Gilmore Girls

[HalfCamel]

Here's a small interview with Scott Patterson:

'I knew I would have to earn this'
Scott Patterson, star of the "Gilmore Girls" TV series, worked for years to get into the big leagues, honing his craft in small towns and throwing a curveball or two to keep things interesting. And that was just his baseball career.

Patterson pitched in the minor leagues during the 1980s, and came tantalizingly close to the majors. He was traded to the Yankees and then cut from the team.

Undaunted, he started a second long-shot career, moving to New York in 1986 to study acting. He worked with members of the Actors Studio and appeared in a couple of commercials a year to earn money to pay the rent. "I knew I would have to really, really earn this," says Patterson. "It turned out to be an endurance game."

He made a short-lived breakthrough in 1991, when ABC flew him to Los Angeles to audition for a TV movie, but that "crumbled very quickly." Back in New York, Patterson landed a few theater credits and then returned to L.A. He crashed on friends' couches and slept in his car -- a 1966 Pontiac Le Mans -- as he made connections that led to small movie roles and TV appearances. Eight years later, he says, he read for the part of Luke Danes, the male lead in "Gilmore Girls," and "I felt like I was home."

He didn't get rich the first year. "The money was good," he says, "though not as good as you'd think." But his salary has risen with the series' popularity, and as his character has grown. With a net worth in the millions, thanks to some astute investing, Patterson says he "can parachute out of this series and be pretty comfortable for the rest of my life."

Now Patterson shares his wealth by helping raise funds for a new pediatrics wing at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and for the National Children's Alliance. His advice: "Even when you've been pounded for 20 years, don't give up. If you stay in the game long enough, you get lucky."

TIP #5: Don't let setbacks get you down. It took actor Scott Patterson of "Gilmore Girls" 14 years and several big disappointments to become a Hollywood star.

How to Make a Million Dollars - MSN Money

[Garner]

I have to say that the latest episode was pretty good all told. I liked the Christmas delayed stuff, even though Gigi sort of got screwed there in having to wait for Christmas just so Rory can get back. If Gigi was maybe 3-4 years older that would have been really mean and inappropriate, at 4 she probably didn't notice or know any better. I really liked Chris' reaction to the trees and how crazy Lorelai and Rory were being, that was cool and amusing. I actually liked the parts with Lane and Zach, he's been really supportive and being friends with Mrs. Kim has been entertaining as well. The Luke parts with April were also well done and I am finding that I like April more and more when she's with Luke and not an issue between him and Lorelai like she was last year. I think in the long run I would really like the Luke-Lorelai-Rory-April dynamic better than L-R-Chris-Gigi. The whole scene in the toy store with Luke talking about his various preseants to Rory was really well done and touching. I do have a problem with Luke being unable to see April. He shouldn't need to sue for custody but to enforce visitation rights. I've been through this as a kid in the 70s and unless Luke is doing something really bad (drinking or whatever) it is really hard to deny a birth parent visitation rights. Custody, yes, that is harder, but visitation is a right that is hard to deprive someone of.

Anyway, it looks like we might be getting the only believable route back to Luke/Lorelai, that is Chris being the one to leave Lorelai and seek a divorce. That I could see and would buy. I think the show is improving at the moment and we'll see how things develop.

Garner

[urnofosiris]

Christopher is such a turd, he can´t stand to be Lorelai´s second choice now, but it did not bother him all that much when she stood crying on his doorstep after just having the big break up fight with her fiancee. Anyway, the current relationship developments please me and feel far less contrived than the Luke/Lorelai drama of last season. In a few weeks Luke and Lorelai will be all square hopefully: one ill conceived marriage and one geeky clever funny daughter each.
As for the cliffhanger this week, I really want Mr G to be ok, if someone can spoil me on that, go right ahead.

[Garner]

I also hope the Richard comes through and doesn't die. I like the dynamic of Richard and Emily. When they were split I didn't think either worked quite as well.

The problem with this season is that they HAD to address the crap of last season. I don't know why some are crying for the loss of the creators as they really screwed the pooch last year. This season, flaws and all, is still more watchable and enjoyable. I also give them some credit. Lorelai couldn't be the one to back down from Chris, it had to be him. And this has been a very decent rational for why. Sure, Chris is acting like a schmuck and jumping the gun a bit, but he's probably not wrong. He IS the rebound second choice guy and with Luke in town he'll always be reminded of that. Of course she DID marry him and that should mean something, but the only real time I've liked Chris was around Sookie's wedding. That was the time that Chris and Lorelai could have worked. After that, once Luke made a move, Chris is the past and is done.

