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Exclusive Q&A: Gilmore Girls' Scott Patterson
Scott Patterson by Mark Lidell/The CW
It's sort of fitting that death was staring Scott Paterson in the face when word of Gilmore Girls' demise came down. In Toronto shooting the horror sequel Saw 4, "I was on the set [filming a scene] when the news broke," he recounts. "I flipped open my cell phone and saw there were, like, 15 messages. I was like, "Ooooh, that's either really good or really bad." For fans of Patterson's gruff-but-lovable Luke Danes, it was most certainly the latter. And Patterson himself? How does he feel about bidding Stars Hollow adieu after seven years? And what was his relationship with sparring partner Lauren Graham really like? Read on and find out...
What was your reaction to hearing that the show was ending?
Patterson: I kind of expected it, actually. And I think I was probably a little relieved, and disappointed at the same time. So many things went through me when I heard the news. I wasn't terribly shocked. I know a lot of people were very optimistic, but I wasn't one of them.
Why not?
Patterson: To continue to do something like that there has to be a real passion for it. I didn't sense there was any passion left, and, therefore, little reason to do it.
Are you speaking about yourself?
Patterson: Not me, just a general sense. The mood on the set was that it had run its course. Creatively, maybe, certain cast members were bankrupt and wanted to recharge their batteries in another venue. But there are a myriad of [factors] that go into these decisions; it's not just one thing.
But you were prepared to return if it was renewed?
Patterson: Yeah. I signed a deal a couple of months ago. I was all set. I also have a holding deal, which means that [Warner Bros.] is looking to place me in another series as we speak. I was covered either way.
What are you going to miss?
Patterson: Just having a regular job. (Laughs) That'll be an adjustment. We all struggle for all these years to get to this point and you never think in a million years that you're going to look in the mirror one day and say, "I need to do something else." When it becomes redundant and repetitive and old hat, it's nice to change the music a little bit.
Was the vibe on the set different this year with [series creator] Amy [Sherman-Palladino] gone?
Patterson: Yeah, there was a perceptible change. Lauren was a producer this year, and there was a little more leeway in how things were shaped. The actors had more input than in the previous six years. And it was less work — I'm not qualifying that either way, whether it was good or bad. That's just the way it was.
Was it bittersweet that Amy wasn't there at the end?
Patterson: I think it was. I miss her like crazy. I always loved it when she directed an episode, or when she visited the set. She just energized the whole place. Just a lovely woman and a dear, dear friend. That's the most important thing that I took away from this: my friendship with Amy. I will always do whatever I can to help her. Like I told her on the phone, "Not only would I hide a body for you, I would chop one up as well."
Were you satisfied with the way the Luke and Lorelai story was wrapped up?
Patterson: No, I wasn't, because there was still a lot of life left in it. But also, less is more, because it leaves in the audience's imagination where it could go, and that's really good writing. Why give them the full meal? And I know fans are a little upset because they feel unsatisfied. They feel like they hung in there for so long and didn't get the full monty, so to speak. But I think the show will live in their imaginations longer as a result of this type of an ending.
A lot of fans Luke and Lorelai fans feel cheated because she spent so much of the season with Christopher.
Patterson: But what could they do? They were really faced with doing it the way they did it or pull a Deus ex machina, and that would have been really bad. I think that would've turned the fans off even more. Look, the fans were the show. We really felt the presence of the fans. What a terrific and loyal group of people they are. I think they have 152 episodes of Gilmore Girls to go over again and again and relive. It's a lot of work that's in there and I think at the end of the day, they're going to take away from this that they've had a good run as well.
What did you think of the April storyline?
Patterson: I personally loved it. I think it gave Luke dimension. It humanized him more. It showed Luke in a much different light than what we were used to seeing. I know a lot of fans resisted April initially, but I thought it really helped the show. I think fans were a little perturbed because it delayed what they considered to be the inevitable, but this is what happens sometimes in life. I thought it was very cleverly done. And Vanessa is just a delight to work with, and a true professional.
