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Oy with the Gilmore Girls revivals already.

Since their reunion on “A Year in the Life” nearly a decade ago, fans have been eagerly awaiting more content from the show’s cast and crew. Recently, lead actress Lauren Graham hinted at an idea for a Christmas movie, which sparked excitement among fans. However, series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino admitted that she had just learned about this concept along with everyone else.

In a unique, shared interview with TopMob News, Amy playfully remarked about the Christmas Special: “It seems everyone but me knows about it!” Her partner in both life and production, Daniel Palladino, was also present.

Although she couldn’t hide her affection for Lauren’s charm, the 59-year-old emphasized that further Gilmore family shenanigans in their small town aren’t imminent. She also stated that currently, there are no discussions taking place about this subject.

Currently, the pair are engrossed in their latest Prime Video series titled Étoile, set to debut on April 24th. However, they’ve left open the possibility of revisiting Stars Hollow once more. This is partly because they’ve been given an opportunity to reconnect with their cherished characters, a connection they had to let go when they parted ways from the series in 2006 during its sixth season (the series eventually concluded after its seventh).

Daniel expressed surprise about the return of Netflix movies, as it had been nine years since the original series ended. He often ponders ideas for Stars Hollow, and any oddly charming American concept sparks his interest. However, he clarified that there are currently no definite plans for a new project.

Despite the passage of time, this pair has consistently kept a robust connection with the cast from their early 2000s series. This bond is evident not just on screen but also off it. Intriguingly, Luke Kirby, who plays a role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, joins them in their latest dance-world dramedy, alongside Yanic Truesdale and Kelly Bishop from Gilmore Girls, as well as Dakin Matthews.

Daniel clarified, “We have a strong affinity for actors and enjoy collaborating with them closely. This isn’t the case for everyone in our field, but we truly appreciate actors.

He went on to explain, ‘That’s why we ended up as directors.’ Initially, we were writers, but over time, we found ourselves drawn towards directing. The primary reason was to safeguard our work, but another important factor was the appeal of working closely with actors and not just observing from the sidelines while others enjoyed the more engaging aspects of production.

As for how Amy would sum up the bond she and Daniel share with the casts they work with?

She playfully implied, “We keep them from leaving,” referring to the actors under our management. It’s a mix of Stockholm Syndrome and a sort of hostage situation, describing the unique dynamics in our professional relationships.

Perhaps it’s because Amy and Daniel have such a strong influence over the actors that Lauren’s initial pitch for the reboot was so carefully planned out – this becomes even clearer when you consider that she and Scott Patterson, who played Luke Danes, chose to reprise their roles in a holiday commercial.

Lauren pointed out during her interview on Armchair Expert last month that British shows have a unique touch: they release a special episode around Christmas time. She explained that this isn’t just another episode, but rather an opportunity to reunite with familiar characters, similar to the nostalgic feeling evoked by the Walmart commercial where we catch up with old friends.

To uncover more secrets about the iconic show, keep reading.

The setting for the beloved TV show, Stars Hollow, was inspired by an unanticipated trip Amy Sherman-Palladino made to Washington, Connecticut. Enchanted by the locals, customs she observed, and inn where she stayed, she departed the quaint town with ideas for the series, even some of the pilot’s dialogue in her mind.

Sherman-Palladino expressed that if they could create the same sense of wonder for others as they experienced strolling through this enchanted town, it would be truly magical.

2. Alexis Bledel, who was still a student at New York University and had just one unaccredited 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. “I was unwell and attending NYU at the time,” she said. “They persistently called me for auditions.” She admitted to going back six times but clarified that she wasn’t a skilled actor yet. She added, “I became somewhat agitated, showing a bit of an attitude. Our supervisor appreciated it immensely. She exclaimed, ‘That’s our girl!’ I responded, ‘Will you be calling me again?’ and she said, ‘I like that; that’s just right.’

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

In 2016, when I received the script for the Gilmore Girls pilot, I was in New York, temporarily staying at a friend’s apartment. I was anxiously awaiting news about whether the series I had recently finished for NBC – Don Rooses’ M.Y.O.B. – would be renewed for another season or canceled instead.

Thankfully, M.Y.O.B. didn’t get chosen instead, thereby giving way for Graham to take on the role of the quick-witted protagonist. This turn of events was beneficial not only for Graham but also for any other actress who might have been considered for the part.

