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The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir
“Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid and captivating memoir from award-winning and beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more.
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.
Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.
Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.
Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.
Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2024
About the author
Kelly Bishop
1 book193 followersKelly Bishop is an American actress and dancer, best known for her roles as matriarch Emily Gilmore on the series Gilmore Girls and as Marjorie Houseman, the mother of Jennifer Grey's Frances "Baby" Houseman in the film Dirty Dancing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,627 reviews
September 26, 2024
It was truly such an honor and a privilege to have read this book.
Kelly Bishop is one of those people who, though she doesn’t even know I exist, feels like a great friend of mine. Her passion for dance, art, storytelling, animals, music…etc. speaks to me deeply.
Her confidence, humor, and positivity shines bright throughout this brilliantly crafted memoir.
Emily Gilmore has always been a favorite character of mine, and now she is even more so!
I will, forever and always, feel extremely proud to be an honorary Gilmore Girl.
Kelly Bishop is one of those people who, though she doesn’t even know I exist, feels like a great friend of mine. Her passion for dance, art, storytelling, animals, music…etc. speaks to me deeply.
Her confidence, humor, and positivity shines bright throughout this brilliantly crafted memoir.
Emily Gilmore has always been a favorite character of mine, and now she is even more so!
I will, forever and always, feel extremely proud to be an honorary Gilmore Girl.
September 20, 2024
Emily/Kelly, I adore you.
If you’re a GG fan, you’re going to love this memoir.
If you’re a GG fan, you’re going to love this memoir.
July 26, 2024
I’m a huge fan of Gilmore Girls and Emily Gilmore is probably my favourite character, not least because of Kelly Bishop’s brilliant performances. I also love dance so the fact that Bishop started out as a dancer has always intrigued me. So, I was pleased to have an opportunity to read her memoir covering her early life and long career in show business. Bishop worked her way up from the bottom, her hopes of becoming a ballet dancer dashed after she moved to New York at 18, she took any dancing job she could get. She finally transitioned into acting in the early 1970s aged 30, undeterred by messy divorce proceedings, and desperate for cash to feed her menagerie of rescue animals – something that’s been a feature of her life ever since.
It's clear early on that Bishop is just as feisty as Emily but without the privilege or the family money. Her memoir, produced with the aid of Lindsay Harrison, is forthright and conversational. Admittedly it can be a bit breathless at times but it’s still a fascinating account of what it’s like to work in show business from the bottom up, as well as Broadway in the 1970s and 80s. Her early relationships were mostly disastrous, as was her first marriage to a man who spent all her money on gambling and alcohol. But her big break as a performer came with a central role in the premiere of a new musical, the now-iconic A Chorus Line. A role for which she won a coveted Tony award. Not that her life then became smooth sailing, she had some decent parts, some very minor ones in everything from B-movies to daytime soaps, although she memorably played Baby’s mother in Dirty Dancing. She also met second husband Lee Leonard the love of her life, and they were together for 37 years until his death from the last in a succession of cancer-related illnesses.
Bishop’s next, major break came when she auditioned for Gilmore Girls a pilot created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, kickstarting a lasting friendship and professional collaboration – Sherman-Palladino contributed the foreword for Bishop’s book. Bishop then appeared in Sherman-Palladino’s Bunheads and more recently The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. As you might expect Bishop’s politically liberal, pro-choice, vocal about animal welfare, and slightly woo in time-honoured Hollywood tradition. She’s also amazingly resilient, now close to 80, she’s overcome devastating personal loss, illness and injuries but she's still marching on. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Thanks to Netgalley UK and publisher Square Peg for an ARC
It's clear early on that Bishop is just as feisty as Emily but without the privilege or the family money. Her memoir, produced with the aid of Lindsay Harrison, is forthright and conversational. Admittedly it can be a bit breathless at times but it’s still a fascinating account of what it’s like to work in show business from the bottom up, as well as Broadway in the 1970s and 80s. Her early relationships were mostly disastrous, as was her first marriage to a man who spent all her money on gambling and alcohol. But her big break as a performer came with a central role in the premiere of a new musical, the now-iconic A Chorus Line. A role for which she won a coveted Tony award. Not that her life then became smooth sailing, she had some decent parts, some very minor ones in everything from B-movies to daytime soaps, although she memorably played Baby’s mother in Dirty Dancing. She also met second husband Lee Leonard the love of her life, and they were together for 37 years until his death from the last in a succession of cancer-related illnesses.
