The story behind that Luke and Lorelai kiss on 'Gilmore Girls'
- - The story behind that Luke and Lorelai kiss on 'Gilmore Girls'
Anika Reed, USA TODAYNovember 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
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"Gilmore Girls" premiered on The WB network 25 years ago on Oct. 5, 2000. The show centers around Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) and takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. See the cast then and now.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R0ElZdtd6bLkrMCErf7Jsw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODM5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b9788cfbcdde507318920e982c434128 class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
"Gilmore Girls" premiered on The WB network 25 years ago on Oct. 5, 2000. The show centers around Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) and takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. See the cast then and now.
">"Gilmore Girls" premiered on The WB network 25 years ago on Oct. 5, 2000. The show centers around Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) and takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. See the cast then and now.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R0ElZdtd6bLkrMCErf7Jsw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODM5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b9788cfbcdde507318920e982c434128 class=caas-img>The cast from "Gilmore Girls" included Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena, Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Bishop, Ed Herrmann, Liz Torres and Yanic Truesdale, all pictured here.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lYyMzeZlkqeZUfdmlDwj5A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzI3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/93563d280ff16149d7fbb481600ca7bd class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
The cast from "Gilmore Girls" included Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena, Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Bishop, Ed Herrmann, Liz Torres and Yanic Truesdale, all pictured here.
">The cast from "Gilmore Girls" included Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena, Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Bishop, Ed Herrmann, Liz Torres and Yanic Truesdale, all pictured here.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lYyMzeZlkqeZUfdmlDwj5A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzI3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/93563d280ff16149d7fbb481600ca7bd class=caas-img>Lauren Graham played the fast-talking Stars Hollow inn manager with big dreams when the show first debuted. Here, she attends a behind the scenes discussion of the television show "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rx.xh9RlGsiKMbaBjLkFPg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMTA3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c1185d4da31209e0e091c73515f74a76 class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Lauren Graham played the fast-talking Stars Hollow inn manager with big dreams when the show first debuted. Here, she attends a behind the scenes discussion of the television show "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
">Lauren Graham played the fast-talking Stars Hollow inn manager with big dreams when the show first debuted. Here, she attends a behind the scenes discussion of the television show "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rx.xh9RlGsiKMbaBjLkFPg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMTA3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c1185d4da31209e0e091c73515f74a76 class=caas-img>"Gilmore Girls" marked Alexis Bledel's first major role. Here, Bledel attends the WB Television Network Upfront All-Star Party at The Lighthouse May 13, 2003, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hXPA_a1WPiE5MhiWJyj3Xg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12adb298d9d413b7bcbf3a7922ee993d class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
"Gilmore Girls" marked Alexis Bledel's first major role. Here, Bledel attends the WB Television Network Upfront All-Star Party at The Lighthouse May 13, 2003, in New York City.
">"Gilmore Girls" marked Alexis Bledel's first major role. Here, Bledel attends the WB Television Network Upfront All-Star Party at The Lighthouse May 13, 2003, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hXPA_a1WPiE5MhiWJyj3Xg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12adb298d9d413b7bcbf3a7922ee993d class=caas-img>Scott Patterson attends a behind-the-scenes discussion of "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California. Patterson joined the show as grumpy by lovable local diner owner Luke Danes.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uRfBRgvO_i.4DXGQ6BE0vw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e6a6742c9226650732620ad7ee7bab3 class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Scott Patterson attends a behind-the-scenes discussion of "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California. Patterson joined the show as grumpy by lovable local diner owner Luke Danes.
">Scott Patterson attends a behind-the-scenes discussion of "Gilmore Girls" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California. Patterson joined the show as grumpy by lovable local diner owner Luke Danes.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uRfBRgvO_i.4DXGQ6BE0vw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e6a6742c9226650732620ad7ee7bab3 class=caas-img>Ventimiglia, seen here at AFI FEST 2024's Hollywood premiere of "Heretic," went on to have a leading role in NBC drama series "This Is Us."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IKI8VQxIF55c3SWciBAVLA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTU0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/882f6ea6cfdd8db0216bc53d82106fcb class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Ventimiglia, seen here at AFI FEST 2024's Hollywood premiere of "Heretic," went on to have a leading role in NBC drama series "This Is Us."
