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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘It's so cringe': The Chronicle weighs in on end of ‘And Just Like That'
Pack up your Manolo Blahniks and grab your Fendi baguettes: The ' Sex and the City ' universe is coming to an end with the series finale of ' And Just Like That… ' The original show was based on writer Candace Bushnell's 1996 book, a compilation of her New York Observer columns, and followed the lives of relationship columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), publicist Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), lawyer Miranda Hobbes and gallerist Charlotte York (Kristin Davis.) It debuted on HBO in 1998, and soon left its mark on pop culture, gifting the world phrases like, 'He's just not that into you' and 'I'm a try-sexual. I'll try anything once.'' With its sexually frank discussions, themes of female friendship and innovative use of fashion in storytelling, the series became not just a lauded hit for the cable network, but also the kind of zeitgeist entertainment that developed a passionate following. It also gave rise to the ultimate fan question: 'Are you a Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte?' Then, after six seasons, 'Sex and the City' wrapped its series run in 2004. Two subsequent movies — simply titled 'Sex and the City: The Movie' (2008) and 'Sex and the City 2' (2010) — hit theaters. The first broke several records, raking in approximately $57 million in its opening weekend. It marked the biggest launch ever for a romantic comedy and the highest opening for an all-women at the time. The sequel, however, was deemed a commercial disappointment, and fans soon accepted it was the last they'd see of the characters. But 11 years later, 'And Just Like That…' revived the franchise once again. Its return sparked plenty of debate, with Mr. Big's death in the first episode, the absence of Cattrall's Samantha and the introduction of new characters like the nonbinary comedian Che Diaz (Sarah Ramirez) all sparking online backlash. For many longtime fans, 'And Just Like That…' became the TV equivalent of a car crash — awful in parts, but it was impossible to look away. Some feel that in Season 3, the show finally hit its stride, making its just-announced conclusion all the more disappointing. Yet, after making its cultural mark through everything like inspiring fashion trends, drag versions and countless meme-able moments, we couldn't help but wonder: Is this really the end of the 'Sex' universe? Chronicle staff writers Tony Bravo, Zara Irshad, Vanessa Labi and J.D. Morris recently gathered over a virtual cosmopolitan to toast — and sometimes lovingly roast — the series, which concludes Thursday, Aug. 14. Q: How do you feel about the decision to end 'And Just Like That…'? Zara Irshad: I always respect when showrunners opt to end a show themselves rather than running it into the ground trying to maintain cashflow. I was surprised that 'And Just Like That…' ran for as long as it did, given the mixed reviews. J.D. Morris: Not at all surprised, given its polarizing reception. But I doubt the finale is going to be satisfying, because it doesn't seem like it was intended to be the end of the series when it was made. The show was a hot mess for most of its run, but I enjoyed getting to spend more time with these characters and seeing them in a different phase of life. Vanessa Labi: It could've brought it home with one more season. But maybe it's just as well that it's leaving us — or me at least — wanting more. Tony Bravo: Given how expensive this show must be, I wasn't surprised. Q: When did you start watching 'Sex and the City?' Labi: I went in toward the end of high school. My friend and I had a ritual where we would rent a season from Blockbuster and binge it on Fridays. I also like to rewatch it every few years and relate to it differently each time. Irshad: I'm a newer fan. I started watching the original show when it was released on Netflix last spring, and have seen it a few times through. I had heard tons of Carrie Bradshaw jokes from friends when I started working as a journalist — even more when I too started dating a furniture designer — and figured it was time to get in on the discourse. The general vibe seems to resonate, though a number of the jokes and sub-plots have been questionable looking back. It seems to have become a default comfort show for us nonetheless. Bravo: I was a freshman in high school when it debuted and I would VHS record episodes to share. It shaped a lot of how I saw dating, friendship and city dwelling. Morris: I really got into it in college. Me and some girlfriends from my dorm — who I'm still close with today — used to watch episodes of the show while doing our laundry freshman year. Q: How do you think 'And Just Like That…' continued the characters' stories? Labi: I thought Charlotte's character development felt pretty earned and natural! If she had stayed her prudish self with old-fashioned values, it would've felt one-note and stunted her storylines. It was fun to see her have fun. Bravo: I agree that Charlotte fared best, but I did like how Miranda had to find herself as a queer woman. Morris: I appreciated the fact that the show did not pretend Carrie was anything other than a very wealthy woman. Miranda's arc felt like a mess until this last season. At the beginning of this show I kept wondering where the old Miranda went. Irshad: Charlotte's development felt refreshing — it was really nice to see more of how she handles motherhood. Miranda's storyline did feel a bit frazzled in that first season (and I miss Steve too!) but I appreciate the way that the show depicted her journey in the end. Q: Has it been must-watch or hate-watch TV for you? Bravo: Must-watch while sending critical texts to the friends I used to pass the VHS copies of 'Sex and the City' to. Morris: Both. I watch it alone and have consistently found myself pausing the show to scroll TikTok for a minute because it's so cringe. But I also needed to know what comes next and relished escaping into this world again. Labi: I also watch it alone! I can't watch it with my husband in the room because it amplifies my awareness of how absurd the writing has become. But in a very earnest way, I love it. It sneaks up on you, the way the characters and performances are still able to affect you. Irshad: It's a guilty pleasure show, for me. I haven't been as invested as I was while watching the original series, but I think that has to do with my lack of nostalgia, since I've only been immersed in the 'Sex and the City' universe for a year or so. Q: What did you like about the new series? Bravo: The fabulous —but ludicrous — clothes by costume designer Molly Rogers. And as a gay Italian American, I loved how much more Mario Cantone's character Anthony was featured. Morris: I thought Seema and Lisa were fun additions to the group. Labi: They were fun! I enjoyed seeing the universe expand and how their perspectives felt more fleshed out by Season 3. Even if one of Seema's storylines was literally: Will she embrace her boyfriend's natural deodorant? Irshad: It was cool to see how each character progressed in their careers since the original series. I particularly enjoyed seeing Charlotte return to the art world. Q: What didn't work? Labi: The tonal switch-ups were really tough. Episode 10, for example, delved into some serious subject matter only to be followed by a three-way phone call where the girls discuss it — over a score with silly sound design — while Carrie purses her lips to cue a goofy tone. Bravo: Everyone was so rich there didn't seem to be real world stakes. Morris: Che Diaz. I appreciated what the show was going for there, but it wasn't executed well. Also, the Samantha cameos felt really forced and awkward to me. But maybe that's just because I've read too much about the off-screen issues there. Irshad: It did feel a little off without Samantha in the mix. I think her personality brought a level of lightness that this show didn't have as much of. Q: Publicly, the story from Sarah Jessica Parker and Darren Star, is that it was a mutual decision to cancel the series. Other reports say HBO canceled it. Has that affected your feelings? Bravo: I think the show got markedly better this season, so I would be disappointed if it was canceled without the writers being able to craft a proper finale. Morris: I don't know enough about the behind-the-scenes drama, if there was any, that led to the cancellation. But I will say, I thought SJP's Instagram farewell to Carrie was lovely. Labi: I wonder if Parker started to feel limited by the character and maybe even tired of criticism of the show. Q: How do you think it will end? Bravo: I want Samantha or Che to suddenly show up. Labi: I would definitely shed some happy tears if Samantha came onscreen for the last episode. Morris: Carrie probably stays single at the end of this one, which will be kind of disappointing to me if it pans out that way. I liked her and Aiden as a couple! A final moment with the original four would melt hearts and break the internet. Irshad: Agreed, Carrie's probably going to stay single. I hope the finale is filled with all the nostalgia. Q: Final thoughts on its legacy? Morris: Something I kept thinking about while watching 'AJLT' was how the show depicted the characters spending time with each other while running errands and going about their regular routines. Normalize catching up with your friends while going mattress shopping! Bravo: Like 'The Golden Girls,' the show was at its best when it focused on the friendship between these women. I aspire to see my friends as often as Carrie. Irshad: It's cool to see the original show getting somewhat of a second life with Gen Z watching for the first time. It's definitely seeping into the social media mainstream with TikTok edits and Carrie's cringier moments being made into memes. I'm here for it! Labi: I love how so many shows that have come after 'Sex and the City' are in conversation with it, like HBO's 'Girls.' It seems its format and legacy will continue to be reinterpreted for a long time. Labi: I don't think I'm any of them! Maybe Carrie for the writerly aspect, and Lisa because I relate to feeling perpetually frazzled. Bravo: When I wrote my relationship column 'Connectivity' for the Chronicle Style section, people often compared me to Carrie. I started as a Carrie who tried to be as empowered as Samantha and have ended up a Carrie, with a very strong sense of Charlotte propriety. Irshad: I think that I'm some combination of Charlotte and Carrie, though that's tough to admit. Carrie's messy in a way you can't look away from, especially in those earlier seasons — and I, too, feel that way sometimes. Charlotte's loyalty and optimism also resonate, and I feel like she has stayed true to those values throughout. Morris: I used to think I was a Miranda. But as I've gotten older, and especially after watching 'AJLT,' I'd put myself somewhere between a Carrie and a Miranda. I relate to Miranda's ambition and directness, but I love the way Carrie loves her city. I think more people should romanticize San Francisco — or wherever your chosen home is — the way she romanticizes New York.