Bishop’s next, major break came when she auditioned for Gilmore Girls a pilot created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, kickstarting a lasting friendship and professional collaboration – Sherman-Palladino contributed the foreword for Bishop’s book. Bishop then appeared in Sherman-Palladino’s Bunheads and more recently The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. As you might expect Bishop’s politically liberal, pro-choice, vocal about animal welfare, and slightly woo in time-honoured Hollywood tradition. She’s also amazingly resilient, now close to 80, she’s overcome devastating personal loss, illness and injuries but she's still marching on. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Thanks to Netgalley UK and publisher Square Peg for an ARC
September 19, 2024
I rarely rate memoirs but this was SO good and had me in tears at the end.
October 9, 2024
4 stars
Anyone who knows me knows that ‘Gilmore Girls’ is my all-time favorite show. It came out my freshman year of high school and I was around the same age as Rory, and my mom was just a bit younger than Lorelai. We had so much fun watching it together. I always had a soft spot for Emily Gilmore. I was interested to know more about her. I loved hearing her stories about Gilmore Girls, but also loved hearing about her time with ‘A Chorus Line’. I’m such a fan of that musical and I had no idea that so much of ‘At the Ballet’ was based off of her and that she was Sheila from the original cast.
Anyone who knows me knows that ‘Gilmore Girls’ is my all-time favorite show. It came out my freshman year of high school and I was around the same age as Rory, and my mom was just a bit younger than Lorelai. We had so much fun watching it together. I always had a soft spot for Emily Gilmore. I was interested to know more about her. I loved hearing her stories about Gilmore Girls, but also loved hearing about her time with ‘A Chorus Line’. I’m such a fan of that musical and I had no idea that so much of ‘At the Ballet’ was based off of her and that she was Sheila from the original cast.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Kelly Bishop
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Memoir/Non-Fiction
Length: 6h 49m
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September 20, 2024broadway? nyc? abortion activism? dirty dancing? gilmore girls? icon!
September 25, 2024
A beautiful memoir. Love you Kelly-Emily🍂🍁💛
September 25, 2024
Nearly perfect.
August 8, 2024
I was so excited and honoured to have my ARC request accepted for Kelly Bishop’s memoir, The Third Gilmore Girl. I dove right in, eager to learn more about the incredible actress that brought the complex character Emily Gilmore to life.
That being said, I find memoirs very hard to rate. I’m a big believer that celebrities don’t owe us anything besides what they are willing to give. In this age of social media, where every little action is posted and analyzed by thousands (or millions) of people, celebrities can be picked apart for the most minuscule reason, and sometimes I think we forget that they are humans with feelings that can be hurt and families that can be affected.
Kelly’s memoir walks the fine line between letting us into her life, and maintaining her privacy, and I think she pulls it off. While I’d say we learn much more about her career than we do her personal life, we are still left with a great overall picture of who Kelly is and what she values. This is an immensely readable book, that never once left me bored. Kelly’s long and varied career in show business was extremely interesting. The writing style came across almost like discussing memories with an old friend. Once published, I’ll be torn between purchasing the audiobook (assuming Kelly herself is narrator) or a print copy (I’m honestly hoping for lots of pictures of Kelly through the years).
At one point, Kelly mentions that she’s extremely proud of her career, in large part due to the fact that it was on her own terms, without comprising her dignity or privacy. I hope she feels the same way about this delightful memoir.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.
That being said, I find memoirs very hard to rate. I’m a big believer that celebrities don’t owe us anything besides what they are willing to give. In this age of social media, where every little action is posted and analyzed by thousands (or millions) of people, celebrities can be picked apart for the most minuscule reason, and sometimes I think we forget that they are humans with feelings that can be hurt and families that can be affected.
