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And Just Like That showrunner couldn't 'keep going' with new episodes after controversial finale

And Just Like That showrunner couldn't 'keep going' with new episodes after controversial finale

Daily Mail​2 days ago
On Thursday night, the infamous Sex and the City spinoff, And Just Like That, ended its run with the series finale - and now showrunner Michael Patrick King has revealed why they couldn't 'keep going.'
The spinoff, which stars Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York, and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes, is about the beloved characters navigating New York City in their fifties.
The original Sex and the City ran from June 6, 1998 to February 22, 2004.
The HBO Max spinoff has had a three-season run - but last night marked the final episode.
Now, King has revealed that they didn't start filming the season knowing that it would be their last, and shared why they ultimately came to that decision.
'The reality is, the decision was not made at the beginning of the season. The third season was going gangbusters in the writing room,' King told Variety in a new interview.
'And as the stories go, and the stories go, and the stories go, there's a reason I started saying, 'Don't repeat." You start to realize - and it's part muse, part smarts - 'This is where it's going,"' he explained.
'When Susan Fales-Hill and I were writing the last episode, which is in the middle [of the season's production], all of a sudden we came up with that moment for the end of the series and the season. 'The woman realized she was not alone - she was on her own,"' King said, referencing the executive producer.
King explained that he believed the ending felt 'profound,' and after a conversation with Parker, they both agreed that it was where they should stop the series.
The final episode showed Carrie finally feeling comfortable with being single, as she finished her historical novel that took a few cues from her own story.
She realized that the novel's protagonist 'was not alone, she was on her own.'
King told Variety that he is so proud of what they've accomplished, especially when it comes to Carrie's character.
'She's made her mark, and, as a writer, I feel we've made our mark. I never thought once about continuing,' King told the outlet.
'Telling it like it is: It's an instinct. Anyone else could keep going. I can't.'
However, it doesn't seem like all AJLT fans were happy with the final episode of the series.
Many took to X to share their thoughts - as the final scene involved a clogged toilet, and fans slammed it as 'disgusting' on social media.
'Why am I saying farewell to some of my favorite TV characters of all time and seeing a toilet overflow on my screen?' one person wrote.
Another agreed, 'It's a choice to make the series finale have 3 scenes involving s*** and piss… the writers def hate us.'
'You had and just like that finale and not one scene shared with all 3 girls is crazy,' someone else pointed out.
Another seconded, 'After six seasons, two movies, and three reboot seasons. THIS is how you end it? The fans and these characters deserved so much more. I refuse to accept this mess.'
Others praised the series finale and enjoyed how the show ended.
'I hope this is a safe place to say that I didn't find this episode of And Just Like That *that* bad (but obviously it wasn't what I expected for the finale),' one X user admitted.
Someone else wrote, 'Didn't think I would get emotional about 'and just like that' ending. No more sex and the city.'
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Billy Joel closing beloved motorcycle shop amid 'scary' brain disorder health battle
Billy Joel closing beloved motorcycle shop amid 'scary' brain disorder health battle

Daily Mail​

time13 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Billy Joel closing beloved motorcycle shop amid 'scary' brain disorder health battle

