Opening Day!

The most frequent question I got while out on tour was what I thought about the new Sex and the City movie.  I guess when you start your second book with the opening line, "Carrie Bradshaw is a fucking liar," people tend to think you have a problem with the SATC franchise. 

Untrue.

I worship Candace Bushnell.  I loved the book first and then the show, and I've adored Sarah Jessica Parker since her Square Pegs days. 

(However, I'm slightly less enamored with SJP now because I heard a true story about her being rude to someone I know and it makes me mad.) 

(Also, here's some advice if you ever plan on being rich/famous/in the tabloids - BE NICE TO THE GUY DRIVING YOU.  I learned over the past few weeks of getting rides to book events that limo drivers are the new Page Six and all it takes for them to spill the dirt is sliding into their backseat wearing a conservative sundress and pearls and asking, "So, which famous people are assholes?")

(And I swear I'm not making this up, but want to guess who's universally hated?  Yep, that's night.  Rachael Ray.  Like we didn't see that coming.  And Sean Penn is super nice - I actually didn't see that coming - but apparently you can't ask him not to smoke in the car.  It's like asking him not to breathe.)

Asides aside, my one regret is that I have an event tonight and I can't get together with girlfriends, swill a bunch of cocktails, and see the movie on opening day.  Here's the thing - I can love the writing and appreciate the acting and enjoy the styling even though the reality depicted in SATC is nothing like most of our own real lives in the city.  The movie is a fantasy.  But that's just fine.  I don't really want to see a movie about fighting with neighbors and shopping at Target.  Escapism suits me nicely.

However, since the show came out and whenever groups of girls gather together, the discussion inevitably becomes, "Which character are you?"  Everyone's all, "Oh!  I'm a Charlotte because I'm a good girl!" or "I'm an attorney so I am all about Miranda!" or "I'm a Carrie because I write!"  (No one ever says, "I'm a whore so I'm a Samantha," BTW.) 

This is the part that bothers me.  I hate seeing women trying to pigeonhole themselves into one of those roles. 

Because you know what? 

There are plenty of gals out there who have healthy self-esteem and solid relationships and they don't spend all their money on $400 Manolos and waste all their energy fixating on whether or not he's going to call.  Rather, they're of the mindset that, "Of course he'll call.  Why?  Because he knows he'll be fucking lucky to have me."

These women don't trawl the town every night.  Rather, they enjoy sitting at home alone or with their partner, watching reality TV in their pajamas and good jewelry, and drinking wine.

Not every woman who appreciates the show/movie is a Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, or Samantha.

Sometimes they're a Jen.

Comments

[Beth]

That was a wonderful post -- and so true!

[Shelli]

Now I am dying to know what SJP did!!

[AtlantaDebbie]

Okay, I'm a Samantha! I'm selective since I only do the deed with hubby, but I love sex and have my own business and make my own money. I plan to never NEED a man for anything, just WANT one for sex. Well, and of course to open the pickle jar. And reach things up high.

[Lys]

Perfectly said, Jen. Perfectly said.

[Erin]

I won't be seeing the movie for another weekish because that's when my birthday is and its either SATC or that Adam Sandler Zohan thing and, I like him and all, but Adam Sandler is just not turning 30 birthday material, where as from what I can tell from the previews, SATC is a little bit appropriate. As for identifying with the SATC girls, I guess it's safer to do that than to sit around with your friends and say "I am soooooooo Julie in accounting" (or whoever) because that? would make me slide my chair a little bit away from whoever said it so that other people didn't think we were talking to each other.

[Nicky]

I used to work in the cable industry (glamorous, I know!) it was widely held belief (even pre-Oprah) that Ms. Ray was a rancid bitch. She reduced some of the toughest ball-busters I know (and I mean that in a nice way) to tears. She may not be connected to the Taliban (um, Dunkin' Donuts, really?), but RR is a terrorist in her own way.

[Kari]

Amen to that! And I am simply a Kari (not SATC Carrie!)

[LJ]

Yes yes! Being a "Jen" is an okay way to be in this city, for sure.

I get annoyed with people saying that SATC gives people a skewed perception of the city, making young ladies think they can live in massive places in the city on their initially microscopic salaries. I think that the people need to own up to their own lack of grasp on reality if they think that. Hello - anyone remember the monstrous dorm room Keri Russell had on Felicity? Equally unrealistic.

I have a fabulous time in Manhattan, and manage somehow to decorate my toes with coverings other than Manolo's. *Gasp*

Curious to see the movie.

[Dangerous K]

Hear hear!

[Susan]

Oh shit....I am multitasking (and not very well this morning) and wrote such a pretty ass instead of such a pretty fat....the book is sitting right here....I guess if it's a pretty fat....its a pretty ass!!

Sorry bout that.
Susan

[Julie]

AMEN!

Although... I wouldn't mind an unlimited shoe collection...

[Kaycee]

I'd rather be a Jen than any of the characters on SATC. And I mean that in the most complimentary way, and not in a crazy stalkerish way.

[Susan]

Hey Jen,

I always thought that we were all a combination of the four women - sometimes we are naughty and sometimes we are nice, sometimes we are analytical (Miranda) and sometimes we are creative (Carrie)...or something like that.

I look forward to seeing the movie in a week or so - heard good reviews from NYC last night.

Also - enjoying Such a Pretty Ass - almost finished and finding that you are quite inspirational when it comes to the workout...and yes, diets are a bitch!!

