It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since “Gilmore Girls” brought the eccentric but lovable world of Stars Hollow to life, providing a comfort show that for millions of fans has become a must-watch during the fall season.
To celebrate the 25-year milestone, a new “Gilmore Girls” documentary is in the works that will explore how the show came to be and its enduring impact, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Is there a new ‘Gilmore Girls’ documentary?
“Gilmore Girls” premiered on The WB network Oct. 5, 2000, introducing viewers to the fast-talking, endlessly coffee-drinking, close-knit mother-daughter duo Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel).
Lorelai found refuge in Stars Hollow, choosing to leave her family’s wealthy home and start anew in the small town after giving birth to her daughter, Rory, at the age of 16. Amid the town’s eccentricities, the mother and daughter navigate work, school and dating.
While Lorelai and Rory are the focus of the show, “Gilmore Girls” is elevated by its diverse cast of supporting characters — several of whom appear in the new documentary “Searching for Stars Hollow.”
Per The Hollywood Reporter, a number of “Gilmore Girls” cast members have provided interviews and stories from behind the scenes, including:
- Kelly Bishop, who plays Lorelai Gilmore’s mom, Emily
- Keiko Agena, who plays Rory’s best friend Lane
- Jared Padalecki, who plays Dean, Rory’s first boyfriend
- Chad Michael Murray, who plays Tristan, Rory’s classmate at Chilton
- Emily Kuroda, who plays Lane’s mom, Mrs. Kim
- Sally Struthers, who plays town gossip Babette
- Liz Torres, who plays dance teacher Miss Patty
The documentary also features insights from crew members, writers and directors, but there are notable absences — including the two main stars of the show, Graham and Bledel; and Scott Patterson, who plays diner owner Luke Danes.
“The interviews that we’ve already conducted with the cast have been a delight,” director Meghna Balakumar said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve shot more than 100 hours of footage and have already unearthed stories, commentary, critiques, and more. And we’re continuing to shoot more interviews in the coming months to present the most complete, full and truly new story of the show’s impact and legacy that is only possible at this historical moment.”
“Searching for Stars Hollow” is not affiliated with Warner Bros. and the “Gilmore Girls” producers, according to USA Today.
The documentary does not yet have a release date, but fans can get updates on the project through the pre-launch page for the Kickstarter.
Why is ‘Gilmore Girls’ so popular?
When “Gilmore Girls” hit two decades of popularity in 2020, Patterson spoke with the Deseret News about the cultural phenomenon the show has become.
“It’s a nice surprise,” the actor said. “Things usually just sort of come and go — that’s the nature of the business no matter how hot a show they are. ... And then maybe 50 years later, they come back and there’s the nostalgia play. But not only does (‘Gilmore Girls’) not go away, it just grows and grows and grows and grows. I could not have predicted that — I don’t think anybody could have.”
The cast is a major part of the show’s enduring popularity, Patterson believes.
“These completely eccentric characters were just a blast to be around,” he told the Deseret News. “They all are very well thought out, very well-cast, very well-acted. There’s a variety of voices going on in that show. Beyond the main cast, there’s a whole host of supporting cast that contributed mightily to the show and every single episode.
“It wasn’t a rock band; it was an orchestra,” he continued. “There were a lot of notes that you could play. We were far more versatile and we had far more instruments going on than your traditional show.”
And then, Patterson said, there’s the comedy-drama’s quirky setting, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the eclectic cast of characters.
“There’s always going to be an appetite for what I consider to be the happiest place on Earth — Stars Hollow," he said. “At the end of the day, we’re making something that makes people very happy, and that’s a good business to be in.”