Gilmore Girls

Scott Patterson (Luke Danes) interviewed with TV Guide about the series finale of Gilmore Girls. Here’s what he had to say:

Scott Patterson by Mark Lidell/The CWIt’s sort of fitting that death was staring Scott Paterson in the face when word of Gilmore Girls’ demise came down. In Toronto shooting the horror sequel Saw 4, “I was on the set [filming a scene] when the news broke,” he recounts. “I flipped open my cell phone and saw there were, like, 15 messages. I was like, “Ooooh, that’s either really good or really bad.” For fans of Patterson’s gruff-but-lovable Luke Danes, it was most certainly the latter. And Patterson himself? How does he feel about bidding Stars Hollow adieu after seven years? And what was his relationship with sparring partner Lauren Graham really like? Read on and find out…

What was your reaction to hearing that the show was ending?
Patterson: I kind of expected it, actually. And I think I was probably a little relieved, and disappointed at the same time. So many things went through me when I heard the news. I wasn’t terribly shocked. I know a lot of people were very optimistic, but I wasn’t one of them.

Why not?
Patterson: To continue to do something like that there has to be a real passion for it. I didn’t sense there was any passion left, and, therefore, little reason to do it.

Are you speaking about yourself?
Patterson: Not me, just a general sense. The mood on the set was that it had run its course. Creatively, maybe, certain cast members were bankrupt and wanted to recharge their batteries in another venue. But there are a myriad of [factors] that go into these decisions; it’s not just one thing.

But you were prepared to return if it was renewed?
Patterson: Yeah. I signed a deal a couple of months ago. I was all set. I also have a holding deal, which means that [Warner Bros.] is looking to place me in another series as we speak. I was covered either way.

What are you going to miss?
Patterson: Just having a regular job. (Laughs) That’ll be an adjustment. We all struggle for all these years to get to this point and you never think in a million years that you’re going to look in the mirror one day and say, “I need to do something else.” When it becomes redundant and repetitive and old hat, it’s nice to change the music a little bit.

Was the vibe on the set different this year with [series creator] Amy [Sherman-Palladino] gone?
Patterson: Yeah, there was a perceptible change. Lauren was a producer this year, and there was a little more leeway in how things were shaped. The actors had more input than in the previous six years. And it was less work — I’m not qualifying that either way, whether it was good or bad. That’s just the way it was.

Was it bittersweet that Amy wasn’t there at the end?
Patterson: I think it was. I miss her like crazy. I always loved it when she directed an episode, or when she visited the set. She just energized the whole place. Just a lovely woman and a dear, dear friend. That’s the most important thing that I took away from this: my friendship with Amy. I will always do whatever I can to help her. Like I told her on the phone, “Not only would I hide a body for you, I would chop one up as well.”

Were you satisfied with the way the Luke and Lorelai story was wrapped up?
Patterson: No, I wasn’t, because there was still a lot of life left in it. But also, less is more, because it leaves in the audience’s imagination where it could go, and that’s really good writing. Why give them the full meal? And I know fans are a little upset because they feel unsatisfied. They feel like they hung in there for so long and didn’t get the full monty, so to speak. But I think the show will live in their imaginations longer as a result of this type of an ending.

A lot of fans Luke and Lorelai fans feel cheated because she spent so much of the season with Christopher.
Patterson: But what could they do? They were really faced with doing it the way they did it or pull a Deus ex machina, and that would have been really bad. I think that would’ve turned the fans off even more. Look, the fans were the show. We really felt the presence of the fans. What a terrific and loyal group of people they are. I think they have 152 episodes of Gilmore Girls to go over again and again and relive. It’s a lot of work that’s in there and I think at the end of the day, they’re going to take away from this that they’ve had a good run as well.

What did you think of the April storyline?
Patterson: I personally loved it. I think it gave Luke dimension. It humanized him more. It showed Luke in a much different light than what we were used to seeing. I know a lot of fans resisted April initially, but I thought it really helped the show. I think fans were a little perturbed because it delayed what they considered to be the inevitable, but this is what happens sometimes in life. I thought it was very cleverly done. And Vanessa is just a delight to work with, and a true professional.