Kelly’s memoir walks the fine line between letting us into her life, and maintaining her privacy, and I think she pulls it off. While I’d say we learn much more about her career than we do her personal life, we are still left with a great overall picture of who Kelly is and what she values. This is an immensely readable book, that never once left me bored. Kelly’s long and varied career in show business was extremely interesting. The writing style came across almost like discussing memories with an old friend. Once published, I’ll be torn between purchasing the audiobook (assuming Kelly herself is narrator) or a print copy (I’m honestly hoping for lots of pictures of Kelly through the years).
At one point, Kelly mentions that she’s extremely proud of her career, in large part due to the fact that it was on her own terms, without comprising her dignity or privacy. I hope she feels the same way about this delightful memoir.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.
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September 20, 2024I'm not going to rate this memoir. If I did, it would likely be 3⭐️
I had high hopes for this book as a Gilmore Girls fan. I enjoyed getting to know more about Kelly Bishop and what led her to play the role of Emily Gilmore. She is as outspoken, fearless, hardworking, and feisty as similar to Emily (minus the negative qualities of being about money and riches). Kelly shared her highs and lows in life, from her successful dance career to hardships in her family life, struggles with dyslexia, losing loved ones, her first marriage to a man with a gambling problem, and her 2nd husband's fight against cancer.
My favorite parts of this book were all about Gilmore Girls, which doesn't come up until 60%+ into the book. I loved hearing her thoughts on getting the part of Emily, her memories of filming, and her close bonds with Lauren Graham and Edward Herrmann.
Her love for her husband, Lee, was beautiful, and the way she stayed strong, standing by his side through his years fighting cancer, was admirable.
There were aspects incorporated into this book I wasn't expecting, including some political aspects and topics that were hard to read at times, which did impact my overall enjoyment level.
I listened to the audiobook, which was lovely, as Kelly narrated it herself.
Content discretions: mention of an affair, abortion/planned parenthood, psych medium/talking to a loved one, 3-4 H, 10+ God's name in vain, gambling, alcoholism, brief mentions of drugs, cheating, mentions of sex (not explicit), cancer, loss of a loved one
I had high hopes for this book as a Gilmore Girls fan. I enjoyed getting to know more about Kelly Bishop and what led her to play the role of Emily Gilmore. She is as outspoken, fearless, hardworking, and feisty as similar to Emily (minus the negative qualities of being about money and riches). Kelly shared her highs and lows in life, from her successful dance career to hardships in her family life, struggles with dyslexia, losing loved ones, her first marriage to a man with a gambling problem, and her 2nd husband's fight against cancer.
My favorite parts of this book were all about Gilmore Girls, which doesn't come up until 60%+ into the book. I loved hearing her thoughts on getting the part of Emily, her memories of filming, and her close bonds with Lauren Graham and Edward Herrmann.
Her love for her husband, Lee, was beautiful, and the way she stayed strong, standing by his side through his years fighting cancer, was admirable.
There were aspects incorporated into this book I wasn't expecting, including some political aspects and topics that were hard to read at times, which did impact my overall enjoyment level.
I listened to the audiobook, which was lovely, as Kelly narrated it herself.
Content discretions: mention of an affair, abortion/planned parenthood, psych medium/talking to a loved one, 3-4 H, 10+ God's name in vain, gambling, alcoholism, brief mentions of drugs, cheating, mentions of sex (not explicit), cancer, loss of a loved one
October 7, 2024
rtc.
oh kelly, the woman that you are!
oh kelly, the woman that you are!
August 23, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Vintage Books for my advanced reader copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts.
