Lauren Graham

40-Year-Old Virgin star Steve Carell reprises his role as preening newscaster Evan Baxter in this heavenly sequel to the 2003 Jim Carrey comedy hit. Shortly after television anchorman-turned-U.S. congressman Evan Baxter (Carell) relocates his family from Buffalo to Northern Virginia, God (Morgan Freeman) reveals to him that a devastating flood is coming and the planet is about to be cleansed once again. Later, when Baxter accepts the responsibility of building a great ark and his rapidly changing physical appearance begins to draw media attention, his skeptical family attempts to discern if his actions are driven by delusion or divine intervention. John Goodman, Wanda Sykes, Jonah Hill, and Molly Shannon co-star in a divine comedy of truly epic proportions. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Diane Keaton stars as a unconditionally loving, but meddling, mother whose vain attempt to prevent her insecure youngest daughter from repeating the same mistakes that she made leads to a series of comic misunderstandings in director Michael Lehmann's affectionate family comedy. When it comes to the topic of motherhood, Daphne Wilder (Keaton) has seen it all. Her eldest daughter, Maggie (Lauren Graham), is a highly respected psychologist and her middle daughter, Mae (Piper Perabo), is both sexy and smart, but youngest Milly (Mandy Moore) just can't seem to get things right no matter how hard she tries. Recognizing that the romantic exploits of her charming-but-struggling youngest always seem to end in tears, concerned mother Daphne vows to find Millie the perfect man. Though she always means well, Daphne's misguided attempt to set her daughter up by placing a carefully worded personal ad proves once and for all that even the most well-intending of mothers can sometimes overstep their boundaries. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Picking up where the previous season left off, season six of Gilmore Girls begins as Stars Hollow innkeeper Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) takes the initiative in her love life by proposing marriage to taciturn diner owner Luke Danes (Scott Patterson). Although he accepts, his subsequent hemming and hawing whenever the subject of a wedding date is brought up will dictate much of the action this season, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger finale involving Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), who as everyone knows, is the father of Lorelai's college-age daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel).
Unfortunately, Lorelei and Rory aren't on speaking terms as the season begins, mainly because Rory has decided to drop out of Yale University -- and, incidentally, has run afoul of the law for the first time in her life, requiring her to perform 300 hours' community service. Happily, Rory finally agrees to return to Yale, taking over the editor's post at the campus newspaper when her roommate Paris (Liza Weil) is ousted in a "coup." Throughout the season, the relationship between Rory and her wealthy student boyfriend Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) is a shaky one, especially after she learns of his various infidelities while speaking to the bridesmaids at his sister's wedding. Rory and Logan are reunited when she nurses him back to health after he is seriously injured in a stunt performed for the secret campus clique "The Life and Death Brigade." However, the couple's future is placed in jeopardy when Logan's father, powerful publisher Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), forces the boy to take a job at his London newspaper. In other season six news, Lorelai's estranged parents Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) have decided to give their marriage a second chance -- and, much to their daughter's dismay, have elected to move to Stars Hollow; Lorelai's business partner Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) again copes with her responsibilities of new motherhood; Luke's ditsy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) becomes pregnant by her oafish husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise); and Rory's rock-musician friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), now reconciled with her conservative mother Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), weds Zach (Todd Lowe), a member of her band, in the oddest ceremony of the 2005-2006 season. This year represents Gilmore Girls' last stand on the WB network; henceforth, the show would be seen on the brand new CW hookup. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A man down on his luck hatches a different kind of get-rich-quick scheme in this independent comedy. Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges) is a middle-aged divorcé who is down in the dumps after the departure of his wife, Thelma (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and son, Billy (Alex D. Linz). The fact that Thelma's new hubby is quite wealthy only makes things more troubling for Andy, and he keeps thinking that if he had more money he could be back in her good graces. One night, while knocking back drinks with his friends, Andy has a brainstorm -- pornography is big business these days, so why not round up the local talent and make an adult movie? Andy persuades his friend Barney (Tim Blake Nelson) to sign on as co-producer, and they start putting together a crew, including Emmett (Patrick Fugit), a kid with a video camera who becomes director of photography, Otis (William Fichtner), who volunteers to be the gofer who doesn't really do anything, and as director a guy known only by his nickname, Some Idiot (Joe Pantoliano). Casting proves to be a bit more problematic, especially after they discover that Moose (Ted Danson), who has been cast in the male lead, may be gay when he repeatedly fails to rise to the occasion. The Amateurs also stars Lauren Graham, Valerie Perrine, and Glenne Headly as some of the local women drafted into appearing in the movie; the picture was released in the United Kingdom under the title The Moguls. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A guy takes one last shot at learning from his mistakes with women in this romantic comedy. Zach (Brad Hunt) has been in love with Abbey (Lauren Graham) as far back as he can remember. However, Zach is both shy and tragically inept around women, and has never had the nerve to tell her how he feels. When Zach learns that Abbey is moving away to pursue her career, he decides he has one last chance to win her over, so with the help of his even less romantically inclined buddy Bleckman (Harland Williams), Zach tracks down all of his former girlfriends to get a clearer picture of where he's gone wrong in the past, and how he might be able to win Abbey's heart. Lucky 13 also features John Doe, Debra Jo Rupp, and Brande Roderick. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Returning home to Stars Hollow after a whirlwind European trip at the outset of Gilmore Girls' fourth season, single mom Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) is informed that her business partner, Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy), is pregnant, while Lorelai's daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), prepares for her freshman year at Yale University. Arriving on campus, Rory meets her new roommates: 15-year-old prodigy Tanna (Olivia Hack), sports jock Janet (Katie Walder), and -- surprise, surprise -- Rory's former prep-school nemesis Paris Geller (Liza Weil). Perhaps inevitably, Rory will become so involved in her roomies' trials and tribulations that she will begin neglecting her schoolwork. Back at home, Lorelai and Sookie encounter a number of formidable roadblocks, legal and otherwise, in their efforts to open their new bed-and-breakfast, the Dragonfly Inn; and Rory's friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena) has severed all ties with her uncompromisingly traditionalist Korean mother by launching a career as a rock singer. In other season-four developments, Lorelai's close friendship with café owner Luke (Scott Patterson) is threatened by events that had occurred during his summer vacation; Sookie and her husband, Jackson (Jackson Douglas), nervously prepare for a "home birth"; Rory and Paris vie for the attentions of their professor, Asher Fleming (Michael York); Rory's troublesome grandma, Trix Gilmore (Marion Ross), suddenly dies; and as for Rory's high-school beaux, Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) tries to rekindle their romance, while Dean (Jared Padalecki) gets married to Lindsay Lister (Arielle Kebbel) on the rebound. The season ends with the grand opening of the Dragonfly Inn, yet another breakup between Rory and Jess, a disturbing turn of events concerning Rory and Dean, a hint of divorce in the offing for Lorelei's parents -- and a distinct deepening of the relationship between Lorelai and the newly divorced Luke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this follow-up to the "Road to Rhode Island" episode, Peter (voice of Seth MacFarlane) sees a commercial for "Kiss-Stock" while watching "Kiss Forum" on Rhode Island Public Access. He decides that since he and Lois (voice of Alex Borstein) have always been huge fans of the group, they'll go to the festival, leaving Brian (MacFarlane) to look after Stewie (MacFarlane). Stewie, who has grown obsessed with the BBC children's program, "Jolly Farm Revue," immediately runs away from home. He's decided to take up residence at Jolly Farm. He sneaks onto a plane with a British family, and as Brian arrives to bring him back home, the plane takes off. To make matters worse, Stewie has gotten on the wrong plane, and the pair end up in the Middle East. Stuck with no money and no way home, Stewie and Brian perform a musical number to distract a merchant so they can steal a camel. They also steal a hot air balloon, have an encounter with the Pope, and visit a hash bar in Amsterdam before Stewie reaches Jolly Farm, which is not everything he dreamt of. Meanwhile, at "Kiss-Stock," Lois brings shame upon Peter when he learns that she doesn't know the words to "Rock & Roll All Nite." This episode features the voices of Andy Dick, Jon Favreau, Lauren Graham, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

