Caffeinated Clint
Last episode to air May 15
If you need, I’ll follow you anywhere……… even to cancellation, fair?
Seems Alexis Bledel not wanting to come back for another season of “Gilmore Girls” – that’s the word that Weeksy got this morning – has put a nail in the coffin of the struggling series. Its last episode will air May 15.
After weeks of talks aimed at bringing the show back for a limited run next season, the CW and Warner Bros. TV have decided to wrap production on the dramedy focusing on the witty banter between mom Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), says Variety.
Money was a key factor in the decision, with the parties involved not able to reach a deal on salaries for the main cast members. Other issues, such as number of episodes and production dates, may have also played a role.
In addition, CW execs may have been influenced by early internal reaction to their fall pilots. That the net is willing to move on without a key, albeit modestly rated, player indicates that the CW may like the state of its drama development.
One of the net’s hot prospects is another femme-focused drama, the Josh Schwartz-Stephanie Savage hour “Gossip Girl.” Also getting great buzz is the supernatural hour “Reaper.”
“It was such a hard decision,” said CW prexy Dawn Ostroff. “Everyone came to the point where we decided it was just time to move on. But I think everybody is walking away with good feelings. We all tried to make it work.”
“Gilmore” was a holdover from the now-defunct WB network. Debuting in 2000, it quickly became one of the Frog’s signature skeins, with critics eating up the relationship dramedy.
The CW and WBTV released a joint statement noting the passing Thursday morning. “This series helped define a network and created a fantastic, storybook world featuring some of television’s most memorable, lovable characters,” the statement read.
David Rosenthal exec produced and served as showrunner on the current season of “Gilmore,” which was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino. WBTV and the CW thanked the producers and cast for their work, as well as critics who supported the show with glowing reviews.
“(We) promise to give this series the sendoff it deserves,” the statement said.
Michael Ausiello at TV Guide reports, “Multiple sources confirm that Warner Bros. recently made one final offer to Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel that included sizeable salary bumps for both in exchange for a shortened 13-episode season. As is now obvious, that offer was rejected.”
