Ryan Gosling Auditioned for Gilmore Girls?!—& More Show Secrets

As a devoted fan of Gilmore Girls since its inception, I must say that my admiration for the show and its cast has only grown over time. The intricate relationships, witty banter, and fast-paced dialogue have captivated me, but what truly sets this series apart is the depth and authenticity of its characters.

Break out the coffee because we have a lot to discuss.

Hardly believable, but it’s already been over two decades since we stepped into Stars Hollow for the first time. In fact, Gilmore Girls made its debut in October 2000, introducing us to Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, TV’s unforgettable mother-daughter pair (portrayed by Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel), as well as one of the most cherished fictional small towns.

Over seven seasons, four poignant closing lines, a Netflix comeback, and countless meals of comfort food shared by the women, the Amy Sherman-Palladino-crafted show has achieved an unprecedented level of popularity.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but delve deeper into the captivating dynamics between Lorelai and Luke (played by Scott Patterson), even after we’ve had ample opportunity to analyze Rory’s three significant love interests. While there have been tantalizing speculations about these potential suitors, such as Ryan Gosling or Chris Pine, my fascination lies primarily with the heartwarming relationship between Lorelai and Luke.

In a private conversation with TopMob, the actress confirmed that they remain a couple. She didn’t elaborate on any potential grandchildren, but hinted at contentment in their shared life within the city. (This statement is a reference to the unexpected revelation made by Rory towards the end of the Netflix reboot.)

Alas, that’s the only peek they’ll give into Luke and Lorelai today.

She clarified that they have no control over the characters since they are under the direction of Sherman-Palladino. Furthermore, she expressed a desire not to contradict the interpretations that fans might have about what transpired in the storyline.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d humorously put it this way: “Brainstorming can sometimes lead us astray,” I quipped playfully. To that, Patterson chimed in with a laugh, “Whatever you share is bound to become the talk of the town.

Instead of imagining what might have occurred with our beloved Stars Hollow characters, let’s peek behind the scenes of the series and reveal all the hidden truths.

Which nearly needed a rework, and who came very close to getting their own standalone series? Here are the latest updates straight from our town hall gathering!

The setting for the show, the charmingly fictional Stars Hollow, was sparked by Amy Sherman-Palladino’s spontaneous trip to Washington, Conn. Captivated by the locals she interacted with, the customs she observed, and the inn where she stayed, she conceived the idea for the series while there, even incorporating some of the pilot’s dialogues.

Sherman-Palladino shared with Deseret News that if they could create an experience for others similar to the emotion they felt while wandering through this magical town, it would be truly delightful.

2. Alexis Bledel, who was still a student at New York University and had just one unacknowledged acting role to her name, tried out for the part of Rory.

During an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Bledel reminisced about her experience. She was unwell and attending NYU when she was repeatedly called for auditions. After six attempts, she admitted that she wasn’t a very experienced actor and didn’t fully understand the process. However, she became restless and showed a bit of attitude. Surprisingly, this was appreciated by our boss who responded, “That’s our girl!” Bledel then asked if they would call her back again, to which the boss replied, “I like that; it fits perfectly.

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 recounts that while he was residing in a friend’s studio apartment in New York City, anxiously awaiting news about whether the series for NBC – “Don Rooses’ M.Y.O.B.” – would be renewed for another season or canceled, he received the script for the pilot of “Gilmore Girls”.

It turned out favorably that M.Y.O.B. wasn’t chosen instead, thus enabling Graham to take on the quick-witted main role. This was beneficial not only for Graham but also for any actress who might have been considered for the part.

She described a unique moment of intense recognition when she reads something she desires deeply, saying it’s as if she momentarily loses her senses. This sensation combines the feeling of reuniting with an old acquaintance and an urgent demand for exclusion, as if to claim ownership: ‘Here is someone I know well,’ coupled with ‘Step aside, everyone, this is mine.’

4. Scott Patterson was the standout among all actors who auditioned for the role of Luke; he impressed the casting team right away with his endearing yet grumpy portrayal of the diner owner, who later became Lorelai’s husband.

