I LOVE hate watching with a group! Nothing used to make me happier than watching The Real World or Sorority Life (circa 2002) and then immediately going to Television Without Pity (previously known as Mighty Big TV) and seeing people who thought the exact same as me! I felt SO validated.
I remember once a participant was asked on MTV.com (back when they had their own blogs and message boards) if he read the TWoP recaps, and he said snidely, 'no. What's the point of watching a show just to make fun of it?' Um, because it's AWESOME? (He just didn't like it because his whole cast -Fraternity Life- was roasted on a weekly and hilarious basis).
I never got into the original SATC- I was 13 or 14 when it premiered and we didn't have cable, although I actually did like the first movie. Never liked Carrie though. I only saw one episode during the original run, and it's the one where Carrie finds out Mr. Big is either married or engaged to a much younger woman. Without even meeting this woman, Carrie comforts herself by assuming -with no basis- that Mr. Big prefers this new woman because she's uncomplicated and Carrie is like, too much woman for him, and her stupid friends all validate this theory, rather than point out that Carrie is massively irritating even in small doses, and that could very well have contributed.
B-side!! He also did The Hills, and he had "this isn't the Teen Vogue way of doing this" on quote at least once recap. I've read a few of his Real Housewives recaps and they are just as funny. I liked Bside's recaps, but I still preferred TWOP for the forums. They had two strict rules though- no posting before the show was over, and you were supposed to read all posts before posting your own thoughts. I remember after one especially infuriating RW Las Vegas episode *sprinting* to the computer to post my disgust with a character before everyone else did and I had to read 20+ pages just to contribute.
I… don’t hate it. And I know I should be embarrassed about that because of all the reasons you listed here. I think I came to this iteration of the show with zero expectations— I just needed semi-familiar characters that are aging women. I love the feeling of being in New York. I love the wild outfits. I love the restaurants and cocktails — everything that should be background is giving me all that I need.
Also— Aiden is absolutely a shell of the man he used to be and Miranda is INSUFFERABLE.
Same! I agree with every word you’ve written on this topic. Aidan is soooo gross!!! Carrie ..spot on. Miranda ..spot on..charlotte spot on. Not smart, not witty but yet…will still watch! ❤️🙏🥳
Hate watching would be a bump for me. Sadly, I'm just passively watching out of a sense of duty for the girls I love. Michael Patrick King and I have beef.
Let's also talk about Carrie's HORRIBLE attempts at "fiction." My god. This last episode, when the esteemed (and very cute) biographer praised her first line, I was yelling at the TV, "he's saying this because he wants to sleep with you!"
Also, what a waste of LITERAL BROADWAY LEGEND Chris Jackson. He's George Washington, and you're giving him THOSE storylines? I hope he is getting a nice paycheck.
Would watch a Bitsy Von Muffling bottle episode, tho. (I saw Julie Halston in a stage show several years ago, and she reminds me of my favorite, now retired, boss. I just adore her.)
I've also been rewatching Sex and the City, and while certain moments (and whole episodes) are very cringey and dated...it's just SUCH A BETTER SHOW. I miss Samantha so much, though I don't blame Kim Cattrall for giving AJLT a hard pass.
I think I hate watch it because the original holds such a spot in my life. It was when I had my first solo apartment, dated a bunch, etc.... so while I wasn't buying fancy clothes or drinking fancy cocktails, I sort of felt like I had a connection. I also loved Charlotte. She was unapologetically looking for her guy and "dating since I was 15. I'm exhausted. Where is he already?" ready for the next thing. Also, I just loved her clothes.
Now? I barely recognize her. Even her outfits are too much. And yet I keep watching hoping I'll see glimpses of the show I deeply loved.
There is nothing that turns me off a show more than when the character's path mirrors that of the actor playing them (looking at your Miranda/Cynthia Nixon). I was out solely based on that.
I actually liked episode 7, although I wish Miranda would get it together a bit. I miss her sarcasm and wit! And I like Duncan---I hope Carrie gets together with him b/c Aiden is the worst!