I was a late-bloomer when it came to the ‘Gilmore girls’ club. But, better late than never, and this TV series became such a comfort to me when I first watched it in 2016, during a traumatic year. Having read Lauren Graham’s memoir and enjoyed the behind-the-scenes content, I was thrilled to be granted an eARC for Kelly Bishop’s. Emily Gilmore is an icon! Admittedly, I don’t know much about Kelly Bishop, but that’s what made this book a wonderfully engaging read. Sure, I was waiting for the Gilmore chapters, but it was fascinating to read about her journey, beginning as a ballet dancer, and to learn a little more about a significant chapter in American TV, film and stage. Kelly is a enigmatic character and it was so interesting to see how she as a real-life person spilled into the ice queen that is Emily Gilmore. She is headstrong, talented, generous, ambitious and warm. At almost 80 years old, Bishop has overcome plenty of traumas and hurdles, and this felt like one of the more inspiring and ‘packed’ celebrity memoirs that I’ve read. It felt gorgeously human, and Kelly doesn't shy away from revealing personal relationships and emotions, talking about making and spending money, and sharing the inside goss from her showbiz circuit. I totally recommend this to Bishop fans AND casual Gilmore fans!
I was a late-bloomer when it came to the ‘Gilmore girls’ club. But, better late than never, and this TV series became such a comfort to me when I first watched it in 2016, during a traumatic year. Having read Lauren Graham’s memoir and enjoyed the behind-the-scenes content, I was thrilled to be granted an eARC for Kelly Bishop’s. Emily Gilmore is an icon! Admittedly, I don’t know much about Kelly Bishop, but that’s what made this book a wonderfully engaging read. Sure, I was waiting for the Gilmore chapters, but it was fascinating to read about her journey, beginning as a ballet dancer, and to learn a little more about a significant chapter in American TV, film and stage. Kelly is a enigmatic character and it was so interesting to see how she as a real-life person spilled into the ice queen that is Emily Gilmore. She is headstrong, talented, generous, ambitious and warm. At almost 80 years old, Bishop has overcome plenty of traumas and hurdles, and this felt like one of the more inspiring and ‘packed’ celebrity memoirs that I’ve read. It felt gorgeously human, and Kelly doesn't shy away from revealing personal relationships and emotions, talking about making and spending money, and sharing the inside goss from her showbiz circuit. I totally recommend this to Bishop fans AND casual Gilmore fans!
October 2, 2024
I don’t like to rate memoirs as it feels like I’m rating someones life, but I have to give this book a 5 stars since I listened to it as an audiobook and kelly herself narrated it. it felt like the book came to life and I got a deeper look into who she is and her personality. I knew very little of her besides her as Emily Gilmore and that she’s had a very succesfull career in the theatre world but wow, what a woman.
the life she’s lived and the strength and determination she has is admirable. I adore her sass and witty humor and I really got a good taste of it through the audiobook. I’m so happy I got to see a bit of her life and what she’s accomplished.
my favourite gilmore.
the life she’s lived and the strength and determination she has is admirable. I adore her sass and witty humor and I really got a good taste of it through the audiobook. I’m so happy I got to see a bit of her life and what she’s accomplished.
my favourite gilmore.
September 23, 2024
Immediately starting a re-Watch of Gilmore Girls for the umpteenth time tonight 🥰 absolutely loved this memoir
September 10, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
Of course I own the physical copy but also had to listen to the audiobook because she narrates it. As a Broadway fan, learning how the song at the ballet from a chorus line tell the story of Kelly’s life, i just knew I wouldn’t be able to put this book down.
Kehley is a Broadway legend. And she is the number one Gilmore in our hearts I love learning about her story. It felt like it was Emily’s life. And it’s not very often I get to hear about bun heads, which was a show.l that had a short life, but I loved.
I highly recommend this memoir. Especially to anybody who watches Gilmore girls as much as I do.
Of course I own the physical copy but also had to listen to the audiobook because she narrates it. As a Broadway fan, learning how the song at the ballet from a chorus line tell the story of Kelly’s life, i just knew I wouldn’t be able to put this book down.
Kehley is a Broadway legend. And she is the number one Gilmore in our hearts I love learning about her story. It felt like it was Emily’s life. And it’s not very often I get to hear about bun heads, which was a show.l that had a short life, but I loved.
I highly recommend this memoir. Especially to anybody who watches Gilmore girls as much as I do.
