‘Gilmore Girls’ Almost Had a Different Title, and It Was Referenced in the Series
Gilmore Girls aired for the first time in 2000 and ran for seven seasons. While the show was initially well-received, most of its fan base has come in recent years, partially thanks to the streaming giant Netflix. While fans are awaiting news of a second revival season, they are busy binging the original series. That series, according to Scott Patterson, almost had a slightly different name. Several characters subtly mentioned that alternate title in the series.
Scott Patterson said Gilmore Girls was almost named The Gilmore Way
In the second episode of his podcast, I Am All In, Patterson dropped some Gilmore trivia on fans. He revealed that the show’s iconic title was almost a bit different. He said that show creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, floated the idea of Gilmore Girls to executives at Warner Bros. While they liked the show, they worried that the title was a bit too specific.
Instead of Gilmore Girls, network executives wanted to call the show The Gilmore Way to include the entire Gilmore clan, including Richard Gilmore. Patterson noted that Sherman-Palladino pushed for her preferred title, and it eventually stuck. When the pilot aired, it aired as Gilmore Girls.
The Gilmore Way wasn’t the only alternate title
Patterson mentioned The Gilmore Way as the alternate title for the series, but believe it or not, it wasn’t the only idea thrown around. Sherman-Palladino and Warner Bros. considered The Gilmore Girls as a potential title for the series, as well. Eventually, they dropped “the” from the title to give the series a fresher and cleaner name.
The title wasn’t the only thing that was almost different. The show’s filming location could have been different, too. The pilot episode of the series was filmed in Ontario, and there was some chatter about potentially continuing to film in Canada. The cast, according to Patterson, was polled, and most wanted to return to California once the network picked up the show. Warner Bros. built out Stars Hollow on one of their studio lots but took inspiration from Ontario’s Unionville. The pilot’s main filming took place in Unionville.
Lorelai Gilmore and Rory Gilmore offer subtle nods to the alternate titles in the series
The Gilmore Way didn’t end up as the title of the filmed series, but subtle nods were given to it twice during the original series. In season 3, Rory tells Lorelai that mocking her on her birthday is “the Gilmore way.” Later, in season 4, Lorelai has an argument with Emily Gilmore at the Dragonfly Inn. As a retort, Lorelai tells Emily Gilmore that “family obligations” is “the Gilmore way.”
The show’s other title, The Gilmore Girls, is honored during Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. In the revival, Rory pens a memoir about growing up with Lorelai. She titles the book “The Gilmore Girls.” Lorelai crosses out “the” as a sign that she finally gives Rory’s book her blessing.