is preparing to part ways with a major passion project as he continues to navigate a serious health condition. The legendary musician, 76, will shut down his Long Island motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in late September and auction off his extensive collection of bikes later this year, his representative Claire Mercuri confirmed to the Associated Press. The decision comes months after Joel revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological disorder that affects balance, vision, and hearing. Joel first disclosed his diagnosis in May, sharing that symptoms had been 'exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.' Under medical guidance, he has been undergoing physical therapy and has been advised to step away from performing. As a result, all of his scheduled shows through July 2026 have been canceled. According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain. The condition primarily impacts older adults and is typically treated by surgically implanting a shunt to drain the fluid. Joel's shop in Oyster Bay opened in 2010 and quickly became a destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and tourists alike. The facility served not only as a workshop for restoring and customizing bikes but also as a gallery showcasing his personal collection — which includes more than 75 motorcycles spanning decades and brands such as Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, and BMW. Among the most notable pieces is a rare 1952 Vincent Rapide, a model that can command tens of thousands of dollars at auction. In a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop, the singer explained his motivation for opening the space. 'It's basically promoting an aesthetic here. I like older style. I like the automotive style from the '30s to the '60s. I wanted to collect a whole bunch of those kinds of bikes, put 'em in one place and let people see what that era of bike looked like. Because it's starting to be a lost aesthetic,' he told fans. Joel added that the venture was also a way to boost the local economy in Oyster Bay, the upscale waterfront community where he grew up just miles away in Hicksville. 'I've been living in this community for a long time,' he said in the video. 'I actually grew up not far from here. And I'd like to get a little interest going into the town and the village.' The town has embraced him in return. In 2023, part of the street where 20th Century Cycles sits was renamed Billy Joel Way. Joel's passion for motorcycles stretches back decades, though it has not been without risk. In 1982, he was badly injured on Long Island when a car ran a red light and struck his bike, leaving him with a dislocated wrist and an injured thumb. He recovered after a month in the hospital and remained an avid rider, often using motorcycles to participate in charity events supporting causes such as 9/11 first responders and breast cancer research. While Joel has been spending more time in South Florida, he still maintains homes on Long Island, including a Centre Island estate currently listed for $29.9 million. A date for the auction of his motorcycles has yet to be announced. Billy's illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart. Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Just The Way You Are, She's Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young. He would go on to release a 13th album - Fantasies & Delusions (2001) - that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world's best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.

Billionaire David Geffen, 82, slams his boytoy ex who lodged explosive sex-and-drugs lawsuit against him
Billionaire David Geffen, 82, slams his boytoy ex who lodged explosive sex-and-drugs lawsuit against him

Daily Mail​

time13 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Billionaire David Geffen, 82, slams his boytoy ex who lodged explosive sex-and-drugs lawsuit against him

