Today, I woke up and updated iTunes on my computer. I never use iTunes outside of my phone, so I was scrolling through some of the content that I had amassed over the years. Some random indie songs to early Britney to LGBTQ movies and some television shows, but one thing stuck out to me in particular: The first and only season of "Bunheads."
"Bunheads," the brainchild of Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. The mind that gave us the gift of Lorelai Gilmore and seven too short seasons of her antics in Stars Hollow. "Bunheads" is reminiscent of what we loved about that little town and cast of characters in Connecticut, a small quiet town, interesting and complicated family dynamic, colorful characters abundant and of course the fast paced and witty banter that could only be manifested by Amy Sherman-Palladino. Starring Sutton Foster, Tony winner and an astounding Broadway sensation, and the one and only Kelly Bishop, aka Emily Gilmore and the original Sheila in "A Chorus Line." Bishop also holds a Tony award as mother, Fanny, and daughter-in-law Michelle, trying to navigate their newfound relationship and family dynamic when they lose the one man that connected them.
1. First episode.
The pilot episode of this thrilling and undoubtedly fantastic series is incredibly well crafted. From the moment we meet Michelle, dancing in full feather regalia in Vegas, to the final heartbreaking scene at the Oyster Bar, you are hooked. In those short 45 minutes, we meet the main cast and begin to set up stories and drama abundant. It is funny, endearing and heartbreaking all in one.
2. Sutton Foster.
While Sutton Foster is not Lauren Graham, she doesn’t try to be and that’s what makes her so right to play Michelle. Many critics accused Sherman-Palladino of attempting to reignite our "Gilmore" love with "Bunheads" by using the same patterns of her previous hit. While there are similarities that are ever present in every episode, they are different shows and they are vastly different stories. Sutton Foster is poised, comical and oh so relatable as an artist who let “time slip away” and is struggling to once again find her spot in the lime light. She is completely and utterly astounding.
3. Kelly Bishop.
Kelly freaking Bishop is perfect. Don’t fight me on this. That woman can do no wrong. Emily and Fanny are so strikingly similar and so strikingly different that it is a marvel to watch Kelly Bishop on screen. "Bunheads" takes Bishop back to her roots as a dancer. You can almost hear her singing “At the Ballet” every time she waltzes into the frame.
4. Principal dancers.
Sasha (Julia Goldani Telles), Butina aka Boo (Kaitlyn Jenkins), Jenny (Bailey De Young formerly Buntain) and Melanie (Emma Dumont) are the four main students that we center on at Fanny’s dance academy. From struggles with family, body image, relationships and so so so much more, we get to watch these girls begin to realize who they are and who they want to be through the world of dance and high school. They break apart and grow back together as every friend group does from time to time.
5. "Gilmore Girls" family cameos.
This show is jam packed with cast members from "Gilmore Girls" that we all know and love. As previously mentioned, Kelly Bishop stars. Also, Liza Weil (Paris) is a recurring cast member as Truly’s sister Millicent and Rose Abdoo (Gypsy) recurs as Truly’s business partner, Sam. Gregg Henry (Mitchum) recurs as Rico the Oyster Bar owner. But it doesn’t stop there, Alex Borstein (Drella, Miss Celine), Michael DeLuise (TJ), Sean Gunn (Kirk), Chris Eigeman (Jason), Todd Lowe (Zach), Biff Yeager (Tom), Linda Porter (Fran) and Jon Polito (Pete) all make appearances in the short lived series.
At the end of the day, "Bunheads" filled part of the void that "Gilmore Girls" left with new characters to fall head over heels in love with. Fanny and Michelle had more adventures and stories to tell and it is a shame that we didn’t get to see them. Somebody call Netflix and maybe we can get a revival like "Gilmore Girls: Seasons" (which premieres November 27). You can catch all of the "Bunheads"love, including episodes and behind the scenes looks at freeform.com!
Mood when you find out "Bunheads" is cancelled.
