Lauren Graham is back at press tour promoting a TV series and, suddenly, all is right with my world.
Three months since replacing Maura Tierney on NBC’s Parenthood, the ex-Gilmore Girls MVP raved about her new gig this afternoon during a Q&A with the cast.
“I felt like it could be a collaborative, positive experience and it has exceeded all of my expectations,” she enthused. “It’s just the most fun day at work.”
By all accounts, the feeling is mutual. Exec producer Jason Katims said the addition of Graham lightened the tone of the show significantly. “Lauren brings so much to the role,” he said, “and one of the things she brings is this incredible humor.”
Regarding Tierney’s health, Katims said the actress — who bowed out after being diagnosed with breast cancer — is “in treatment” and “doing really well.”
Parenthood debuts March 1.
I’m so excited!! I just can’t wait to see Lauren again on a weekly basis! She’s awesome, I love her!
Same! All my best wishes go to Maura as she undergoes treatment, but I am glad they found someone so talented to step in for her.
Yes, there’s a great, great cast involved here….but anyone who doesn’t realize that Lauren Graham is the star viewers TRULY want to see is fooling themselves. Gilmore Girls was SUCH a beloved series, one of the best-ever, and LG simply became “family” to us.
Frankly, I believe we feel the same about every cast member from Gilmore, as evidenced by the excitement over Kelly Bishop’s upcoming guest role on Mercy.
Casting LG here was a stroke of genius, and it’s too bad The CW didn’t get her into one of its series earlier than this. Few actresses are “gold,” but she is one.
I love Lauren Graham with all my heart and soul, but the Gilmore Girls success must go where it is deserved: The Pallidinos. I love Amy and Daniel. Graham is a tremendous actress, but did you notice how the humor all but vanished in the seventh season? It’s because Amy and Danny had left the building.
Ohhh man don’t even talk about The Pallidinos being absent from Gilmore 7th season! It’s still a sensitive subject!
I’m with you there Ashley. I still wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweats screaming about…the incident.
yeah- because THEY chose to leave. they’re the ones responsible for abandoning their show and i think it’s totally unforgivable.
“And hers to.” Really, Ausiello?
Can’t wait to have Lauren in my living room on a weekly basis again!
With this show’s cast, I expect it to stay around for awhile. Fingers crossed anyway.
I love Lauren Graham, but I’m also a staunch fan of Maura Tierney–and the tone of this article seems a little creepy to me, almost as if all involved with “Parenthood” are relieved to have Graham on the show instead of Tierney. And that goes for Ausiello, too. There seems to be a lot of celebrating going on already while a brilliant actress–and from all accounts, a sweet human being–could still be fighting for her life.
I don’t see it that way at all. We don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with MT, if Ausiello and the people at Parenthood do…then they are keeping it to themselves (which is a rare and noble thing in Hollywood).
What are they supposed to say? “dammit. MT got sick and we had to find some other actress to replace her. Too bad all we could find was crappy LG.” And is LG supposed to say “I really hate my job. I guess it is slightly better than being forced to turn tricks on the corner.”
Sheesh. They are all trying to make the best of a bad situation while respecting MT’s wish for privacy. MT and LG are equally great.
Ideal situation: a healthy MT rejoins the cast in the future and makes it even better.
I was about to say the same thing. The tone of this article is very off putting, especially considering what Maura’s going through.
Oh shut up already. What are they suppose to do…cancel the show and close the studio because one of their stars got sick? I like Maura Tierney an I’m sorry she’s sick but get over it. The show must go on and they have a right to be happy that the replacement will work out.
It’s not popular opinion, and I’m sure a few will be happy to jump on me, but I just can’t stand Lauren Graham. In everything I’ve seen her in she does this cutesy act that I find really obnoxious. I was really looking forward to Parenthood because I love Peter Krause, Maura, Sarah Ramos (I have to support my American Dreams cast), but now…not so much. I think LG relies so much on being a cute, giggly girl, and she always seems aware of how she looks, meanwhile MT is real. I’ve never once heard her giggle or seen her twirl her hair. And she’s a fantastic actree. Her emotions in a scene are palpable.
Well Jenn, by all means lets judge a performance before you even see it.
I certainly understand how you feel. My truth is that I have never enjoyed LG in anything other than GG. I’m certainly willing to give her a shot in Parenthood and hoping for the best but I have to say that the track record concerns me.
I can’t begin to explain how silly all of you are sounding. This article is not uprising about the horrible sickness she is going through and they aren’t prancing Lauren around either. What are they supposed to do? Make the article sound all sad and depressing, no. They are simply trying to promote the new show and respect Maura’s privacy, who may not want anybody knowing about her condition and treatments right now. It’s probably hard enough on her without fans and paparazzi being all over it. I’m terribly sorry to all of her fans out there who really wanted Maura to be in Parenthood, but she can’t. Don’t take that out on Lauren! She didn’t ask to be in the show, nor did she wish Maura to get sick. They came to her with the script begging her to take the place. Maybe when Maura is better, she will be able to guest start on the show or even have a different part in the cast. Who knows, we all have to think about the good things this is bringing and not the bad. I, personally, think Maura and Lauren are both AMAZING and hilarious actresses but not both can play Sarah.
Thanks Katlyn. I couldn’t have said it better myself and I couldn’t agree more!
Ditto!
Cursed. Breast cancer will be the final nail in the coffin of this predicted failure.
I don’t see anything wrong with how the article was written. MT fans need to realise she decided to leave the show to focus on her treatment, stop expecting the show to be cancelled because she got cancer. Life (and this show) goes on.
Can’t wait for this show
The producers have a show to sell. If they come out on tour and say “Honestly, we’re all just really bummed that Maura isn’t in it.” how is that going to help. Would you watch it? They are supporting the show and the many OTHER actors and actresses that work on it as well as the writers and production staff. How about you do the same and stop complaining.
Well, I like Lauren Graham and I’m happy she’ll be on TV again. This doesn’t make me a bad person. Get over it.
All the best to Maura. Hopefully she’ll be back on TV screens soon.
I think Maura T. is a brilliant actor and I hope she fully recovers and goes on to have a long carrer. That being said, she got breast cancer and decided on her own to quit the show three months ago. I appreciate the producers/writers interest in wishing her good health, but the show is not about Maura and her cancer. Lauren Graham, another wonderful actor, has taken her place. The press coverage of Parenthood should be about the show now, and not what would or could have been. Why does everyone feel they should continue to obsess about MT? Everything that can be said has been said. Let the woman heal in peace.
All that other sillyness aside…I have been interested in this show ever since they anounced it. I can’t wait to see it.
yay! I’ve missed her since Gilmore Girls ended….can’t wait!!!!!