She described a unique and infrequent sensation she experiences when she deeply desires something, such as a book or a character, saying, “There’s an instant recognition that feels like reuniting with an old companion, combined with the urgent need to claim it exclusively.

4. Scott Patterson was the sole performer who tried out for the role of Luke, instantly impressing the casting team with his endearing yet gruff portrayal of the diner proprietor who later became Lorelai’s spouse.

Jill Anthony, the casting director, shared with Vanity Fair that Amy had expressed, “I don’t require meetings with anyone else,” implying her confidence in the role. She was firm about it, stating, “It’s a definitive yes.

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

The actor had two auditions that day, but only prepared for one of them during the second audition. They knew they wouldn’t get the Gilmore Girls role as the script was excellent, so they hurried to leave for their next audition.

5. Prior to Jared Padalecki securing his leading role as Dean Forester, Rory’s first love, two other Canadian actors initially cast for the part were let go. This was because the character had been modified to be less “unconventional,” according to what Anthony shared with Vanity Fair.

6. Both Ryan Gosling and Chris Pine tried out for the television series, but it was Gosling who read for a minor role. Interestingly, casting director Jami Rudofsky shared at the 2015 ATX TV Festival that his audition didn’t quite hit the mark.

Simultaneously, Pine shared that it was his father, actor Robert Pine, who arranged his initial professional audition. He admittedly can’t recall the role for which he auditioned, jokingly suggesting in a W Magazine video, “Perhaps I tried out for a part as a boyfriend.

8. As Melissa McCarthy ascended to become one of Hollywood’s leading comedy actresses, Sherman-Palladino disclosed that she had to advocate for the casting of McCarthy as the adorable and quirky chef Sookie.

“Initially, they were hesitant. It wasn’t dislike, but she was a unique spirit, a different type of woman,” Sherman-Palladino shared during the cast’s reunion panel at the 2015 ATX TV Festival. “The role was written for any woman, with no specific physical requirements. I said, ‘I need someone hilarious who could deliver a powerful performance.'”

Even though Sherman-Palladino recognized McCarthy’s potential from the moment she entered the room, she admitted, “It was a challenging proposition. It took some time… everyone eventually agreed, but it needed a few episodes to win them over.

1. In the initial episode, I recall Alex Borstein portraying the character Sookie, but she had to abandon her 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 exceptional performance in this Amazon comedy.

2. Jackson Douglas, who was Alex Borstein’s spouse at the time, was given a more long-lasting role on Gilmore Girls after Sherman-Palladino created the character of Sookie’s farmer love interest Jackson with him specifically in mind. Initially intended for just a handful of episodes, his captivating chemistry with McCarthy extended his stay for a full seven seasons.

10. Initially, Liza Weil tried out for the role of Rory, but despite producers finding her appealing, they realized she wasn’t quite suitable.

“I received a call and they said, ‘They really liked me, but it didn’t quite fit. But if [the show gets approved], they might have something for you,'” Weil mentioned during the ATX Festival panel. “I thought that was probably the end of it.”

However, it wasn’t just finding something for her, they crafted a role specifically for Liza Weil – Paris, who started off as Rory’s rival and eventually became a friend. Although Paris later gained popularity among fans, Weil initially had reservations about the challenging character.

Laughing about my past self, I used to be terrified at the thought of what was written [on How to Get Away With Murder]. It never crossed my mind that anyone would dare to do such a thing! However, now I find it incredibly flattering and I’m genuinely happy about it.

11. The chemistry between Graham and Bledel was a surprising turn of events since they didn’t cross paths until their first day on set. In fact, Bledel was so inexperienced as an actor that Graham had to hold onto his on-screen daughter tightly to ensure she hit her marks correctly.

“People often comment on our great chemistry,” Graham quipped during an interview on Today. “I joke and say, ‘Well, I’m practically attacking her. That’s why.’

12. Instead of most other actors, Graham and Bledel actually consumed much of the food that Lorelai and Rory ate throughout the series, a fact well-known by fans who realize just how much there was.

“I find it frustrating when actors don’t eat the food in scenes,” Bledel stated during an interview on the Today show. However, after numerous takes and upset stomachs, Graham admits they eventually resorted to spit buckets to make it through.

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

In an interview with Life & Style in 2016, she confessed that they had joked about involving all of Alexis’ real-life partners, including Jared, Milo Ventimiglia, and Chris Heuisler, a New York actor who appeared as a guest character. Chris was a nice young man.

