‘Gilmore Girls’ Star Explains the Secret Behind the Show’s Timeless Magic

Victoria MillerSun, February 22, 2026 at 10:50 AM UTC

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(Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images)

It’s been more than 25 years since Gilmore Girls first aired on the WB. Two decades later, the Stars Hollow-set series continues to gain new fans thanks to syndication and streaming.

In a February 2026 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment,Gilmore Girls alum Milo Ventimiglia, who played troubled teen Jess Mariano on the series, credited creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino for “writing an evergreen show” about a mother and daughter (Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel) that remains relevant today.

“For any of the smash-and-grab, headline-grabbing, salacious television or films out there that are blatantly trying to get attention through poor behavior — Gilmore was a bit of a wholesome show,” Ventimiglia, 48, shared. “It had its glory, had its struggles, but the messaging behind it about the connection between a mother and a daughter is important. The messaging behind, ‘Hey, strive to do something with your life,’ like higher education.”

“That idea of a young woman being educated, reading, being treated well, being treated with respect — I think those are things that are great to put in the world,” the actor continued.

Ventimiglia also gave a shout-out to all of the other characters that made Stars Hollow so quirky and special.

This isn’t the first time Ventimiglia has reflected on the lasting appeal of the beloved comedy-drama series.

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In 2023, the actor told the AV Club that the continued popularity of Gilmore Girls for both old and new audiences was “remarkable.” “I think it shows how well the writing was architected, I think it shows how timeless the writing was, the show itself,” he added. “The inspiration that it gives to young girls I think is wonderful.”

Gilmore Girls premiered on The WB on Oct. 5, 2000, and ran for seven seasons. After Netflix added the series in 2014, the popularity surge led to a 2016 four-part mini-revival titled Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. The revival reunited most of the original cast, including Ventimiglia.

Gilmore Girls co-star Scott Patterson, who played Ventimiglia’s character's uncle Luke Danes on the series, also spoke about the show’s lasting effect on audiences.

“The medicinal and therapeutic effects this show has on people are extraordinary, and it’s deep. I don’t know if Amy [Sherman-Palladino, creator] wants to hear it, but this show saves people, and it saves them on a daily basis,” Patterson told The Hollywood Reporter in 2025. “It soothes, heals, and gives people hope there are better times ahead, that there were better times in the past, and that we can have a better time in the present.”

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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”