Gilmore Girls, which originally aired in 2000, has been a favourite of its loyal watchers for decades, with many people choosing to rewatch it more than twenty years later. But what is the psychology behind rewatching, and why do people often decide to watch Gilmore Girls more in autumn?
For those who have never seen Gilmore Girls (where have you been?) Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel play the lead characters of Lorelai and Rory respectively. The show follows Lorelai, a single mother and her teenage daughter, Rory, living in the fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. Other members of the Gilmore Girls cast include Jared Padalecki, a love interest of Rory, Melissa McCarthy as Sookie, and Milo Ventimiglia as Jess. So, why is the show so popular throughout autumn?
There’s an autumnal theme throughout
It’s safe to assume that Gilmore Girls is more appealing to watch during autumn because of the show’s original autumn release date, as well as the autumnal aesthetic we see as the setting for our characters. But there are several other reasons why it’s become an autumn favourite for many watchers. We see the characters of this show constantly in front of autumnal backdrops, or wearing autumn/winter clothing. They also partake in activities typically associated with the season, such as Halloween festivities and starting school.
The cold weather keeps people indoors
During spring and summer, the weather is warmer and the prospect of sitting inside and bingeing a show doesn’t sound quite as appealing. The cold and cosy feeling that lots of people associate with autumn could arguably be one of the reasons why they choose to binge Gilmore Girls. As autumn kicks off, they may want to start the season with the comforting presence of their favourite show on repeat.
The characters are relatable
As September is usually the start of the school year, perhaps to a lot of people, autumn represents the start of a regular and consistent schedule that they can stick to more efficiently. In Gilmore Girls, we see Rory start school, which is featured in many episodes, representing the routine and rhythm of work and school that people like to get into around the start of autumn. It may give viewers a sense of comfort and security to watch their favourite characters experience similar life events.
Shows like Gilmore Girls
Perhaps the appealing nature of Gilmore Girls is its simplicity and relatable characters who go through the issues that we experience in our own lives. There are other popular shows that feature similar plots and issues, such as One Tree Hill, New Girl, Life Unexpected and The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, all of which feature family and relationship drama, complicated protagonists, and other real life issues that resonate with the audiences.
Additional Reading
- Gilmore Girls season 1-7 review
- The Psychology Behind Rewatching
- The Best Nostalgic TV Shows & Films To Stream
