"Gilmore Girls" Got That Indie Cred

In her review for "Music From The O.C. Mix 5," Pitchfork critic Amy Phillips writes, "everybody knows that the indie kids don't watch 'The O.C.' anymore. They watch 'Gilmore Girls'. Now there's a show that needs a box set." At first, this just seems funny, but the real truth of the matter is that "Gilmore Girls" has a voice that represents the indie rock community in a way that "The O.C." doesn't.

When "The O.C." first premiered, it proved popular not only with a teenage demographic, but with hipster college kids who enjoyed the overblown drama in a "half-ironic" kind of way. It was cool to watch it religiously, but not cool to take it seriously. At the center of all this was Seth Cohen, the indie-rock loving outcast whose sarcastic humor spoke to these college hipsters. Upon finding the audience, it was then exploited - excessive soundtracks populated with indie faves like A.C Newman, LCD Soundsystem, and Spoon, but also corporate clones like Jet and the Subways. They even tried to pass off Weezer wannabes Rooney as the "it" band. As the exploitation continued, the show got worse - the drama went from ridiculously funny to ridiculously sappy and unwatchable. Now the show resembles an after school special. The independent voice is gone, but it may never have been there.

(left: Gilmores touring the Claremont Colleges)








"Gilmore Girls" has never begged for credibility - it's always had it, whether you've known about it or not. Early "Gilmore" episodes established the framework - a show that was not plot-driven, but instead a series of conversations strung together, many taking place in a small New England town populated by quirky characters (like Sally Struthers). Characters speak to one-another at rapid-fire paces, frequently referencing literature and pop culture. It is rare on television to find a show where the characters are actually engaged with culture.

Supporting character Lane is the indie music source. Her mom's a real strict Korean Christian, and up till season 5, had no idea of Lane's love for rock and roll. In one episode she stresses because the circumstance of her being grounded means she will not be able to buy a Belle and Sebastian single on the day of its release. She forms a band in season three, with Adam Brody of all people, and they perform covers of Blur, Rancid, and the White Stripes. Brody did a lot to win over Lane's mom, including having his buddies pose as a Christian rock band.

Brody left after just one season, with Sebastian Bach - that Sebastian Bach - taking his place. That is so "Gilmore..." to have hair metal rocker Bach join the cast as a deli-owning failed rocker. And it totally works. In another bit of "inspired casting," Lane's band played a show for label heads in a recent episode, and Joel Gion (former maracas player/hype man for Brian Jonestown Massacre) made a cameo in a scene that totally reenacted one from "DiG!" Genius!

You won't see the Killers or Death Cab for Cutie playing at some nonexistent hotspot on "Gilmore Girls." The Shins did stop by briefly and there are the frequent appearances of Grant Lee Phillips as the town troubadour. Often in important scenes, a fitting song will play and then the camera will pan over to reveal that Phillips is there, at that moment, playing the song.

So, where are all my ramblings about my favorite "Gilmore" moments going? I guess the answer is that "Gilmore Girls" anticipates, and even demands, a certain level of intelligence from its audience. Even though the characters live in a town that is its own world, they are still engaged with mass culture. The character of Lane is clearly one who knows her music history, so hearing her talk about her favorite bands is like talking to a really cool record store clerk - you care about what they have to say. Furthermore, musical guests like Grant Lee Phillips, the Shins, Joel Gion or Sebastian Bach, are all in line with an independent spirit - they are not simply guest starring or trying to sell the latest faux hot band. "Gilmore Girls" is indie rock because it is genuine, it is authentic.

("Gilmore Girls" airs Tuesdays @ 8 on the WB, while seasons 1-5 are available on DVD)