Richard and Emily are Lorelai's parents (Rory's grandparents). They live in Hartford, where Lorelai grew up. They are very rich, and very concerned with thier social status, therefore they have lots of arguements with Lorelai about what is or is not appropriate behavior. Richard and Emily loaned Lorelai the money for Rory's tuition for Chilton, and made an agreement that the girls would join them for Friday night dinners. When Lorelai paid her parents back the money they had loaned they were no longer obligated to go to Friday night dinners. The girls were extremely dumbfounded when, their first free Friday night, Emily and Richard threw a party, while the girls were sitting at home with nothing to do.
