I like The Gilmore Girls largely for the supporting cast - which becomes much less cardboard very quickly (Luke owns the diner, and is a great cook, which is how he keeps his job.)

I suppose I like Lorelei (while recognizing her flaws) because she's rejected an upbringing that taught her to treat people in a hierarchical manner, (certain people deserve respect, everyone else should be beneath her notice) and she makes an effort to treat everyone as a person, including her daughter, who seems not to have suffered from this at all.