I liked Paris in this last ep. It is good to see more of her.

Garner

[urnofosiris]

Lorelai couldn't be the one to back down from Chris, it had to be him. And this has been a very decent rational for why. Sure, Chris is acting like a schmuck and jumping the gun a bit, but he's probably not wrong. He IS the rebound second choice guy and with Luke in town he'll always be reminded of that.

Agreed. I also feel the writers are doing a good job this season, both in undoing what was done last year and in moving the characters and their lives forward in a natural manner. Chris is acting in character, and hurrah to that, because that should mean I really can wave him a hearfelt goobye sooner rather than later. I think that Lorelai being blue now but not heartbroken like she was when she and Luke broke up, should convince her of what Chris finally acknowleged to be true.
Paris was a delight as always. I am still wondering a bit whether there is ever going to be any point to Marty´s brief reappearance. There does not need to be though, not everything has to have a deeper meaning. I was afraid he would be used as an excuse to break Rory and Logan up in a some lame manner and thankfully that did not happen.

[seurat]

Spoiler:

Richard survives, at least for the time being. H'e's recuperating in the next few ep's.

Apart from my continuing disgust at Chris being with Lorelai I haven't minded this season too much. The pace of the writing is mostly lacking and only shows up in bursts, but the overall arc of the story is far better than last season. There is even talk of an eighth season now, but it will only happen if Bledel signs on, because Lauren Graham has said she'll only do it with Alexis Bledel. And Paris was great this week, even better than usual too because the horrible boyfriend was misssing. Lucy is fun too, although she'll always be Gia (Veronica Mars) to me.

[Garner]

I liked this week's ep, even if it wasn't overly fast paced or amusing. It had some highs, Emily's reaction in the gift shop, Logan being there for Rory, Luke being there, and Babette throughout. Actually, I wasn't surprised with Logan jumping on a helicopter and being there for Rory, every time she's been in any sort of crisis he's always been there for her or offered whatever she needed, no questions or hesitation. It's definitely his better side.

The only down side to the ep was it was a tad slow. Nothing bad, just a little slow here or there. Lorelai was right to be miffed with Christopher for not showing up earlier. Again, I give credit to the writers for coming up with a good excuse for how Lorelai and Christopher will break up, and making it seem reasonable. I know they are discussing a season 8, and so far while there have been a lot of ups and downs this year, some unever writing, overall it is much better than last season and I would be in for one last year.

Garner

[urnofosiris]

I would tune in for another year happily, but only if Lorelai permanently gives her bratty ´husband´ his walking papers soon. They had better not dare to have them ´work through this´ and reconcile to show us that they really are meant to be or something like that. I will never buy it. He was just too offensive this time, too too too spoiled and selfcentered for words.
Bleh, anyway, I liked the rest of the episode. I would have liked Paris to be there to tell the doctor how to operate or something like that, she is pre med right?

[Garner]

Paris is indeed supposed to be pre-med, though I don't know if that is what she'll end up as. She just doesn't seem the doctor type.

This latest ep was very good. I loved Paris' talk about breaking the two boys, especially the tattoo crack. That was awesome. I liked Michel and the pet funeral issue, it was a bit more revealing than Cinnamon's funeral from season 1. Zach's look with the Celine Deon was great. The Lorelai and Christopher stuff was very well acted, especially that last scene. It appears that both realize that the marriage was at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. I still say that if they had hooked up at the time of Sookie's wedding it could have worked, but right now Chris has acted a bit too much like an ass and is just not right for her anymore. I do give them credit for ending things convincingly and with both parties seeing it. That was well written overall. A good job of getting out of the crap that last season built up and ended with. I also really liked Logan and Rory's talk and their handling things much more maturely than C/L had. So far Logan and Rory has worked really well. I also love them running off to watch Paris belly dance.

All in all a great episode with some good humor and some touching scenes and a nice pacing. If they can keep this standard I definitely hope they do one more season.

Garner

[Brianna]

Does anyone know when the hell are going to air the next episode????? I need my dose!!!!

[urnofosiris]

According to TVtome the next episode will air the 17th. Any news on whether there is going to be another season or not? Google did not help me this time.

