Exclusive: Buffy Grad Stakes Claim to Gossip Gig

Guess that pesky financial i$$ue worked itself out after all: I can now reveal that not only was Michelle Trachtenberg the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alumna to whom I alluded in today's AA, but a deal has been sealed for her to join Gossip Girl. And even though probably every other starlet in Hollywood under the age of 30 had to be salivating over the prospect of playing Georgina Sparks, a troublemaker from Serena's past who makes Blair look about as dangerous as Donna Martin, I think the CW's casting department nailed it. (C'mon, Buffy's sis was always one prickly pear!) For that matter, Trachtenberg lucked out, too: Could there be a more entertaining way for a young actress to make her comeback than by playing an adolescent Cruella? Didn't think so.So what do you think? Is there someone you would have preferred to see snag the plum part? Don't be shy — discuss away. — Additional reporting by Ben Katner