"Gilmore Girls" finale season fight

LinaLoN · Post by **LinaLoN** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:44 pm

I made a blog on Rubberslug about this but I thought I need to bring it up here. People here are so amazing and comforting I felt a need to express my opinion on what happened. One of my favorite non-anime TV shows is “Gilmore Girls” last year the creators of the show left and the CW network replaced them with writers. This show is low on sex, violence and cheap laughs. It was made with wonderfully written characters, amazing storylines, intelligent conversations, and many funny moments. However, things started going downhill when the creators of the show decided to play with the storylines last year and were exhausted from not only writing the episodes but producing them as well. This past season, they left the show.

Major conflicts started when the creators left the storyline on a bad cliffhanger. Not only that but the new writing staff seemed to barely have any clue on how to write good episodes by using the characters and oddities that made GG unique. With that; the first half of the past season was turned into a worst nightmare. Then somehow from the second part of the season; the episodes began to improve greatly and towards the end it was close to being the way the show was before. However, the head writer wrote the second half of the season so that it would branch out into another season. The storyline itself started to branch out and they were filming the last episode when the startling announcement came that there wasn’t going to be another season. The CW were in negotiations with the two major actresses in the show; Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham. Alexis didn’t want to be on for another season because she wanted to do more movies and Lauren wouldn’t do the show without her. Just when they were about to sign to a 13-episode season; something happened (we think they read they’d get a pay-cut and so they disagreed saying they would only work for 8 episodes for that amount) and the CW turned away. As soon as word got out they worked fast to try and push GG out the door without so much as a two-hour series finale.
We fans are outraged by what has taken place during this past season. First the CW’s horrible treatment of one of their best-rated shows throughout this year (more than what I’ve mentioned) and second with the fact that this terrible season was GG’s last. It deserves a much better last season than this and the CW is going on like they didn’t care about the show at all. So us fans at Gilmoregirls.org are fighting for an eighth season to make up for the horrible one we had this year. All we want is just something a little more to bring the show together and make it go out the way it should’ve gone. What we wish for are 8-13 more episodes and that’s all.

There is a rumor the creator of the show Amy Sherman-Palladino is interested in making a two-hour mini something or other to try and tie up loose ends. However, we believe so many gaps have been created due to the last season that 2 hours just isn’t enough and lots of good moments would have to be lost. Plus, there is the fact that the very same creator is currently working on another show and hasn’t made any motions to actually start on the 2 hour thing. We’re hoping if she or her husband who was the other creator are willing to make a 2 hour TV thing for GG then maybe they could extend it to 8-13 episodes. Or we would get one of the writers from the last season who actually had a clue on what they were doing could write for the final season, giving the finale to the Amy. Either way, we the fans and I’m sure the CW can figure out something. Anything is possible if you look outside the box.

So we have sent letters to the CW, tied up their comment line and sent letters to the actors/actresses involved in the show. We are currently fundraising to send 7,000 hand-made daisies (daises were an important symbol in the first season) to the head of the CW network, Lauren and Alexis. We also are creating merchandise on CafePress where the proceeds are going to an ad just before the Emmy’s asking everyone to go back to the negotiation table. However, the one thing we have been working on hardest is getting names on our online petition. I know everyone is saying: “It’s over, move on,” but at least we’re TRYING to do something. If we do nothing at all then we definitely won’t make a difference. So we need as much help as we can get. Other show that were previously cancelled have been revived for one more season (IE: 7th Heaven, Jericho, Jim’s Beluishi’s show on ABC, etc) so there is hope. Also, a lot of the actors on GG have stated how disappointed they are that their character’s personal issues haven’t been resolved. Heck, most of us had been waiting for 7 season for Lorelai and Luke to get married and we were jipped with nothing but a kiss.

If you love the show and would like to support us just sign the online petition in the link below. The bigger volume of signature, the more of a chance we have of making a huge impression. Also, if you wish to do more you can help us out at Gilmoregirls.org’s Great8Mandate on the other link below. Even if you’ve never heard of the show before but think what happened is wrong then please sign the online petition. If you wish not to help, then could you spread the word to those who you think might want to? It would be a BIG help. Word of mouth and awareness is VERY important, Some times all it takes is just one more person. I love this show. It holds special meanings for me and for thousands of other people out there. Too many shows have already ended with unsatisfying endings I really can’t bare to see that happen to this show. One of the good things that has come out from all of this is that I received an autograph from Alexis Bledel which is in my rubberslug gallery under the “Others” section.

Online petition link- http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/great8mandate
Gilmore Girls Great8Mandate link-
http://www.gilmoregirls.org/forum/index ... =6630.6270

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:44 pm

I thought the plot was fairly good.

LinaLoN · Post by **LinaLoN** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:26 pm

I thought the plot was fairly good.

Thanks, Cloud but the plot was not good enough for a final season. No one resolved any issues and things just ended up in circles. That's why we need another season.

Thank-you to those who might have signed the petition and seen this topic

. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!