Express Tribune
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Still addicted to the City
As And Just Like That, the reboot of the 90s and early noughties show Sex and the City (SATC), will come to a close after its third season, according to an HBO announcement. One can't help but reminisce about how SATC hit us 20 years ago and shaped us through the following years. 1998 I first heard a casual mention of it from my boss at the time. The title triggered a curiosity and when I got the DVD and began watching, I was surprised a man was watching it. Later, her clarified, he had to succumb to watching it because his wife was hooked to it. Remember how Sarah Lee Parkinson as Carrie Bradshaw appeared on the screen in the opening credits? A pink tutu and a blue crop top with a white tank top underneath, on the busy streets of Manhattan, as she contemplates the swarms of people, sizes the traffic, a cab splashes through a rainwater puddle, startling Bradshow as she gets somewhat soaked. After that, eventually, some 94 episodes helped shape an entire generation's understanding of womanhood, friendship, fashion, and the messy art of falling (and failing) in love. What started as a half-hour cable series based on Candace Bushnell's columns in the New York Observer became a global phenomenon. Today, Sex and the City still lives on — not just through reruns, reboots, and memes, but in the conversations women love to have about love, identity, and walking boldly or aspiring to walk boldly in a pair of too-expensive heels. But why did this show take hold the way it did? Why does it still have a devoted following of women — and some men — who quote it, rewatch it? Why is it still relevant? The answer is simple and layered all at once: because it was honest, aspirational, glamorous, raw, flawed, funny, daring, and, above all, relatable. A mirror with lipstick smudges For many of us, Sex and the City wasn't just entertainment. It was a mirror — smudged with lipstick and possibly bated breath before interviews, proposals, dates, but a mirror nonetheless. The mirror reflected it all. The awkwardness of situations in life, the messiness of blunders we make, the trauma of breakups, the blissful beauty of close female friendships, and the never-ending battle between independence and intimacy. We met four characters who weren't perfect — and that's precisely why we loved them. We secretly chose our own character. Some of us were Carrie, some Samantha and some Miranda or Charlotte. We could also identify our friends in these oh-so-relatable characters. They were not good, nor bad, just four different women who were friends. Who said people who are friends have to be same? Each woman was a composite of contradictions, and we saw ourselves in them. Maybe we felt like Charlotte when her picture-perfect man turned out to be a disappointment. Or like Miranda, who couldn't quite believe that her underachieving boyfriend was a great guy. We winced in recognition when Carrie sabotaged something good for something unresolved, and we rooted for Samantha, who was unapologetically herself but quietly terrified of growing old alone. Even their humiliations felt like ours: doing a boo-boo in a relationship, calling someone too many times, stalking an ex's new girlfriend online before social media made it easy. These weren't just storylines. They were our stories — elevated and glamourised with better shoes and sharper one-liners. The Manhattan magic The show also made New York City feel like a living, breathing character — equal parts romantic backdrop and unforgiving playground, snowy nights, rainy nights, sunny days, windy days. If you were in your twenties or thirties during the late '90s and early 2000s, SATC probably made you want to pack a suitcase and run to Manhattan. The walk-ups, the cabs, the steam from the street grates — it all seemed magical, gritty, and full of promise and potential. Ever since, I have had the biggest wish to visit New York, walk the streets of Manhattan, where the SATC girls walked. Just like the four characters seem my own friends because I have lived almost a hundred episodes with them, sharing their ups and downs of life, I also felt I have a special connection with New York. The focus on fashion Of course, the fashion element attracted women audiences as much as the lives of the characters did. We dreamed of owning Blahniks. The visionary eye of costume designer Patricia Field, the show didn't just reflect style — it created it. Manolo Blahnik became a household name, as much as Fendi baguettes, giant flower pins, nameplate necklaces, tank tops and mismatched prints suddenly became statements. Field