September 26, 2024
Wow. I LOVED this. Audiobook is a must. As a Gilmore girls fan I rushed to this because of the title. And I loved it. Kelly naturally has Emily’s feistiness. In that way, they are two of the same and it made me feel like I was listening to Emily Gilmore tell me a long, unbelievably interesting story that I didn’t want to end. I wish there was a little more depth to some of her Gilmore girls encounters, but that’s just me being bias to loving that era of her life. I relate so much to her and many of her worldly outlooks.
October 3, 2024
i could listen to her talk all day & i loved listening to her tell the story of her life. what a woman!
September 21, 2024
As a huge Gilmore Girls fan, this was one of my most anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint! Of course, the Kelly didn't actually talk about GG until halfway through but I didn't even care because her life was so interesting to read about. I loved her Broadway journey and how she found herself back and forth to New York. I loved learning about her family, her love interests and how each piece led to the next. She's an excellent storyteller with so much life experience and I was here for all of it. This may be my favorite celeb memoir to date. I loved her narration as well. No part of her life was boring. I loved hearing about A Chorus Line and all her roles leading up to Dirty Dancing and Gilmore Girls. I also love that she's now a fellow New Jerseyean because it's the best state obviously. This had so much heart and was soothing to the soul. Huge fan of Kelly Bishop and this book solidified that even more. Truly a top tier book.
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September 25, 2024An inspirational, heartfelt read for fans of and strangers to Gilmore Girls alike.
(Not rating this as I don't rate non-fiction.)
(Not rating this as I don't rate non-fiction.)
September 25, 2024
I didn’t have super high hopes for this memoir, as I didn’t love Lauren Graham’s Talking as Fast as I Can, however I love Gilmore Girls so I gave it a try. I loved this memoir!! It made me fall in love with Emily Gilmore’s character (as admittedly she was never my favourite). Can’t wait to see if there’s more, following the “The End… For Now”!
September 22, 2024
Finished in 2 days!
I knew I was gonna love it, but hearing Kelly Bishop herself read this was the cherry on top. What a fascinating life and beautiful message.
I do think the writing was better for the first half, but I was more moved by the second.
I knew I was gonna love it, but hearing Kelly Bishop herself read this was the cherry on top. What a fascinating life and beautiful message.
I do think the writing was better for the first half, but I was more moved by the second.
September 24, 2024
Breezy outline of a memoir, not deep storytelling, as Bishop skips through life and avoids dealing in detail about many significant situations. It's the CliffsNotes version of Carole (Kelly) Bishop's story.
Much of this (probably too much) is about her dancing and theatrical career. Barely enough is about her Gilmore work to make fans somewhat happy but still she never really goes deep. It seems like she's always putting on airs, trying to avoid stopping long enough to really focus on anything that may make her look bad or take down an emotional wall she has built up.
Her private life is a mess. She constantly picks losers to shack up with and keeps her thoughts to herself until she explodes and ends things. This pattern happens often, and despite her claims of being bluntly direct when dealing with strangers, she has some very deep inabilities to communicate in personal relationships that she doesn't seem to worry about. Like everything else in her life, she just quickly moves on and gives little thought to her selfishness or who she hurts along the way.
Then in the middle of the book this seemingly intelligent but undereducated actress, who sleeps at will with men and invites a few to live with her at various times of life, gets pregnant and indignantly spends over two pages telling us why she had zero emotional or mental guilt about her abortion. She even unnecessarily says, "I was very grateful that abortions were legal when my need for one came along in 1978, but to be perfectly honest, I'm sure I would have found an illegal way to terminate this pregnancy if it had come to that, since as far as I was concerned, it was my only responsible option." Responsible? Killing a life? Responsible to whom?? Certainly not the separate DNA that was a human being inside her. That's idiotic justification, claiming to be righteous when doing something morally wrong. She wouldn't think of killing an animal or litters inside pregnant animals, but she has no problem pretending that baby isn't a real life so she destroys it?
This may feel like I'm going off on a tangent, but her lack of logic and need to defend her bad choice sticks out in this book.
She claims, after already saying she "never felt any religious or spiritual guilt," that she did feel "sadness because I'd be ending a potential life." Um, Carole/Kelly, you weren't ending a POTENTIAL life, you were ending a LIFE. You killed a child that was housed inside you. If you had wanted the baby your perspective on what to call it would have been the opposite.
