CECILY VON ZIEGESAR

AGE: 37
OCCUPATION: Author of the Gossip Girl book series, on which the TV series is based
NUMBER OF TIME COVERS: 0
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: The television version of Gossip Girl was one of the fledgling CW network's only modest hits. It boasts a core, O.C.-like fanbase — not surprising, considering O.C. creator Josh Schwartz is one of the executive producers.

CON: Some fans complain that the show only superficially resembles Ms. Von Ziegesar's books. Other critics say the show has too much sexy sexy teen sex.