[seurat]

From what I understand Alexis still hasn't agreed to another year and most of the people involved think she won't. However, the CW is trying anything they can think of to cajole her into it, and they have until mid-May or so to do it. They just finished filming what will either be the series or season finale, which involves a big party for Rory.

[urnofosiris]

Thank you Seurat
Rory has never been my favorite character and I could enjoy the show well enough without her, but a show called Gilmore girls without one half of the girls makes about as much sense as Beauty and the Beast without Beauty. It can´t be an easy decision for her to make if said decision also determines the fate of the show and the employment of everyone else who works on it.

[Brianna]

Thanks DrG for the air date!! And abput another season... if alexis isent in it It will be fine too I dont Rory is a main character but is Lorelai who makes the show so good (is just my opinion!)

[BBOvenGuy]

GilmoreGirls.org reports that the series will end this season. Apparently, the suits offered Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel a big chunk of change to do a 13-episode Season 8, but one or both of them turned it down.

That means the series will end in two more episodes, on May 15. Reportedly, Christiane Amanpour makes an appearance in the finale.

So it's goodbye, Gilmore Girls, and thank you. You were my refuge when Buffy went down the drain. Calamity Jane Espenson tried to kill you as well, and I'll admit that I was never as interested in you again, even after she left, but I'm still glad you came along.

[urnofosiris]

Well crap. That is a very short time to say goodbye and wrap things up properly.

[BBOvenGuy]

That is a very short time to say goodbye and wrap things up properly.

I think a lot of people have been expecting this development for a while now. That's how and why they got Christiane Amanpour for the finale.

And really, I think it's a good time to call it quits. The show is still popular enough that the suits made a last-ditch effort to bring it back. The stars' contracts are up, and they want to try new things. And within the context of the show's storyline, Rory is graduating college and should be leaving the nest. It's not quite a case of going out on top, but it's closer than most shows get.

[Garner]

I was pretty sad to hear that this would be it, but going out with Rory graduating does seem appropriate. The last ep might have a slightly rushed feel to it, depending on all of what they try to accomplish, but at least they did know it was coming.

I think the worst thing about it ending is that last season felt like a throw away that was more wasted time than anything else. I never found the first Yale season that bad, but last season left so much they had to deal with and resolve this season that it doesn't feel like we got a good final season devoted to just the characters and not cleaning up the mess that was left behind. Oh well. Better a high note ending than slinking out like...other shows. These last few episodes have really had more townies and more of the old show's feel. I can totally understand the actresses wanting to get on with other things, try something fresh. A half season windup would have been nice, though. One more ep and then adieu.

Garner

[HalfCamel]

So no thoughts about the GG finale? It's been almost two weeks.

I found it very sad... but it was mostly a nostalgic sadness. I hadn't really kept up with it this past year. I'm still gonna miss the show, though... when it was good, it was great and when it was bad, it was really bad.

I thought they did a good job wrapping things up, considering. We got to say farewell to the Girls and to each of the townies in a good way. The only thing I wonder about is... Where was Mrs. Kim? She was there since the beginning... I think it would've been appropriate for her to make a cameo... even if would've been just to tell Rory or Lorelai "Good job on growing up" or something of the sort. And it would've been awesome is Gil would've made an appearance, too.

I'm extremely glad that Rory said no to Logan... I think it was true to her character considering all the travel plans she had for her future. I kinda didn't buy Logan's "all or nothing" crap, but I can live with it... not that I liked him for Rory for the long-run, but still. And Lorelai and Luke? That's all we get?! Two seconds of kissing and then a shot of the Townies? That sucked, and it was anti climactic considering everything that happened.

Anyways. I think the finale was decent and everything ended in a believeable way, even Rory's last might job offer. No complaints here.

Good bye, Gilmore Girls. I'm definantly gonna miss you.

[seurat]

I guess I've been reluctant to post about the series finale because this has been one of my favorite shows for seven years - well, okay, more like five and a half - and it did make me sad to see it go. And yes, the finale was good and I did tear up a bit at least once. I hadn't even noticed Mama Kim wasn't there until you mentioned it, that's a surprising oversight. You have to give them credit though, they gave almost everyone a line or two in the last ep. (Reportedly Lauren Graham requested a rewrite to make sure that happened. And that also may explain why there isn't more Luke/Lorelai interaction, since I think the original script featured them more.)

