Yes-- 'Bunheads' is a repeat of Gilmore Girls, but with ballet dancers. I firmly believe that the conversation around casting Michelle went as follows: find someone who looks and acts exactly like Lauren Graham, but who can dance. Enter Sutton Foster-- the perfect Lorelia substitute. She's got the 'Gilmore' tempo down cold. It's almost like her only acting direction was to mimic Lauren Graham, from the inflections to the facial expressions. However-- as someone who loved 'Gilmore', this is not necessarily a bad thing. If you loved 'Gilmore' for it's quick pace, amazing whit, and sarcastic tone, this fills the void.
Even better is the fact that it features ballet. I've been a dancer all of my life and what I love about this show as compared to all of the other dance 'things' out there is that the girls are real. Not only are they real dancers, but they talk and act like real dancers. I always feel like no one ever gets the 'dancer' character right, but somehow, Amy has done it. I'm only a couple of years younger than Michelle and the transition that she's beginning to go through--almost too old to dance, but not ready to let it go--thinking teaching is the end--is something that is very real and very difficult, and I love how it's being portrayed.
Kelly Bishop, as always is incredible. She has taken the stereo-type of the 'ballet mistress', but has added heart and genuine love for her girls. While the banter between Fanny and Michelle is reflective of Lorelia and Emily, this relationship doesn't have the baggage of the Gilmores--Michelle has made the choice to stay with Fanny and doesn't seem to be treating her as an obligation or something she is constantly trying to escape (at least not yet). I'm anxious to see how their friendship continues to build.
To sum it up: if you loved Emily and Lorelai, Stars Hallow, and the fast paced smart referenced chatter of Gilmore, you will love Bunheads!
Even better is the fact that it features ballet. I've been a dancer all of my life and what I love about this show as compared to all of the other dance 'things' out there is that the girls are real. Not only are they real dancers, but they talk and act like real dancers. I always feel like no one ever gets the 'dancer' character right, but somehow, Amy has done it. I'm only a couple of years younger than Michelle and the transition that she's beginning to go through--almost too old to dance, but not ready to let it go--thinking teaching is the end--is something that is very real and very difficult, and I love how it's being portrayed.
Kelly Bishop, as always is incredible. She has taken the stereo-type of the 'ballet mistress', but has added heart and genuine love for her girls. While the banter between Fanny and Michelle is reflective of Lorelia and Emily, this relationship doesn't have the baggage of the Gilmores--Michelle has made the choice to stay with Fanny and doesn't seem to be treating her as an obligation or something she is constantly trying to escape (at least not yet). I'm anxious to see how their friendship continues to build.
To sum it up: if you loved Emily and Lorelai, Stars Hallow, and the fast paced smart referenced chatter of Gilmore, you will love Bunheads!