work.

[A]

We'll we'll fix it.

[B]

It's a bold choice as an actor, but, like, you don't want to quell someone's creativity.

[A]

But if Jenny for the rest of the episode was like, blair, you fucked me. You fucked me good.

[B]

Chuck, where you going? You're my stepbrother.

[A]

Yeah, come on. I go to Constance Billard. What are you saying?

[B]

Come on, Dad. I gotta go. I gotta go. I just got posted about on Gossip Girl.

[A]

I want to see the Yankees win the World Series. Come on, Dan.

[B]

I want to see a home run out of the park. Just kidding.

[A]

I let the bases are loaded, Reena. Oh, hubba hubba. I'm your sister is what I know.

[B]

Serena and dance.

[A]

Like Jenny Spumoni Humphrey, period. God. She like, within Gossip Girl, Laura. Her saying that is so huge as well as. Not that I ever want to move on from that because, like, we. I know Terry filmed us late night when you were doing it.

[B]

That was one of the first times, if not the first time I've been, like, goofy online. And people seem to be responding to it really well.

[A]

I really pull the range out of you because you've got it. I know you've got it, but sometimes you like to be more demure. But come on.

[B]

And then you revealed this to me while we were watching, which is that there is a Super cut on YouTube of Serena saying, I gotta go. Serena is an it girl. She is on the move. She is on the move at all times. You better catch her while she's moving.

[A]

Because she's gotta go, like, mid conversation. I'll post it when this episode comes out. There is this one where she says it in the middle of someone else saying another line. She goes, look, I gotta go. And then she turns her back and she doesn't go anywhere.

[B]

I gotta go.

[A]

She stays in her room. She goes, I gotta go.

[B]

And then she had to do something else in her room.

[A]

She cannot stay in any scene for more than, like, four lines before she's like, look, I gotta go.

[B]

I gotta go. I will say, though, Serena is really good representation for just, like, horrors on tv. Like, she was really in her power and she just slept with so many people. And, like, I loved it. Didn't really ever apologize for that. And I think it's great.

[A]

I think it's amazing. She's the lead character and she does whatever she wants. She gets a lot of, though, I.

[B]

Will say people like, no, I'm in the Juliet era. I had completely forgotten about this arc, and it's driving me nuts. I Just can't wait for it to be over.

[A]

Katie Cassidy, because she is fabulous in it. Like, you hate her guts.

[B]

I know. No, I'm. I need it to end. Usually the ARCs are, like, four or five episodes. The longer ones, I'm on eight, episode eight of season four, and it's not over. And I'm just like, it. It has to stop. I will say, Serena is getting dogged so hard. I know.

[A]

Which makes me so sad. Like, I hate when they do that. I'm like, she is such a good person. Like, she has a heart of gold.

[B]

She has a heart of gold. She totally.

[A]

And so does Blair.

[B]

And so what? She's. She's just boy crazy.

[A]

And, God, did Leighton Meester just tear that up?

[B]

She really did not. One line. I love ladies.

[A]

The line reads that she gives are just so. It's at the level of, I see.

[B]

My advice went the way of the clog. She says that at one point, my advice went the way of the clog. I'll never forget that. When Nate's like, why are Blair and Serena fighting? And then Chuck's like, they're fighting because they think each loves the other more than the other loves them or something. It's like this iconic line of dialogue when they're in a feud. And it's just like, the writing is so fabulous.

[A]

Especially Blair. Oh, my God. And you know what? I'm in this moment right now, and I'm just like, I love Lily Vander Woodsen. I just think she is so. She is flawed, of course. Aren't we all? Come on.

[B]

Come on.

[A]

I will say, like, the writers were like, we're gonna make everyone hate Vanessa so much because she really, like, by, like, season four and five, is, like, doing some shady shit. For sure. Like, oh, my God.

[B]

Well, I did a poll on my Instagram story about who is the worst Gossip Girl character of all time, and I should have said guest star, because I think there's arguments to be made about Jenny and Vanessa who are in it to win it. I had Jack Bass, I had Georgina, and then I had Agnes. Jack Bass won the poll.

