Maybe there's not as much acting as you thought on the set of Gossip Girl, according to a report in today's Chicago Sun-Times.

It's not the first time we've heard this gossip, but it's still worth posting. And this time, Chace Crawford is also involved.

A show staffer reports that there's no love lost between stars Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf), Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald) and Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen) - at least the last time they were together.

The writers' strike has shut down production of the hit CW series for months, though it's now over, with new episodes set to return this spring.

"At times it was so ugly, people only would talk to each other when they had to - delivering lines in a scene," said the source.

"What's funny ... when they would be throwing really bitchy lines at each other, it was often things [the actors] really thought about each other."

Leighton Meester (Blair) and Chace Crawford (Nate) flirt in the pool.

Perhaps real-life jealousy and intense competition for media attention is helping give Gossip Girl the edge that we love to see?

"They all put on a good front - pretending to be so buddy-buddy whenever they're doing press - but once they don't think anyone's listening, they really let fly with some nasty stuff," said the source.

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