">Ventimiglia, seen here at AFI FEST 2024's Hollywood premiere of "Heretic," went on to have a leading role in NBC drama series "This Is Us."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IKI8VQxIF55c3SWciBAVLA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTU0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/882f6ea6cfdd8db0216bc53d82106fcb class=caas-img>Melissa McCarthy played kooky but talented inn chef and Lorelai's best friend Sookie St. James during her time on "Gilmore Girls." She's seen here at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yDQbq6zwl1WVk_f_Pt9muQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d9df36ce8acf198fdc53ece5f3dbb827 class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Melissa McCarthy played kooky but talented inn chef and Lorelai's best friend Sookie St. James during her time on "Gilmore Girls." She's seen here at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
">Melissa McCarthy played kooky but talented inn chef and Lorelai's best friend Sookie St. James during her time on "Gilmore Girls." She's seen here at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on April 21, 2003, in North Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yDQbq6zwl1WVk_f_Pt9muQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d9df36ce8acf198fdc53ece5f3dbb827 class=caas-img>Murray went on to star in the teen drama series "One Tree Hill" and movies "A Cinderella Story" and "Freaky Friday." He reprised his role in sequel "Freakier Friday," and was seen at the 2025 film's U.K. premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 31, 2025, in London.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w40FCtwpa85iLStc8oznQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/59599c2ba66207ff44a4a190b63b971e class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Murray went on to star in the teen drama series "One Tree Hill" and movies "A Cinderella Story" and "Freaky Friday." He reprised his role in sequel "Freakier Friday," and was seen at the 2025 film's U.K. premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 31, 2025, in London.
">Murray went on to star in the teen drama series "One Tree Hill" and movies "A Cinderella Story" and "Freaky Friday." He reprised his role in sequel "Freakier Friday," and was seen at the 2025 film's U.K. premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 31, 2025, in London.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w40FCtwpa85iLStc8oznQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/59599c2ba66207ff44a4a190b63b971e class=caas-img>Kelly Bishop, seen at the "Gilmore Girls" 100th episode celebration in 2005, starred as Lorelai's mother, Emily Gilmore.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MCo1SwVlODt3papn.GRlFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMzg0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b3da69e18a57b2ab065a8adbf12fde59 class=caas-img data-headline="'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now" data-caption="
Kelly Bishop, seen at the "Gilmore Girls" 100th episode celebration in 2005, starred as Lorelai's mother, Emily Gilmore.
">Kelly Bishop, seen at the "Gilmore Girls" 100th episode celebration in 2005, starred as Lorelai's mother, Emily Gilmore.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MCo1SwVlODt3papn.GRlFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMzg0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b3da69e18a57b2ab065a8adbf12fde59 class=caas-img>
1 / 9'Gilmore Girls' celebrates its 25th anniversary: See the cast then and now
"Gilmore Girls" premiered on The WB network 25 years ago on Oct. 5, 2000. The show centers around Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) and takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. See the cast then and now.
It was the kiss watched 'round the world.
Scott Patterson is reminiscing about the first kiss between Luke and Lorelai on "Gilmore Girls."
As Patterson walks down memory lane with USA TODAY in honor of the show's 25th anniversary, the Season 4 scene with Lauren Graham stands out in his mind as "fraught with anxiety."
"That first kiss was an enormous day on the set," Patterson says.
Patterson recalls his chemistry with Graham from the moment they met. He says he "blew the first take" of the show's opening scene "because I was so taken with (Graham) and what she was doing, and the way she pulled her hat off, and (said), 'You've got wings, baby.' And I'm just like, 'Oh, sorry, I forgot the line. Let's do it again.'"
Shock, regrets, drama: 'Gilmore Girls' cast reminisce, spill secrets as show turns 25
Alexis Bledel as Rory and Lauren Graham as Lorelai on "Gilmore Girls."
Filming with Graham "was magnetic," Patterson says. "It was just palpable. And I kind of knew then that whatever we were going to do together was going to work."
Their connection continued throughout the seasons before Luke and Lorelai – the quintessential "will they or won't they" couple – finally kissed.
"I was extraordinarily nervous, and Lauren was too. We just wanted to get it right. We knew the fans had been waiting for four seasons. They were really, really chomping at the bit, and so now we're delivering this thing," Patterson says.
"It was really a remarkable day that we just didn't want to screw it up. And I thought we did a pretty good job. Of course, we wanted to do it over and over and over and over again, perfectionists that we are, but time dictated, and I think we got a good result. But that day was fraught with anxiety and tension and anticipation."
Patterson reunited with Graham at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in October. Costars Kelly Bishop and Matt Czuchry as well as "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and executive producer Dan Palladino celebrated their Lorelai. Patterson says the "much-deserved honor" came "10 years too late."
"One of the truly remarkable achievements in either film or television history is tackling this role in the way she did, and drawing the character the way she did, and interpreting the character the way she did," he says.
Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson attend her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Oct. 3, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
Anika Reed is USA TODAY's deputy entertainment editor, covering all things entertainment and pop culture. Find her on Instagram and TikTok, or send her an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Scott Patterson details the 'Gilmore Girls' famous kiss
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