blended vintage with couture, accessible pieces with aspirational ones. Carrie's tutu in the opening credits may have been from a bargain bin but her shoes cost more than her rent. The contradiction was the point that connected with millions of women across the world. The beauty of it all was that you didn't have to own the clothes to feel included. Watching the show felt like flipping through a fashion magazine or a clothes catalogue, where someone like you — a woman trying to figure things out — was on every page. It made style feel personal. Women across the world recreated looks, searched thrift shops for knockoffs, and dreamed a little bigger about what their own wardrobes could say about who they were becoming. The show didn't just showcase established luxury houses like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel — it launched little-known designers into stardom. Everything Carrie touched turned to fashion gold. More importantly, the show helped dismantle the idea that style belonged only to the rich or the polished. It celebrated eccentricity, experimentation, and the idea that what you wear can be both armour and expression. The magic was in giving women the tiniest nudge that it is good to dress up and feel feminine and pretty and fashionable and stylish… and why not! Being a woman But it wasn't just about clothes and cocktails. At its core, it gave women permission to speak — openly, boldly, with nuance — about things that had often been shrouded in silence, and in no way feel embarrassed or ashamed about it. From desire to relationships to fertility struggles and cheating, the show unpacked the full spectrum of female growth. It introduced phrases that still live in our heads and have become a culture at large. 'He's just not that into you' became not just a mantra, but a bestselling book — and eventually a star-studded movie. Carrie's description of the 'za-za-zou' — that electric spark of a new connection — gave a name to something we'd all felt but never quite understood. The show became our reference book for love, and in doing so, it normalised things we once felt too embarrassed to say out loud. It also dared to ask whether having it all was even a real thing — or just another myth we were expected to chase. It wasn't afraid to show women making compromises, mistakes, getting it wrong, or messing up or redefining success on their own terms. In a world still trying to reconcile ambition with femininity, this was radical. Deeply personal For many of us, the show was deeply personal as it carried us through heartbreaks, career shifts, the giddiness of getting engaged, and the quiet reckoning that comes with realising marriage isn't all honeymoon. Carrie's writer's block became my own. Charlotte's idealism made me do eye-rolls, and then when I learnt her logic, it didn't. Miranda's sarcasm became my protective shield and (my favourite) Samantha's wildness reminded me to become/stay bold. My DVD player doesn't work anymore but I still have a treasured pile of SATC DVDs deep in my closet. Nevertheless, I have watched and rewatched the series several times. Because the truth is, SATC wasn't just about four women trying to find love. It was about four women trying to find themselves. And in watching them, we began to find ourselves, too. The cult or legacy Over two decades later, the impact of the show hasn't faded — it's just evolved. The reboot (And Just Like That…) may not carry the same magic for everyone, but it speaks to something essential: these characters, and what they represented, are still very much a part of us. The show shaped how we talk about womanhood, how we dress, how we love, how we fall apart and come back together. It showed us that our flaws could be fabulous, that our friendships could be sacred, and that even if we didn't always know what we were doing, we could still strut our way through life, maybe in Blahniks too! The show inspired many other series such as Girlfriends (2000), Entourage (2004), Grey's Anatomy (2005), Gossip Girl (2007), and Girls (2012), but none could muster a cult following like SATC The story of how four fictional women in Manhattan became real to millions, and this is why they're still with us, every time we question love, chase a dream, or walk a little taller in our best heels. SATC will always be relevant for it created a space for women, their feelings, successes, celebrations, mistakes, messes, sorrows, regrets, closet-bursting wardrobes and hair-raising opinions. Hence, women globally don't expect a man (creatures from outside that space) to understand their believe that the right pair of shoes really could change their life.