Over the years there's been speculation that you and Lauren had some rocky times. Would you say that's accurate?
Patterson: No, I think it's not accurate. I think it's really inaccurate. And I think people thrive on rumor and innuendo; that sells papers, gets people to click on websites. Lauren has always been pretty much the rock of that whole production. She did the lion's share of the work, and she did it with real aplomb. I wouldn't have wanted that schedule. Not for 10 minutes would I have wanted that schedule. I mean, that schedule would've broken a workhorse, and she just plowed through it every day and it was pretty amazing to watch. We would hear those things and just laugh. We had a very comfortable working relationship. I enjoyed doing scenes with her because I knew she was going to hit the ball back over the net as good as she got. All of that stuff is just overblown.
Would you like to work with her again?
Patterson: Oh, absolutely. I would work with her again in a heartbeat. She happens to be a very, very, very good actress. I would jump at the chance to work with her again.
Do you feel like you were cheated out of saying a formal good-bye to the cast and crew since the decision came down after you were done filming?
Patterson: That part was unfortunate. But in Hollywood, when you're trying to make the best deal you can, unfortunately, that type of thing is going to happen from time-to-time. I don't think [Lauren and Alexis] had a choice. They chose a certain tactic and they stuck to their guns, which is admirable. I haven't talked to either Lauren or Alexis about the situation, but I guess they just felt like the deal just wasn't good enough for them. If they felt the deal was good enough, they would've signed. But I don't really know the details.
I posed this question to Lauren and I'll as you as well: Would you be up for doing a Gilmore Girls reunion movie penned by Amy?
Patterson: I don't even see that happening in the hypothetical sense. (Laughs)
What's next?
Patterson: The movies are beginning to stack up. I have about four or five lined up in a row. I'm also up for the lead in Repo! A Genetic Opera. Darren Lynn Bousman is directing it, and he's just amazing. I have a big singing audition for him tomorrow in full wardrobe. I'm very excited about it. This is the upside of Gilmore ending, because now a whole new world is opening up and it's really thrilling.
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May 12, 2007 9:39 AM
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Mike, You rock! Thank you ever so much for interviewing the great Scott. I am so grateful.
Oh man. Scott Patterson has class. He knows the L/L story is going to leave fans disappointed and he sounds like he himself might be disappointed.
He admires LG and I have never heard him say anything negative about her. I adore that man. And like Lauren he recognizes that the fans have been a big part of the shows success. Thats nice to know. And bring on some more SP movies and tv show! Yay!
Mike please get him on VM: FBI as VM's snarky but lovable boss. That is a match made in heaven.
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May 12, 2007 10:01 AM
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I get a totally different read from this than I did the Lauren Graham interview. I'm thinking this sounds more authentic - and also that we are seeing the other side of the story here. There's a lot of reading between the lines of the two stories.
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May 12, 2007 10:05 AM
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SP's always been more authentic in interviews about this show than LG - I think he deftly straddles the line between spin and reality - to his credit. And, he does have class - always generous in his comments about LG.
I'm happy for him - he sounds ready for the next phase of his career and I'm looking forward to seeing him in other work - (just not horror films).
And, thank you, Mike for bringing us this interview. He is always so sadly overlooked given his incredible contribution to the show, that I'm so pleased to see that you reached out to him. Yay.
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May 12, 2007 10:12 AM
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Mike: Thanks so much for the SP interview. For many of us Gilmore fans, Luke was the only thing keeping us in the Hollow during this last season. The guy gives intelligent, thoughtful- and most importantly- honest answers in his interviews. He's a class act, and I wish him well in this new phase of his career.
P.S. Now, if you could score an interview with my other Gilmore favorite- the delightful Kelly Bishop- that would be fantastic!
