Gilmore Girls

July 26, 2019

A standout show amid the soapy teen dramas in the early aughts (think The O.C. and One Tree Hill), Gilmore Girls gained a cult following owing to its quippy dialog, cultural references, and portrayal of an endearing nontraditional mother-daughter relationship. Originally airing from 2000 to 2007, the series enjoyed renewed interest when it was brought back by Netflix for an ultimately disappointing four-part miniseries in 2016. The show follows Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), a loquacious single mother in her early 30s, and her Harvard-obsessed teenage daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) as they both navigate familial and romantic relationships in the quirky small New England town of Stars Hollow. Authors Stache (communication, visual, & performing arts, Governors State Univ., IL; Breaking Bad: A Cultural History) and Davidson (communication, Hanover Coll., IN) examine the show's depictions of parenting, feminism, and class clashes through a cultural studies lens, while still reveling in Dean vs. Jess deliberations. VERDICT Gilmore Girls is a worthy subject for this series, but only readers with a serious enthusiasm for the show will want a book-length study of the its themes.--Amanda Westfall, Emmet O'Neal P.L., Mountain Brook, AL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2019
One of the most fondly remembered TV shows of the aughts, Gilmore Girls (2000-07) has been introduced to a whole new audience, thanks to Netflix, which streamed the original seasons and produced a short one of its own in 2016. Stache and Davidson share their appreciation for the titular "girls," Lorelai and her 16-year-old daughter, Rory, whom Lorelai had when she was just a teen, as well as the family, friends, and love interests in their orbit. The show was conceived by creator Amy Sherman-Palladino as a portrayal of best friends who just happen to be mother and daughter, and Stache and Davidson limn the complexities of that relationship as well as Lorelai's often fraught one with her own mother, Emily. The authors also examine the father figures in Rory's life and the men Lorelai and Rory fell for, then delve into the feminist bent of the show and the many pop culture references that distinguish Lorelai and Rory's banter. An extensive episode guide adds to the appeal of this enjoyable look back at a beloved show.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)