It’s hard to find a bigger fan ofGilmore Girlsthan Luke Danes actor Scott Patterson, but there’s one particular episode he hated filming. Patterson actually almost never played Luke, because the character was originally written as a woman in theGilmore Girlspilot script. However, theGilmore Girlsscript changewas a welcome one, as the will-they, won’t-they love story between Luke and Lorelai was one of the show’s best throughlines, and we fans couldn’t get enough of their grumpy-sunshine dynamic.
The love for not onlyLuke and Lorelai’s relationship, butGilmore Girlsas a whole, has not diminished since the show ended 18 years ago. There areGilmore Girlspodcasts galore, but none with as many in-depth behind-the-scenes revelations asI Am All In with Scott Patterson, in which Patterson rewatches the show and interviews members of theGilmore Girlscast. Patterson has many hot takes and is very vocal about his love for the show. However, a certain episode stands out as being a miserable filming experience, andit speaks to a bigger problem with the show.
Scott Patterson Said He Was “Treated Like An Object” Filming Gilmore Girls' “Keg! Max!” Episode
The Scene Involved Lorelai & Sookie Ogling Luke
ThoughGilmore Girlsseason 3, episode 19, “Keg! Max!” is best remembered forMax Medina briefly coming back into Lorelai’s life, it contains one scene that didn’t age well. In it, Luke is in the kitchen at the inn doing repairs, and Sookie confesses to Lorelai that when she went to check on him, she had accidentally placed her hand on his butt.The two women openly stare at the body part in question, making lecherous comments, all of which Luke can hear.
As uncomfortable as the scene is to watch, it was even more uncomfortable for Scott Patterson to film.Patterson talked about his negativeGilmore Girlsfilming experienceon his podcast, saying:
“I realized it wasn’t OK, and it didn’t make me feel comfortable at all. It made me feel really embarrassed, actually. It is infuriating to be treated that way — it is infuriating — because you’re being treated like an object. It’s disturbing, and it’s disgusting, and I had to endure that through that entire scene and many takes. It was all about the butt, the butt, the butt, the butt. When we weren’t filming, we were sitting down — people were still talking about the butt, the butt, the butt. It was the most disturbing time I have ever spent on that set, and I couldn’t wait for that day to be over. It’s as disgusting for women to objectify men as it is for men to objectify women, and it’s as harmful. Just because it was 2003 doesn’t mean it was OK. It’s never OK, and I didn’t feel comfortable doing it, and it pissed me off. And I never said anything, so I was angry at myself for never saying anything. But I had this job, and I didn’t want to make waves and all that.”
Lorelai Frequently Belittles & Undermines Luke Throughout Gilmore Girls
They Have A One-Sided Relationship Throughout Much Of The Show
While this is certainly the most egregious example ofLorelai mistreating Luke, she sometimes goes too far. In an early episode of Scott Patterson’sI Am All in Podcast, the Luke actor took particular issue when Lorelai jokingly said, “Okay, burger boy, dance”. Perhaps this could be written off as banter, but even when Luke is dishing it right back, he doesn’t speak to Lorelai this way.
Now, Lorelai does lots of nice things for Luke inGilmore Girls, but it’s hard to argue that during the first half of the show, their relationship is pretty one-sided.
Look, Lorelai doesn’t owe Luke anything for all the favors he does for her — he chooses to do them. But she’s been known to take advantage of his generosity. When the inn catches fire in season 3,Lorelai and Sookie take it upon themselves to totally invade Luke’s diner to feed their customers. Now, Lorelai does lots of nice things for Luke inGilmore Girls, but it’s hard to argue that during the first half of the show, their relationship is pretty one-sided.
Gilmore Girls Leans Into Mean-Spirited Humor, Particularly About People’s Bodies
The Revival Doubles Down On These Jokes
It’s one thing for Lorelai to treat Luke the way she does — in the end, they fall in love and their relationship balances out. But the “butt” episode isindicative of a bigger issue withGilmore Girls, and that’s their frequent mean-spirited jokes about people’s bodies. It’s a particularlyharsh truth about Lorelaithat she’s a bit of an insult comic. Just because she’s whimsical and talks fast doesn’t mean her words aren’t hurtful.
This rubs off on Rory, too, and in season 4, she publishes a scathing review of a ballet performance in which she completely body shames a dancer. When confronted about her article, Rory hides behind her journalistic “duty”. But that’s nothing compared to the fatphobiain the 2016 revival,Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, when Lorelai and Rory publicly make fun of men’s bodies at the local pool. Honestly, I loveGilmore Girlsand what it’s done for female-driven TV — but it’s a witty enough show that it didn’t need this cruel humor.
Gilmore Girls
Cast
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Acting as a follow-up to the original series, Gilmore Girls, A Year In The Life is a comedy-drama series. Having completed her stint on the Obama campaign trail, Rory now finds herself as a freelance journalist with an inconsistent life. Meanwhile, Lorelei finds herself lost in life before her upcoming marriage to Luke. This four-part mini-series follows the titular mother-daughter duo as they continue to navigate their mother-daughter relationship in Star’s Hollow.