Elle
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Cynthia Nixon Confirms That Each ‘Sex And The City' Storyline Was Based On A True Story
If you've ever wondered why — nay, how — Sex and the City has retained its relevance in the 20 years between the pilot episode's premiere and today, you don't have to look far. Speaking to ELLE UK, Cynthia Nixon (who plays inimitable lawyer Miranda Hobbes), attributes the show's longstanding resonance with the fact that each and every one of its storylines are drawn from real-life events. Yes, every single one. 'Our writers have always based our plot lines on things that have actually happened to them or happened to someone that they directly know, so they can quiz them about it,' Nixon says. 'So these crazy, outrageous things, particularly back in the day [during Sex and the City], that happened to these characters were always rooted in truth, and an audience can smell that a mile away.' Sex and the City, which was based on Candace Bushnell's New York Observer column of the same name, premiered in 1998 and spawned six series, two feature films and a currently-airing lightning rod sequel, And Just Like That. The series has caused contestation among fans of the original series for tarnishing its lasting legacy. Miranda, in particular, was criticised for becoming out-of-touch in the 20 years since audiences last saw her. Nixon claims that she doesn't read reviews of the show, but the viewing figures speak for themselves: when And Just Like That debuted in December 2021, 1.1 million households were reported to have tuned in during the live-plus-three-day viewership window. For the third season's premiere on May 29, that number stood at just 429,000. As for potential seasons of And Just Like That (that have yet to be greenlit by HBO), Nixon is clear that as long as the series' creator Michael Patrick King will keep on writing Miranda's world, she'll be there. 'I'd love a season four and I'd love a season five,' she says. 'I love this world and it's so lovely to be a part of it. I mean, who gets to do this? To play a character for 30 years? It's really, really special.' And Just Like That... season three streams weekly on HBO/NOW TV. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Naomi May is a freelance writer and editor with an emphasis on popular culture, lifestyle and politics. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard as its Fashion and Beauty Writer, working across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Acting News Editor at ELLE UK and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sarah Jessica Parker Asked Her Agent To 'Get Me Out' Of ‘Sex & the City' After Pilot
Although she'll always be a Carrie, Sarah Jessica Parker almost turned down her iconic starring role in Sex and the City. The 6x Golden Globe winner recently explained why she originally asked her agent to 'get me out' of the HBO series after it was picked up following the filming of the pilot episode in June 1997. More from Deadline 'And Just Like That …' Season 3: Everything We Know So Far Kristin Davis Says 'Sex & The City' Cast Was 'Scared' To Go Nude On Show: 'Would We Be Shunned?' Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets HBO Max Premiere Date Although she had a 'lovely' time filming the first episode, Parker told her co-star Kristin Davis on her Are You a Charlotte? podcast, 'When the show was picked up, I panicked. I was like, I can't be on a TV show. I don't think I'm suited for that life.' 'It's very hard to explain. It also kind of depressed me,' added Parker. 'I think that it was the idea of doing the same thing over and over and over again. And I think I'd always been lucky that I got to be in a television series, and then it was over. I met great people, had a great experience, worked with great actors, great directors, thought the stories were interesting, wanted to do the shows, and they had shorter lives, maybe one or two seasons. And then I moved on.' Although she had previously appeared on other TV shows, Parker preferred smaller guest roles as a 'journeyman' actor who liked to be available for film and stage roles as well. 'You want to be moving,' she said. 'That to me was having it all.' Parker continued, 'The idea of a television series meant that I couldn't do all those things. And it just kind of felt like somebody was, you know, putting their hand over my mouth or something. It was very weird.' 'I talked to my agents and I said, 'Hey, can you get me out of this?'' recalled Parker, noting she offered to do multiple movies for the network instead, but her agent told her, 'Do it for a year, and if you don't want to do it anymore, we won't do it.' After meeting the show's famed costume designer Patricia Field, it 'went from being this oppressive idea to endless possibilities' for Parker. 'And I never looked back. And I was never not happy to be there. There was no place I would rather have been than on our set every single solitary day,' she said. Based on Candace Bushnell's New York Observer column, Sex and the City ran for six seasons on HBO from 1998 to 2004, followed by two theatrically-released feature films in 2008 and 2010, as well as the CW prequel series The Carrie Diaries (2013-'14). The sequel series And Just Like That… debuted on HBO Max in 2021, kicking off its third season on May 29. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Candace Bushnell at The Ambassador: A fun, girly night out for Sex and the City fans
Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City The Ambassador Theatre ★★★☆☆ If you saw an uncanny number of kitten-heeled Carrie Bradshaw-lookalikes hotfooting it up O'Connell Street on Tuesday evening, they were likely making their way to The Ambassador Theatre for Candace Bushnell's one-woman show. All that was missing from the scene was a Dublin Bus emblazoned with Bushnell's face, (as in the opening credits to Sex and the City, when Sarah Jessica Parker spies her larger-than-life image). For the uninitiated, the Sex and the City TV series was based on Busnhell's book of the same name, an anthology of some of her juiciest New York Observer columns about women in their 30s navigating sex, dating, friendships and 'trying to have it all' in New York City . The series caught the zeitgeist of the 1990s, with the leading characters' names becoming a shorthand for personality traits à la, 'She's a total Miranda by day but she can be a bit of a Samantha after a few drinks'. READ MORE So did Bushnell have three best friends just like Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda? She took to the stage in a red leather-look skater skirt with a matching red top and heels to answer this and other questions that fans of the series have been asking for years. And the answer: the three women feature an amalgamation of traits from Bushnell's wide circle of girlfriends. There are shades of confusion when Bushnell switches from addressing the crowd in her opening monologue to acting out a scene where she talks to friends on an old brick phone. It soon becomes clear that this is a choreographed performance rather than an off-the-cuff Q&A-style event. Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City at the Ambassador, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City at the Ambassador, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City at the Ambassador, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw There is some built-in crowd interaction though, when she switches to gameshow host mode for Real or Not Real? Did she date a senator like Bradshaw did in the series? Real! Did she also meet Matthew McConaughey in LA? Real! Did he say 'I really want to 'bleep' you, baby' to her like he does to Bradshaw in the series? Not real! With the crowd settled, using a screen of slides as a visual aid, Bushnell goes into her life story, from her 'mini fashionista' days growing up in Connecticut, when she began calling herself Candi with an 'I', to when she decided to move to the big city and become a writer with just $20 to her name. When she arrives in New York, she calls a much older Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who had told her he could look her up if she was in the city. He invites her to his luxurious apartment and she stays there for a chunk of time, working on short stories. However, shockingly, their relationship deteriorates, and she ends up sleeping on a wad of foam on the floor of a friend's apartment. In perhaps the most successful set-piece of the show, Bushnell acts out going to the Manolo Blahnik store to buy a pair of black leather boots on credit that a confidante had assured her would change her life. She then high tails it to the New York Observer offices and climbs countless town house steps with her cumbersome purchase to interview for a gossip columnist job. She's up against a man 'with a wife and kids to support' and loses out to him. Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City at the Ambassador, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Candace Bushnell: True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City at the Ambassador, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Her hopes for her 'big break' are crushed, until she gets a call from the editor offering her the chance to write her own column on single women in New York City. Worried about what her conservative parents would think of her visiting sex clubs and the like for column fodder, she creates an alter ego. And just like that ... Carrie Bradshaw was born. For the second part of the show, Bushnell dons a stunning lavender dress with feathery cuffs to talk about the thrill of seeing the Sex and the City TV series come to fruition. She goes on to describe what she did next, writing books such as Four Blondes, Lipstick Jungle and The Carrie Diaries, the last two of which also became successful TV series, although they didn't quite reach the heights of Sex and the City. She talks about her 10-year marriage to a ballet dancer that ended in divorce and concludes with the lesson: your girlfriends are the ones who are there for you no matter what. This generates a cheer from the crowd of friend groups, siblings and mums with their grown-up kids, for whom Sex and the City has been a major cultural touchstone. [ 20 years on: the complicated legacy of Sex and the City Opens in new window ] Although there was nothing revelatory in Bushnell's show, it was a fun, girlie night out. It was just a shame she didn't indulge the bubbly Dublin crowd with a Q&A section.
