Lauren Graham Reveals The Shocking Amount She Makes Off 'Gilmore Girls' Residuals

Newsweek - Mar 20th, 2025
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Lauren Graham, famed for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on the iconic TV series 'Gilmore Girls,' recently discussed the financial realities of the show's enduring popularity during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She disclosed that despite the series' success on Netflix since 2016, she receives minimal residuals, humorously stating she's been 'paid in love.' The topic arose amid a broader discussion about her new project, The Z-Suite, and a peculiar gift from her sister. This revelation highlights ongoing concerns voiced by other cast members, such as Sean Gunn, regarding compensation from the show's streaming success.

The issue of residuals has gained prominence, especially in light of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which underscored the financial disparities in the entertainment industry, particularly with the rise of streaming platforms. Despite the financial discrepancies, Graham expressed her affection for the 'Gilmore Girls' universe and even proposed the idea of a revival in the form of a Christmas movie. This proposal suggests a potential new chapter for the beloved series, which continues to capture new audiences, while her co-star Alexis Bledel has achieved success with projects like 'The Handmaid's Tale,' further cementing the lasting impact of 'Gilmore Girls' beyond its original run.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The story provides a largely accurate account of the residuals issue faced by *Gilmore Girls* actors, supported by credible sources such as direct quotes from Lauren Graham and Sean Gunn. It is timely and engages with current debates in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding fair compensation for streaming content. However, the article could benefit from greater transparency and balance by including perspectives from streaming platforms and industry experts. Its clarity and readability are strong, though more detailed explanations of industry terms could enhance understanding. Overall, the story effectively highlights a relevant issue but could have a greater impact with more comprehensive coverage and diverse viewpoints.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, as it correctly reports Lauren Graham's statements about residuals from *Gilmore Girls* and Sean Gunn's remarks during the SAG-AFTRA strike. The claim that Graham receives little to no residuals from Netflix is consistent with industry practices, where streaming services like Netflix typically do not pay residuals directly to actors. Instead, these are often handled by the original producers, such as Warner Bros. Discovery in this case. The article also accurately references Alexis Bledel's Emmy win for *The Handmaid's Tale*, a well-documented fact. However, the story could benefit from more precise details about the nature of residual payments and the specific terms of the streaming agreements to enhance its precision and verifiability.

7
Balance

The article presents a fairly balanced view by including perspectives from both Lauren Graham and Sean Gunn regarding residuals from *Gilmore Girls*. However, it predominantly focuses on the perspectives of the actors without providing insights from Netflix or the original producers, which could have offered a more comprehensive view of the residuals issue. The story could be more balanced by including these additional viewpoints to avoid any perceived bias towards the actors' grievances.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow from discussing Lauren Graham's comments to Sean Gunn's remarks and Alexis Bledel's career. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of industry-specific terms like 'residuals' and how they are typically handled in the context of streaming platforms.

6
Source quality

The article relies on statements made by Lauren Graham on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* and Sean Gunn's comments reported by *The Hollywood Reporter*. These are credible sources since they involve direct quotes from the individuals involved. However, the article does not provide direct links or references to these original sources, which could enhance its reliability. Additionally, including insights from industry experts or official statements from Netflix or Warner Bros. Discovery would improve the quality of the sources used.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of providing detailed context and methodology for how residuals work in the streaming era. While it reports on the actors' statements, it does not explain the broader industry practices that affect residual payments. There is also no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or the basis for the claims made by the actors, which would help readers understand the context and potential biases affecting the story.

Sources

  1. https://collider.com/lauren-graham-gilmore-girls-revival-rorys-baby/
  2. https://www.thethings.com/gilmore-girls-cast-residual-pay-netflix-actors-strike-sga/
  3. https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/lauren-graham-reveals-how-she-wants-to-bring-back-gilmore-girls/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObwqmsYcm0
  5. https://people.com/gilmore-girls-stars-got-almost-none-streaming-revenue-says-sean-gunn-7561562