There was some good old fashioned banter between Lorelai and Rory and I liked the way they handled Luke/Lorelai and as for that kiss - well, didn't you always find their clinches rather awkward anyway? I certainly felt that, and although I liked the relationship it seems pretty clear that the actors had no chemistry. The writing made it work.

What else? Loved the final hangout scene with Lane and Rory, the scene in the park where everyone slinks away with the party things when they realize Rory and Lorelai are there, but especially the last couple of scenes with Rory telling Lorelai that she had done everything she could for her and their final scene talking in the diner with Luke bringing them the usual mounds of food. I do wish Amy could have written this one, despite her terrible plot manipulations towards the end of her tenure I still loved her dialogue. But all things considered it was a fine ending. I'll miss the show, but I think it was probably time. I wish all the actors well, and look forward to seeing what they do in future.

[urnofosiris]

the scene in the park where everyone slinks away with the party things when they realize Rory and Lorelai are there

That totally cracked me up. I can´t explain why, but to me it was the funniest scene of the entire season. Other than that I did not feel overwhelmed with the final episode. The Rory/Lorelai yapping felt forced to me and did not really amuse me and it took up too much time for my liking.
I am sorry we won´t get at least half a season more because I don´t feel I have seen all I want to see. I mean that as a compliment, it means at least one viewer is not tired of this show and I am sure I am not the only one.

it seems pretty clear that the actors had no chemistry

I always thought Lorelai and Christopher were the ones without chemistry, I did see it between Luke and Lorelai. I would have to give most of the credit to Lauren Graham for making them and that brief reunion scene and kiss work so well though. I will miss really seeing her on screen, I sincerely hope to be seeing more of her soon on the big screen preferably.

[Garner]

I always thought Luke and Lorelai had some chemistry, not Willow and Tara level, but there was some there. And I also find that Lorelai and Chris in the earlier episodes seemed to have a bit more chemistry together than this season.

I liked the finale, but like DrG, I also felt that we could have had a bit more and wasn't quite ready to let things go yet. Rory saying no to Logan's all or nothing felt right, but I actually liked them as a couple and would have liked to have seen what came next. It just doesn't seem like their story is done and that was it. Too sudden, too final for me. I also would have liked a little more explicit idea of where Luke and Lorelai were heading, it did seem like they as a couple got a bit of a short shift there.

BUT, the finale was not that corny or cliched, no matter how much a dual wedding would have been cool, L/L and R/L, and they did a very good job highlighting Star's Hollow, the townies, and especially the Lorelai/Rory relationship. Which is how the show started, what it needed a bit more of, and how it ended. Very appropriate. I also like that Taylor FINALLY got shouted down and told off. Yay for that. I also loved the sneaking around in teh square.

There has been some who complained about this season, but given how we left things the year before, and the need to redress all that, the last 4-5 episodes were very good and show what the new team could have done if they didn't have to deal with the baggage that ASP and DP left them with. A half season would have been nice. My one real complaint with the finale is that it seemed a tad rushed.

Still, they say it's better to leave them wanting more than not. Compared to how Buffy ended, I gvie this much, much higher marks.

Garner

[seurat]

Just let me clarify that I did say the "actors had no chemistry", that is Scott and Lauren not the characters of Luke and Lorelai. And there were times when that showed, despite everything. I thought Lauren Graham did a great job throughout. And no, I never thought the Christopher/Lorelai pairing worked at all, despite the fact that those two actors apparently got along very well. So in the end I'd rather have seen Luke/Lorelai even if they had to work a little harder to make those scenes look realistic.

I wouldn't have minded at all seeing another half season, and certainly would have watched it. But if Alexis and Lauren didn't have their hearts in it I was prepared to let it end here. The finale was rushed and imperfect, but I thought it was a good effort and well, kind of sweet in the end. It could have been so much worse.

[urnofosiris]

I noticed Seurat, but I used the character´s names as I did not remember the names of the actors that play Luke and Christopher and was too lazy to look them up, heh. I think chemistry in an on screen couple can only exist if the actors have it together. No matter how well a story is written or how well two people can act, if they don´t have chemistry they can´t sell me on a relationship. I was sold on Luke and Lorelai, so I do believe the actors have chemistry, but that´s just my subjective feeling. I do think they don´t spark like a lot of other on screen couples I´ve seen, but there was enough to make me believe in them. Anyway, it was a bitter sweet episode, indeed it could have been worse and I am thankful it was not. This show was too good to not go out on a positive note.