Many fans of Gilmore Girls can attest to the fact that out of all the wacky and lovable characters on the show, there’s only one who can be instantly identified by her voice. Babette Dell is a fiercely loyal and hilarious resident of Stars Hollow who almost always acts as the comedic relief, especially in later seasons of the show.
Sally Struthers does a fantastic job bringing the character to life with her one-of-a-kind voice and her indescribable charm, making every time Babette appears onscreen an absolute delight. While Babette doesn’t have many storylines of her own, her genius one-liners and offbeat advice have remained a popular part of the Gilmore Girls viewing experience.
“What About Morey’s Salty Nuts?!”
Season 7, Episode 18 – “Hay Bale Maze”
When Stars Hollow begins preparation for the annual Spring Fling Festival, Taylor reveals that this year will feature a hay bale maze. When Gypsy inquires about her lemonade stand, Taylor explains that there will be no booths this year as all the funds have been allocated to the maze, including Morey’s salty nut booth which angers Babette.
Babette is known for her funny quips during the show’s many infamous town meetings, but this is easily one of her best. When she hears that about the lack of lemonade, she decides to speak up for her mostly-silent husband Morey and demand Taylor explain what is going on. But since this is Babette, she does so in the bluntest and most comical way possible.
“Kirk Wants You To Go Upstairs And Make Love To Him.”
Season 4, Episode 22 – “Raincoats and Recipes”
It’s the test run for the Dragonfly and the town is here to preview Lorelai’s hard work. When Kirk is nervous about sharing a room with Lulu due to night terrors, he asks Luke to keep an eye on him. When he motions to Luke that it’s time for bed, Babette jokingly teases him about the interaction.
Babette has known Luke his whole life and loves to take an innocent jab or push his buttons as so many on the show seem to do. Babette is also known to be quite the gossip, so it’s definitely not surprising that she noticed Kurt’s covert signals, proving just how self-aware and quick-witted she is. Not only does this show how great Babette is as a character, but this scene is also a prime example of how funny Kurt is as a character as well.
“We Got Picklegate!”
Season 7, Episode 5 – “The Great Stink”
When a truck carrying a load of pickles is derailed, the pickles create a terrible smell that makes the town sick. When asked why no one has dealt with the issue, Gypsy remarks that it must be a cover-up and Babette jumps on the bandwagon furthering her suspicions.
Besides being a gossip, Babette has displayed many moments that show her to be quite the conspiracy theorist. Babette’s camaraderie with Gypsy has undoubtedly built upon those skeptical ways of thinking. Having grown up during the actual Watergate scandal, the comparison is ridiculous but also true to her character.
“I Was Pushed Out Of A Moving Car Once.”
Season 1, Episode 17 – “The Breakup, Part 2”
When Babette hears the news about Rory and Dean’s breakup, she comes over and tries to comfort the heartbroken teen, but Lorelai thinks it’s best if they let her heal on her own. Babette begins listing all the ways she can help, including telling her about all the awful men she’s dated and the trials they put her through.
Babette has lived a very exciting life even before audiences saw her on screen. Throughout the series, Babette has made many interesting issions about her wild past from being pushed out of a car to being a member of a cult. Her life has made her wise beyond her years, and she always hopes to share her thoughts even when they are not exactly wanted. This also makes sense why she is best friends with another funny Gilmore Girls character, Miss Patty.
“It's Nature's Way Of Trying To Get Me To Talk Softer.”
Season 7, Episode 1 – “The Long Morrow”
Lorelai has recently spent the night with Christopher after one of her and Luke's worst fights and upon returning home the next morning, she is startled when Babette loudly greets her from behind the sofa. Babette explains that she’s used to scaring people because of her voice, as her husky tone is a result of growing nodules on her vocal cords.
Babette’s often piercing and sometimes deafening tone is one of the character’s most hilarious and recognized traits. With every nugget of wisdom or joke she makes, Sally Struther’s genius comedic delivery combined with Amy Sherman-Palladino's clever writing makes Babette a force to be reckoned with. While the shrill tone was present in the earlier seasons, it definitely became more prevalent as the show went on.
“Gnome-Kicking Says A Lot About A Man's Character.”
Season 1, Episode 2 – “The Loreai’s First Day At Chilton”
When Emily arranges for Lorelai’s home to be installed with DSL, a worried Babette s Lorelai and tells her about the strange men surveying the property. When Lorelai arrives, Babette further explains that these men must be bad as they kicked a small garden gnome in the front yard.
As protective as she is delightful, Babette’s offbeat way of judging strangers is something that has been the topic of multiple discussions throughout Gilmore Girls. From commenting on Dean’s Charlton Heston chin to noting Richard’s abundance of chi, Babette has always been a good judge of character.
“I’m Making A Jungle… For The Bedroom.”
Season 7, Episode 13 – “I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia”
Babette asks Lorelai to borrow some of her houseplants and the two struggle to move a rather large one. When Lorelai inquires about the sudden interest in greenery, Babette responds that it is for a rather adventurous roleplay that she and Morey discovered to enjoy in the bedroom.
Babette is definitely not one to hold back or be embarrassed, which is clearly evident every time she reveals these salacious anecdotes about her life. Her total lack of self-awareness results in many chuckle-inducing scenes like this and every time Babette overshares, it always makes for one of best speeches or rants.
“You’re Gonna Have Color Coming Out Of Your Yin-Yang!”
Season 4, Episode 5 – “The Fundamental Things Apply”
Now that Rory is off to college, Babette worries about Lorelai’s loneliness. To help get her mind off of the empty nest, Babette gifts Lorelai bulbs in the hopes that gardening will keep her busy. Unfortunately, Lorelai’s thumb is about as green as Elmo’s.
Babette’s blunt and often-suggestive language always makes for an entertaining scene and this sequence is no expectation. Babette showcases her enthusiasm about gardening by screaming a highly inappropriate comment, that when taken out of context, sounds incredibly unseemly. This instance is just one of the many times the beloved character does this and each time, it is an absolute riot.