According to Jill Anthony, the casting director, Amy stated, “I don’t require meetings with any other individuals.” She further emphasized, “It’s absolutely certain.

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

In response to Glamour, the actor explained that he had three auditions scheduled that day, and the second one was underway. He had rehearsed one scene for this audition, but was supposed to have prepared two scenes instead. Feeling somewhat indifferent since he knew he wouldn’t get the part on Gilmore Girls (as the script was too exceptional), he decided to give his best performance. With time running short as he was late for another audition, he asked politely if he could leave the current one, as he feared getting a ticket outside and was eager to make it to his next appointment.

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

6. Both Ryan Gosling and Chris Pine tried out for the series. However, it was revealed at the 2015 ATX TV Festival that Gosling’s audition didn’t quite hit the mark – in fact, it was less than impressive. The casting director, Jami Rudofsky, admitted to this.

Meanwhile, Pine mentioned that his father, actor Robert Pine, had arranged his initial professional audition for him, but he can’t recall the role he was up for. In a video interview with W Magazine, he humorously added, “I guess I could have been a love interest, something like a boyfriend.

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

“Initially, there was some uncertainty. It wasn’t that people didn’t appreciate her, but she brought a unique energy. She was a different kind of woman,” Sherman-Palladino clarified during the cast’s reunion panel at the 2015 ATX TV Festival. “The part had been written for a woman, with no specific physical requirements. I said, ‘I need someone funny who can deliver a strong performance.'”

Sherman-Palladino knew from the moment McCarthy entered the room that she was the ideal candidate, but she admitted, “It was a challenging pitch. It took time…eventually everyone agreed, but it took a few episodes.

8. In the initial episode, Alex Borstein portrayed Sookie, but she had to relinquish the role due to her commitments to MADtv. Later, she appeared in minor recurring roles as a harpist and stylist within the series. Sherman-Palladino later cast Borstein in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, for which she won two Emmys for her performance on the Amazon sitcom.

10. Originally, Liza Weil auditioned for the role of Rory, but producers felt she wasn’t quite the right fit despite being impressed. They mentioned there might be a future role for her if the show got picked up. However, it seemed like that was the end of it for Weil.

In a playful manner, the actor from How to Get Away With Murder quipped about his past self being startled by what was written. He found it hard to believe that someone would dare to write such things! However, looking back now, he considers it flattering and is genuinely pleased about it.

11. The chemistry between Graham and Bledel was a fortunate coincidence since they didn’t cross paths until their first day on set. Moreover, Bledel was a novice in acting, so Graham had to guide her by holding onto her character’s arm to ensure she hit her marks correctly.

“On Today, Graham quipped about their chemistry,” he said. “‘Everyone says it’s so great,'” he joked. “And I’m like, ‘I’m literally tackling her, that’s why.’

12. Unlike many other actors, Graham and Bledel often ate the food that Lorelai and Rory were eating on the show, which fans know was a significant amount.

13. During the entire duration of the show, Rory Gilmore’s actress, Alexis Bledel, was in real-life relationships with two of her primary onscreen love interests, as revealed by the casting director, Mara Casey.

Back in 2016, she shared with Life & Style that we once joked about Alexis dating all her boyfriends, which included Jared and Milo Ventimiglia. Additionally, she had a relationship with Chris Heuisler, a young New York actor who made a guest appearance. He was quite endearing, she mentioned.

14. Initially, Sean Gunn was presented as Mick, the DSL installer of Stars Hollow. However, his role evolved into a series regular as Kirk, whose job varied in each episode. But why the name change? Gunn himself explained that Sherman-Palladino had just overlooked the fact that he already had a name assigned.

15. The WB was considering a spin-off featuring Ventimiglia, with the third season episode “Here Comes the Son” functioning as a trial run for the potential new show. However, Windward Circle, which would have focused on Jess’ life in Venice Beach, California, didn’t proceed because of financial constraints.

