Gilmore Girls' Kelly Bishop Reacts to Criticism of Rory's Trajectory

As a fan who grew up watching the Gilmore Girls, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to the characters and their lives, especially those of Lorelai and Rory. The behind-the-scenes stories of the cast are as fascinating as the plotlines themselves, and it’s heartwarming to know that even though there were rumors of tension between Alexis Bledel (Rory) and Scott Patterson (Luke), they managed to maintain a professional relationship. It’s also intriguing to learn about the close bond between Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore) and Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore). Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, but it seems their friendship transcended the set, with Herrmann even referring to Bishop as his “second wife.” It’s a testament to their acting skills that they could portray such complex relationships so convincingly.

Recall a time when Rory Gilmore, who aspired to be an international correspondent, was the valedictorian at her exclusive school, and as her friend-rival Paris Geller described, seemed as if “tiny songbirds helped dress her each day”?

Indeed, just like Kelly Bishop, the esteemed actress who played the stern yet lovable Emily Gilmore in the beloved show “Gilmore Girls,” also finds herself taken aback by the development of Rory, her screen granddaughter (portrayed by Alexis Bledel) in the series. And at 80 years old, she’s still expressing her surprise.

In an interview with TopMob News, Bishop expressed his thoughts by saying, “It would’ve been more appealing if she had remained more authentic to who she really is, as I recall early on, she greatly admired Christiane Amanpour. It would have been fascinating to see her maintain a closer connection to that role model.

Instead, Rory’s actions became noteworthy for ending a marriage, seizing a yacht, abandoning Yale, engaging in an affair with an already-engaged former lover, turning down job opportunities as unworthy, and, in a surprising twist during the 2016 Netflix revival, she disclosed her unexpected pregnancy (whether by Logan or Chewbacca remains uncertain).

Although Kelly had reservations about the tale of the youngest Gilmore, as she is set to release her memoir titled “The Third Gilmore Girl” on September 17, she acknowledged that it wasn’t entirely implausible.

In contrast, there’s a young woman living in a secluded town, attending a private school, as stated by the actress from New York. As she steps out into the journalistic world, she will encounter various unusual scenarios that could pique her interest to delve deeper. Occasionally, her decisions might not have been the wisest due to her intelligence but lack of sophistication. Therefore, I believe this could be how she found herself in some awkward situations.

In the finale of the reboot, Kelly hinted at a mystery concerning Rory, saying “I’m not sure about what happened to her.” Then, she revealed, “I’m pregnant.” Now, I can’t help but ponder who the father might be.

It seems like there could be additional installments coming to address that issue, but I wouldn’t get too excited about it just yet.

Kelly expressed her belief that realistically, the Gilmore Girls storyline is likely concluded. She shared her hope for a chance to revisit the series, allowing us to catch up with our characters as they’ve grown older.

Following the demise of Ed Herrmann, portraying Emily Gilmore’s husband Richard, she pointed out that all the main characters must agree: “It would be necessary to gather Emily, Rory, Lorelai, and Luke together.

Considering their packed timetables, Kelly candidly stated, “It’s possible, but honestly, I find it unlikely.

Even though fresh episodes might be absent for now, that doesn’t prevent us, the beloved cast members, from crossing paths every once in a while.

On Fridays, the lively hostess of Friday Night Dinner frequently gets together with Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show’s creator, and Lauren Graham, her on-screen daughter (Lorelai Gilmore), whenever they can. These meetings are likely to be some of the most captivating lunches that anyone who walked through Luke’s Diner doors could have enjoyed.

Kelly shared that her preferred urban lunchtime gathering, which happens too seldom, involves Amy Sherman Palladino, Lauren, and herself. They simply enjoy a leisurely lunch, chatting non-stop for hours on end.

A potential discussion point could be the memoir of the renowned actress, titled “The Third Gilmore Girl“, where she shares insights from her seven-season stint on a popular mother-daughter series, along with details about her illustrious life and career as a dancer, her role as Baby’s mom in Dirty Dancing, and numerous other achievements.

