5 ways 'Gilmore Girls' got small-town living totally wrong
What's the story
Gilmore Girls was a much-loved show that gave us the most charming life in Stars Hollow (the fictional town). While it beautifully captured the essence of community and quirky characters, the beloved show also got a lot of things wrong about small-town life. Here's a look at some of those inaccuracies and what real small-town life is like.
#1
Unrealistic economic diversity
In Gilmore Girls, Stars Hollow has an overwhelming number of businesses and shops that continue to flourish despite the town's small population. In reality, a lot of small towns cannot sustain such diversity in their economy due to a lack of customers and funds. Having so many independent stores without any signs of economic strain is an unrealistic representation that ignores the financial challenges of real-life small-town entrepreneurs.
#2
Overemphasis on quirkiness
The show underscores quirky characters and eccentric events as the key to Stars Hollow's charm. While unique personalities are found everywhere, Gilmore Girls takes this to a whole new level of exaggeration for the sake of entertainment. Real small towns have residents with their quirks, but are typically more varied in their interests and lifestyles than how it is shown on screen.
#3
Lack of privacy concerns
Stars Hollow gives us an idealistic view where everyone is privy to each other's business without any repercussions. In real life, living in a close-knit society usually entails privacy invasion and rumors, which can ruin relationships. The show's representation brushes these issues under the carpet by showing only the good side of the residents' relationships.
#4
Simplified social dynamics
The social dynamics in Gilmore Girls are simplified for storytelling purposes, often showing harmonious relationships among townsfolk despite differing opinions or backgrounds. Real-life communities experience complex social interactions influenced by various factors such as socioeconomic status or cultural differences, which are not fully explored within the series narrative.
Tip 5
Idealized community events
Community events in Stars Hollow are portrayed as easily arranged, with everyone willing to participate, rain or shine, even if they have other commitments. This representation ignores the actual difficulties of organizing and managing gatherings, which take a lot of time, effort, coordination, and resources. Honestly, such frequent and well-attended events are rare due to these logistical challenges.