David Geffen has doubled down on insisting his estranged boytoy husband's claims he's a sex and drug-crazed abuser are 'a work of fiction'. Donovan Michaels, 32, alleges his billionaire ex-beau Geffen, 82, forced him to take drugs, subjected him to abusive sex and controlled his every move. Among the salacious claims in his lawsuit were that Geffen forced him to have all his body hair lasered off and once flew into a rage at the sight of an ingrown hair. The pair met in 2016 on a dating website often used by rich people looking for much younger partners. Geffen, a movie and music producer worth about $9 billion, allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 for sex on the night they met, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court as part of their messy divorce. The pair began a relationship and married in 2023 without a prenup, according to the complaint that accuses Geffen of breach of contract. Geffen promised the Daily Mail the claims were false and he would defend them, insisting there was never any agreement he would look after Michaels. 'There was no contract - express, written, oral, or implied - that has ever existed. We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit,' his lawyer Patty Glaser said hours after the lawsuit was filed. Geffen on Saturday made good on his promise with a written response to the court calling the claims 'ludicrous and contrived'. 'Plaintiff cannot embarrass Geffen and extort a settlement with petty gossip and salacious lies,' the document read. Geffen's lawyers denied Michaels' claim that the billionaire promised to give him a life of luxury until his death, along with shared ownership of assets. The response declared there were no agreements of this nature in Geffen's estate planning documents or financial records. He detailed how Michaels burned through massive amounts of cash during their relationship, using assistants to charge luxury purchases to Geffen's accounts. This included fine clothing, plastic surgery, extravagant gifts for friends, and as the marriage began to break down he spent big on OnlyFans and male escorts. 'Geffen loved Plaintiff and treated him with nothing but kindness, respect, and generosity throughout their relationship,' the filing claimed. The response cited the billionaire's friends and staff describing Michaels as 'living like a king' off Geffen's money during the marriage. All the while, it claimed, Michaels was hiding affairs and cocaine and ketamine addictions that persisted even after Geffen paid for rehab. Geffen's filing also rubbished claims he left Michaels destitute and homeless after cutting him off when he filed for divorce in May. He noted the younger man was living rent-free in one of his New York apartments and received a voluntary monthly allowance. Geffen's lawyers characterized the lawsuit as an attempt by Michaels to embarrass him into a settlement that he neither deserved nor needed, and asked for it to be dismissed. Michaels claimed in the lawsuit that he was targeted by Geffen because he was a vulnerable, marginalized young gay black man who spent the majority of his life bouncing around in the foster care system before turning to erotic dancing to make ends meet. The lawsuit claimed Geffen commanded Michaels to use drugs like cocaine and MDMA alongside the entertainment mogul's friends on his 450-foot superyacht, The Rising Sun. The suit also claimed Geffen enjoyed physically dominating his sexual partners and causing them pain, which triggered Michaels' childhood trauma. This allegedly caused him digestive issues, headaches and a desire to isolate himself. The complaint claimed Geffen told Michaels 'where to go, what to wear, what to read, what to watch, and what to say'. The lawsuit even accused the billionaire of making Michaels to undergo painful cosmetic treatments. Geffen is also claimed to have told Michaels he had to be constantly available to him, preventing him from being able to pursue a modeling career. Michaels' lawsuit claimed Geffen did this because after years of being 'a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue', Michaels finally approached his husband and asked to renegotiate the terms of their union. He 'wanted a new beginning wherein he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Geffen as an equal free from power dynamics that existed', the lawsuit claimed. Michaels claimed Geffen rejected this, cut him off financially, and immediately demanded a divorce. 'It was a sick game,' the complaint claimed. 'Michaels became a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue, paraded around as evidence of Geffen's supposed altruism, while privately used as a sexual commodity.' The complaint claimed while Geffen was at the Jeff Bezos–Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice in late June, he ordered Michaels to 'immediately vacate' their New York property, leaving him without a home. 'At the very same time, Geffen was decadently and extravagantly partying and dancing the night away in Venice, Italy with the other .0001 percent of the wealthiest people on the planet,' it claimed. One of the divorce documents prepared by Geffen's lawyers claimed the pair separated in on February 22, 2025, months before the Bezos wedding. As well as Michael's claims about their final days together, the lawsuit includes astonishing allegations about what went on during their relationship. 'Geffen also found additional ways to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for control over Michaels,' the lawsuit claimed. 'With backhanded insults and put-downs about Michaels' past and lack of sophistication, Geffen cultivated Michaels' insecurity and self-doubt. He critiqued every aspect of Michaels' appearance and exercised strict control over his body hygiene.' The billionaire record executive is accused in the lawsuit of ordering his ex-lover to 'undergo extensive, painful' treatments to conform to his idea of 'perfection.' 'Geffen required Michaels to undergo extensive, painful laser and dental treatments. Even something as minor as an ingrown hair could provoke Geffen's ire and prompt a barrage of instructions to correct the imperfection,' according to the complaint. Michaels claimed he was 'awestruck by Geffen', a 'philanthropist' who 'talked the talk' when the younger man revealed issues 'during his underprivileged upbringing', during the ill-fated couple's first meeting nine years ago. He claimed he 'opened up to Geffen', confiding in him 'about the painful realities of his life – his traumatic upbringing in the Michigan foster care system, his lack of a real family, his instability, and his prior run-ins with the law'. 'He spoke candidly, not to gain sympathy from Geffen, but because he believed he had finally found someone who could understand and maybe even care,' it added. But Michaels claimed his future husband 'weaponized [his] vulnerability to fulfill his own personal fantasies', including the lucrative financial transaction he alleges was made on the first night they met. The former model turned go-go dancer claimed in his lawsuit that Geffen 'used Michaels' tragic story not as a reason to offer genuine support, but as a grooming tool – casting himself as savior, "white knight," mentor, and gatekeeper to a better life'. The younger man claimed he became a 'private sexual object and a public prop' that Geffen allegedly used to show off his 'self-proclaimed altruism to impress his powerful network'. 'From that moment forward, Geffen began transporting Michaels across the globe as his paid sex worker,' the complaint claimed.

Where the winners of The Biggest Loser are now – from criticising show to putting ALL of their weight back on
Where the winners of The Biggest Loser are now – from criticising show to putting ALL of their weight back on

The Sun

time38 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Where the winners of The Biggest Loser are now – from criticising show to putting ALL of their weight back on

THEY dropped jaw-dropping amounts of weight on The Biggest Loser - but what happened after the cameras stopped rolling? The reality show that promised life-changing transformations has been hit with controversy as a new Netflix doc teases the harsh training, extreme diets and the hidden toll on contestants' mental health. 11 11 The show ran for 18 gruelling seasons until 2016, with contestants battling it out over 30 weeks to shed the most pounds. The winner earned the title of 'the biggest loser' - and the glory that came with it. From day one, it was a smash hit, capturing millions of viewers who couldn't get enough of the dramatic weight-loss journeys and nail-biting finales. For nearly two decades, it became a cultural phenomenon, sparking conversations about fitness, fame and the cost of transformation. But former stars have opened up about the physical and emotional battles they faced long after the cameras stopped rolling - with some struggling to keep the weight off, and others revealing the dark side of fame. A brand-new Netflix three-part docuseries, Fit for TV: The Reality Behind The Biggest Loser, lifts the lid on the show's lightning-fast rise to fame. It's a raw, eye-opening look behind the scenes, told straight from the mouths of those who lived through the drama. But where are the winners now? Have they kept the weight off, or has life after the spotlight been just as tough? Ryan Benson 11 Ryan made history as The Biggest Loser's first-ever champ, dropping a whopping 122lbs. Just days after the cameras stopped rolling, Ryan told Time he piled back on 32lbs in just FIVE days simply by drinking water. By 2017, he confessed to TooFab he was actually two pounds heavier than at his heaviest back in 2004. These days, Ryan's turned things around, back on his fitness grind and, according to his Instagram bio, 'doing my best to live a healthy life' - while also sharing sweet snaps with his family. He recently spoke out about the gruelling routines he had to endure on the show, telling People: 'It hurt to do anything when you'd wake up in the morning. It was definitely tough for me. I was lucky I never got hurt or injured myself.' Ryan said contestants were 'set up to fail' and 'exploited' for entertainment value, with extreme methods used to speed up weight loss for the cameras. He recalled: 'Doctors tested our urine the day of our last weigh-in, and they told me there was blood in mine because I was so dehydrated. My wife was so mad at me, she said 'Nothing is worth this'.' Danny Cahill 11 Danny shed a jaw-dropping 239lbs in just seven months to win The Biggest Loser Season 8 — one of the most dramatic transformations the show had ever seen. 'I've got my life back,' he said at the time. 'I mean, I feel like a million bucks.' In 2016, Danny told ABC News: 'I did feel like a million bucks for a couple years. I kept the weight off completely… I was working out two hours a day and riding my bike all over town. Once that stopped, the weight started creeping back on.' Indeed, Danny has now regained all of the weight he lost on the show, and is open about his struggles in the new documentary. He's also an author, musician, and land surveyor - and happily married, often sharing loved-up snaps with his wife on Instagram. Ali Vincent 11 Ali made history in 2008 as the first woman to ever win The Biggest Loser, dropping an incredible 112lbs during Season 5. 'Nearly half of me had vanished,' she wrote in an essay for The Weigh We Were. After her win, Ali penned a book, Believe It, Be It, and fronted her own show, Live Big With Ali Vincent. But years later, Ali admitted she'd regained the weight she lost. 'I swore I would never be there again,' she posted on Facebook in 2016. 'I couldn't imagine a day again that I would weigh over 200lbs. I feel ashamed. I feel embarrassed. I feel overwhelmed. I feel like a failure.' That same year, she opened up to Oprah about the personal trauma she believes led to her weight gain. Now, Ali is in a far happier place, living life with her wife and their children. Her Instagram bio reads: "Living the dream! I know I'll never be that perfect mom but I also know I'll be perfect at attempting to be!" Jeremy Britt 11 Jeremy smashed records when he shed a jaw-dropping 199lbs to be crowned The Biggest Loser - becoming the youngest-ever winner at just 23. The Michigan lad competed alongside his sister Conda, and told the Daily News in 2012 they were both committed to staying healthy for life. 'Keeping up with all the stuff we learned throughout the show — there's not an end goal anymore,' he said. 'The end goal is being healthy for the rest of our lives.' These days, he looks unrecognisable — leaner than ever — and juggles life as a dad, husband and aspiring chef. Now Executive Sous Chef at The Buttermilk Ranch, Jeremy regularly shares adorable family snaps on Instagram, from beach days to fun outings with his kids. Helen Phillips 11 Helen made history as The Biggest Loser's oldest-ever champ — and the contestant to drop the most weight, an incredible 140lbs. She said: "I feel like I can do anything," and she's only put 18lbs back on since her win. Now, 61, she dedicates her time to tackling childhood obesity. According to the Times, she wakes up at 4:30 in the morning, hits the gym for two hours and visits two more times before the day is done. Helen has also been open about undergoing plastic surgery to remove excess skin, sharing her journey in a candid video for fans. Patrick House 11 Patrick is still in top form — weighing just 16lbs more than when he won The Biggest Loser — and now focused on building muscle. The Season 10 champ, who shed a staggering 181lbs — 45% of his body weight — has since run multiple races, including three Boston Marathons, and works closely with overweight teens to inspire their own transformations. Patrick also penned the book As Big as a House and spends much of his time travelling the US for motivational speaking gigs and public appearances. 'I travel the country doing motivational speaking engagements and appearances,' he said, encouraging others to chase their own goals. Olivia Ward Olivia stunned fans in Season 11 with one of the show's most dramatic transformations — dropping from 261lbs to just 129 to be crowned The Biggest Loser. Now only 10lbs heavier, she's kept the weight off and built a career as a health guru, appearing regularly on The Dr. Drew Show alongside her sister Hannah. These days, Olivia is a master instructor at SoulCycle in Atlanta and a proud mum, often sharing her healthy lifestyle on Instagram. She also co-founded CounterBalance — a three-month intensive wellness programme — with Hannah, helping others transform their bodies and minds. Toma Dobrosavljevic 11 Toma was on top of the world after winning Season 16 in 2015, telling Us Weekly: 'I feel incredible.' The former soccer star from Addison, Illinois, shed a jaw-dropping 171lbs — dropping from 336lbs to just 165lbs — to scoop the grand prize in the show's all-athlete season. But a year later, in 2016, Toma revealed on Facebook that a calf injury had caused his weight to creep back up. Still, he's managed to keep the bulk of the weight off and has even landed endorsement deals with Planet Fitness and proving his transformation is still paying off. Rachel Frederickson 11 Rachel made headlines as one of The Biggest Loser's most dramatic transformations — shedding a staggering 155lbs, or 60% of her body weight, to take the crown. But her finale appearance at just 105lbs sparked concern from fans, with some saying she looked 'too thin.' She told Today that the criticism affected her self-esteem, saying, "It was absolutely healthy weight loss. I dieted and exercised and did it healthy the whole way." Since then, Rachel has put around 20lbs back on, settling into a healthier balance after her whirlwind weight-loss journey. She told Us Weekly: "I've gone up about 20 pounds. I think I'm at my perfect weight! I work out an hour, six days a week. I love classes like SoulCycle. I also loosely count calories, but sometimes I might eat an Oreo. It's not the end of the world." However, Rachel hasn't been pictured in years so it remains unknown how her current weight journey is going.

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