SUNDAY, JANURARY 20

"GOSSIP GIRL" � (6:00-7:00 p.m. ET)

"Pilot" (TV-14, DLS) (HDTV)

JOSH SCHWARTZ ("THE O.C.") BRINGS HIS LATEST TEEN DRAMA, "GOSSIP GIRL," TO THE CW � Filmed entirely in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, "Gossip Girl" revolves around the privileged prep school teens on Manhattan's Upper East Side and the anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl, who provides them with the latest gossip about their exclusive circle. In the series opener, Gossip Girl is busy spreading the news that "it girl" Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) has returned to Manhattan after a mysterious and self-imposed exile to boarding school. Serena's best friend, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), has conflicted feelings about her friend's return since she has enjoyed being the Queen Bee during Serena's absence and might not be ready to relinquish her new position on the social ladder, not to mention the fact that she has always suspected there may be unspoken feelings between Serena and her longtime boyfriend, Nate (Chace Crawford). Penn Badgley, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star. Mark Piznarski directed the pilot written by executive producers Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage (#100).