Then she flippantly adds the twist, "My body, my responsibility." She accepts the blame for failing to use birth control, calling herself stupid for letting her bed partner go ahead inside her without a condom. So she'll feel guilt and "anger at myself" for being stupid when having sex but feel no remorse about ending a life? Correct, because "It was a nonnegotiable statement of fact. I wasn't going to have this child, or any other child, ever." From childhood she hated the idea of having kids and even her wild mother had supported her anti-child stance early in life.
Doesn't that make her as evil as her famous TV character? What little respect I had for her up until that point stopped and I realized that she was as cold, mean, and distant as Emily Gilmore. I'm sure many feminist Gilmore fans will applaud Bishop for what they'd call her "brave" retelling of killing her unwanted child or failing to talk her lover about her decision, because it fits right into the truly irresponsible storyline of all three Gilmore Girls that they can make their own selfish decisions without considering how they impact others.
But at least in the fictional TV world, teen Lorelai chose to raise her unplanned baby. So next time you watch the show, ask yourself, if you're so pro-abortion, why are you so happy that Lorelai Gilmore kept her daughter's life going outside the womb instead of doing what Kelly Bishop would call the "responsible option"? And how much more happiness there could be in the world if others made that truly responsible decision in real life to raise more Rory Gilmores.
Much of this (probably too much) is about her dancing and theatrical career. Barely enough is about her Gilmore work to make fans somewhat happy but still she never really goes deep. It seems like she's always putting on airs, trying to avoid stopping long enough to really focus on anything that may make her look bad or take down an emotional wall she has built up.
Her private life is a mess. She constantly picks losers to shack up with and keeps her thoughts to herself until she explodes and ends things. This pattern happens often, and despite her claims of being bluntly direct when dealing with strangers, she has some very deep inabilities to communicate in personal relationships that she doesn't seem to worry about. Like everything else in her life, she just quickly moves on and gives little thought to her selfishness or who she hurts along the way.
Then in the middle of the book this seemingly intelligent but undereducated actress, who sleeps at will with men and invites a few to live with her at various times of life, gets pregnant and indignantly spends over two pages telling us why she had zero emotional or mental guilt about her abortion. She even unnecessarily says, "I was very grateful that abortions were legal when my need for one came along in 1978, but to be perfectly honest, I'm sure I would have found an illegal way to terminate this pregnancy if it had come to that, since as far as I was concerned, it was my only responsible option." Responsible? Killing a life? Responsible to whom?? Certainly not the separate DNA that was a human being inside her. That's idiotic justification, claiming to be righteous when doing something morally wrong. She wouldn't think of killing an animal or litters inside pregnant animals, but she has no problem pretending that baby isn't a real life so she destroys it?
This may feel like I'm going off on a tangent, but her lack of logic and need to defend her bad choice sticks out in this book.
She claims, after already saying she "never felt any religious or spiritual guilt," that she did feel "sadness because I'd be ending a potential life." Um, Carole/Kelly, you weren't ending a POTENTIAL life, you were ending a LIFE. You killed a child that was housed inside you. If you had wanted the baby your perspective on what to call it would have been the opposite.
Then she flippantly adds the twist, "My body, my responsibility." She accepts the blame for failing to use birth control, calling herself stupid for letting her bed partner go ahead inside her without a condom. So she'll feel guilt and "anger at myself" for being stupid when having sex but feel no remorse about ending a life? Correct, because "It was a nonnegotiable statement of fact. I wasn't going to have this child, or any other child, ever." From childhood she hated the idea of having kids and even her wild mother had supported her anti-child stance early in life.
Doesn't that make her as evil as her famous TV character? What little respect I had for her up until that point stopped and I realized that she was as cold, mean, and distant as Emily Gilmore. I'm sure many feminist Gilmore fans will applaud Bishop for what they'd call her "brave" retelling of killing her unwanted child or failing to talk her lover about her decision, because it fits right into the truly irresponsible storyline of all three Gilmore Girls that they can make their own selfish decisions without considering how they impact others.
