Lauren Graham’s Emotional, Heartfelt Gilmore Girls Revival Reaction: ‘It’s What I Hoped It Would Be’
Lauren Graham is out of breath. She just came from Friday’s table read for the Gilmore Girls revival’s debut installment, titled “Winter,” and she’s a ball of frenzied excitement and firing endorphins.
A similar scene has been playing out in the social media-verse in the hours since Netflix officially confirmed that Amy Sherman-Palladino’s beloved dramedy would be returning with all-new episodes.
Below, Graham takes me through the nostalgic whirlwind that has been the past 72 hours, before answering the $1 million question: Is the revival going to be worth the wait. (Short answer: Oh, hell yes.)
TVLINE | How was the table read?
Let me go back a day or two ago, when I walked onto the set for the first time. We had to do a camera test and… the house. [She gets choked up] It’s on a different stage but it’s… the house. Alexis [Bledel] and I walked onto the set together and — I feel super emotional about a lot of it and I’m afraid I’m going to start crying at every turn — but walking onto that set really felt like something. It felt like a lot of time had passed and it felt like we were just there. It felt amazing.
TVLINE | I can only imagine.
And then, today, to be in that room with everybody [for the table read]. It was just really emotional. I don’t know what I’m allowed to say. [Laughs] There’s a line [in the script] about how time has passed and how that feels… and hanging over all of it is the absence of Ed [Herrmann, who played Gilmore patriarch Richard], which, obviously the [revival] addresses. But that’s where we’re all starting from, and it feels so real. It’s hard to be here without him. You notice so many friendly faces and then a few that are missing. But more than anything, we just can’t believe it. All of the things that had to happen for this to happen.
TVLINE | Netflix had to happen!
Netflix had to be invented. The fans had to want it badly enough that they didn’t stop asking. The outpouring of enthusiasm and joy is just completely humbling and so appreciated. I sound like some terrible self-help guru, but I feel so full of appreciation. And then I look at the schedule, which is, like, 40 days of night work, and I’m like, “Oh, yeah! I remember this job!” [Laughs] But I’m even excited to do that. And just so excited to do this material. Amy sent me the scripts and I gobbled them right up. It’s all the positive aspects of running into someone you used to go out with with none of the downside. [Laughs] It’s like, “Hey, old friend! I’m happy to see you.”
TVLINE | Have you read all four scripts?
I haven’t read the last one. We just got it. They’re looong. [Laughs] I read “Winter,” “Spring” and “Summer.”
TVLINE | Are fans going to be happy?
[Pauses, adopts a serious, thoughtful tone] For sure. For sure. I read a scene with Kelly [Bishop, who plays matriarch Emily] today… and it was just completely alive. We have some really nice story together. And there’s definitely some resolution that we didn’t get [at the end of the series’ original run].
TVLINE | Lauren, you have the final script in your hands. Which means you are in possession of the final four words…
[Calmly] Correct.
TVLINE | Did you skip ahead and read them?!
No. Amy already told them to me.
TVLINE | When?!
She didn’t realize that I didn’t know them. It’s actually been helpful not knowing them, because people ask me and I tell them I don’t know — because I really didn’t know. You know? So I asked her, “Who says them?” And she says, “Both of you.” That’s all I can say. It’s not, you know, in unison.
TVLINE | It’s an exchange.
Exactly.
TVLINE | Just hearing you talk about it gets me really excited.
Me too, Mike. I was completely satisfied with these scripts. It’s what I hoped it would be.
TVLINE | Twitter is exploding now that the news is official.
I haven’t seen anything because I’ve been in the table read and now I’m decorating my trailer here on set. I’m involved in throw pillows now — I’ll look at the Internet in a little bit. [Laughs] I’m really glad. It’s a treat to be at this point in my life and experience. I’m not like, “Oh, this probably happens all the time.” I have full appreciation and respect for what this moment is and I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible.
IM BLUBBERING
Not doing to well myself.
That makes me extremely happy, and all the more excited.
Why am I so emotional reading this!! So happy and freakin excited! Lauren sounding so enthusiastic and emotional makes me anxious for this!! My mom and I have already started planning or viewing parties!
Me too! I feel like a kid on Christmas! As an adult sure I have been very excited about things but I haven’t felt like a kid waiting for christmas morning in a very long time!
Me too!!
I’m soooo with you there! I haven’t been excited about something like this in a very long time!
I can’t frakking wait!! This is so awesome!