16. Towards the conclusion of its seventh season, discussions arose about exploring Rory’s life as an adult, since Lauren (Graham) opted not to rejoin the cast.

Back when I declared, “‘I won’t return,'” I spilled the beans to TV Guide, but you know how it is with a devoted fan like me – things can change! The showrunners thought, “Hmm, could we continue with just Alexis?” Frankly, I’d rather not presume her feelings, but let’s just say there was some back-and-forth. In the end, neither of us felt right about continuing without each other.

She added, “They were brainstorming solutions for every possible scenario. At one point, it seemed plausible that I might create content but not appear on the program in the same role.

17. Following a halt in contract talks, there was a shocking development when it emerged that creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladio would not be continuing with the seventh (and eventually last) season of Stars Hollow.

Essentially, TV Guide was informed by Palladino that we were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with the studio. Furthermore, they made an effort, but couldn’t secure a multi-year deal.

She clarified, “Every agreement comes with possibilities. There are numerous factors at play in a deal. What we requested wasn’t outlandish or unreasonable. It wasn’t asking for the impossible. Truthfully, it was more about shielding the program.

As Sherman-Palladino handed over the reins to Dave Rosenthal, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sheer terror, as if I were experiencing a dreadful nightmare.

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

18. For quite some time, there were whispers of strained relationships behind the scenes between Patterson and Graham, even though their on-screen chemistry as Luke and Lorelai was undeniable. Many fans of the pair speculated that this tension might have been the cause for their beloved duo’s split in a controversial storyline during season six. However, Graham refuted these rumors in an interview with TV Guide following the conclusion of the series.

She acknowledged that the situation had been exaggerated, but clarified that she had a closer relationship with David Sutcliffe, who portrayed Rory’s father Christopher. She added, “I was often suspected of trying to give him an edge because we are friends. However, that wasn’t the case.

Similarly, Graham shared the same level of dissatisfaction and frustration that the show’s fans felt due to the unclear conclusion of Luke and Lorelai’s relationship in the initial broadcast of the series.

She shared with TV Guide, “I adore the dynamic between Luke and Lorelai so deeply… In my opinion, their storyline didn’t conclude in a fulfilling manner.” She continued, “We weren’t certain it was truly over. Amy Sherman-Palladino wasn’t present during the final season. I can’t provide an answer because it didn’t truly wrap up; it left things unresolved.

19. Since she departed from the series following season six, the show didn’t conclude according to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s original plan. She was open about this, frequently hinting at fans for years about the “last four words” that were supposed to wrap up the Gilmore women’s storyline.

In the years following their interviews, almost every discussion with the Palladinos frequently touched upon the mysterious phrases. However, they never revealed any specifics, hoping for a good reason. As Sherman-Palladino stated to Entertainment Weekly, “I’d rather not fully disclose [my ideas].” This is because, if a movie ever gets made, I’ll be returning to where I left off, and at that point, I might find myself in a bit of a predicament.

Back in 2016, when the news broke about the Netflix revival, it was officially revealed that the four-episode mini-series would culminate with the much-anticipated phrase of four words. You can find all the details about this right here. (Indeed, they were worth the wait.)

20. Edward Herrmann and Kelly Bishop portrayed Richard and Emily Gilmore, Lorelai’s refined yet affectionate parents. Over time, Herrmann developed a strong bond with Bishop, so much so that his spouse, Star Herrmann, affectionately referred to Bishop as his “second wife.” Sadly, Herrmann passed away in 2014 at the age of 71 following a fight against brain cancer. In the days leading up to his demise, his wife graciously allowed Bishop to spend time with him during those final moments.

She informed Vanity Fair that she was the sole individual we’d encountered, and this mattered significantly to both of them.

At the ATX TV Festival’s cast reunion panel, a seat was thoughtfully kept empty on stage as a tribute to Herrmann, a poignant mix of delightful, melancholic, and unexpected.

Gilmore Girls is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-12-03 21:49