It’s so bad. So so bad. I had to reassure my 78 year old mother that we 50 somethings don’t behave this way: as if we have learned nothing from the dumpster fires of our 20s and 30s. This show is utter nonsense. I think “Carrie is an asshole” sums it up, Ms. Bosnak.
I haven’t seen the latest episode, but I will watch because I’m still worried about the ultimate well-being of her cat, who has been subjected to open doors, rat poison, and general neglect due to Carrie’s forays to Appalachia Baby Boy and to horny (Miranda) house-sitters.
This cluster needs to wrap it up. I’m over the nostalgia and ready to say goodbye to these hot messes.
The reason we hate watch has to be the nostalgia. I was in my 20's when the series came out and I had girlfriends that I could call a Miranda, Carrie, Charlotte or Samantha. I once said I was a Carrie/Samantha combo and my dad said, WHATTTT??? I didn't know he had watched any but hey...I liked her fearless attitude and had that myself back then. I miss those days of mine and from the show, I still watch the series over and over, it takes me back to the old days.
While I love the fashion, it's not as relatable for me now, I can't afford what they are wearing and some are just over the top, like you said about Charlottes clothes. I have never been a person that can wear an outfit one time only. Carrie needs a new guy, period. I loved Big, I wasn't an Aiden fan as they just didn't fit. Opposites may attract but Carrie in a cabin wasn't "her". After watching last week, I want Aiden gone. And without spoilers, I didn't like that she was ok with his actions because he wasn't the same for her long ago. Find her a new guy, let her have a new happily ever after. Miranda's life choices all around are not following her character, Char needs to just chill out and let her kids make mistakes, I do love Harry, he keeps the humor going. I truly don't care about the other 2 ladies stories, they are fine but I'd rather the focus be on the main characters. I'll be spending tonight yelling at the latest episode, every week I'm talking to the TV about something they are doing. I think my hate watch is probably 90 day fiance....I just can't look away!
I hate watch it every week and I think I'll even be sorry when it's over.
But I really really wish it was good. I think there's an element of nostalgia here for the Before Times. I had no idea how great the 90's were when I was in them. I think I keep hoping that Miranda, in particular, will return to her normal self. But it's not looking good. Love her girlfriend, though.
I have the same conversation with myself weekly. The clothes in SITC were reason alone to tune in. Knowing the SJP got to keep the clothes was mind blowing. Now, the only reason to tune in is the real estate. The cool apartments are the new Manolos.
AMEN to all of that! The writers are trying wayyyy too hard to be hip & current. They have even managed to ruin Anthony, who I dearly loved. Miranda is just cringe. My favorite part of Carrie in the old days was her writing her column & incorporating recent life experiences.
They have made Charlotte SO one-dimensional. I wanted to like Seema & Lisa, but borrrring...
Aidan is bugging the crap out of me with his slavish behavior towards this troubled ( obnoxious) son.
I laughed out loud at your captions under the photos!
I think Carrie's hair looks awful. SJP has way too thin & angular of a face to pull off the slicked back/middle part. It makes her look witchy. Charlotte's hair IS still gorgeous.
Anthony was SUCH a delight in the original (my mom, sister and I still yell HATES IT! and say "Bed, Bath and FRICKIN' Beyond!"). And now he's just...weird.
I actually like the show! I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. lol.
And let’s admire Charlotte’s hair too—it is beautiful.
Oh and the dad dying twice? I believe that The first death was her stepfather and this was her biodad.
Charlotte's hair is good. I'll give you that!
I LOVE hate watching with a group! Nothing used to make me happier than watching The Real World or Sorority Life (circa 2002) and then immediately going to Television Without Pity (previously known as Mighty Big TV) and seeing people who thought the exact same as me! I felt SO validated.
I remember once a participant was asked on MTV.com (back when they had their own blogs and message boards) if he read the TWoP recaps, and he said snidely, 'no. What's the point of watching a show just to make fun of it?' Um, because it's AWESOME? (He just didn't like it because his whole cast -Fraternity Life- was roasted on a weekly and hilarious basis).