Over the years there’s been speculation that you and Lauren had some rocky times. Would you say that’s accurate?
Patterson: No, I think it’s not accurate. I think it’s really inaccurate. And I think people thrive on rumor and innuendo; that sells papers, gets people to click on websites. Lauren has always been pretty much the rock of that whole production. She did the lion’s share of the work, and she did it with real aplomb. I wouldn’t have wanted that schedule. Not for 10 minutes would I have wanted that schedule. I mean, that schedule would’ve broken a workhorse, and she just plowed through it every day and it was pretty amazing to watch. We would hear those things and just laugh. We had a very comfortable working relationship. I enjoyed doing scenes with her because I knew she was going to hit the ball back over the net as good as she got. All of that stuff is just overblown.

Would you like to work with her again?
Patterson: Oh, absolutely. I would work with her again in a heartbeat. She happens to be a very, very, very good actress. I would jump at the chance to work with her again.

Do you feel like you were cheated out of saying a formal good-bye to the cast and crew since the decision came down after you were done filming?
Patterson: That part was unfortunate. But in Hollywood, when you’re trying to make the best deal you can, unfortunately, that type of thing is going to happen from time-to-time. I don’t think [Lauren and Alexis] had a choice. They chose a certain tactic and they stuck to their guns, which is admirable. I haven’t talked to either Lauren or Alexis about the situation, but I guess they just felt like the deal just wasn’t good enough for them. If they felt the deal was good enough, they would’ve signed. But I don’t really know the details.

I posed this question to Lauren and I’ll as you as well: Would you be up for doing a Gilmore Girls reunion movie penned by Amy?
Patterson: I don’t even see that happening in the hypothetical sense. (Laughs)

What’s next?
Patterson: The movies are beginning to stack up. I have about four or five lined up in a row. I’m also up for the lead in Repo! A Genetic Opera. Darren Lynn Bousman is directing it, and he’s just amazing. I have a big singing audition for him tomorrow in full wardrobe. I’m very excited about it. This is the upside of Gilmore ending, because now a whole new world is opening up and it’s really thrilling.

Scott Patterson, Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls

TV Guide has an interview with Lauren Graham about the cancelation of Gilmore Girls. It is a fantastic read. Enjoy:

Lauren Graham by Mark Liddell/The CWThe fast-approaching finale of Gilmore Girls is depressing on so many levels; I get a lump in my throat contemplating even a few of them. It’s the end of an era, for starters. Lauren Graham — the closest thing Hollywood is ever likely to get to another Katharine Hepburn — may never again play a character as given to bantering at breakneck speed as Lorelai. For that matter, she may never find verbal sparring partners as worthy as Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson. But maybe worst of all, the series’ demise probably means I’ll be talking to my favorite Girl a lot less frequently. With that weighing heavily on my mind, as we began what would be our last interview of the golden Girls age, I held nothing back. In turn, neither did she.

I hear you’re going to have a lot more free time on your hands.
Lauren Graham: (Laughs) Yes, it would seem that way.

Are you relieved that it’s over?
Graham: I feel that way, which is not without feeling mixed and thankful for the experience. But, yeah, I feel relieved.

All indications were that the show was coming back for 13 episodes. What happened?
Graham: Well, you know, there was a lot that went back and forth by the time the [13 episode thing] came out. I had sort of said to them a couple of months ago that I didn’t see it coming back, and they had asked to just give them some time to figure something out that would make it work. Both Alexis and I felt tired, and also creatively like the show was in a place where we were either at the end or very close to it. We really couldn’t imagine another season. I think they were trying to tempt us with 13, which was tempting, but ultimately it just wasn’t going to work for them. We needed the situation to be so ideal, and I think it just wasn’t meant to be. I do want to say that the studio and the network were very generous and very respectful in this whole process. We just didn’t want to work the schedule we’d been working. But if we’re working a lesser schedule, what is the show? The way we’d like to have done it would not have necessarily been good for the show. Right now you have me working six to seven days an episode, and Alexis doing about the same. To do anything less than that just wasn’t going to be the same show. They tried to make it appealing for us, and we tried to be imaginative, but then at the end of the day it just felt like we were trying to do something impossible.

Did you and Alexis band together during negotiations?
Graham: Not in a formal way, but we certainly discussed what our hopes were. We were very open with each other. Most of our conversations were, “Can we imagine coming back.”