[A]

I don't agree.

[B]

Agnes. In this episode I just watched where Agnes comes back, she drugs Jenny, and.

[A]

Then leaves her in a bar and.

[B]

Drops her off at a bachelor party to get assaulted. To get. To get assaulted? Yeah, to get raped.

[A]

I'm like, no, no, no.

[B]

And that's after burning her dresses.

[A]

Yeah. After she burnt her freaking Betsey Johnson couture. Give me a break.

[B]

I don't think so.

[A]

When she lit Fire to the pink. The pink tulle dresses. Agnes. Agnes. Agnes, what are you doing?

[B]

Agnes, those are my dresses. This is what I do.

[A]

You're crazy, girl. I swear, you're making me. You're making me bananas.

[B]

One thing that's sticking out to me is the Bart Bass Memorial Rotunda.

[A]

We will. As a concept, we will be going. There will be a ride tour. We will be paying New York.

[B]

We will be doing a pilgrimage to the Bart Bass Memorial Rotunda. We're doing a Gossip Girl tour of Columbia's campus.

[A]

There definitely is, like, a bus tour for Gossip Girl that I'm sure is just incredible.

[B]

I love the fact that they actually filmed in New York.

[A]

Me too. I think it's amazing. There's like, Gossip Girl day in January in New York for, like, the hundredth episode or whatever, because it was, like, obviously huge for tourism. This was like a number one show. Like, it was absolutely massive.

[B]

Do you remember we don't make them like this.

[A]

That Rolling Stone cover where they're both licking the ice cream, and then the one when they're all in the bed, they just. It was so legendary. And the ad campaign where they used parents slamming the show to sell the show. Come on. Is that not right?

[B]

They don't make him like that anymore. One thing I loved, there was a scene where Chuck's trying to help the girl being sex trafficked. So he goes to this, like, address, and then a 13 year old answers the door and he goes, didn't know Roman Polanski was in town. Like, that's some high brow.

[A]

And I'm watching that at 13. Like, yeah, okay.

[B]

He just says some words I've never heard.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was like, no idea what that means. And you're right. Blair's dialogue is so sharp. She's definitely really controversial as a character, but of course, I think she has a lot of love in her heart.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

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[A]

I just bought a bed frame and a rug.

[B]

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[A]

Fashion's night out. When she walked in in that Diane von Furstenberg dress and they stick it.

[B]

To Juliet, God damn it was poetry in motion. I'm just gobsmacked.

[A]

You know? What I'm living for is the blue fly and guilt ads within it. And Bing.

[B]

Also Bing.

[A]

Bing. I'll use Bing.

[B]

I will go to Bing.com right now.

[A]

Bing it.

[B]

Do not. Do not tempt me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No, don't tempt me. I will go to bing.com.

[A]

We should bring Bing back. Is Bing, like, still out there? No way.

[B]

I don't know. I don't know if they're still updating the. The code.

[A]

The only thing that could have sold Bing to me was Gossip Girl, so they did a good job.

[B]

You really see the evolution of cell phones on that show.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

It's kind of. It's anthropologic or something.

[A]

No, it is. It's like.

[B]

It's sociological.

[A]

Exactly. Oh, it makes me miss the city. I'll say it.

[B]

When Serena's dad comes back, she acts a fool. I will say that much.

[A]

She does. She acts a fool a few times. I will say late in season four with that guy Ben, she acts a fool for sure. I don't really love how she plays that. And sometimes they just, like, make her love. Guys.

[B]

Paris episodes, they gave us a little bit of summer lovin, and I really liked that.

[A]

No, Summer lovin had me a blast.

[B]

Had me a blast.

[A]

Them shooting in Paris was incredible. Their outfits.

[B]

Their outfits. Oh, my God.

[A]

That little, like, gold dress Serena wears to a lunch. The fact that Serena is always in full stilettos and dresses, no matter what. She's working on a film set in season five wearing a bandeau skirt, a little, like, halter top. The necklaces are insane.

[B]

Sorry. We have to talk about the statement necklaces. And the blazers.

