The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of abortion.

Bishop joined an LA acting agency, quickly landing her first TV work on an episode of Hawaii-Five-O. In her role as a former brothel owner, she took direction successfully, concealing her lack of experience. The filming process was impersonal, but Bishop was gratified to gain her first screen credit and get paid to stay at a Hawaiian resort.

Bishop went to see A Chorus Line touring in Los Angeles. She was moved by the performance but had no regrets about not joining the production. Nevertheless, she reflected that she would love to play Sheila again. When Bishop returned to New York, the stage manager of the LA tour called asking if she would temporarily replace the actress playing Sheila, who needed minor surgery. Bishop enjoyed her brief return to the show, and when the original Sheila returned, Bishop no longer felt sad about leaving.

Bishop’s next role was in the movie An Unmarried Woman, playing the lead’s friend. The experience was a dramatic change from her previous acting jobs, as each scene was reshot numerous times. In the process, Bishop learned she was able to cry on cue—a key acting skill. Suddenly at 34, Bishop’s acting work seemingly dried up.