After The CW's deadest of dead summers, the second season of Gossip Girl posted its highest ratings ever in all key demographics.

Aided by solid reviews, Gossip Girl (3.4 million viewers, 1.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, a 5 share and a 2.3 adults 18-34 rating) returned up 6 percent from its premiere last year and up 10 percent among the key 18-34 demographic.

With the second season premiere, "Summer, Kind of Wonderful," Gossip Girl lived up to all the hype and served as a strong lead-in for One Tree Hill (3.1 million, 1.6/4, 2.0), which also was up about the same amount.

The numbers show the network hasn't been stymied by a rerun-stuffed summer and set the stage for the big premiere of 90210.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.