Despite often distancing herself from her upper-class persona, Kelly doesn’t consider Emily to be a villain.

The seasoned actress described Emily as a multifaceted individual, adding that she doesn’t perceive her as cruel. However, Emily is extremely strict in many aspects of her life. She doesn’t show empathy towards my character, nor would she likely show it to others. Yet, she would fiercely defend her family, her loved ones, and her way of life. But there’s nothing soft or affectionate about her at all. To sum it up, Emily is not like me, and we share very few similarities.

But that doesn’t mean that playing the DAR darling wasn’t fun.

As Kelly reminisced, she referred to her favorite episode as the one she called the “Tennessee Williams episode,” where Emily discovers that Richard’s mother wrote him a letter the night before their wedding asking him not to marry Emily. This revelation sends Emily into an emotional spiral, and she spends her days lounging in caftans and drinking, behavior that is out of character for Emily. Playing these scenes was enjoyable for Kelly, as Amy always provided interesting and fun parts for her to perform.

Now that Kelly is publishing her memoir, she primarily desires to be recognized for a single aspect of herself.

She pondered, ‘I’d prefer to be known for always being busy as an actor, with new roles popping up all the time.’ She had always aspired to be this kind of actor, not a star or celebrity, but simply someone who consistently works. And that’s exactly what she has achieved.

The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop is out Sept. 17.

For more surprising secrets from Gilmore Girls, read on.

The charming small town of Stars Hollow, now renowned as one of TV’s favorite settings, was sparked by an unanticipated trip to Washington, Conn., taken by Amy Sherman-Palladino. Enchanted by the locals, customs she observed, and the inn where she stayed, she departed with the idea for the series in her mind – even some of the pilot’s dialogue.

If I could manage to evoke just a fraction of the emotions I experienced while wandering through this enchanted town, Sherman-Palladino stated to Deseret News, I believed it would be simply magical.

2. Alexis Bledel, who was still a student at New York University and only had one unaccredited role on her resume, tried out for the part of Rory.

During an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Bledel shared her experience: “I was unwell, studying at NYU, yet they continually summoned me for auditions. I must have gone around six times. Interestingly, I wasn’t a highly experienced actor then. I didn’t understand the process well. I got a bit fed up, and displayed some attitude. Our boss appreciated it a lot. She said, ‘That’s our girl!’ I responded, ‘Will you bring me back again?’ to which she replied, ‘I like that, that’s just right.’

3. Gilmore Girls without Lauren Graham as Lorelai? Unimaginable, right? But it almost happened.

In his 2016 book “Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between)”, Graham recalled, “I was residing in a friend’s studio apartment in New York when I received the script for the Gilmore Girls pilot. I was anxiously awaiting news about whether the series I had just finished for NBC – Don Rooses’ M.Y.O.B – would be renewed for another season or terminated.

Luckily, M.Y.O.B. wasn’t selected, enabling Graham to take on the quick-witted main role. This turned out to be advantageous not only for Graham but also for any other actress vying for that particular part.

She described her intense attachment to the character after reading the script as a unique moment of recognition that seldom occurs. It’s like saying hello to an old friend, but with an added urgency: ‘Everyone step aside! This one is mine!’

4. As a dedicated follower, I was the sole performer who tried out for the role of Luke, instantly captivating the casting team with my unique portrayal of the diner owner, blending charm and crankiness that eventually became the character Lorelai’s future husband in the series.

Jill Anthony, the casting director, shared with Vanity Fair that Amy had stated, “I don’t require meeting any other candidates.” She emphasized her conviction, saying, “It’s absolutely certain.

But Paterson never thought he was going to sport Luke’s signature hat and flannel shirts.

