Back with a bang: The old familiar faces

‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ premiere saw cast members pay tribute to late Edward Herrmann, celebrate with fans

The Los Angeles premiere of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life transported guests back to Stars Hollow onscreen and then in real life at the premiere party. The nostalgia pull was overwhelming and many guests teared up at the emotional Winter episode that screened as a core element of it fondly remembering the late Edward Herrmann, who played patriarch Richard Gilmore, reported Variety.

The premiere felt like a much-needed warm hug with so many familiar faces at every turn. In addition to stars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and Scott Patterson, returning cast members Matt Czuchry, Sean Gunn, Yanic Truesdale, Liza Weil, Keiko Agena, Danny Strong and Tanc Sade were there to celebrate and revel in the cheers of screaming fans lining the street. On a heartwarming and bittersweet note, one of Herrmann’s daughters attended the premiere to represent her late father.

On the red carpet, Graham commented on being part of a show that’s ingrained in pop culture vernacular. “I try not to think too much about the outside of things. The day I first read this script in 2000, I’d never connected so strongly to material. I was dying to do it from the first words so to get to do it again and come back with a sense of appreciation for the fans who helped bring it back, to get to be in a moment and know how lucky you are, was a real treat,” she said.

Show creator, executive producer and director Amy Sherman-Palladino effusively thanked the cast, recalling when they first reassembled in Austin, Texas, for a panel which sparked the revival. Speaking about Graham, Sherman-Palladino said, “I’ve always said that there was no Gilmore Girls until she walked in the room. I’m so grateful we got to hang out and troll goop for hours.”

Sherman-Palladino then thanked her husband, executive producer and director Dan Palladino, who she called “the best writer I know.” Her remarks closed with thanks to Netflix “for taking over the world” and Warner Bros TV for their strong support and “letting us sing show tunes in the hallway.” Netflix VP of original series Cindy Holland said of the show, “Wherever they lead, we will follow. We are honored to continue the Stars Hollow story.”

After the screening, the flashback continued as guests made their way to a pop-up Stars Hollow town square on the UCLA campus, festooned in lights, with the show’s trademark gazebo. The eclectic, show-inspired menu featured “Thanksgiving in a bite,” including sliders, pizza, mini tarts, donut bread pudding, homemade cider donuts and, of course, really good coffee from Luke’s diner. The Gilmore Girls revival hits Netflix on November 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2016.

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