AUSTIN, Texas -- The long-awaited Gilmore Girls reunion at the ATX Television Festival was anything but a disappointment for the show's dedicated fans, many of whom waited hours in the sweat-inducing sun for a chance to see the highly anticipated, sold out event.
A total of 15 cast members -- as well as executive producer Amy Sherman-Palladino and writer/director Daniel Palladino -- took the stage to spill trivia, tidbits and much more during the almost two-hour reunion.
Here are some of the highlights:
Alexis Bledel was an acting newbie when she booked Gilmore Girls
Bledel's audition was, by her estimation, her fifth or sixth audition ever. But she nailed it despite having a cold the day she went in to read for executive producer Amy Sherman-Palladino.
"She was so different and a breath of fresh air," said Sherman-Palladino. "Rory had to be something you've never seen before."
I've missed you, @alexisbledel. pic.twitter.com/eHiE4GRh5j— Lauren Graham (@thelaurengraham) June 6, 2015
There were concerns, of course. Could the young actress handle the pressure of such a big leading role? "It was like, 'We're either going to crash and burn or we're going to be very smart people,'" said Sherman-Palladino. "Luckily, we were brilliant."
Dean was almost Canadian
Before Jared Padalecki took on the role of Rory's boyfriend, two other actors had held the role. Both were Canadian.
The more you know.
Rory's men. #ATXTVS4 #gilmoregirlsreunion pic.twitter.com/CFBLNe8lCi— ATX TV Festival (@ATXFestival) June 6, 2015
Scripts were huge
Gilmore's signature 100-mph dialogue led to scripts being much longer than a normal hourlong TV show, which usually clock in around 60 pages.
"Ours were regularly 85," said Lauren Graham. "They just got longer and we almost never cut anything."
The cast of #GilmoreGirls reunited at #ATXFestival. Tune in later this week for the interview. pic.twitter.com/SKeFIZbMit— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 6, 2015
But Graham said her sharp memory and the fact that she's a bit of a fast talker helped her spit out the dialogue.
"It was hard but there really is a music to the language that's challenging but it doesn't not make sense," she said.
Liza Weil auditioned for Rory
"I got a call and they were like, 'They really liked you but it wasn't quite right. But if [the show is picked up] maybe they'll find something for you to do,'" recalled Weil. "I thought that was probably the end of it."
Paris and Doyle forever! @liza_weil #ATXTVs4 #gilmoregirlsreunion pic.twitter.com/qvpECqKgdT— Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) June 6, 2015
But it wasn't. The producers eventually returned with the role of prickly Paris Gellar, and while she was initially baffled by the character that was written for her, "now I think it's very flattering," she said.
And for those wondering: Yes, Weil and Danny Strong, who played Doyle, both believe the two lived happily ever after.
"I hope they're supporting each other and taking over the fucking world," Weil said.
Lauren Graham thinks Luke and Lorelai ended up together
Graham said her storyline with longtime love interest Luke didn't exactly end "satisfactorily," but she believes they ended up together in the end.
"I think they're together, 100%," she said.
They're all open to a reunion
Sadly, there's nothing official in the works, but Sherman-Palladino said that if the stars aligned, she's be up for a return to Stars Hollow.
Full shot of this incredible stage. #gilmoregirlsreunion pic.twitter.com/IBF30ZRZ6p— Sandra Gonzalez (@TheSandraG) June 7, 2015
"It would have to be the right everything -- the right format, the right timing, the right budget," she said. "It would have to be honored in a certain way and I think if it ever came around I think we should all jump in and do it."
Above all, she promised: "If it ever happened, I promise you we'll do it correctly."
Bonus highlight: The ongoing tribute to Edward Herrmann
Graham wasn't the only person the in 1,200-seat theater to tear up at the first mention of the Gilmore grandpa. In fact, it was hard to find a dry eye in the house after the crowd screened a special tribute to the actor, set to "Wedding Bell Blues," the song Emily and Richard danced to at their wedding vow renewal celebration.
Then there was this:
"A chair for Ed." #gilmoregirlsreunion pic.twitter.com/aO6gVDFztF— Sandra Gonzalez (@TheSandraG) June 7, 2015
Bonus: More pictures from the reunion
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