Critics slam "Gossip Girl"

"They try to sell it racier and sexier than it actually is," she said.

"If (critics) watched the show they would see it is not as racy as it actually seems, but because we don't have numbers it is about buzz. (The marketers) try to put us in the tabloids all the time and make up crazy stories about us," Lively said.

TREND-SETTING

While U.S. Internet TV viewing is growing -- a Harris Poll this week showed one fifth of Americans watch prime-time programs online -- the CW network recently pulled episodes of "Gossip Girl" off its Web site to try to boost TV ratings.

CW, jointly owned by CBS Corp and Time Warner Inc, has said it aims to appeal mainly to younger women.

Lively said most teenagers know the show, based on a popular and racier series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, was "heightened reality."

"It's like gossip magazine on TV. People love to gossip and watch people living glamorous lives," she said. "I don't think we're trying to preach to anyone how to live their life."

"Gossip Girl" fan Layla Alter, 14, lives in New York and is eagerly anticipating the new season.

"It's like 'Sex and the City' with more drama and for younger kids," Alter said. "It's kind of like what you want life to be ... all the girls come off really pretty and dress really well and are so confident."