In a conversation with Glamour, the actor explained that they had two auditions that day, the second one being the one he was referring to. He had only prepared for one scene, but was supposed to be ready for two. So, he went in and performed as best as he could. By this point, he had given up on getting the role in Gilmore Girls because the script was too good. He felt that the pilot script was so exceptional that it would be offered to well-known actors, making his audition seem unnecessary. With another audition looming, and a risk of receiving a ticket outside, he politely asked for permission to leave.

5. Prior to Jared Padalecki securing his lead role as Rory’s initial love interest Dean Forester, two other Canadian actors were let go. This was because the character was revised to be less “unconventional,” as Anthony detailed to Vanity Fair.

6. Both Ryan Gosling and Chris Pine attempted to secure roles in the series. Initially, Gosling was asked to read for a minor part, but during the 2015 ATX TV Festival, casting director Jami Rudofsky confessed that his audition didn’t quite hit the mark.

Meanwhile, Pine shared that his father, actor Robert Pine, arranged his initial professional audition for him, although he can’t recall the role. In a video for W Magazine, he humorously remarked, “I guess it was for a boyfriend part.

7. Despite Melissa McCarthy eventually becoming a major comedy figure in Hollywood, Sherman-Palladino disclosed that she had to argue to cast the actress as the adorable and eccentric chef Sookie.

In explaining this during the reunion panel at the 2015 ATX TV Festival, Sherman-Palladino said, “People weren’t certain about her at first. It wasn’t that they didn’t like her, but she brought a different vibe. She was a unique type of woman.”

“The part was simply written for a female character,” Sherman-Palladino continued. “There were no specific physical requirements. I said, ‘I need someone who can make us laugh and act well.'”

Sherman-Palladino knew immediately that McCarthy was the right fit for the role, but she admitted, “It was a challenging pitch. It took time… everyone eventually agreed, but it took a few episodes.

8. In the first episode, the character Sookie was portrayed by Alex Borstein. Unfortunately, she had to relinquish the role due to her commitments to MADtv. Later on, she appeared in minor, recurring roles as a harpist and stylist within the series. Sherman-Palladino later cast Borstein in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where she won two Emmys for her performances in this Amazon comedy.

10. Initially, Liza Weil tried out for the role of Rory, but producers felt she wasn’t quite suitable for the part. They expressed interest in her talent and hinted at potential future opportunities. However, it seemed like things had ended there for Weil.

In a playful manner, the actor from How to Get Away With Murder quipped about his past self being startled by the writing. He couldn’t imagine anyone daring to do that! Now, however, he finds it quite flattering and is genuinely pleased about it.

Speaking of our on-screen relationship, it was quite a serendipitous encounter as Alexis and I didn’t cross paths until our first day on set. To be honest, she was so green in the acting world that I often had to grip her arm tightly to ensure she hit her marks correctly. Jokingly, I once quipped during an interview on ‘Today’, “Everyone says we have such great chemistry.” I chuckled, “Well, I’m not just holding hands – I’m actually mauling her!

12. Unlike many other actors, Graham and Bledel often ate the food that Lorelai and Rory appeared to eat in the series, a fact well-known by fans, who recognized it was a significant amount.

13. During the entire duration of the show, Rory Graham (Bledel) was in real-life relationships with two of her primary on-screen love interests, as revealed by casting director Mara Casey.

Back in 2016, she shared with Life & Style that we once joked about involving all of Alexis’ real-life boyfriends in our show. At that time, she was dating Jared and Milo Ventimiglia. She also had a relationship with Chris Heuisler, a young New York actor who made a guest appearance on the show. He was really charming.

14. Initially, Sean Gunn was known as Stars Hollow’s DSL installer Mick. However, his role evolved into a series regular as the eccentric character Kirk, who had a unique job in each episode. But why the name change? Gunn explained that Sherman-Palladino had merely overlooked the fact that he already had a name assigned.

15. The WB was considering a spin-off featuring Ventimiglia, using the third season episode “Here Comes the Son” as a trial run for the potential new show. The proposed series, titled Windward Circle, would have focused on Jess’ life in Venice Beach, California, however, it failed to materialize due to financial constraints.

