Kelly Bishop on What Makes ‘Gilmore Girls’ Timeless [Exclusive Interview]

The highly anticipated Gilmore Girls reunion last weekend at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, TX was everything we’d hoped for and more.

On top of getting to see the cast reunited on stage after fifteen years since the show began, I got the chance to sit down with Kelly Bishop, who played the beloved character of Emily Gilmore. Bishop was excited to be at the festival to reunite with the casts of both Gilmore Girls and Bunheads, which was also featured at the festival as part of the “canceled too soon” series.

What was amazing about the festival was how many dedicated fans showed up to be a part of it, perhaps proving just how timeless Gilmore Girls really is.

“I know that there are a lot of current references in all those episodes, but I think most of the references are more timeless. You know, they’re just statements of human nature. But it’s rather delightful,” Bishop said.

“And especially seeing these young people, you know, who fifteen years back weren’t born, but who are totally getting it now and seem to be as engaged as the original audience was. I love that, I’m thrilled by that. I just think it’s wonderful, and I’m glad that they’re getting a taste of what good writing is all about.”

 

One of the things that struck Bishop most about the show was the way it portrayed the relationship between a mother and daughter.

“Teenage years are just terribly hard. That was one of the things I liked about the show, that you had a teenager and her mother who really got along well. I was hoping it could be an example for real people out there, for mothers and daughters to know, even though that was an idealistic situation, it wasn’t impossible or not believable. And you can actually have a good relationship with your mom and your daughter.”

Gilmore Girls is also the kind of show you can watch over and over again (which you can do to your heart’s content now that it’s on Netflix). But it’s also the kind of show you turn on when you need cheering up. Bishop understood that sentiment exactly.

“When I was a kid and we didn’t have television, we had three Broadway albums. Same thing. I’d listen to them, and I’d know every song on those three shows.”

Bishop then shared her experience in being a part of A Chorus Line, describing how people would come up to her later who had been able to listen to the records, telling her it saved their lives. “You know what it is? It’s ‘I’m not alone.’ As soon as you realize you’re not alone, you somehow can make it. I’ve always maintained as long as there’s one person in this world who loves you, you can make it.”

Another thing that makes the show so special is the detail. If you watch Gilmore Girls several times, you’ll always be able to notice something new.

“It has so much detail, and well thought out detail,” Bishop said. “But again, that’s Amy [Sherman-Palladino], though. She’s very particular. She wants it the way she wants it.”

Bishop also shared what it was like to be on that set, and in particular, to play the role of Emily Gilmore. “I just had such a comfort level, and a real joy, because I knew that we were doing good work, and even though we weren’t getting support or anything, that we were good.”

For the character of Emily Gilmore, Bishop fleshed out the role by coming up with her own backstory, which often fit exactly what the writers had in mind.

“There’s a lot that you have to make up in your own head to make a full character, but I found over the years if any exposition did come out, it would completely match up to what my concept was. So, I’d go, ‘well, we are so on the same page.’ She [Amy Sherman-Palladino] would say ‘this happened with Emily,’ and I’d go, ‘I knew that. I knew that two years ago.’ That was the beauty of it.”

The most significant struggle for the character of Emily Gilmore was trying to connect with her daughter and granddaughter, all while doing what she thought was best.

“There was one little exchange we had at the spa (“There’s the Rub” Season 2 Episode 16), and I’m trying to understand how Lorelai and Rory have such a good, warm relationship. And I’m justifying why to myself, and I’m almost lamenting the fact that I didn’t know how to do that. That the way I was raised you weren’t friends with your kids. I was trying to obey the rules. I was trying to go by the book,” Bishop explained.

“She really envies [Lorelai], and she admires [their relationship]. She just doesn’t know how to do it. That’s why going to the spa was as close as she could come. But that’s just a physical situation. It’s not a mind thing, you know? So she became a more and more complicated character as time went on. It was great to work on.”

While it may be hard to choose a favorite Emily Gilmore moment, Bishop mentioned one favorite that is especially unforgettable.

“My favorite episode, just for me because I had so much fun with it, was my Tennessee Williams episode (“The Reigning Lorelai” Season 4 Episode 16). I found the letter Richard’s mother had written before he married me, and so I decided to spend the whole time drunk. It just made me laugh.”

If you’ve had the chance to see Bunheads as well (and if you haven’t, you should stop what you’re doing and go watch it now), also created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, you may find some similarities in the characters of Emily Gilmore and Fanny Flowers.

“Part of it was just because I was playing it. And it was in the writing too. I mean the horror that my son marrying this dancer, this Vegas Showgirl. I mean, what? Then he dies, which was a really bizarre thing and a bizarre way to start a series, isn’t it? There’s like a very appealing loveable guy, and you kill him.”

Bishop also said she understood a common thread between the personalities of both characters. “That was something I would be likely to play anyway. I understand sitting on top of your feelings and not letting them show. Toughen it out for the rest of the world. You cry when nobody’s looking. And that’s definitely something Emily and Fanny had in common. They had to take care of business, not get sloppy and messy around people we don’t know. They were too proud.”

Finally, Bishop talked a bit about the kinds of things she likes to watch on television, both current and past shows. She even had a little insight as to the current state of television.

“I loved Northern Exposure. I loved it for the same reason I loved Gilmore Girls, and the things I do love, because they’re a little skewed. They’re a little off. They aren’t straight, they’re just twisted,” Bishop said. “Right now I have to admit what I primarily watch is public television. We love Downton Abbey don’t we?!” Bishop exclaimed.

“Most of the stuff I watch on television are British imports on PBS. And some true crime stuff. I don’t mind watching a little true cops with the honest to goodness blood and gore. Oh, and speaking of blood and gore, I was mad for The Wire. What a good show that was! So again, see, I’m talking a lot about cable and public television. I want to see something more on what’s left of our regular networks. I mean they have a lot of competition. I realize that’s the problem, but they could stick their necks out a little bit. Get a little daring, and hire an older actress [laughs].”

*Edited for space and content.

You can read our recap of the Gilmore Girls reunion panel here.