Amy Sherman-Palladino Joins “In Her Words”+ Q&A with Jackie Jesko & a Big WIE Thank You!
Women In Entertainment Weekly Newsletter
In Her Words
Amy Sherman-Palladino on Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel & Building Iconic Female Worlds
In this candid master-class, six-time Emmy-winner Amy Sherman-Palladino—creator of Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the new ballet-drama Étoile—joins In Her Words to trace the roller-coaster career that took her from dancer to Roseanne staff writer to record-breaking show-runner. Amy reveals:
The “crazy six-month” leap from improv classes to her first TV staff job and how Roseanne shaped her storytelling rule: “make the small big, the big small.”
Why Lauren Graham was the ONLY possible Lorelai, and how Rachel Brosnahan won Midge by “leaning into the mic.”
Filming battles behind Stars Hollow, mid-century Manhattan, and today’s Paris-New York ballet set—plus her take on streaming’s six-episode “sweet spot.”
The importance of training the next generation of writers (and why every writers’ room needs table-read access and production exposure).
Her honest outlook on an oft-rumored Gilmore Girls Christmas movie—and the future of Étoile in a sci-fi-obsessed industry.
Whether you dream of pitching, show-running, or simply living in Stars Hollow, Amy’s rapid-fire insights will sharpen your creative game.
Jackie Jesko Q&A
Director of Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything
What drew you to Barbara Walters as the subject of your next documentary?
I was thrilled when I got the call to talk about directing a film about Barbara Walters. She’s a news industry icon and a woman who truly moved mountains in pursuit of her dreams. She deserves all the credit for shattering the glass ceiling for women in the news. At the same time, she was a real person with weaknesses and personal struggles, just like all of us. And I was excited by the idea of showing a new audience a different, more intimate perspective on Barbara.
What surprised you most in your research or interviews about Barbara Walters’ life and legacy?
At the outset of making this film, I did not know much about Barbara’s early life. I know it can be cliche to say that someone’s childhood really shaped who they are, but when it comes to Barbara, its impact was undeniable. To grow up in her father’s glamorous nightclub surrounded by celebrities– it explains how she was so comfortable around fame. Then to have her father lose it all in a riches to rags story– that explains Barbara’s intense drive and fear of failure. I don’t know if you could have scripted a better backstory for her.
Barbara wasn’t just a witness to history—she was often part of it. How did you approach that duality as a filmmaker?
Barbara was sometimes a witness to history, but honestly, by the 80s and 90s it feels like she was more in the business of making news. She would do it by bringing these enormous newsmakers to the table to be interrogated by her. We subtly communicate that in the film.
Read the full Q&A here!
Women In Entertainment’s 8th Annual Summit 2025!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support Women In Entertainment’s 8th Annual Summit and contributed to its success! It was a wonderful day filled with meaningful panels, and countless connections. We could not have done it without all of you!
Some highlights from the day!