I never got into the original SATC- I was 13 or 14 when it premiered and we didn't have cable, although I actually did like the first movie. Never liked Carrie though. I only saw one episode during the original run, and it's the one where Carrie finds out Mr. Big is either married or engaged to a much younger woman. Without even meeting this woman, Carrie comforts herself by assuming -with no basis- that Mr. Big prefers this new woman because she's uncomplicated and Carrie is like, too much woman for him, and her stupid friends all validate this theory, rather than point out that Carrie is massively irritating even in small doses, and that could very well have contributed.
TWOP was the absolute best!
It was! Their podcast Again With This recapping BH 90210 gave me life during Covid!
For me, it was Laguna Beach and TVgasm recaps! So fun!
B-side!! He also did The Hills, and he had "this isn't the Teen Vogue way of doing this" on quote at least once recap. I've read a few of his Real Housewives recaps and they are just as funny. I liked Bside's recaps, but I still preferred TWOP for the forums. They had two strict rules though- no posting before the show was over, and you were supposed to read all posts before posting your own thoughts. I remember after one especially infuriating RW Las Vegas episode *sprinting* to the computer to post my disgust with a character before everyone else did and I had to read 20+ pages just to contribute.
I… don’t hate it. And I know I should be embarrassed about that because of all the reasons you listed here. I think I came to this iteration of the show with zero expectations— I just needed semi-familiar characters that are aging women. I love the feeling of being in New York. I love the wild outfits. I love the restaurants and cocktails — everything that should be background is giving me all that I need.
Also— Aiden is absolutely a shell of the man he used to be and Miranda is INSUFFERABLE.
She's the worst!!!
Same! I agree with every word you’ve written on this topic. Aidan is soooo gross!!! Carrie ..spot on. Miranda ..spot on..charlotte spot on. Not smart, not witty but yet…will still watch! ❤️🙏🥳
Hate watching would be a bump for me. Sadly, I'm just passively watching out of a sense of duty for the girls I love. Michael Patrick King and I have beef.
Let's also talk about Carrie's HORRIBLE attempts at "fiction." My god. This last episode, when the esteemed (and very cute) biographer praised her first line, I was yelling at the TV, "he's saying this because he wants to sleep with you!"
Also, what a waste of LITERAL BROADWAY LEGEND Chris Jackson. He's George Washington, and you're giving him THOSE storylines? I hope he is getting a nice paycheck.
Would watch a Bitsy Von Muffling bottle episode, tho. (I saw Julie Halston in a stage show several years ago, and she reminds me of my favorite, now retired, boss. I just adore her.)
I've also been rewatching Sex and the City, and while certain moments (and whole episodes) are very cringey and dated...it's just SUCH A BETTER SHOW. I miss Samantha so much, though I don't blame Kim Cattrall for giving AJLT a hard pass.
Love Bitsy!
Oh my stars why with her beyond boring attempt at fiction. So dumb
Oh, BTW...the documentary on making the first season was way more interesting than the show. Especially from the costuming Carrie angle.
I didn’t watch! I’ll look for it!
Vogue actually wrote an article about it. It really was interesting. https://www.vogue.com/article/and-just-like-that-documentary
Agreed-it's good. I used to be a costumer so I loved it! Still love most of Carrie's clothes!
Oh how cool! I loved her clothes too ( well,most of them) I was a theater major, so also love the behind-the-scenes stuff.
I think I hate watch it because the original holds such a spot in my life. It was when I had my first solo apartment, dated a bunch, etc.... so while I wasn't buying fancy clothes or drinking fancy cocktails, I sort of felt like I had a connection. I also loved Charlotte. She was unapologetically looking for her guy and "dating since I was 15. I'm exhausted. Where is he already?" ready for the next thing. Also, I just loved her clothes.
Now? I barely recognize her. Even her outfits are too much. And yet I keep watching hoping I'll see glimpses of the show I deeply loved.
There is nothing that turns me off a show more than when the character's path mirrors that of the actor playing them (looking at your Miranda/Cynthia Nixon). I was out solely based on that.
