IZZY PAREJA: Crisp cool breeze, crunchy amber leaves, a hot coffee or tea in hand– no, we’re not describing a scene in Gilmore Girls– we’re describing a fall day in Evanston. What could be more perfect than this? Curling up in a cozy blanket and watching your favorite fall show, of course!
GEORGIA KERRIGAN: Do you think fall is an overrated or underrated season?
KATRINA PETERSON: I feel like it’s hyped up a lot, but it deserves it.
STEPHANIE KIM: Yeah. I mean, I don’t think, like, pumpkin spice deserves the hype. But fall as a whole deserves all the hype it can get.
PETERSON: Like go for a walk on a crisp autumn day in the park with the leaves and you’ll get it.
PAREJA: In your opinion, when does the fall season begin and end?
ABIGAIL REUTER: I think fall begins when the trees are, like, majority not green anymore. I would say it ends after Thanksgiving ‘cause then I’m very much in the holiday season mode…I feel like fall– even though it’s after Halloween like– if you look around it still feels like fall. All the trees are still bright. It’s not that cold. I’m not mentally ready to call this winter. So it’s still fall for me.
LOUISE IMBER: OK, I’m a firm believer that whenever the leaves change is when it starts. It goes through Thanksgiving. I cannot do it with the people that start Christmas right after Halloween. If the leaves are still orange, you have to appreciate fall while it’s still here. It’s a fleeting season.
KERRIGAN: While Mariah Carey may already be defrosting, the fall season is not over yet. If you’re still not quite ready to succumb to the winter holiday agenda, and you’re yearning for that perfect fall watch, you’re in luck. We asked some students what fall TV shows and movies they like to cozy up with as they wait for winter to roll around.
PAREJA: Is there any show or movie that you like to rewatch in the fall?
IMBER: Yes, I am an avid Charlie Brown fan and I re-watch It’s the Great Pumpkin every Halloween. It’s a tradition.
PETERSON: I also thought of Over the Garden Wall.
KIM: Gilmore Girls.
PETERSON: Gilmore Girls.
REUTER: Definitely Gilmore Girls.
KERRIGAN: So what’s the hype around Gilmore Girls?
KIM: I have watched Gilmore Girls like three or four times through now. I feel like it kind of represented like this idyllic kind of small-town life that I dream of. Like my American dream (laughs). You know all of your neighbors and you’re just walking around living life in this tight-knit community. It’s also a very cute fall-specific vibe.
PETERSON: I think it’s cozy. It’s a good comfort show. The stakes aren’t that high between, like, the drama of the characters. It’s just fun, and the academia and scenery, and then the music! I love the music, with like the…
[Instrumental music from Gilmore Girls]
REUTER: I like Gilmore Girls because I feel like Stars Hollow is just a very comforting town and I feel like that small-town narrative with all of their like traditions and stuff, especially pertaining to the holiday season, that brings me comfort. I love watching it in the fall. I would appreciate it in every season, but for some reason I always watch it in the fall.
PAREJA: And what about It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
IMBER: Well, I just think it’s so cute. I think it’s very fall-adjacent. It fits the vibes really well, and it’s a big comfort movie, which I think a lot of fall shows, fall movies are. I’m also a big fan of the soundtrack. The jazzy sounds of Vince Guaraldi.
[Instrumental music from Charlie Brown]
IMBER: I think it’s underrated. It’s like a ‘you watch it at school’ kind of thing sometimes, but then it’s forgotten about as you grow up, and I think we just need to embrace the imaginative spirit of it!
KERRIGAN: And how about Over the Garden Wall?
PETERSON: I watched it for the first time last fall with a few of my friends. It was super fun just to watch it for the first time, even though it is kind of like a kid show. It’s very comforting and nostalgic. The characters are adorable . . .
[Dialogue from Over the Garden Wall]
PETERSON: and I think I’ve watched it like two or three times since then, as just like background study stuff or just having it on.
PAREJA: And if Gilmore Girls, It’s the Great Pumpkin, or Over the Garden Wall aren’t your speed, there are plenty of other fall show options for you.
KERRIGAN: When Harry Met Sally?
KIM: Yesss!
KERRIGAN: Fantastic Mr. Fox?
KIM: Yes.
PETERSON: Yes.
KERRIGAN: Harry Potter?
PETERSON: Oh, yeah. Like the first one especially.
KIM: Yeah.
KERRIGAN: Coco?
IMBER: Yes. 100% Yes.
KERRIGAN: Dead Poets Society?
KIM: Yes!
KERRIGAN: Goodwill Hunting?
IMBER: Yes, that’s another fave of mine.
KERRIGAN: Gossip Girl?
REUTER: Yes
PAREJA and KERRIGAN: For WNUR News, this is Izzy Pareja and Georgia Kerrigan.
[Instrumental music from Gilmore Girls]
