Board Thread:False Info and Speculative Discussion/@comment-74.78.209.222-20140328011736/@comment-24747729-20140402152126

That info that you consider to be a "load" is common knowledge, gleaned from anywhere.

As to Edward Hermann, because of the fact that he was in the opening credits to all seven seasons, he is a Main Cast member. The "Special Appearance By" is an honorific introduction. If you read the Gilmore Girls FAQ page in IMDB, it says the following:

"Edward Herrmann is a pretty big name actor, and reportedly Amy Sherman-Palladino worked very hard to get him in the show. The 'Special Appearance' is just a small shout-out to him and his career."