YES YES YES!!! I was a tiny bit scared that ASP would hold to her stubborn stance of never realeasing the 4 words (except hopefully to Ausiello on his deathbed). SO glad they are in here.
And Lauren’s talk of the house had me choking up. I need this to air like NOW!
This is great. Luckily, I didn’t really watch Gilmore Girls on its original run, I caught all the episodes in a row about 3 years ago, so it’s not as long of a wait as some of you guys who have been waiting 7 years. This is awesome for all of you, and as a relatively new Gilmore Girls fan this is perfect.
I’m going to cry! (happy tears) If Lauren is happy with the scripts and the plot, then I think I’m going to be happy. I remember she said she think Luke and Lorelai would have gotten married and that’s the one thing I want the most, so I’m really hoping we’ll get that. I am so excited!
I am excited and can’t wait for a date when it will be on Netflix
I AM JUST SO SO HAPPY!!
4 words: “Nine season is coming”. (A guy can dream, right?)
Only thing is, I still will want more. 4 long episodes released each season over a year is not enough. I would rather have a full season. 20 something regular episodes. But anything is better then nothing. I’m a newer fan that just finished watching the original seasons a couple months ago on netflix. It was a fantastic journey watching all of it and can’t wait for the reunion. But I really wish they would just bring it back full time. I can never get enough, it never gets old. I could watch this show forever.
Seriously y’all I’m crying like a baby. Freak girl that I am. 😂😂😂
4 words–Gilmore Girls Are Back…
“I’m pregnant!”
“Me too!”
Thats what Im thinking! It has to be those four words.
Pretty sure it’s “I do” and “I do”
But didnt Amy say that its an exchange between Rory and Lorelai? Or did I get that wrong.
I agree with Alex…she didn’t say it was an exchange BETWEEN Rory and Lorelei – she just said it was an exchange and that they both say it…it will be a double wedding and they will both say “I Do” at the same time…
That might be good now, but I’m not sure if that would have been her original plan.
OMG! That would be awesome!
“Oy with the poodles!”
I love that Netflix and other networks are doing this. Rather than just make a new show with the same plot as an old show, why not bring back characters that we already know and love? I am excited to see what happens in the future (Veronica Mars! Chuck! Sliders!).
I’m looking forward to this. I hope that Rory has outgrown whatever she was going through in the last couple of seasons.
I loved Sliders. I am must waiting for a remake on that one. Chuck was great too other than the final season.
4 Words– Gilmore Girls Are Back..
Oh man, I’m so excited. This is not like when Gillian Anderson was interviewed about the first X Files revival script and she described it as ‘functional’. This is going to be good!
Sorry but she didn’t describe as functional in her first interview and Gilmore Girls will never be in the same sentence as The X-Files. We’re talking about the second greatest TV-Series ever made after The Wire. Also, The X-Files event series it’s the best thing that’s been on television since the end of Treme back in 2013, the second episode in particular(Founder’s Mutation) was absolutely amazing.
I love The X-Files, but I completely agree with Gillian Anderson, the first episode was ‘functional’ and slightly awkward. It was almost like a pilot (introducing characters, where they come from and what’s happened with them) with characters we already love. I liked it, but for a second I felt weird about it.
However, episode 2 was one of the best episodes of a TV show I’ve seen for ages and it felt like the old X-Files, like if time hadn’t passed. So I cannot wait for the rest of the season.
I’m so pumped!! Always loved the show but never felt truly content with the ending!! I liked it but it felt open ended to me.. I love a long ending with scenes of happiness & resolution. A direct future set in motion. The interview was sweet & honest I love her humility! I’m excited!!
When do we get to see the 4 shows? And will we get to see them in Australia?
winter, spring, summer, (or) fall.
Final four words “you’ve got a friend”.
I’m in Australia & I don’t have Netflix- will have to hope that a free to air network can buy the eps…
I’m crying right now!! I can’t believe it’s FINALLY HAPPENING
PARENTHOOD REUNION!
(Too early?)
I don’t feel like Parenthood needs a reunion, it ended about as perfectly as a show can. The Gilmore Girls ending was sub par due to Amy Sherman Pallidino not being part of the final season. I’m so excited for this I can barely contain myself ☺️☺️☺️
I love gilmore girls. Even though im happily married i want ny relationship with my daughter to be like that of the famous Rory And Lorelei Gilmore. I idol Lor!
I used to call my mom and I the Overweight Gilmores
LMAO. I love that and I relate to that title a lot.
Can’t wait. I love this show and still watch the reruns. This truly makes me happy.
<3 <3 <3
I CAN’T WAIT!!!!