If You Love “Gilmore Girls,” Then You’ll Love These 11 Shows

Do you love Lorelai’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with diner owner Luke Danes? The small town eccentrics who inhabit the town of Stars Hollow? If so, then here are some suggestions for your next binge-watch. 

Hart of Dixie

When Zoe Hart’s (Rachel Bilson) plans of becoming a heart surgeon in the big city fall through, she is forced to fall back on plan B: move to small town Alabama and inherit a general practice from a man who claims to be her biological father. There, Zoe finds her attention torn between handsome – and engaged – attorney George (Scott Tucker) and eccentric bartender Wade (Wilson Bethel). Hart of Dixie feels like the countrified version of Gilmore Girls and is perfect for those who love the rollercoaster love lives of Lorelei and Rory. Hart of Dixie is available for streaming on Freevee.

Bunheads

Love Amy Sherman-Palladino’s witty writing style? Check out Bunheads, the cult classic show she made after wrapping Gilmore Girls. Las Vegas dancer Michelle (Sutton Foster) marries her admirer Hubbell (Alan Ruck) and moves to his small California town. But when Hubbell dies suddenly, Michelle must begin working with her mother-in-law, Fanny (Kelly Bishop), at the town’s local ballet school. Though Bunheads only made it one season, it’s well worth a viewing for diehard fans of Gilmore Girls. Bunheads is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

Parks and Recreation

There is no comedy series more in love with small American towns than SNL player Amy Poehler’s hit show Parks and Recreation. Following the exploits of the Parks & Rec team in the Indiana town of Pawnee, this show will have you laughing till you cry. The team’s intrepid leader is the enthusiastic Leslie Knope (Poehler), whose passion for government is balanced by her libertarian boss Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman). Parks and Recreation is available for streaming on Peacock.

Virgin River

Nurse Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) answers an ad for a midwife in a small California town, hoping to get away from the painful memories of the big city. But the small town isn’t as quiet as she expects, especially when she keeps running into mysterious bartender Jack (Martin Henderson). Virgin River is for the hopeless romantics who believe in a fresh start – not unlike Lorelei Gilmore herself. Virgin River is now streaming on Netflix.

All Creatures Great and Small

If you love the wholesome quality of the early seasons of Gilmore Girls, it might be time to hop across the pond and visit another small town in the North of England. All Creatures Great and Small follows the adventures of young veterinarian James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph), who moves to the Yorkshire Dales to work with established vet Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West). There, he tries to survive the antics of Siegfried’s younger brother Tristan (Callum Woodhouse), all while falling for local farmer gal Helen (Rachel Shelton). All Creatures Great and Small is available for streaming on Masterpiece Theater.

New Girl

When optimistic teacher Jess (Zoey Deschanel) moves into a new apartment with three strangers, she finds herself at odds with inveterate grump Nick (Jake Johnson). Meanwhile, the vain and eccentric Schmidt (Max Greenfield) is determined to keep Jess around so he can win the heart of Jess’s best friend and model, Cece (Hannah Simone). Luke and Lorelei ‘shippers, this opposites-attract love story is for you! New Girl is available for streaming on Hulu.

Friends

If you love the nostalgic feeling of Gilmore Girls, it might be time to revisit another classic from the early 2000s: Friends. With a staggering 10 seasons, Friends follows the loves and losses of six friends in the big city – though, just like Lorelei Gilmore, they spend most of their time at their favorite coffee haunt. Friends is available for streaming on Max.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Just when we thought Lauren Graham couldn’t get any cooler, turns out, she can sing too. In Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Graham plays the boss of young coder Zoey (Jane Levy), who decides to give the young woman her big shot. But in a freak accident, Zoey starts hearing people’s innermost thoughts as musical numbers – including her best friend Max’s (Skylar Astin) unspoken love for her. If Lorelai Gilmore were in a musical, this would be it. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is available for streaming on Peacock.

Sullivan’s Crossing

Can’t get enough of Scott Patterson’s lovable grump Luke Danes? Check out Patterson’s latest show Sullivan’s Crossing, where he plays the estranged father of promising neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan). When Maggie flees professional scandal in the big city and returns to the town of Sullivan’s Crossing to reconnect with her brusque father, she starts a soul-searching journey that leads her path to cross that of local hunk Cal (another former Gilmore Girls star, Chad Michael Murray). Sullivan’s Crossing is airing on the CW.

Schitt’s Creek

Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) suddenly loses his family fortune and is forced to move his wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara) and their two adult children to the town of Schitt’s Creek, which he once bought as a prank. Moving into the town’s small motel, hilarity ensues as the Rose family learns to live without luxury. Schitt’s Creek is a binge-worthy comedy with a cast of eccentric townspeople that would make Stars Hollow proud. Schitt’s Creek is available for streaming on Hulu.

This Is Us

We all have our opinions about Rory’s boyfriends, but I’ll admit that bad boy/reader Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) will always be my favorite. In This is Us, Ventimiglia plays Jack Pearson, husband of Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and father of Kevin, Kate, and Randall. This is Us is a heartwarming tearjerker of a show, as it flashes backward and forward to tell the story of the Pearson clan. This is Us is available for streaming on Netflix and Hulu.

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