Is it true that Alexis was the harder sell?
Graham: I don’t think that’s true. I did formally say at one point, “I’m not coming back.” Then they thought, “Well, can we do it with just Alexis?” I don’t want to speak for her, but we both went back and forth. Ultimately, neither of us wanted to do it without the other one.

Was that a real possibility?
Graham: If she was in a place where she wanted, like, her own show or her own spin-off… They were trying to think of everything. There was a time when we thought maybe I would produce and not be on the show in the same capacity. I’ve been at this for a long time; I feel ready to move on. But they were trying to find a way to make it work. There were a lot of scenarios. I had very open conversations with Dawn Ostroff. We tried, but they ultimately said, “You know what? This is just too complicated.” And I felt so glad, because I don’t think it would’ve been the same show for another 13. We were trying to find a way we could have a slightly easier schedule, and there was really no way to do that and still have it be Gilmore Girls.

Were you happy with the show creatively this season?
Graham: I was happy with the process. I really enjoyed [working with] the writers. I felt every year, even under Amy’s leadership, that the show evolved. For the last episode, we tried to match the final shot with the first scene from the pilot, so we went back and watched the pilot — which I haven’t seen for so long. And the show now is really different from that pilot, which was more dramatic at the time than your typical WB show. And I think it evolved and got more comedic over the years; every year was an evolution. This year was strange sometimes because I had a lot less to say, and that was really weird. For some people I’m sure that was great, but I would find myself in long scenes where I was not rattling on, and it was just really weird to me. And so I did sort of question, “Are we keeping this character consistent?” And they were responsive to me.

When we spoke last year you mentioned that you’d like to someday be given a producer credit, but you said there was no way Warner Bros. would allow it. Well, this year they gave you a producer credit. What changed?
Graham: I really felt strongly that I was doing the job of a producer. And in order to imagine moving forward — which I was imaging at the time — I really hoped they would recognize the different job I was doing. And eventually they very nicely did. When the creator of the show is gone, the actors end up being the people who have been there the longest. And I got more involved with where the story was headed, and felt that I was having more of an active role. I just thought it was warranted.

I heard that you requested some changes to the finale script…
Graham: How do you hear these things Mike!? Where will all your moles go now that the show is over! (Laughs)

Good question! So, what changes did you ask for?
Graham: My feeling was [the episode] just felt too light to me — even as a season finale. I thought this should be an opportunity to say good-bye, or at least have some sort of acknowledgement of all these characters. I [also] wanted it to be more dramatic. And David Rosenthal was extremely responsive — moreso than he needed to be. So he went back and took another look at it, with more of an eye to, “How can we acknowledge all of these characters? Give everyone a moment.” I felt it was important to go a little deeper.

Do you think Luke and Lorelai fans will be satisfied with how things end?
Graham: Yeah. You know, the other thing I felt strongly about is that this is a show that is ultimately about these girls. It started with this mother-daughter relationship, and we haven’t been a show where big events happen. So I always worried that there would be some pressure to… (Laughs) My extreme example was always, “Double wedding!” I just didn’t want there to be a big event. But there’s definitely a direction [with Luke/Lorelai] that I think will be satisfying.

Were you surprised at how reluctant fans were to let Luke and Lorelai go when she went off and married Christopher this season?
Graham: Well, it was a tough story to follow. We got married really impulsively. I always wanted [the Luke/Lorelai/Christopher triangle] to be as complex as it could be so that there wasn’t an obvious choice. It’s like when you go see some romantic comedy movie and you’re like, “Well, obviously she shouldn’t be with that guy.” They make it too easy. I just sort of wanted them to write Christopher in a way that made it a real love triangle. But everything happened so fast. The Luke and Lorelai story is where the show started. That should be the thing they’re rooting for, because that’s what the show set up. That makes complete sense.

Conspiracy theorists maintain that you pushed for a Lorelai/Christopher romance because of your prickly relationship with Scott Patterson.
Graham: You’re the conspiracy theorist! (Laughs) I finally figured it out!

