Goodbye to "Gilmore Girls" on May 15

By Kimberly Nordyke

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Gilmore Girls" is coming to an end.

Sources said Thursday that an offer had been put on the table for the show's two stars -- Lauren Graham and her TV daughter Alexis Bledel -- to return for an eighth season, but an agreement could not be reached.

The show, which debuted on WB Network in 2000 and this season became part of the CW's inaugural schedule, will have its series finale at May 15.

"This series helped define a network and created a fantastic, storybook world featuring some of television's most memorable, lovable characters," said a joint statement from the CW and the show's producer, Warner Bros. Television.

"Gilmore Girls" was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who along with fellow executive producer (and husband) Daniel Palladino, left the show at the end of last season after a contract dispute with Warner Bros.

The CW and the studio praised the duo along with current executive producer David S. Rosenthal and the rest of the producers, writers, crew and cast members.

"We would also like to thank the critics and 'Gilmore' fans for their passionate support and promise to give this series the sendoff it deserves," the statement said.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter