1. The enchanting fictional town of Stars Hollow, which has captivated audiences and become one of television’s most cherished locales, was inspired by Amy Sherman-Palladino‘s spontaneous visit to the quaint community of Washington, Connecticut. During her time there, she was deeply moved by the warmth of the residents, the unique traditions she observed, and the charming inn where she stayed. This delightful experience ignited her imagination, providing the foundational concept for the series, including memorable lines from the pilot episode that would resonate with fans for years to come.

In an interview with Deseret News, Sherman-Palladino expressed her desire to evoke the same feelings in viewers that she experienced while wandering through the picturesque town. She stated, “If I can make people feel this much of what I felt walking around this fairy town, I thought that would be wonderful.”

2. Alexis Bledel, who would eventually become synonymous with the character of Rory, initially had only one uncredited acting role to her name and was pursuing her studies at New York University when she first auditioned for the part. Her journey to landing the role was anything but easy. “I was very sick, I was a student at NYU, and they kept calling me back up to audition,” Bledel recounted during her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “I think I went, like, six times. Oddly, I wasn’t a very seasoned actor at all. I didn’t know the process. I grew a tad bit impatient. I had a little attitude, and our boss really liked that a lot. She was like, ‘That’s our girl!’ I was like, ‘Are you guys going to bring me back again?’ and she was like, ‘I like that, that’s perfect.’