Gilmore Girlsis a nostalgic comfort show that will never go out of style, but there’s no denying that the series had its share of unpopular storylines — one of which could be fixed ifAmy Sherman-Palladino and co. came back forGilmore Girlsseason 9. Sherman-Palladino is also the creator behind the Emmy Award-winningThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, butGilmore Girlsis by far her most beloved series.Gilmore Girlsseason 7, the show’s final installment, is universally maligned by the fandom, and a big reason for that is because ASP had stepped away as showrunner.
So, imagine our delight when, in 2016, Netflix released theGilmore Girlssequel miniseries,A Year in the Life, with Sherman-Palladino back at the helm.However, while we were thrilled to return to Stars Hollow, and the revival had some sweet moments, it was ultimately a disappointment.Rory’sA Year in the Lifestorylinewas particularly frustrating, as she was completely adrift and selfish, repeating mistakes she had made in the original series. But one of those mistakes could easily be rectified if we got aGilmore Girlsseason 9.
Gilmore Girls Season 9 Could See Rory Apologize To The Ballerina She Body-Shamed
This Humor Was Also A Big Problem With A Year In The Life
One ofGilmore Girls' most infuriating storylines was in season 4,episode 8, “Die Jerk.” In it, Rory is tasked with reviewing a ballet recital for theYale Daily News. When Doyle dismisses it as boring, Rory returns to the ballet with Lorelai in tow and writes a scathing review in which she completely body-shames one of the dancers.Rory compares the ballerina to both a hippo and a drunken dockworker, and even pokes fun at a roll of fat around her bra strap— a comment lifted from Lorelai.
Things get even more uncomfortable when the ballerina confronts Rory in the dining hall about her article, and Rory stands behind her journalistic duty. It’s an unnecessarily mean-spirited storyline that sees Rory ultimately get rewarded for her harshness.What’s worse is thatA Year in the Lifedoubles down on Rory and Lorelai’s cruel humor with a very unpopular scene in the “Summer” episodein which the Gilmore girls make merry sport out of fat-shaming men at the local pool whom they don’t deem conventionally attractive.
SinceGilmore Girls: AYITLwas full of Easter eggsand fun callbacks, it wouldn’t be amiss at all to see the ballerina return in a potentialGilmore Girlsseason 9. Then,Rory could apologize and make up for not only that awful season 4 storyline but also the upsetting humor inA Year in the Life. With Amy Sherman-Palladino and severalGilmore Girlscast members open to returning, it provides the perfect opportunity.
Gilmore Girls Fixing The Ballerina Storyline Would Be A Sweet Nod To Étoile
Amy Sherman-Palladino Clearly Loves Ballet
In addition to getting justice for this young ballerina, the potentialGilmore Girlsseason 9 storyline would also be a sweet nod to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s love of ballet and her latest series,the prematurely canceledÉtoile. Premiering in April 2025,Étoilecenters around prestigious ballet companies in New York and Paris who swap dancers in a bid to save their respective institutions. The series earned positive reviews, with 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The viewership numbers weren’t high enough to justify the cost of the show.
Unfortunately, despite Amazon Prime Video pickingÉtoileup for two seasons, the streaming platform canceled the series after one season in June 2025. A big reason for that is that the viewership numbers weren’t high enough to justify the cost of the show.This isn’t the first time ASP has had a ballet series canceled after one season, either, as her underratedBunheadsreceived the axfrom ABC in 2013 after just 18 episodes.
DID YOU KNOW: Broadway star Sutton Foster, who playedBunheadsprotagonist Michelle Simms, also appeared inGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. She played Violet, the star ofStars Hollow: The Musical.
EvenGilmore Girlsis full of dance, from Miss Patty’s dance lessons to Stars Hollow’s famous 24-hour dance marathon.That’s why it’s so odd that Sherman-Palladino included that poor-taste ballet review storylinein season 4. But we can still hold out hope for futureGilmore Girlsepisodes fixing that mistake. Who knows — the ballerina could become a breakout star and even get her own spinoff. Let’s just hope streaming platform execs give that hypothetical show more of a chance than ASP’s other ballet series.
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.
Étoile
Étoile, releasing in 2025, follows the compelling story of world-renowned ballet companies undertaking an ambitious strategy to save their institutions. The plot centers on the cross-cultural exchange of their most talented stars, aiming to revitalize and preserve their artistic legacies.
Bunheads
Bunheads is a TV series centered on Michelle Simms, a former ballerina who becomes a small-town dance instructor after marrying on a whim. Starring Sutton Foster as Michelle, the series explores her adjustment to rural life and her impact on a new generation of young dancers. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show combines elements of comedy and drama against the backdrop of a ballet school.