The more support the better then maybe other shows that might face the similiar kinds of problems won't suffer the same fate. I have a lot of tough things I deal with on a daily bases just like everyone else on the planet and watching GG helps to bring me happiness. Thinking the show ended this way makes me sad even when I watch it. Knowing everything came to an uprupt(sp?) end. I'm sure the Soprano fans feel the same way. I'm happy for Jericho fans that their wishes come true so I hope the same thing can happen for other shows as well.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:26 pm

Yes I have original ideas all the time, do you?

LinaLoN · Post by **LinaLoN** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:30 pm

Yes I have original ideas all the time, do you?

Too much. My creativeness overflows which is why I fanfic all the time.

However, no matter how hard I fanfic it won't change what happens in reality. Trust me if I could've written for the show

I would have but I have a thing against people telling me how to write.

You do have original ideas Cloud when you're not wearing your dress.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:30 pm

Try it.

wELCOME cONSUMER · Post by **wELCOME cONSUMER** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:37 pm

I heard the two main actresses wanted to kill the show. They asked for more and more money, despite receiving substantial raises. Not because they actually wanted more money, but because they knew it would succeed in killing the show. It's always better to exit on a high note than to drag the series through the muck any longer. Ever since the creator left, things got worse and worse. The new writing was just horrible. The person/people in charge didn't understand the whole talking-really-fast-about-pop-culture charm that made the series enjoyable. Instead, it felt like I was listening to a marathon talking contest. The dialogue was no longer natural, with genuine ebb and flow. It was more the equivalent of verbal vomit.

It was hard to stomach what became the final season because it was all over the place. Characters didn't act like themselves, the marriage to Christopher was like a ridiculous gag (why marry this jerk who abandoned you for 16 years?), the on-again-off-again romance with Luke was botched, and Logan was not the least bit likable. Too much yo-yo and not enough substance.

Merging networks didn't help much either, altering the entire WB (now CW) line-up, sinking shows like Everwood and Veronica Mars (which most likely was canned because Gilmore was cancelled). A similar effect happened when Sarah Michelle Gellar forced the cancellation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Angel died as a result (coupled with an overblown budget), despite being on a completely different network at the time. TV is funny that way.

LinaLoN · Post by **LinaLoN** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 5:54 pm

I heard the two main actresses wanted to kill the show. They asked for more and more money, despite receiving substantial raises. Not because they actually wanted more money, but because they knew it would succeed in killing the show. It's always better to exit on a high note than to drag the series through the muck any longer. Ever since the creator left, things got worse and worse. The new writing was just horrible.

The truths are that Lauren Graham was not only lead actress but also a producer, worked on the revision of a lot of scripts, and mostly only got paid actress salary. Of course she deserved more money than what she got but it's not so much that which bothered her. She wanted to do one last season because she felt there needed to be more for things to end right. She had been fighting throughout this season to do what's best for the show. In a way this is HER show now. However, Alexis wanted to move on to other projects and Lauren wouldn't do it without her. The CW made a contract for 13 episodes which they were about to sign however, they read the fine line that mentioned they would receive a pay cut because they would only be doing half a season. The actresses said for the amount the CW offered they would only be willing to do 8 episodes and that's when the CW turned the whole thing down. The CW made several excuses why they made the decision they did even saying it was because "it wouldn't fit in their schedule" or "they were afraid the sponsors wouldn't support only 8 episodes" but this is what we have found through research.

As much as the show has changed since the creators left the show it wasn't exactly the best season the last season they worked on either (season 6). The problem with the storyline started when they played around with it to make things more dramatic but it just ended up hurting the show throughout the 6th season. It also ensured a not-so-happy season premiere episode for season 7 so it's not entirely the new writers' faults. It's how the new writers dealt with it and moreso David R.'s need to slow the show down. It was because of D.R.'s need to stall certain events especially with Lorelai and Luke, then going with Lorelai marrying then devorcing Chris. It was terrible the first part of the season I don't deny however, the writers started getting their acts together on the second part of the season. But DR still didn't speed things up so whatever happened at the end of season 7 would continue onto a season 8. It's not the writers' fault for the head writer's bad decisions and directing. They were getting their acts together in the second half. With episodes like "Santa's Little Secrets", "To Whomever it May Concern", "Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore", "It's Like Riding a Bike" and "Lorelai?Lorelai" it really seemed to me that during the summer break they would have enough steam to make huge improvements and get the show back close to where it was supposed to go.

Now that ASP made that announcement and we know DR wouldn't come back for an 8th season if it happens there is more of a chance if she or her husband are willing to make a 2 hour movie then maybe they could make 8 or 11 episodes. If not, then we know Jennie Snyder or Rebecca R.K. could do the job very nicely. Going out on a bummer season when it could go out on level is just the CW squirming out of the mistake they made when they pushed ASP out. Now that other shows on the same network are also falling apart (Veronica Mars, One Tree Hill, and all their new shows where the actors keep on being replaced) the CW is getting a very bad reputation with the public and they are going to suffer greatly in the Fall season. I'm hoping what happens during the Fall season will wake them up (hopefully letting go of executives who have been making the bad decisions but if not at least bringing it to their attention that they need to change the way the do things around there. Starting with gaining back fan loyalty and rethinking another season of GG.