I actually liked episode 7, although I wish Miranda would get it together a bit. I miss her sarcasm and wit! And I like Duncan---I hope Carrie gets together with him b/c Aiden is the worst!
It’s so bad. So so bad. I had to reassure my 78 year old mother that we 50 somethings don’t behave this way: as if we have learned nothing from the dumpster fires of our 20s and 30s. This show is utter nonsense. I think “Carrie is an asshole” sums it up, Ms. Bosnak.
I haven’t seen the latest episode, but I will watch because I’m still worried about the ultimate well-being of her cat, who has been subjected to open doors, rat poison, and general neglect due to Carrie’s forays to Appalachia Baby Boy and to horny (Miranda) house-sitters.
This cluster needs to wrap it up. I’m over the nostalgia and ready to say goodbye to these hot messes.
Loved the podcast this week!
I am so worried about the cat too!!!
The reason we hate watch has to be the nostalgia. I was in my 20's when the series came out and I had girlfriends that I could call a Miranda, Carrie, Charlotte or Samantha. I once said I was a Carrie/Samantha combo and my dad said, WHATTTT??? I didn't know he had watched any but hey...I liked her fearless attitude and had that myself back then. I miss those days of mine and from the show, I still watch the series over and over, it takes me back to the old days.
While I love the fashion, it's not as relatable for me now, I can't afford what they are wearing and some are just over the top, like you said about Charlottes clothes. I have never been a person that can wear an outfit one time only. Carrie needs a new guy, period. I loved Big, I wasn't an Aiden fan as they just didn't fit. Opposites may attract but Carrie in a cabin wasn't "her". After watching last week, I want Aiden gone. And without spoilers, I didn't like that she was ok with his actions because he wasn't the same for her long ago. Find her a new guy, let her have a new happily ever after. Miranda's life choices all around are not following her character, Char needs to just chill out and let her kids make mistakes, I do love Harry, he keeps the humor going. I truly don't care about the other 2 ladies stories, they are fine but I'd rather the focus be on the main characters. I'll be spending tonight yelling at the latest episode, every week I'm talking to the TV about something they are doing. I think my hate watch is probably 90 day fiance....I just can't look away!
I hate watch it every week and I think I'll even be sorry when it's over.
But I really really wish it was good. I think there's an element of nostalgia here for the Before Times. I had no idea how great the 90's were when I was in them. I think I keep hoping that Miranda, in particular, will return to her normal self. But it's not looking good. Love her girlfriend, though.
I have the same conversation with myself weekly. The clothes in SITC were reason alone to tune in. Knowing the SJP got to keep the clothes was mind blowing. Now, the only reason to tune in is the real estate. The cool apartments are the new Manolos.
AMEN to all of that! The writers are trying wayyyy too hard to be hip & current. They have even managed to ruin Anthony, who I dearly loved. Miranda is just cringe. My favorite part of Carrie in the old days was her writing her column & incorporating recent life experiences.
They have made Charlotte SO one-dimensional. I wanted to like Seema & Lisa, but borrrring...
Aidan is bugging the crap out of me with his slavish behavior towards this troubled ( obnoxious) son.
I laughed out loud at your captions under the photos!
I think Carrie's hair looks awful. SJP has way too thin & angular of a face to pull off the slicked back/middle part. It makes her look witchy. Charlotte's hair IS still gorgeous.
Bottom line, I am hate-watching it with you.
So agree on Anthony! So cringe. And I love the color of Carrie’s hair! I’m a big fan of the highlights.
Yeah, the color is cute, I agree. And when it is down & wavy, it looks great. Just not the slicked back look
Anthony was SUCH a delight in the original (my mom, sister and I still yell HATES IT! and say "Bed, Bath and FRICKIN' Beyond!"). And now he's just...weird.
OMG, we still yell " hates it!" Too! The funniest
SAME! Loved him!!!
Today I learned this show is still going. Now I sorta feel the need to catch up.
Ha! And happy belated birthday!