14. At first, Sean Gunn was known as Stars Hollow’s DSL installer Mick. However, he later became a regular character named Kirk, who had a unique job in each episode. But why the change in name? Gunn himself explained that Sherman-Palladino had simply forgotten that he already had a name assigned.

15. The WB was considering a spinoff featuring Ventimiglia, with the third season episode “Here Comes the Son” acting as a trial run for the potential new show. The series, titled “Windward Circle,” would have focused on Jess’ life in Venice Beach, California, but unfortunately, it didn’t proceed due to financial constraints.

16. During the final season of “Gilmore Girls,” discussions arose about exploring Rory’s adult journey, as Lauren decided not to reprise her role.

At some point, Graham stated clearly, “‘I won’t be returning,'” he shared with TV Guide. “Initially, they considered continuing with just Alexis. However, I can’t speak for her, but we had discussions back and forth about it. In the end, neither of us wanted to proceed without each other.

She went on to say, “They were brainstorming all possibilities. At one point, we considered the possibility that I might take on a different role and not appear on the show as before.

17. The negotiations hit a standstill, and Stars Hollow was shocked when it was disclosed that the Sherman-Palladinos, specifically Daniel Palladio, would not renew their contracts for the seventh (and ultimately concluding) season.

Essentially, TV Guide was informed by Palladino that we found it impossible to agree on a fresh contract with the studio, while Sherman-Palladino mentioned they had made an effort to secure a multi-year agreement.

She clarified, “Negotiations involve various factors.” “What we proposed wasn’t outlandish or unreasonable,” she emphasized. “It wasn’t a request for an impossible dream. In essence, it boiled down to ensuring the integrity of our production.

As a dedicated follower, I can empathize with Sherman-Palladino when he confessed that handing over the reins to their replacement, Dave Rosenthal, felt like a terrifying ordeal, akin to a disturbing nightmare.

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

18. For quite some time, there were whispers of strife on set between Patterson and Graham, even though they had an unquestionable rapport as Luke and Lorelai. Fans of the pair, who were fiercely devoted, thought this was the cause for their beloved duo’s split in a controversial plotline from season six. However, Graham dismissed these rumors in an interview with TV Guide after the show concluded.

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

Similarly, Graham shared the same level of dissatisfaction and frustration as the fans did upon finding the conclusion of Luke and Lorelai’s relationship left unclear in the initial broadcast of the series.

She shared with TV Guide, “I’m really fond of the dynamic between Luke and Lorelai… Personally, I felt their storyline didn’t have a satisfying conclusion. We weren’t certain if it was truly the end. Amy Sherman-Palladino wasn’t part of the last season with us. I can’t fully address it because it didn’t get properly wrapped up.

19. Since she left the series following season six, the show didn’t conclude according to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s original vision. She wasn’t secretive about this, often hinting at the “last four words” that were supposed to bring a close to the Gilmore women’s storyline, keeping fans in suspense for years.

In interviews held over the years after their initial one, the Palladinos were often asked about the enigmatic words they mentioned. However, they never disclosed any specifics, intentionally preserving mystery for a potential future film project. As Sherman-Palladino explained to Entertainment Weekly, “I don’t want to reveal [my ideas] entirely yet, as if there is a movie in the works, I would essentially be returning to where I left off, and then I might find myself in a bit of a predicament.

When the announcement for the Netflix revival came in 2016, it was made clear that the four-episode series would conclude with the eagerly anticipated four phrases. You can find more details about it right here. (Indeed, they lived up to the anticipation.)

20. Edward Herrmann and Kelly Bishop portrayed Richard and Emily Gilmore, Lorelai’s sophisticated yet caring parents. They developed a strong bond off-screen, to the point where Herrmann’s spouse, Star Herrmann, affectionately referred to Bishop as his “second wife.” Sadly, Herrmann passed away in 2014 at the age of 71 following a struggle with brain cancer. In the days leading up to his death, his wife welcomed Bishop for a visit.

She informed Vanity Fair that she was the sole individual we had encountered, and it held significance for both of them.

At the ATX TV Festival’s cast reunion panel, a chair on stage was kept empty as a tribute to Herrmann, who was described by Bishop as “wonderful, sorrowful, and unexpected.

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2025-04-15 00:48