*Article may contain spoilers ahead.*
We’ve become so familiar with Stars Hollow, Connecticut that we might as well live there. This year Gilmore Girls celebrates its 25th anniversary. Watching closely as Rory Gilmore grows up from her high school days through to her journalistic accomplishments. As we watch those around her from all her “love interests” to her chaotically loveable mother, Lorelai, and Rory’s free-spirited BFF, Lane live out their own “starry” paths in their cozy small town.
The story of Gilmore Girls is filled with such important themes as exploring female independence, navigating pregnancy and single motherhood. As the characters face family tensions, and explore the challenges of professional hardships and academic pressures. All told through the lens of a multi-generational family from grandmother to mother to daughter. Over Gilmore Girls’ seven-season run, we witness the essential life changes in the overarching themes of family, love, and aspiration.
Autumnal Vibes: Exploring a True Comfort Show
Regarded as a ‘comfort show’ for many, Gilmore Girls no longer just defines one generation of viewers. But the characters and storylines have caused such a lasting impact that it’s still talked about today as if it’s a brand-new show just airing. Although for what began as a family show has developed into a pop-culture trend. Gilmore Girls content floods social media platforms every autumn/fall. Viewers just can’t get enough of the ‘fast-talking and coffee drinking’ mother-and-daughter duo.
In our ‘Ultimate Gilmore Girls’ series of articles we will explore a Character Guide, Series Guide, and Book Guide. So, whether you’re a Stars Hollow expert or a budding new fan of the show; you’re bound to learn something new about the dreamy world curated and shaped by show creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino. The early noughties nostalgia is about to kick in – anytime soon…
Pop-Culture Phenomenon – The Soaring Trend of Gilmore Girls:
The dreamy autumnal town of Stars Hollow has had such an impact since the year 2000 that the show is now associated with the season. But the soaring popularity of Gilmore Girls means it has shaped its own pop-culture trends. Especially through the backing of its early-noughties nostalgia that so many of us still lovingly long for.
Gilmore Girls merchandise has flooded the market this autumn. From homeware items to clothing ranges, and accessories. You can now find everything from pin badges, candles, and blankets to t-shirts, pyjamas, hoodies, and much more.
The Gilmore Girls’ Studio Tour:
Receiving the Gilmore Girls treatment is now an actual event. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank, California features the set of Stars Hollow. From mid-December through to early January, the set is decorated in Holiday-themed Gilmore Girls props. But this is only a limited-time celebration, titled “Holidays Made Here.”
There’s a store too to grab some Gilmore Girls merchandise. You can even visit iconic set pieces including Luke’s Diner and the Dragonfly Inn just to name a few. Some have even been lucky enough to meet Scott Patterson (Luke Danes) on the set too!
The Gilmore Girls Getaway:
Exclusive hotel packages like Delamar, West Hartford, Connecticut’s ‘Gilmore Girls Getaway’ Package offer living life just like a Gilmore. Others like Mayflower Inn and Spa offer Gilmore Girl-esque experiences to really get the feel of living the New England life. Gilmore Girls creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino’s stay at the Mayflower inspired the Independence Inn – where Lorelai Gilmore works in the early seasons of the show.
Drink Coffee, Talk Fast: A Documentary About Gilmore Girls:
Previously titled, Searching for Stars Hollow – the first Documentary on Gilmore Girls, ‘Drink Coffee, Talk Fast’ is set to feature interviews from the cast themselves (excluding Lorelai Gilmore herself, Lauren Graham).
Interviews From the ‘Starry’ Cast:
Interviews featured are from the likes of Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore), Chad Michael Murray (Tristin Dugray), and Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) amongst others. The iconic cast members joined together in a documentary which was crowd-funded on Kickstarter. The project has now successfully been greenlit and the documentary exceeded its initial target.
Directed by filmmakers, Meghna Balakumar and Kevin Konrad Hanna, the documentary saw them film over 300-hours’ worth of footage. The Kickstarter project exceeded its pledged goal which just proves how in-demand and relevant the 25-year-old show still remains.
Seven Seasons, Iconic Characters & A Mini-Series Revival
In our ‘Ultimate Gilmore Girls’ series of articles we will explore a Character Guide, Series Guide, and Book Guide which will explore deeper into each of these elements. Over the seven-season run of Gilmore Girls we witness Lorelai and Rory achieve academic successes… and pauses. As well as handle the challenges of changing love dynamics.
The highs and lows of Stars Hollow create both heart-warming moments and heartbreaking memories. For a show that really invites you into the lives of a chaotically loveable mother-and-daughter duo that so many generations have come to know and love.
Beginning in 2000 and ending in 2007, fans of Gilmore Girls had to wait until 2016 to see the follow-up mini-series, titled Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. The revival show saw us catch up with the residents of Stars Hollow to see just how life has changed for each of them.
Of course, some have found more success than others whether that be in their love life or professional careers. And one particularly important character is heartbreakingly no longer around. We see the after-effects of such a loss and how the town has developed since we last caught up with them.
The Lasting Legacy of Gilmore Girls:
With the next few milestones, reaching the 30th anniversary and even the 50th Anniversary – who knows what the future holds for Gilmore Girls?
With so much fan demand, there’s bound to be more merchandise, and maybe even another spin-off show in the works too? But for right now, it’s a great time to be a Gilmore Girls fan. Whether you’re an ‘OG’ or a new enthusiast. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore, she really just “need(s) coffee in an I.V.”
Next up in our ‘Ultimate Gilmore Girls’ series of articles, we will explore a Character Guide, Series Guide, and Book Guide so watch out for those which are coming very soon!