[A]

So many blazers.

[B]

The blazers we see in Gossip Girl. Six seasons. In six seasons, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's a tapestry.

[A]

No, it really is.

[B]

I forgot about the blazer era of fashion. It's blazers and statement necklaces.

[A]

Yeah. And. Oh, my God, are these baubles? They are. They're wearing gongs.

[B]

Like, multiple. Multiple gongs. Plural.

[A]

And dear media asks what our gong will be. There's a great episode Where Tiffany Jack. Where Serena gives her fake cousin Charlie a family heirloom. She takes off the biggest fucking locket.

[B]

You.

[A]

I'm not there yet.

[B]

I'm not there yet.

[A]

We're going to. I literally went, oh, my God. Like, I audibly. What? Oh, it's huge. She puts, like, like, literally, Flavor Flav's clock necklace on this girl in the middle of.

[B]

Oh, my God. I can't wait.

[A]

Such Intermix representation is crazy in this show.

[B]

Intermix, when they actually had, like, brands intermixed before they were whatever they are now, because I don't know what clothes they sell there. But Intermix was of the time.

[A]

It was crazy as it was when there's, like, a whole fight in Pinkberry with Jenny.

[B]

I love how they always say chuck gave his heart to his mom, as if that's, like, a common, like, thing that we should all know what that means. They're just like, well, you remember, like, when Chuck opened his heart to his mom, it's like, that's not. That's not really a thing.

[A]

No, I get it, though. In the show, I so get that Jenny's interesting because that's like. I think that is definition, what art pop is, where an actress obviously is, like, has found a new love and doesn't want to be in the show. So then they kind of, like, write it. They wrote her perfectly out of the show because I think she didn't want to be in it.

[B]

The Tim Gunn interview was. Was a tough watch.

[A]

The Tim Gunn interview is so huge.

[B]

The guest stars. Can we talk about Hilary Duff? Can we talk about Tim Gunn? Can we talk about Rachel Zoe getting a chocolate fountain poured on her head?

[A]

I know we're not gonna skip Tyra Banks. That episode is so exciting.

[B]

Serena works in PR when Serena is.

[A]

A publicist, which I'd hire her in.

[B]

A hobby I need to get to The Liz Hurley era.

[A]

Serena worked for Samantha Jones. The Liz Hurley. I just got to Liz Hurley era. There's this scene. It's so. I. I'm sorry. I. I can't stop thinking about it. She shows Nate around her house, even though he's pretending it's his house. And she goes, where's the master bedroom? He's like, right here. And she goes, let's destroy it. And that. And then they cut. And, you know, it went to, like, a Venus commercial. You know what I mean? Yeah, let's destroy it. And I'm, like, 16 watching, and I'm like, this is so cool.

[B]

When you watch it now, it's so tame. But at the time, it felt like so much, like, palpable sexual energy.

[A]

No, I was, like, gulping as a kid, and I.

[B]

And I want to give them their flowers, please. Gay characters.

[A]

Gay characters. Yeah, absolutely.

[B]

And bisexual Elliot being a bi guy was huge. And then I really feel that Eric, he never became the villain. And, like, I love that he always had, like, good ethics.

[A]

He always has his head tilted looking up. It's really interest. I don't know how to describe it. Like, he is so consistent on screen. To me, I. I don't like. Some people just kind of, like, look different naturally. Like, per season, he always looks exactly the same. And he's looking up and he's like, Serena. And it's so. It's incredible. Like, consistency is key, for sure. And Georgina, I will say, on a rewatch, she's great, but wasn't as big of a deal to me this time around as she was as a kid.

[B]

I don't like when the whole thing with the baby happens. I think that's wrong. Yeah, it's wrong to do that, to.

[A]

Bring a child into that. I just love, like, trying to make college work within the show. That was so funny to me, like, how easy it is to just get into Columbia and transfer. There is so. It's incredible. There's also this line in season five where Serena just kind of, like, off the cuff. Well, she's on her way out. She's leaving, and she goes, yeah, I'm taking a semester off. And then they just go to the next line. Like, I love when they just have that.

