Shows like “Gilmore Girls”, “Gossip Girl”, and “One Tree Hill” have been on the rise for students to watch due to the combination of definitive themes and social media.
When someone thinks of the 2000s, they may envision low rise jeans, iPods, and hip-hop, or hear songs by Britney Spears or the Red Hot Chili Peppers blasting. While many of these trends have died out or evolved, one thing that has stayed comforting and classic, even in the fast-paced world of 2025: TV shows, movies, and a love for spellbinding drama.
Along with the return of 2000s shows, memories return as well. Spanish teacher Stephanie Martino remembers watching “One Tree Hill” in college and its popularity. She claims that the experience was more important than the show. Martino remembers getting together with friends to watch the show and analyze the characters as it was more enjoyable to watch as a group.
“One Tree Hill” is a drama about a pair of half-brothers, Lucas and Nathan Scott, as they navigate through relationships, high school, and basketball in the town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. It was released in 2003 and ran for 9 seasons.
“Now with streaming, there is no getting together on one night that you have to go home and watch,” said Martino.
2025 makes finding and watching shows much more convenient especially through social media. Aleenah O. is a junior who watches “Gossip Girl” and “Gilmore Girls.”
“I found out about this show through my family, friends, and also social media, specifically TikTok,” said Aleenah.
Apps like TikTok and Instagram are main ways that people share their points of view. This makes it easy for people around a school, and the world, to get inspired.
“I was scrolling on Netflix and I saw it [Gossip Girl] . I also heard about it on TikTok,” said senior Simone V.
“Gossip Girl” is a drama that was released in 2007 and ran for 6 seasons. The show follows the lives of privileged teens in Manhattan as the elusive blogger “Gossip girl” reveals their secrets through posts.
“Gilmore Girls” is a drama that was released in 2000 with 7 seasons. It follows the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore through the town of Stars Hollow and shows their relationships with their friends, family, or more.
Aleenah believes that these 2000s dramas are returning because those who like it now have the ability to share it to everyone through social media, which leads to more people wanting to learn about them.
“People just want to like […] this type of idea and […] they start spreading it around and sharing it to their friends, sharing it to social media platforms, and there are people who get influenced quickly and pick it up quickly,” said Aleenah.
While this show has been out for some time, it is interesting to see what students in 2025 think of it. Simone has watched “Gossip Girls” many times and it was her favorite show at one point.
“It’s really addicting to watch episode after episode because there’s always a different problem each episode and the drama is insane. […] It’s really interesting to watch,” said Simone.
There are many reasons that shows can stay around for years. For example, it could have a certain glamour or style making it stand alone and stand out.
“I don’t think I would compare it to any 2025 show just because [it is] its own unique thing,” said Aleenah.
Students also seem to find the technology used back then, the bond between characters, and the aesthetic of them interesting and charming.
“I thought the way they used […] the old phones, […] their style, it was all interesting. Now living in 2025 it was […] so different back then and it just seemed like everyone was so lively and they were all […] connected and interacting with each other,” said Simone.
As 2000s shows are on the rise, these shows have been bringing people together and are magnetic to multiple generations and groups. Students can bond with others who have watched these shows no matter their ages.◼️
