Lauren Graham
Alexis Bledel
Melissa McCarthy
Keiko Agena
Yanic Truesdale
Scott Patterson
Kelly Bishop
Edward Herrmann

Created by:
Amy Sherman-Palladino

2000-2007
Comedy, Drama
The WB (2000-2006), The CW (2006-2007)
TV-NR

“Gilmore Girls” focuses on the relationship between a mother and a daughter, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, who are best friends. That’s plausible, because they’re just 16 years apart in age. The mother behaves more like a daughter, at times, and vice versa.

This show contrasts a light tone with weightier subject matter. That contrast doesn’t always work, but it helps to distinguish this show from other family dramas. Another distinguishing trait is the amount of talking on display (a hallmark of the show). The dialogue drives the plot and reveals the characters’ thoughts.

Along with the drama, which, again, is light in tone, there’s some humor: Melissa McCarthy’s character, a cook who works at the inn where Lorelai is the manager, is in danger of causing a kitchen fire at any moment due to her absentmindedness, which provides a lot of the comic relief. Yanic Truesdale, who plays the inn’s sharp-tongued front desk attendant, is another source of comedy. There’s more corn in that comedy than in the fields of Iowa.

“Gilmore Girls” is a cute show, and it’s definitely a product of its time (the very early 21st century). Right now, the pilot episode already seems dated. But its appeal is understandable. The relationships seem genuine, and it’s a nice show to watch. I’m sure that women and families, especially, will appreciate its ability to be heartfelt without being cloying. But that’s a difficult balance to maintain.

While I didn’t love the pilot, I thought that it showed potential. The second episode lags a bit too much for me, though, and the third episode doesn’t do anything to suggest that the pace will quicken. I wish that they would take some of the air out of a lot of the scenes, because pacing is everything for this kind of show. Plus, given the style of writing, the acting can’t get any better.

I guess that “Gilmore Girls” just isn’t for me.

Verdict: OK

About: (Source: gilmoregirls)

In this charming little hamlet resides Lorelai Gilmore, a single mother with a teenage daughter, Rory, who she tries to raise by being a good mother and an even better friend. With a mix of humor and love (along with help from their quirky group of friends and family), Lorelai and Rory come of age together.