Schwartz Moves From 'The O.C.' to NYC

Zap2It.com | January 4, 2007

Josh Schwartz

The East Coast has spoiled, rich kids too

Josh Schwartz can afford to be philosophical about the passing of "The O.C." He already has something else lined up.

The writer/producer had his pilot "Gossip Girl" picked up by the CW. It's his second pilot pickup in as many days, after NBC announced that they'd greenlight Chris Fedak and Schwartz's drama pilot "Chuck." Both mark the beginning of Warner Bros. TV's three-year, seven-figure deal with the showrunner.

According to the trades, Schwartz and fellow "O.C." writer/producer Stephanie Savage's "Gossip Girl" will be an hourlong teen drama based on Cecily von Ziegesar's popular books of the same name.

"Gossip Girl" centers on the titular anonymous blogger who gives the scoop about the rich and spoiled teenagers living in New York's Upper East Side. Her focus shifts among the many teens who live only for drugs, alcohol, glamour, partying, backstabbing and lots of sex.

Von Ziegesar's 10 books in the series have sold more than 2 million copies. Another installment is in the works.

Schwartz and Savage will executive produce "Gossip Girl" along with Alloy's Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein.