It’s hard to imagine that the show might have never happened. Amy Sherman-Palladino had decided she was done with television, but her husband told her to just write something. Then she pitched to the WB and the last thing she pitched was a mother-daughter duo that were more like friends, but she had no idea what that was.
Her and her husband went on vacation to Connecticut to a town that sounds very similar to Stars and Hollow and thus ‘Gilmore Girls’ was born. The town had pumpkins and hayrides and Amy thought, “this is not real.” She didn’t understand how all these people could just be talking to each other and actually wanted a response. By the Monday the show came together. She even wrote two scenes on the Inn’s stationary that she was staying at. Imagine how many fans would like to get their hands on that memorabilia.
All of the Gilmore Girls got their start on the show very differently. Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) was already on a show on NBC and she just wasn’t available, but the project kept coming back around and finally she was asked in to audition.
“Something just clicked,” Lauren said. She said that Christopher Reeve had said something in an actors studio that really resonated with her: “The way you know a part is really for you is if you can’t stand the idea of anyone else doing it. And that’s how I felt about this. Ooh this is mine. I Can’t stand the idea of anyone else doing this.” And with that our favorite on screen mother was born.
Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore) was also born to play on ‘Gilmore Girls’. She was only on her fifth or sixth audition (ever!) when she read for Rory. She was just getting into acting while at New York University at the film school. She was modeling, but had never done acting before and she got the part. Alexis was perfect for this role.
Did you know that Liza Weil auditioned to play Rory and they wrote the part of Paris Gellar for her? She was only supposed to be in three episodes and it just kept going. She is now a fan favorite character.
“The younger version of myself was really freaked out that that’s what they wrote,” Liza said. “I couldn’t fathom that they would think that I could do that based on the other thing.”
She is now very flattered for her role as Paris.
A lot of the cast showed up for this great reunion, but Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore) passed away last year. He was still in everyone’s hearts though. They had a wonderful tribute and even left a seat for him. Amy said she was so grateful to be able to work with Ed.
Rory had three boyfriends over the seven season and the panel was asked who their favorite was. Milo Ventimiglia (Jess Mariano) said he was team Dean and Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) was team Jess. Matt Czuchry (Logan Huntzberger) was also team Jess. No one for poor Logan, but Jared did say if Milo didn’t show up, he was going to be team Logan.
Alexis wouldn’t even give an answer. She thinks it’s an unfair question because they are all such great actors.
Scott Patterson (Luke Danes) got the last word in by saying, “none of you are good enough for Rory,” in true Luke fashion.
Scott mentioned on a podcast that there are talks about a ‘Gilmore Girls’ movie, but that comment was more out of hope than actually one being in the works. Though he said he thinks it’s time for one.
Amy said, “It would have to be honored in a certain way.” Don’t give up hope, if the stars align like it did for the show to come together, we may get our movie reunion. Maybe Amy should think about going to Kickstarter just like Rob Thomas. I’m sure the fans would jump to the chance to help bring their favorite characters back together on screen.
Amy considers ‘Gilmore Girls’ her biggest success. “There’s just no way I’m going to top this,” she said. She still holds the show in her heart. “I got so lucky.”
