Our theme for the month of June is “Celebrities and Me.” Writers were asked to select and write about a celebrity with whom they feel some connection.
Gilmore Girls is without a doubt my comfort show. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen the series all the way through (not including A Year in the Life because forever bitter about that ending), and it never gets old. The writing is so brilliant that to catch all the references, you have to watch the show countless times with a Google browser open at your side. The script makes it timeless; it’s brilliant and quippy, and you catch something new every viewing, even on your thirteenth time through.
I first discovered Gilmore Girls during freshman year of college. Several girls in my dorm loved the show, and our class breaks were often filled with snacks stolen from the dining hall and an episode or two of Gilmore before reluctantly returning to academics. The sound of us singing the theme song—Carole King’s “Where You Lead”—became the soundtrack of our floor.
After that, anyone who lived with me was subject to the Gilmore Girls hype. My flatmate and I spent many study abroad evenings in England with Rory, enjoying our tea and digestive cookies. We always had Gilmore playing on the old TV in our off-campus college house, and we even planned a Gilmore-approved food spread—PopTarts, Chinese food, pizza, candy, the works—for a watch party. And of course, I’ve watched the show many times with my mom. We push through our most stressful life seasons by watching our favorite Gilmore ones, always accompanied by exceptional takeout food and coffee (the Gilmore way).
Part of the reason the show is so comforting is Gilmore Girls’ quintessentially autumnal vibes. Watching it feels like a warm hug, a giant cup of coffee first thing in the morning, and your favorite cozy cardigan all wrapped into one. Plus, a lot of the show takes place in autumn, and the timeline usually revolves around Rory’s school year, giving it strong academia vibes.
The first few seasons, I really relate to Rory. Her passion for academics and stress about perfect grades, the need for pro-con lists and lots and lots of coffee all resonate with me. Rory wants to be a journalist; I love to write. And we are both very similar to our mothers, a bond irreplaceable to both of us.
But as much as I relate to the young Rory, her college/adult experience gives me a lot of ‘what not to do’ moments. For example: don’t steal a yacht when faced with negative feedback. While Rory and her mother Lorelai are the center of the show, their life choices often lead to mayhem. In light of their poor decisions, I find myself relating more to snarky Paris Geller or the ever-cynical Luke Danes and growing more frustrated at Lorelai and Rory’s chaotic way of living. But the chaos of Gilmore world often mimics the drama swirling in my own just enough to help me feel a little less alone in the middle of it all.
And I don’t know that I’ll ever stop watching, because as Rory would say: it’s not just a show, “it’s a lifestyle.”
Olivia graduated from Calvin in May 2018 with a double major in business and writing. She now works as an editor in Nashville, Tennessee and is eating her way through the restaurants of her new town. She enjoys weekend trips with friends, petting other people’s dogs, and drinking coffee like a Gilmore Girl.
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If you haven’t heard of it yet, Scott Patterson has a new podcast where he is watching the show for the first time with guest stars every week. Highly recommend =)
Okay YES I just listened to three of his episodes yesterday! So fun to hear from all the guest stars. And if you haven’t tried Scott’s coffee brand, it is excellent 🙂
When I was growing up, there were a few shows that my mom insisted we watch together: Felicity, Gilmore Girls, and Friday Night Lights. We didn’t make it through the last one, but I will be forever thankful we did watch all 7 seasons (and the Netflix special, which currently I don’t remember how I felt about it). There’s something about Gilmore Girls that, like, transmits the mother-daughter relationship energy out of the TV and into real life. I think it’s about time for a rewatch 🙂
I completely agree! Definitely time for a rewatch! 🙂
I like how more than connecting to a celebrity you are connecting to a parent over something. It’s cool to have that bond of a shared interest, especially with someone from a different generation, that we still can connect with them despite the perceived differences.
I completely agree, it’s part of what makes the show so special! 🙂
I am so privileged to have been able to watch the show many times with you! Favorite part of dorm life involved watching Gilmore Girls!
Absolutely same – the best memories!