Feel-good TV show inspires local podcast “Gabbing Gilmore”
Updated: Sep 30
Written by Natalie K. Pollock
Staff Writer
Photos by Natalie K. Pollock and submitted
Two sisters living in West Hartford, Jackie Procyk and Catherine Bailey, share a love of the television series Gilmore Girls that was set in the fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. The show that premiered 25 years ago became so popular that it ran for seven years and became a cult classic, spawning many kinds of swag, parties and public events, and most recently a podcast named “Gabbing Gilmore,” co-hosted by the sisters on a bi-monthly basis.
The television script was written by its creator Amy Sherman Palladino, who also won several Emmys for her acclaimed period piece “The Fabulous Mrs. Maisel” about struggling comedians in the 1950’s.
The homegrown podcast explores the characters, relationships and themes of Gilmore Girls, a comedy-drama, and sparks conversations among a legion of fans on how the issues it raises relate to today’s issues.
In 2023 Bailey read “Find Your Unicorn Place,” a book by Eve Podsky about “reclaiming your creative life in a too-busy world” and set out to do just that. She is a lawyer that worked on women’s policy issues and has become a consultant in nonprofit marketing and fundraising.
“I was trying to match the values and interests of my family with the Gilmore Girls to see connections,” said Bailey, the mother of a 10-year-old daughter.
Now in their forties, she and her sister are three years apart and have remained close. They grew up in Wethersfield and came to West Hartford after some time in Boston. They still enjoy spending time together and talking about Gilmore Girls.
“We were looking for a creative and fulfilling project post pandemic, and we are both big fans of Gilmore Girls. We’ve been watching the show on television since 2000 and then in 2014 it began streaming on Netflix. I introduced it to my daughter and she loved it. It ignited conversations that were important. My mom watches and loves it, and grandparents Rich and Emily. It’s a generational show,” said Procyk.
Procyk is a social worker and mother of 22-year-old siblings, one of whom is a son with autism. She and her mother joined forces to advocate for a place to serve the recreational, social and community needs of children, and their efforts grew into the Autism Families of Connecticut nonprofit in West Hartford, now in Berlin. The organization reaches out to children as young as three years old and all the way up to adults aged 35, and their families.
Procyk points out that there are many Gilmore Girls related events in the wider Hartford area, especially in the fall with trivia games, music and themed vendors. The sisters attend the Firelight annual event In Guilford, mixing with cast members from the show and wearing their Gabbing Gilmore t-shirts.
“At these events fans come together with a shared interest. And sometimes there is fast-talking dialogue on the show that’s hard to understand so the fandom can share the details and language that they know. Women feel safe and cozy watching the show because there is a focus on women by the creator. And new generations keep finding it,” said Bailey.
Gilmore Girls fans relate to the two main female characters. According to the podcasters, Lorelai was a witty and sharp-tongued teen mother at the beginning of the show, which presents an opportunity for conversation between mothers and daughters, and her daughter Rory “was studious and honest,” and thus a positive role model for teens.
The mother aspired to operate her own inn, and her daughter was working toward acceptance at Harvard, but ultimately chose Yale.
“I started watching at 24. Now I’m in my 40’s. I can relate more to Lorelai now,” said Procyk.
When working together on their podcast, they dig deep into the topics the show brings up. They present two segments per month, about 45 minutes to an hour long, plus one bonus for their subscribers’ club.
The podcasters review all seven seasons and mine them for theme and inspirational topics. Sometimes they ask the audience to respond to a question.
Their podcast began at the Noah Webster Library’s studio, which made all its equipment available as well as staff to help with setup. After the first two years, the sisters took their podcast inhouse to Baily’s basement. They have been broadcasting for three years now.
“Some people find us on the podcast app, but they also engage with us in person at events, such as Pride in the West Hartford Town Hall. It is so much richer to connect in person rather than on social media,” said Bailey.
Their last live event took place at the River Bend bookstore on Park Road.
“West Hartford has a Stars Hollow feel, like A.C. Peterson’s too. Luke’s Diner on the show is like it, and the characters go there every day, And there are a lot of charitable events in West Hartford that align with Stars Hollow,” said Procyk.
The sisters also like that the characters are “treated like real people, with flaws and then compassion.”
Bailey added, “Emotional scenes are followed by funny ones. That’s why it’s cozy and comforting, and why it’s fun to analyze them.”
Sometimes the sisters’ family members dress up as a particular character for events. And Bailey’s husband has been supportive by setting up tables at a Pratt Street event.
“Our podcast is creative fulfillment for me that’s outside of everyday obligations,” said Bailey. WHL