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May 12, 2007 10:15 AM
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I love Scott Patterson....He seems for more geniune than others and ....well, i just love him...I will follow him to another show....and i have to say the idea about VM is brilliant
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May 12, 2007 10:21 AM
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What a gracious and classy guy. And so appreciative of the fans! Seems like he's the only one who gets it too. I wish him lots of luck and I can't wait to see him on the screen again.
Man, I was thisclose to the "acceptance" stage of my grief and now I have to start all over again!
Thanks Scott, and thanks Mike for sharing.
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May 12, 2007 10:34 AM
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What a genuine person he seems to be. And I would agree - the most responsive person to the fans of GG. He is a biggest reason I have continued to watch this show through the past year and he is right, he did have diminished screen time this year which wasn't fair to all of his fans and the fans of Luke and Lorelai. Glad to see he recognized the importance of them as a couple and that the fans wanted it as well.
He continues to be a class act all around. I would love to see him and Lauren work together again, that is chemistry that shines through. It sounds like I may have to learn to like horror movies as well - Let's just hope Warner Bros comes through for him with a part on a TV show that will give him the proper exposure he deserves.
Thank you Scott!
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May 12, 2007 10:52 AM
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Thank you for a wonderful interview. Scott Patterson is a class individual and I'll certainly take in interest in his upcoming projects. Kind words to everyone, his karma is certainly good with regard to that Gilmore crew. I can't say I have the same warm feelings for the way Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledsoe left the show. I won't be laying down any money to see anything either of those two do in the near future.
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May 12, 2007 10:57 AM
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I've always felt that SP valued the opinions of the fans far more than his co-workers ever have.
He's thoughtful, well-spoken, tactful, and generous in his words. AND FINALLY A GENUINE REACTION TO THE WHOLE LUKE/LORELAI ENDING. How long have we been waiting for that?
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May 12, 2007 11:01 AM
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Thanks for the insightful interview. Scott Patterson was one of the main reasons I started watching GG. I was late coming to the series. My sister-in-law loaned me the DVDs for seasons 1, 2 and 3 and I fell in love. I purchased them for myself and watched them over and over while I waited for more. I never could get the series on my television (station difficulties) so I had to wait until the seasons DVDs were released. Do try to interview Kelly Bishop. I first saw her in Dirty Dancing as Baby's mom. And I have watched Edward Herrmann since the 1970s when he starred as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the television movies about Eleanor and Franklin. With his many years of experience in the business, I'm sure he could add an interesting perspective, as well.
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May 12, 2007 11:04 AM
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Great to see his point of view, Michael, thanks! 
I hope this puts to rest the baseless rumors out there about LG and SP hating each other. She can say it until she's blue in the face, but now that St. Scott has said it, hopefully people will finally believe it!
He's very tactful, because nobody seems to pick up on the fact that he slammed the internet (just as Lauren allegedly has). He wasn't as blunt as she was, and perhaps that's why he got away with it. 
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May 12, 2007 11:12 AM
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Thank you sooo much for this interview. Luke, as others have said, was the only reason I was watching this season. He is my favorite TV character ever! SP has class and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him!
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May 12, 2007 11:42 AM
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I think that his comment about the internet was more aimed at MA and those like him who likes to spread rumors. Not at the fans. But thats just my opinion.
He really is a genuine guy. I find it interesting that no one is requesting a Alexis Bledel interview? Bitter much? I'd love to hear what she has to say and who she feels about moving on and away from Gilmore Girls.
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May 12, 2007 11:49 AM
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Wasn't it Kristin at E! that really turned up the heat on the rumor about SP/LG supposedly not getting along? I know it has been floating out there but mostly I've read columnists refer to it even though not one of them has ever actually had a quote from either LG or SP or anyone that states that they disliked one another. I despise that kind of stuff - someone implies something and it takes off like wild fire and people presume it is true.
Go glad he seems excited about his new opportunities. He's the only reason I kept watching after season three - and the only reason I will even be watching the finale.
Hopefully in the future, he will get the recognition he deserves.
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May 12, 2007 12:07 PM
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