No, I’m not! You wouldn’t believe how many questions I get about this. Is it much ado about nothing?
Graham: Yes, it was overblown. I mean, I am closer, personally, to David [Sutcliffe]. And we’ve gone to dinner together. I always thought that maybe people thought I was trying to give him some sort of advantage because we’re friends. But that’s not it. Like I said, when a show is continuing for so long, I didn’t want there to be an obvious choice, because then the show is over; there’s nowhere to go. So I always argued for other [romantic complications] because I thought it made the story better. But I always felt that it would cheat the fans to not have the [Luke and Lorelai] relationship be important in the whole of the show.

How would you characterize your working relationship with Scott over the years?
Graham: Totally great. It’s a working relationship, like most of them are. But he was so great in that part. I really loved my scenes with him and the chemistry we had. Our banter was among the most fun stuff to do.

Is it bittersweet ending without Amy?
Graham: Yeah. What I hoped — and this is not to take away from David Rosenthal, who I had a really nice year with — was that she would write the finale. But that’s not the way she works. She’s either there 100 percent [or not at all]. She couldn’t just come in and pick up another story that she didn’t lay the groundwork for and finish it. I wish she had been more involved this year, because I was playing a piece of her that is so specifically her. I missed her writing.

Have you spoken to her since the announcement was made?
Graham: We e-mailed and we’re supposed to have a drink this week.

Are you going to try and get her to divulge the final four words she had planned to end the series with?
Graham: Oh, right — I forgot about that. I think she would’ve given it up to me had we known this was the end. That was the other weird thing about ending the show like this. When we finished [shooting], there was a 50/50 chance we’d be returning. So when we left the wrap party, we were like, “Bye! See ya next season!” Had we known [this was it], I think she would’ve given it up and we would’ve worked it in.

Favorite memories?
Graham: Oh, gosh. There was a real kind of high — that’s the only way I can describe it — when we’d get these big athletic speeches and then nail it after 35 takes. (Laughs) And that is a feeling that I really haven’t had with another part. To do that language all systems have to be go; you have to really have a lot of concentration. And that feeling was really exhilarating. I’ll miss that experience as an actor. And there was a specific sense of humor and music to the way [Amy] would write these speeches that I’ll really miss. And these are people that I loved, whether I see them every day or not. Alexis and I fell over laughing many, many times — partially out of exhaustion. (Laughs) We really bonded in a very unique way. And I’ll miss the feeling of [being around] a crew, all of whom I know and feel really at home with and really supported by. That was not an easy show to do and that crew was really great.

Favorite episode?
Graham: Oh my God. I literally can’t even remember the last one.

Maybe a scene that stood out?
Graham: There really were so many. The dinner tables, while a drag to shoot because it takes forever getting all the angles, were really, really fun.

So, when’s the Gilmore Girls reunion?
Graham: (Laughs) We’re totally doing the Gilmore Girls movie. I’m never, ever going to do anything else. There’s Gilmore Girls: The Musical. The line of clothing called Lorelai. And the perfume called Stars Hollow… No, you know, I’m promoting Evan Almighty, which comes out in June. And I have been reading a lot. And sleeping. (Laughs) But I’m auditioning for things, and I’m going to try and do another movie soon.

Would you do another TV series?
Graham: I would do another TV series, but not right away. I love TV. I think I’d do a half-hour single camera comedy. But I’m going to really just enjoy this time and make sure I’m ready to do something new. If I had the best thing in front of me right now I don’t know that I’d be able to be excited about it, ’cause I think [you have to make room] to let the other thing pass. So, yeah, I’d love to take a year and see what else I can do.

Anything you’d like to say to the fans?
Graham: Just that I’ve been truly thankful for their support and for their fanaticism (Laughs) and their investment in these characters through all the ups and downs of a seven-year process. I can’t tell you what a kick I get out of [hearing from the fans], especially the younger people over the years who have grown up with the show and have [developed] a bond with a family member from a different generation while watching it together. I hope when I’m 55 and I’ve been out of a job for a long time and those girls are running the studios that they remember Lorelai Gilmore.

Source

Tonight’s episode is called, “Unto the Breach.” Here’s the director’s cut for it. It’s a very sweet scene. I’m really going to miss this show!!!!

Lauren Graham will be on the Ellen Degeneres Show tomorrow. Check local listings for time and channel. I’ll be interested to see what she says about the end of Gilmore Girls.

Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls

I’m very sad to report that Warner Brothers has released a statement saying that Gilmore Girls will air its SERIES finale on May 15. Which means there are only two more episodes to enjoy. I’ve enjoyed writing this blog for 451 Press over the past two seasons. I’ll miss the Girls and you the fans that commented here. Here’s the article from TV Squad.

Gilmore Girls

Looks like talks of another season of Gilmore Girls have stalled. Sources tell TV Guide that it looked like a lock for another season, but talks are now at a standstill. The thing that sucks the most is, if it goes down to the wire, we may not know if we are watching a season finale or a series finale because the decision doesn’t have to be made until May 17. Ugh. I just want to know one way or the other!!

Source

Gilmore Girls

Congratulations to Keiko Agena (Lane)! Keiko was named one of People Magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People! How cool is that? What was more interesting to me was that she is 33! Yes, 33! Which means she was 26 when the show started and she was playing a 16 year-old. Nothing about that is strange in Hollywood, but I honestly believed she was like Alexis Bledel - at least close to the age she played. Anyway, congrats to Keiko!

Keiko Agena, People Magazine, Gilmore Girls, Alexis Bledel

According to Ausiello at TV Guide:

Question: Thanks for keeping us updated on the nail-biting situation that is Gilmore Girls’ possible eighth season. Please give us the latest update, even if it’s that things are the same.
Ausiello: The 13-episode deal should’ve been signed, sealed and delivered by now. Something’s obviously holding up the works. Maybe Sally Struthers is playing hardball.

Question: Can you please tell us in what episode and in what situation Luke and Lorelai will kiss after a year apart?
Ausiello: God, you guys are an impatient bunch. (Spoiler alert) It happens in the season finale shortly after Luke single-handedly prevents Rory’s graduation party from becoming a total washout. Do you also want to know how much tongue there is?

Gilmore Girls

Looks like a sequel to the popular Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will begin filming this summer. The studio wants to capitalize on America Ferrera’s new found Ugly Betty fame. So they exercised their option for America, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively for the sequel. I personally can’t wait. I loved the first movie and am not ashamed to admit I loved the books, too.

Gilmore Girls, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively

The cast wrapped production of Season 7 of Gilmore Girls last week. Rumors are flying that it was NOT a series wrap. Everyone seems to be on board for a shortened season 8. There will probably be 13 episodes next season. Of course nothing is official and won’t be until Upfronts in May. Guess we’ll see…

Gilmore Girls

Jennifer Garner hosted the Oscar De La Renta boutique opening in Beverly Hills yesterday. The event benefited EIF Women’s Cancer Research Fund. The ladies rocked black and white outfits and came out for a good cause.

What wasn’t a good idea was Lauren’s hairdo. OH MY. The side view is particularly disturbing and I’m not sure why I’m so bothered by it.

Lauren with Brooke Shields

Lauren Graham, Oscar De La Renta, Jennifer Garner, Brooke Shields

Well, rumors are flying that Lauren Graham is considering signing on for a shortened season 8 of Gilmore Girls. This would work much like the last season of Friends did - shorter than a regular season, but long enough to wrap up the series properly. I think this is a pretty good idea. Hopefully it will work out and we can get a proper conclusion to the show we love. I’ll keep you posted.

Gilmore Girls, Lauren Graham

WOW! Gilmore Girls fans were out in force winning the Save One Show Poll by Kristin Vietch at E! I really can’t believe it. Veronica Mars was a close second and Kristin is going to give both shows the SOS treatment - complete with letters to the network president and fan pleas to save the shows. I’m really surprised by this news. In her column before the voting, she made it pretty clear that the decision to return was up to Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, but I guess fans wanted them to know they’re ready for a season 8. Congratulations to the fans that supported the show and voted! I hope it works, but honestly am not holding my breath. And huge congrats to Veronica Mars, too! I’m a new convert to that show and I LOVE it. Read more at E!

Gilmore Girls, Kristin Vietch, Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Veronica Mars

The CW website just launched “Kirk’s Town Tours.” This is a cute little video series where Kirk visits local Stars Hollow spots. You can also enter to win a trip to LA. Check it out, it is pretty cute if you’re a Kirk fan.

Gilmore Girls, Kirk’s Town Tours

Nothing spoilery at all. Enjoy!

Gilmore Girls