I'm a Kayak, Hear Me Roar

Lorelai compares her parents' home to a "giant Skinner box." This is in reference to the "box" that behavioral psychologist BF Skinner and his wife reared their daughter in the first few years of her life, which was designed so she could roam in an enclosed, warm environment, keeping her safe and comfortable. The popular misconception is that his daughter grew up to be psychotic and suicidal, but she actually is alive and well in England and has no history of mental illness.

In late season seven Rory calls Lorelai to ask how they celebrated her eighth birthday party. Through the conversation the girls conclude that the theme was a teddy bear tea party. However, in early season one the girls tell Luke about one of Lorelai's famous blowouts and Rory's best birthday party, her eighth, and that the cops shut them down and arrested the clown.

References The Howdy Doody Show (1947)