Susan

[Becca]

I had a friend who always claimed she was Samantha. Why? Because she boasted about how many men she slept with...which happened to be in close comparison to the skanky SATC character. Funny, because my friend is in PR too. Must be a PR thing - good thing I'm in advertising then. =)

[Janie]

There....someone said it!

hahahahaha

Love you Jen!

[sizzle]

Well said!

[Janie]

OK, I'm a whore, so I'm a Samantha!

[kalisah]

I love that you started out your book w/ that line. I actually did a whole post on the SAME TOPIC!!

[Colleen]

I never thought about it before, but Sex in the city is our generation’s Golden Girls. If I had to pick - I would be Rose!

[AJ]

I also went to see it last night-- I am way to fucking old now (I guess) to sit in a theater full of trashed 20 year olds and trashed gay men at 12:01 to see SATC. I kept asking "Is it too loud?" and "my ass hurts" and "when were these kids BORN? 1992?" and "Could they even have been alive when the original series came out on HBO?" -- anyway- I thought the movie was good and it wrapped up the series nicely.

Also we did a count of over 25 year olds other than ourselves as we walked out of River North 21 and I counted 4. And 2 of them were husbands drug there by their wives.

BTW- loved SAPF -- still laughing at the barbie heads!!!

[Danielle]

I think you hit the nail on the head on that one, although I'd find a movie about shopping at Target, spying on neighbors, and cleaning up dog shit vaguely entertaining in the right state of mind. But I digress...

I never really related to SATC and the characters but I actually saw a little of myself in each character, even Samantha (come on we all have a little whore in us at times). Sadly I won't be seeing it until next weekend with some girlfriends since I'm going out of town with my husband this weekend and he'd rather eat some of the cat's dinner then see the SATC movie.

[Sheenah]

I too love the book and the show. I'm super excited for the movie as well. I am just sure that I am not any one of those characters and get annoyed when friends like to place you in a role. You just said it much more elequantly.

[Andria]

I'm a Jen. You had me at your love of Target. :)

[Chrystal]

I definitely concur regarding the level of everyday reality in SATC. We all know puddin' could never afford all the designer clothes and shoes that she buys on a weekly columnist's salary, even if she does happen to live in a rent-controlled apartment. My friends are not women who pull in six figures and are not big city socialites. We live in Austin and wear flip flops and tank tops from Old Navy. My love for the series doesn't necessarily come from that - that stuff is just the sparkly frosting on top. Being a long-term single girl, (I'm nearly 32 and my longest relationship lasted 10 months, hmmm, picky or bitchy?) I found I related to the general sentiments of the four ladies. Striving to retain a strong sense of self and independence AND hopefully find a wonderful fella who'll put up with me on my high horse. (and maybe knock me off it occasionally.) Anyhoo, saw the flick and fans will be pleased.

[Sarah]

I actually went to see the movie last night at midnight (yes, pathetic). It was wonderful. I want to go back again and again. One thing I liked about the movie was that it somewhat revolves around exactly what you are saying in this post. It is sort of a parody on the young NYC girls - the ones the SATC girls USED to be. It is really interesting to see in the movie how they have developed the characters to out-grow the hyped up NYC scene, but remain true to themselves. Props on the analysis without even seeing it! You should write for SATC the seuqel!

[Michelle]

I'm totally a jen no questions asked!

[randi]

I can't be bothered to go to the opening weekend, because I really don't want to be in a crowd of die-hard fans trying to imitate their favorite characters. I find it annoying. I alternately loved the show and found it irritating -- no one ever fought with their mothers, sibling, took a bus or a subway, had any responsibilities (except when Miranda had the baby). Great entertainment with an insight into the female human condition once in a while. But I'll take it, since I truly doubt anyone wants to watch my life of cleaning cat puke and getting my whites whiter. I'm not even a good desperate housewife!

[Twenty Four At Heart]

I'm Samantha and I'm a whore.
Just kidding, but weren't you just dying for someone to own up? Ha ha! BTW, I was just kidding yesterday with my comment but a bunch of your readers came over to my site and some of them left the funniest, nicest comments. You have a nice group of readers. And I really wasn't leaving that comment to push my site, but I am glad they came to visit. Nice people!

[Emily]

Sing it girl. Except now I feel a little guilty and ashamed of playing the "which one are you" game over a GIGUNDO bottle of pino on the livingroom floor in our PJs... PS, out of my group of four there were 2 Samanthas... not sure what that says about us.

[Andrea]

We're in Indy, attending your event tonight and then going to see the SATC movie. You're welcome to come with - I promise we're not psycho (well, not in a criminal kind-of-way).

[joan]

My friend is actually hosting a cosmo party before the movie tonight and when asked which character I felt I was most like, I said Anthony. You're absolutely right, people try to pigeon hole themselves into one of the characters and I think most people might be a blend of some of the traits. Personally, I picked Anthony because he makes me laugh.

[Joanne]

I agree. Loved the show. Never thought of myself or any friends as like any of the girls. I wish i was more of a Jen. Now thats a gal i want to be like!

[Christine]

Hallelulah, sistah!

That has been what has chapped my ass about that series from day one. No depth perception. Just surface tension. I would rather eat my hair than go to the opening day of that movie- mainly because I can't be bothered to put on pants after I get home from work and get my jammies on. But that's another issue entirely. Maybe if it starred Robert Downey Jr...Rrooowwwllll.....

[Paige]

Great post. I was talking with a coworker how I never related with any of the characters, but still enjoy the show. Seriously, who actually wears a tutu in every day life? Wouldn't it cause major wedgies after a while?

[Jen in MN]

As a fellow Jen and adorer of SATC, all I can say is WORD!