On the first episode of Shireside Chats, host Sabrina Cartan invites mother-daughter duo and disability rights activists Ellen and Emily Ladau to geek out about Gilmore Girls. Emily and Ellen, who share the same physical disability, bond over the show's witty banter, the idyllic charm of the fictional town of Stars Hollow, and the iconic friendship between Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.
Emily chats about her book Demystifying Disability, fan representations of autism and ADHD in Gilmore Girls characters like Kirk and Lorelai, and how to address ableism in media and fandom. Ellen shares a Lorelai-esque perspective on motherhood, championing her daughter's disability activism, and revealing what she wishes had been different for her when she was navigating life with a disability at Emily's age.
Together, Ellen, Emily, and Sabrina reflect on what they love most about Gilmore Girls, how this special show has shaped their lives, and what TV writers and creators can do to build a more empathetic media landscape for people with disabilities.
An episode transcript can be accessed here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqJSjWchihGEEgZJdoJboV5uauuqEqmbXeZh63c4S-8/edit?usp=sharing
Learn more about Emily's work at her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Follow Ellen on Twitter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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