We just received word that Cynthia Rowley, Joe Zee and Rachel Zoe will all be making appearances on next week’s Gossip Girl. The episode will center around Blair’s birthday party, which of course will include a performance by Robyn (last year was Lady Gaga). It seems like in almost every episode this season, a Van der Woodsen has air-kissed someone from the fashion industry or New York society. Last night’s episode was no exception. It culminated in an Observer party at the Boom Boom Room with Tim Gunn, Isaac Mizrahi, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner in attendance.

We’re not sure if these guest stars are meant to increase ratings or just give the show a more realistic feel. They are hardly publicized–Tim Gunn was in the commercial for last night’s episode, but none of the others were. Neither were Karlie Kloss, Meredith Melling-Burke, Hamish Bowles, Lou Doillon and others who have popped up throughout the season. Furthermore, do most Gossip Girl viewers even know who these people are? Part of it is obviously publicity for the “celebs” themselves, but the appearances also lend New York cred and pop culture relevance to the show, whose plots haven’t exactly been riveting lately. Overall, the surprise guest stars are definitely fun for us, but is Gossip Girl perhaps relying too heavily on them to save a show that should be on its last leg?