How worried should we be?

I was totally confused by this week's Entertainment Weekly interview with Amy Sherman-Palladino, specifically by whether the network was talking about season 6 being the last one of "Gilmore Girls" or season 7.

Here's an excerpt from " 'Girl' Trouble?" by Ken Tucker:

The future of ''Gilmore Girls'' -- Will the critically adored series make the move to The CW?

Attention, Gilmore Girls fans wondering whether Lorelai and Luke will wed: There are bigger behind-the-scenes worries. While the cast is signed through next year, creator/writer/director/culture mistress extraordinaire Amy Sherman-Palladino has yet to renegotiate with The CW (that impending WB/UPN mash-up). The series is ''still doing strong numbers... and family neuroses really never end,'' she tells EW. ''Why make it the last year?'' EW: So who's saying it might be? ASP: The studio is mentioning it [perhaps] being the last year. EW: Are you signed through year 7? ASP: No... as of April, I am apparently working at the Coffee Bean at the Beverly Center, making vanilla blendeds for girls going to Bebe.

So, my question is, when she says "Why make it the last year?'' does the "it" refer to year 6  (this year) or year 7 (next year)? I have the same question about her statement, "The studio is mentioning it [perhaps] being the last year." Which "it" is it?!

Adding to my anxiety is today's article on the L.A. Times Web site, which says:

Meanwhile, questions still swirl around the WB's "Gilmore Girls," which despite early reports might not be a slam-dunk for CW's fall schedule. Network and talent-agency sources say the CW still doesn't have a deal with creator Amy Sherman-Palladino or with cast members, including Lauren Graham.

It's true that the CW doesn't have a deal with Sherman-Palladino or her husband, but several publications reported late last year that Lauren Graham is signed on for season 7, along with Alexis Bledel and Scott Patterson (The L.A. Times has since corrected that portion of the story). But even this recent AP story is indefinite about the show's future.

Graham said the signs point to one more season after this one; the production company is making sure to add another year for people who had six-year contracts. Graham said that's when she'd like to move on, citing the show's workload.

"Getting the language perfect requires a number of takes that you might not have on another show," she explained. "It's just a lot of work 13, 14 hours door to door. I've missed weddings, I've missed babies being born. I'm not complaining, because of what it has brought me, but I would be ready for a different balance."

She has a hard time imagining the Palladinos not involved, particularly if the series is coming to an end.

Television economics may also play a part in the decision. The WB is canceling "7th Heaven" because, after a decade on the air, the network's most popular show was losing money because it was so expensive to make.

"They've come to us before and asked point-blank how long we think the show can go," Sherman-Palladino said, "and we say it's a family show, it can go on forever. If '7th Heaven' could have gone on for 10 years, why couldn't this show go for 10 years? There's no reason. They're going to be hard-pressed to assemble a cast this good on television again."

I'm not voting for a 10-year run, but please don't end the series with a cliffhanger in May! I'm not ready.

Comments

[jill]

My daughter and I have been watching gilmore girls for a long time. She rushed out to buy all the series 1 - 5. She just watches them over and over again. We love watching this show togehter. We hope that L & L get married, she about cried last night when she found out that they might not get married. Also she was upset about the fact that Logan was leaveing. I agree all good things have to come to an end. I just hope that L & L get married then We will feel satisfied. Lorelli deserves this.

[Melanie Lynne Hauser]

Well, they one more season, if just to get Luke back to being the Luke we all loved, instead of this clueless, thoughtless lump who has taken over his character. (Sorry. Now let me tell you what I REALLY think of what they've done to him....)

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Eeeekk...I'm with you!

[EmilyRoseJewel]

I hope the show goes on at least for one more year, although I don't forsee it being possible to make a 10 year run. The show will more than likely hit a place where it will run out of good story lines. It will most likely be harder and harder to come up with different places to take the characters. I think it is good that 7th Heaven is ending. I love the show, but I think the story lines are getting dull and repititive. By the end of Gilmore Girls I would like to see Lorelai married to Luke and at least an engagement of Rory with a good guy for her. I think Jess should return at least for a few episodes and show he is a changed man and win Rory over. Just my thoughts.

[Lauren]

Basically I think Amy was p-o'ed at the network for keeping the merger under wraps and for backing out of their deal with her new show. So she was all wishy washy in this interview because of that. (And now she's on my list because of it--sometimes I hate her and sometimes I love her.) I actually do believe that she wants to go past season 7, but I don't think the actors will agree to that (and I can understand why.)

And as much as I love this show, I think season 7 would be a great time to end it, especially if Rory graduates.

ASP hadn't renegotiated her contract with the WB for next season (7) so now with the CW mash-up, I'm sure it's just the same deal. I don't think CW would not take Gilmore Girls. It's like the second highest rated show (besides Smallville) on either the WB and UPN.

Basically I don't think we'll know much of anything official official until CW gets all its stuff in line.

Sorry I can't be more reassuring.