But at least in the fictional TV world, teen Lorelai chose to raise her unplanned baby. So next time you watch the show, ask yourself, if you're so pro-abortion, why are you so happy that Lorelai Gilmore kept her daughter's life going outside the womb instead of doing what Kelly Bishop would call the "responsible option"? And how much more happiness there could be in the world if others made that truly responsible decision in real life to raise more Rory Gilmores.
October 3, 2024
4 stars? 5 stars?*
I listened to the audio, narrated by the author in a day and half, was pulled into her narrative from the beginning. Hearing Kelly Bishop’s story from ballet to the big screen and everything in between was very interesting. She doesn’t get to the Gilmore Girls stint until around the 65% mark. Her memoir gives off a confident, no-fuss vibe that seems to be on brand with her personality.
The audio is a treat, I think when an actor narrates their own memoir it just can’t get any better. I enjoyed having the physical copy on hand too so that I could flip through pictures with the narrative. While I probably don’t agree with her on any personal beliefs or convictions, I appreciated hearing her story.
*It’s difficult to “rate” a memoir like this because while I don’t agree with her agenda, if you can’t share that kind of thing in your own book, where can you share it?! TBD on if I decide to let the stars reflect our differences in opinion, especially when everything else about this book was just so great to listen to and interesting to learn.
Content: extra-marital affairs, abortion, pro-choice agenda, mild language
I listened to the audio, narrated by the author in a day and half, was pulled into her narrative from the beginning. Hearing Kelly Bishop’s story from ballet to the big screen and everything in between was very interesting. She doesn’t get to the Gilmore Girls stint until around the 65% mark. Her memoir gives off a confident, no-fuss vibe that seems to be on brand with her personality.
The audio is a treat, I think when an actor narrates their own memoir it just can’t get any better. I enjoyed having the physical copy on hand too so that I could flip through pictures with the narrative. While I probably don’t agree with her on any personal beliefs or convictions, I appreciated hearing her story.
*It’s difficult to “rate” a memoir like this because while I don’t agree with her agenda, if you can’t share that kind of thing in your own book, where can you share it?! TBD on if I decide to let the stars reflect our differences in opinion, especially when everything else about this book was just so great to listen to and interesting to learn.
Content: extra-marital affairs, abortion, pro-choice agenda, mild language
October 2, 2024
This was absolutely wonderful, deeply emotional and inspiring. I’m so glad I picked this up and learned not just more about my favourite show but about the extraordinary life of a woman who stayed so vigilant and worked so hard to achieve her dreams 🫶🏻
September 23, 2024
Ugh I just love her. As a huge Emily Gilmore fan, it was a treat to get to know Kelly Bishop. The book was cosy, full of whitty insights and sad moments that had me in awe of her journey. I really admired her honesty when discussing past relationships and her thoughts on motherhood. I highly recommend the audiobook—I could listen to Kelly talk all day. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer!!!
September 28, 2024
My favorite book of 2024, and it came at the perfect time while I am on my annual “Gilmore Girls” rewatch. Kelly Bishop is a fascinating and elegant woman who has lived an incredible life. Highly recommend the audiobook that is read by her.
September 30, 2024
I had no idea just what a fascinating career Kelly Bishop had and I loved hearing her talk about it.
September 24, 2024
SHE IS THE MOMENT
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October 7, 2024I don’t rate memoirs, but this is definitely worth the read/listen if you love Gilmore Girls or if you want to hear more about Kelly Bishop’s life in show business/on the stage. NYC in the 60’s is wild! Kelly is not an overly emotional person, but I definitely cried a few times. I love that Emily Gilmore is a childless cat (and dog) lady.
September 18, 2024
I enjoyed this book immensely - I laughed, I cried, and reminisced on Gilmore Girls times. Kelly is authentic, humble but confident, candid, and engaging in recounting not only her career, but her personal life. Hearing stories of Kelly’s time starting her career, her time on Broadway, as well as when and why she changed her name had me enraptured with her story. Narrated by none other than herself, this trip down memory lane was one for the books - further solidifying my belief that Kelly is an icon. I am so glad I purchased the audiobook.
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