According to multiple sources, a “Gilmore Girls” sequel is finally happening. Because of these news I started watching the show again and I read a lot of scientific publications, that honor the TV series. These publications are mostly about the narrative style, how the show handles the structure of family or the aspect of Utopia in the community of Stars Hollow. But what a lot of authors are missing in my opinion is the politics of identity as it becomes clear in their taste in music and books. Or short: The Gilmore Girls rock.
Not one episode of the “Gilmore Girls” goes by without Rory reading a book or one character listens or talks about great music. When the series was still running on TV I was in my teens and very thankful for the great recommendations of bands, literature and movies that I got from this show. After watching it for a while it became clear, that in spite of the name “Gilmore Girls” the series is not only for girls but for anyone, who appreciates humor and pop culture. Here is a selection of my personal favourites of bands, books and films that I discovered from “Gilmore Girls”: (with references to the seasons, as far as I remembered)
Books:
Tom Wolffe – The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (Jess reads it in a park in New York in the second season)
Leo Tolstoy – Anna Karenina (Rory borrowed Dean the book in season one)
Franz Kafka – The Metamorphosis (A gift from Rory to Dean in the first season)
Marcel Proust – Swann’s Way (Max borrowed Lorelai the book in season one)
Isabel Allende – Eva Luna (Rory says in season seven, it is Allende’s best work)
Charles Bukowski – Notes Of A Dirty Old Man (Jess reads it in season two)
Music:
David Bowie – Suffragette City (Jess and his father listen to it in season three)
Pixies – Monkey Gone To Heaven (The music is in the background, when Rory and Jess visit a record store in New York)
Sonic Youth – What A Waste (Sonic Youth play the song in the season six finale)
The Shaggs – Philosophy Of The World (Jess recommends the album to Rory in season two)
Pavement – Price Yeah! (Jess sleeps to this Song in season two)
The Clash – London Calling
Björk – Human Behaviour
Modest Mouse – Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes
The Velvet Underground – I’ll Be Your Mirror
White Stripes – Fell In Love With A Girl
Movies: (some may be trashy)
Dick Tracy (Season one)
Pretty In Pink (Season six)
Space Odyssey (Season seven)
Bonnie & Clyde (Season four)
Boogie Nights (Season one)
Bride Of Chucky (Season seven)
Citizen Kane (Season four)
Das Boot (Season seven)
Enter The Dragon (Season seven)
The Exorcist (Season seven)
Footlose (Season six)
Ghostbusters (Season two)
The Godfather (Mentioned multiple times)
Good Morning Vietnam (Season four)
Hairspray (Season three)
Karate Kid (Season Seven)
The Matrix (Season one and four)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Schindler’s List (Season one and six)
Seventh Samurai (Season two)
Snakes On A Plane (Season seven)
Taxi Driver (Season four)
Welcome To The Dollhouse (Season six)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Season one and five)
Young Frankenstein (Season two)
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Season one)
Ed Wood
To be continued after season eight!
