Opinion: Hope for the ‘Gilmore Girls’ revival
Producer Amy Sherman-Palladino’s seven-season long apex of success, “Gilmore Girls,” will be returning in all its glory later this month. The show’s cult-like following, fast-paced witty banter, beloved characters and mix of family drama and humor have made it the perfect candidate for a reboot, despite the fact that the final episode aired in 2007.
Lorelai and Rory Gilmore are a dynamic mother-daughter duo whose love-lives, friendships and careers are the focal points both of the show and of Stars Hollow, the tiny, friendly, Connecticut town in which “Gilmore Girls” is set. Fans are quick to fall in love with the idealized community and its love of all things seasonal and celebratory.
In fact, this seasonal motif is being used to structure the new episodes, set to come to Netflix on Nov. 25 — just in time for Thanksgiving break. Each episode will take place in a different season, with winter, spring, summer and fall making up Season 8, entitled “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.”
Four promotional posters have been released under this seasonal theme, and fans have been quick to notice how photoshopped and airbrushed Lauren Graham (who plays Lorelai Gilmore) and Alexis Bledel (who plays Rory Gilmore) look. Granted, the two are quite a bit older than when we first met them in 2000 – Graham is now 49 and Bledel is 35 – but the huge focus on looks goes against everything we love about the show. “Gilmore Girls” shows us a slice of life that is oftentimes much more real and believable than what we tend to get from television today.
The show’s drama it not outlandish; what we fall for are the homey, cozy relationships and day-to-day struggles that mirror our own. We met Melissa McCarthy before she was a Hollywood movie star and Graham before she was scooped up by NBC. So, to see some of these characters as stars, removed from our own world and perfected by Hollywood, is a shock to a fan base that appreciates “Gilmore Girls” ability to make any autumn day a little cozier. It makes us question whether it’s really such a good idea to potentially hack away at our cherished image of Stars Hollow.
But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is not the first time we’ve tried to recreate something so special. NBC tried and failed with “Joey,” the “Friends” spin-off that lasted just two seasons. “Full House” was recently revived with Netflix’s “Fuller House,” a show that was highly anticipated but ultimately disappointing.
Naturally, with that kind of precedent, I’m worried for “Gilmore Girls.”
I am, however, hopeful, because Sherman-Palladino did write and direct these new episodes. I trust her judgment and care with a show that is as much her legacy as it is our treasure.
Come next Friday, we’ll know whether or not everyone’s favorite mother-daughter drama has been botched or boosted.
But, regardless of where the show leads, we will follow.
Gabby Seed is a columnist, contact her at [email protected].