It could be done because a lot of the actors on the show feel like they were pushed to a conclusion and didn't matter to the CW. There were so many things left undone and the way the CW let them go was harsh. If the CW is willing to make a change then they would know this. The only people who need more enticement to work are the lead actresses. However, Lauren's amazing acting talents are being focused on the role as "the wife" and after the three new movies of hers come out what other opportunities will there be to use her full potential as an actor? Alexis, is young so she will get many offers but she falls short on talent as an actor. It's going to be harder for her to get back into a normal rhythm of acting like a TV series. She started out on Gilmore Girls, it launched her career. She worked with amazing actors who helped her deal with the stresses of acting so why doesn't she want to have the very same show she speant many years of her life on; end the right way with everything coming together. I think she just needs to understand why people aren't happy with how the show ended and why putting up with 8-11 more episodes would help keep her fan support going longer than if she doesn't.

Anyway, this may be me trying to justify what happened and why we need a little something more but it's what a lot of us believe. Things couldn't get worse than what it did... all it could do is level-out or get better. We also don't want the CW to get away with all the bad things they have done not only to this show but other shows as well. The way they handled things this year and the worse way they are going to handle things next year; they need to be reminded who really brings them their precious money/ratings.... the fans. If they do get away with it, they'll just keep on doing the same things over and over again. So at least by getting fans to sign a petition, send letters to the network, and send daisies to them; we are grabbing their attention and letting them know they have made a BAD mistake that will hurt their network. Not just one mistake but many.

I by no means am angry at anything you mentioned.. you brought up a lot of interesting things.

I definately feel the same frusterations about the last season as you do

however I really believe an 8th season would've made most that happened in season 7 worth it.

Now that Christopher is offically out of Lorelai and Luke's way. Now that Rory has ditched Logan and is off in the world is a chance for her character to become stronger. Lane trying to struggle between motherhood and her dream career. Lorelai solidfying things with her parents so she can finally feel like their daughter. These were all things I looked forward to seeing in the eighth season.

wELCOME cONSUMER · Post by **wELCOME cONSUMER** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:54 pm

I'm just relaying what I heard, I have no idea if it was true. One never knows what exactly happens behind the scenes. I agree the show received the shaft treatment and needed better closure. Adding some many ups and downs to the plot made it impossible for a decent series finale without an additional season epilogue. They should have fast forwarded a little, past some of the drama and into a comfortable ending that didn't feel rushed. It felt very last minute, which is why the fans feel cheated.

(By the way, it's hard to convey feeling in font but I knew you weren't mad and I wasn't mad either. I love talking about TV!

)

LinaLoN · Post by **LinaLoN** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:07 pm

I'm just relaying what I heard, I have no idea if it was true. One never knows what exactly happens behind the scenes. I agree the show received the shaft treatment and needed better closure. Adding some many ups and downs to the plot made it impossible for a decent series finale without an additional season epilogue. They should have fast forwarded a little, past some of the drama and into a comfortable ending that didn't feel rushed. It felt very last minute, which is why the fans feel cheated.

(By the way, it's hard to convey feeling in font but I knew you weren't mad and I wasn't mad either. I love talking about TV! )

At GilmoreGirls.org for the 8th season; we were right there on every little update, interview and press release given by people involved with either the show or in contact with people on the show. Things were soooo close all there was left were signatures on a contract but it all fell apart when the "small letters" were read. Then things snowballed down the hill. The poor people involved in the show had no idea until they were in the middle of shooting the finale. Lauren Graham had to make serious revisions to the final episode to make it a little more reasonable than what it was before.

There is an interview Lauren Graham did with Jay Leno (which is probably on YouTube) where she pretty much hints at what happened and how much the CW were jerks about telling them.

I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was snapping at you sometimes it's hard exactly to convey personal feelings and expressions through the internet.

I love talking about TV too... especially GG. It is one of the most creative television shows out there these days and the characters were so orignal and quirky it drew me in completely.

I think I have a lot of left-over frusteration about what happened to the Slayers anime that it spills over to my fight for an 8th season of GG. There are a lot of similiarities in terms of what happened for their last seasons when; the creators weren't in controll of the show, how the last season didn't really seem to flow the same way as it used to, and how it was pushed into a conclusion that left fans standing there. However, with Slayers it's in a totally different country that speaks a different language and hasn't been done in four years. Gilmore Girls has more hope to actually get something more now that certain things are unfolding with the CW and some TV shows being saved from cancellations. I'm hoping we could get the shortened 8th season to air during either the Spring Season or next summer's season. At the very least there is the slim hope of a two hour movie.

I agree it would've been better if things had fast-forwarded to the future so we could at least know what happened to them. The thing I want to see the most is Lorelai and Luke married, happy and with kids of their own... because they deserve it. I have watched them through seven seasons hoping they could make it together and be that family they both have wanted for a long time. I can imagine it but it won't change the fact that it hasn't happened and might not ever happen. It makes me sad

But I am writing an 8th season fanfic on Fanfiction.Net that helps me with that a little.