[B]

Dan doesn't attend a single NYU class in the season that I'm currently watching, where he is allegedly enrolled as a student. So one thing you can always guarantee you're gonna get out of a Gossip Girl episode is a set piece. A set piece is like, a massive event. At least this is how I think about it. I actually don't even know if this is correct. But a massive event that the characters go to and they're all congregating there and, like, shit goes down.

[A]

Yeah. The amount of extras in this show.

[B]

They churned these out. A library benefit, a dedication to Bart Bass, a birthday party, a masquerade cotillion, a debutante ball. It does not stop. I mean, honoring the professor with a Bachelor of the Year award. I love all the events happen in broad daylight. Cause that's when they could get the space.

[A]

Of course. Yeah.

[B]

Like, the parties are never at night.

[A]

It's always rooftop parties in the middle of the day.

[B]

God, it's good. And I love that.

[A]

It's so good.

[B]

So good.

[A]

Yeah, the set pieces are really. Because it's like, that's just the structure of the episode, and you would think you would get tired of it, but you don't. In fact, I'm like, what's up?

[B]

Because they're always coming up with new ideas. They're challenging themselves. They're pushing the envelope. I do want to say in the. In the States, this show is available on hbo. Max.

[A]

Yes, of course. And it's just. It's worth a watch. It's going to take you back, let me tell you. Also, you know, of course, there are some things about it that are problematic, but I find that you see those and you're kind of like, oh, God. At least, like, with what we know now. Yeah, it's good.

[B]

And it's true to the characters at the time. It doesn't get everything right, but I do think it has aged well overall, and it's just really compelling television. And I love the representation also, and this was on IMDb trivia that you revealed to me that the producers did not want to cast Ed Westwick because they thought that he looked more like a serial killer than a romantic lead.

[A]

Yeah. And you know that.

[B]

Which maybe is a good way to.

[A]

Know that Leighton Meester was blonde when she auditioned, and they're like, we don't see you as Blair. And then she went and dyed her.

[B]

Hair brown and got the part for the audition.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's called an actor preparing.

[A]

Yeah. It's called committing. Would it kill ya? Come on.

[B]

I love this show so much.

[A]

It's so fun. It's just like. It's brought me so much peace, and it's brought me back to that time, which is so fun.

[B]

It's serenity now.

[A]

It's serenity now. And it's like taking back that time because I was just in the closet and I don't know, I couldn't really, like, fully reveal how much I love the show. So now I just get to, like, sit in it. It's just fabulous.

[B]

I ride for the show so hard, and I'm really glad that we're experiencing it together. With you a little bit ahead of me.

[A]

Ye.

[B]

I can come to you and say, when does a Juliet over? And you're like, give it my.

[A]

I'm the overlord. Am I Serena and you're Blair?

[B]

But in some ways, I'm Serena and you're Blair.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Yeah. It's duality.

[A]

We'll ask the Baronies see what they think.

[B]

I do want to say one more thing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm your sister. It's what I do.

[A]

I gotta go. Thank you so much for listening to our first Dual Ride episode. There's gonna be no Ride or die in this episode because we ride and die for Gossip Girl, obviously.

[B]

But we will do more joint episodes because actually share a lot of things in common and a lot of passions that overlap.

[A]

This one couldn't go to just one of us. We've been sharing this together, which we.

[B]

You know, it's been so beautiful. I really love this experience. I highly recommend watching it with a friend.

[A]

Agreed. Like, watch, rewatch an old classic. And, like, whether it be 90210, the OC Gossip Girl, do it with a friend. And then you can kind of just share notes throughout. It's really powerful. But we gotta go, so we love you guys.

[B]

Hey. Hey, Dan. We gotta go. Thanks for listening, bronies. We love you so much. Enjoy Gossip Girl and whatever brings you joy.

[A]

Xoxo oh, my. Exit.

[B]

Benny, babe. Eyes on the road.

[A]

Benny, look out. Ride.

[B]

Ride.

[A]

Ride. Ride.

[B]

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.