16. During the final season of Gilmore Girls, discussions arose about exploring Rory’s adulthood since Lorelai (Graham) opted not to reprise her role.

In a conversation with TV Guide, I shared that I had once stated, “I won’t be returning,” but as thoughts shifted towards having only Alexis, I wouldn’t presume to speak for her, but we engaged in discussions. In the end, neither of us felt comfortable continuing without each other.

She went on saying, “They were brainstorming all possibilities. At one point, it seemed plausible that I might create content instead of appearing on the show in my usual role.

17. After contract discussions hit a standstill, Stars Hollow was shaken when it became public that Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino would not be coming back for the seventh (and last) season.

Essentially, TV Guide was informed by Palladino that we were unable to reach an agreement on a fresh contract with the studio. Furthermore, Sherman-Palladio mentioned their attempts to secure a long-term deal.

She clarified that agreements can encompass various aspects. The request we made wasn’t outlandish or unreasonable; it was more about ensuring the integrity of the program.

Even though they’d already brought in their substitute, Dave Rosenthal, Sherman-Palladino confessed that handing over control was a terrifying experience, feeling akin to a dreadful nightmare.

And she’s since revealed she’s never watched the final season.

18. For a long time, whispers circulated about strained relationships behind-the-scenes between Paterson and Graham, even though they had an undeniable on-screen chemistry as Luke and Lorelai. Fans of their beloved duo speculated this was the cause for their split in a divisive storyline during season six, but Graham dismissed such rumors in an interview with TV Guide following the show’s conclusion.

She acknowledged that the situation might have been exaggerated, but she emphasized her close relationship with David Sutcliffe, who portrayed Rory’s father Christopher. She clarified that people may have assumed she was favoring him due to their friendship, but in reality, that wasn’t the case.

Similarly, Graham shared the same level of dismay and frustration as the fans did, finding it unclear how Luke and Lorelai’s relationship concluded in the show’s initial broadcast.

She shared, “I absolutely adore the dynamic between Luke and Lorelai… Personally, I felt their storyline didn’t wrap up nicely for me.” She continued, “There was uncertainty if it truly ended. Amy Sherman-Palladino wasn’t with us during the last season. I can’t provide a definitive answer because it didn’t get a proper resolution.

19. Since she left the show after season six, it didn’t conclude as Sherman-Palladino initially envisioned. She wasn’t reluctant to express her disappointment, often hinting at the “last four words” she had intended to use to wrap up the Gilmore women’s storyline, keeping fans intrigued for years.

In interviews after that time, almost every discussion with the Palladinos included questions about the mysterious words. However, they never revealed any specifics, for a purposeful reason. As Sherman-Palladino put it to Entertainment Weekly, “I don’t want to fully disclose [my ideas], because if there is a movie in development, I will essentially be returning to where I left off, and then I might find myself in a bit of a predicament.

In 2016, when Netflix announced its revival, it was officially revealed that the four-episode series would conclude with the eagerly anticipated four phrases. Here’s where you can discover more about this exciting development. (Indeed, they lived up to the anticipation.)

20. Edward Herrmann and Kelly Bishop portrayed Lorelai’s affluent yet caring parents Richard and Emily Gilmore. Their bond grew strong off-screen, to the point where Herrmann’s spouse, Star Herrmann, affectionately called Bishop his “second wife.” Tragically, Herrmann passed away in 2014 at the age of 71 following a fight against brain cancer. In his final weeks, his wife welcomed Bishop for a heartfelt visit.

As a devoted admirer, I shared that among all who had joined our gathering, she stood alone. Her presence held significant importance for both of us, a sentiment I felt compelled to express.

At the ATX TV Festival’s cast reunion panel, a seat on stage was kept vacant as a tribute to Herrmann, who was described by Bishop as “wondrous, melancholic, and unexpectedly moving.

2024-09-17 14:20

Gilmore Girls’ Kelly Bishop Reacts to Criticism of Rory’s Trajectory

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