This romantic melodrama reunites The Devil's Advocate (1997) co-stars Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, and is directed by Irish filmmaker Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends). Sara Deever (Theron) is a beautiful young woman who begins a new romantic relationship with a man each month, then helps him to evolve into a better and kinder human being before she moves on to the next partner. Although she's remained friendly with some of her former lovers, she's never broken her one-month rule. November's candidate is a particularly heartless business exec named Nelson Moss (Reeves), who takes a while to come around. Once he does, however, Nelson falls deeply in love, hoping to woo Sara for good; eventually, her resolve weakens. What Nelson doesn't know is the tragic secret behind the brevity of Sara's romances. A remake of a 1968 Sandy Dennis film by the same name, this contemporary version of Sweet November is less comedic and emphasizes more of its story's tearjerker qualities than the original. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

It took a great deal of intestinal fortitude for the WB network to schedule the first of its "prestige" drama series, Gilmore Girls, opposite the NBC powerhouse Friends on Thursday night. But the gamble paid off: a critical success virtually from the outset, Gilmore Girls gradually built up a loyal following which assured WB some of its best ratings of the year. The series was set in the town of Stars Hollow, CT, home of 32-year-old single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Martin) and her 15-year-old daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel). Having never married Rory's irresponsible father, Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), and long estranged from her wealthy parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop), Lorelai had been forced to go it alone in life, ultimately landing a good job as manager of Independence Inn, a Star Hollow landmark since 1779. She had also done a good job raising her straight-A student daughter, Rory -- though because of the close proximity of their ages, the relationship was more sister-sister than mother-daughter. As the first season opened, Rory was poised to enter the prestigious Chilton Prep School in nearby Hartford. The tuition cost obliged Lorelai to swallow her pride and seek out funding from her parents, who agreed to foot the bill on one condition: that Lorelai mend her relationship with them and once again become part of their lives. This condition was primarily set up by Lorelai's mother, who had plans to mold young Rory into the "perfect" granddaughter that her own child had never been.

In the tradition of Northern Exposure, Gilmore Girls was populated with a large and colorful supporting cast, ranging from lovable eccentrics to not-so-lovable drama queens. The staff at Independence Inn included pompous French concierge Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) and klutzy but talented chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy). Not far from the inn was the diner run by curmudgeonly Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), who, as the season wore on, revealed that he'd had a long-standing crush on Lorelai. The self-appointed "leader" of Stars Hollows' merchant class was Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), owner of the town's main grocery store and employer of Rory's off-and-on boyfriend Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki). Others in town included Rory's best friend, Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), whose efforts to assert her blossoming womanhood were constantly being thwarted by her super-strict Korean parents; busybody dance instructor Miss Patty (Liz Torres); supercilious Babette Dell (Sally Struthers) and her husband, Morey (Ted Rooney); and funky handyman Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn), a classic example of "still waters run deep." At Chilton, Rory ran smack-dab into a maelstrom of snooty snobbery and calculated cattiness personified by Paris Geller (Liza Weil), editor of the school paper. Halfway through season one, Lorelai began dating Rory's English teacher, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) -- a relationship that nearly cost Max his job. Complicating matters was the return of Rory's prodigal father, Christopher, who was still unwilling to make a permanent commitment to Lorelai -- or was it the other way around? Likewise on the romantic front, Rory found herself caught in the middle of the tempestuous relationship between the jealous, spiteful Paris and the trouble-prone Tristan DuGrey (Chad Michael Murray). The first season of Gilmore Girls ended on a cliffhanger as Lorelai pondered whether or not to accept Max Medina's marriage proposal. There was, however, no doubt that critics and fans alike had thoroughly taken Gilmore Girls to their hearts. ~ All Movie Guide

Dill Scallion is a mock-documentary that chronicles the fast rise and even faster fall of a country singer whose IQ appears to equal the waist measurement of his jeans. Billy Burke plays a school bus driver in a small Texas town who becomes a Country and Western superstar overnight thanks to songs like "I Found Love At A Family Reunion" and his unique dancing skills; unfortunately, his dance style is the result of an injured foot, and Dill has to keep hurting himself to keep giving his audience what they want. The film includes cameo appearances from actual country stars (including Willie Nelson and LeAnn Rimes) and supporting performances from Jason Priestley and Henry Winkler; rocker Sheryl Crow contributed an original music score. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This TV sitcom probes the personal problems of New York City ad copywriter Conrad Bloom (Mark Feuerstein), a single guy surrounded by women, including his ex-girlfriend Molly (Lauren Graham), sister Nina (Ever Carradine), co-worker Shelley (Jessica Stone), demanding boss Faye (Paula Newsome), and Conrad's irritating widowed mother Florie (Linda Lavin). In the pilot episode, Conrad struggled to get attractive Allison (Christina Moore) into bed. Premiered September 21, 1998 on NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Carl Franklin directed this family drama adapted from the 1995 novel by former New York Times columnist Anna Quindlen about a young woman who goes back home to take care of her dying mother. In 1987-88, independent Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger), a Harvard grad, is working on a New York Magazine investigative article when she hears from her father, George (William Hurt), a literary critic and university professor. He tells Ellen she's needed at home to care for her mother, Kate (Meryl Streep), who's due for surgery. Ellen needs to get away from the problems of her relationship with her boyfriend Jordan (Nicky Katt), but she plans to continue work on the magazine article from home. In truth, Ellen is uncomfortable with her mother's various ladies club lunches, and holiday preparations, and she finds communication with her mother awkward. Once Ellen arrives back home, she's dismayed to find herself caught in the web of her mother's Middle America activities. Ellen's attitude changes when it becomes apparent this probably will be the final Thanksgiving and Christmas with all family members present. But tensions erupt as long-buried family secrets emerge. Locations in New Jersey were used to create the film's Eastern coastal college town. Shown at the 1998 Montreal Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide