Taboo-smashing storylines, 10.6million fans and A LOT of orgasms: How Sex and the City helped liberate women – and why it’s still relevant 20 years on
Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte burst onto our TV screens on June 6, 1998. Here, super fan Samantha Brick reveals how the show smashed taboos and helped validate working class girls made good...
SEX and the City empowered women more than traditional feminists ever could.
Carrie Bradshaw and her horny, kick-ass sidekicks made it okay for women to have sex with whoever they fancied, when they fancied it.
There was zero judgement, zero slut-shaming.
This is why, two decades after it first aired, the cult sitcom and its sassy, much-loved characters remain as popular and relevant as ever.
I was 27 when SATC first aired - vibrators, penis sizes and outrageous sexual escapades galore – and, by God, Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte validated us working class girls made good.
Finally it was okay to work hard – and then play even harder.
It was fine for us to clock a guy in a bar and take him home.
Selfish sex was a given ensuring we got to orgasm before he did.
We'd refuse to let him stay the night either - politely telling him not to slam the door on his way home.
FEMALE EMPOWERMENT
In my thirties I oversaw a reality version of the show. I spent months in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Chicago making the series "The Real Sex and the City".
It aired in 2002 on ITV2, and was a candid look at the US dating scene.
My ball-breaking bestie and me would often meet at the Soho House club in New York. The posho private members bar also featured in the series.
We reached peak SATC one night when my girlfriend strutted in announcing, "I'm wearing the same dress as Samantha!" She already was the walking talking sex-loving incarnation of the character played to perfection by Kim Cattrall - and I loved her for it.
Thanks to the show I've been to trash or treasure parties where girls bring their exes along to trade up.
ZERO JUDGEMENT, ZERO SLUT-SHAMING
I’ve down dated like Charlotte, pulling one of the fitter crew hands on a yacht instead of the portly billionaire owner.
Yet the happiest times of my twenties and thirties have been - just like the characters in the series – out with the girls chewing the fat over sex, love and men.
SATC: A Global Revolution
Sex and the City burst onto our TV screens 20 years ago today.
At the time it was seen as revolutionary - four gorgeous women openly discussing their love, relationships and sex lives. Cue a lot of NSFW orgasm scenes.
Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha became as real as our own mates. We followed their countless dates, weddings and pregnacies, over six series, with much enthusiasm.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall became global icons.
The grand finale, which saw Carrie turn down a life in Paris to reunite with Mr Big, drew in an estimated 10.6million people.
A lot has changed since the show, based on the book by Candace Bushell, first aired, but there's no denying the cultural impact it had.
That such important discussions happened with a delish Cosmopolitan cocktail in our hands was so much the better.
It was the era of trendy eateries and London’s spendy bars – the Met bar, the Atlantic. The harder it was to get in, the more we wanted to go there.
Tottering down the stairs and leaving when dawn was breaking was a perfect night out.
Shopping didn't meant schlepping round Tesco looking for meals for one either.
The highlight for me was taking one of my sisters to Harvey Nichols on a birthday spree.
A sales assistant clocked what we were about to try on.
She reached for some keys and a private changing room was opened where two flutes were topped up with champagne.
WORKING CLASS GIRLS MADE GOOD
Nowadays I’d weep at the thought of splashing out on a three-figure handbag or a pair of shoes with spikey heels that were destined to only ever point towards the ceiling.
One girlfriend of mine did indeed possess several pairs of bedroom stilettos that were too high to actually walk in.
She justified the investment, explaining, “they are perfect for f**king in.” Oh how we applauded her!
8 Relationship Lessons We Learned From SATC
- Looks aren't everything
Charlotte ended up with the bald but big-hearted Harry - Know what you need
Samantha would famously only date well-endowed blokes - Sometimes, he's just not that into you
Miranda wasn't afraid to dish out some hard-hitting advice to her unlucky in love pals - Know your worth
Charlotte told Carrie: "I'm pretty, I'm smart, I'm a catch". Amen sister - Your heart will get broken
Carrie and Mr Big were on, then off, then on, then off - you get the gist - You need to forgive and forget
Miranda broke it off with Steve, turned down his marriage proposal and then they got back together. Aww - Girls before guys
Relationships come and go, but true friendship is forever - Happy ever afters do exist
But only if you want them...
Sex and the City heralded the era when every girl worth her salt had a GBF: gay best friend. I adored mine! Just like Carrie and Stanford, there was only ever one reply to the, “are we going out gay or straight this evening?”
Gay men love clothes, appreciate posh handbags and don’t roll their eyes if you order a salad because of this week’s diet.
They’ll even add a meaningful contribution to the "width versus length" debate too.
I had two Mr Bigs. One in my twenties and one in my thirties. You don’t expect a happy ever after and you know they’ll break your heart.
But the hours spent obsessing over them with the girls is half of the attraction.
Sex and the City introduced four very different women. They were professionally perfect in their chosen field.
How brilliant for them – and us fans - that they weren't inferior in their careers either. They had their own cash and – newsflash – they loved having sex.
I’m gutted that my nieces won’t get to enjoy this kind of decadent and guilt-free single lifestyle.
FEARLESS, FUN-LOVING FEMALES
The dominance of social media means I wouldn't have behaved like this if there was the risk of my antics being shared online.
Women everywhere recognised themselves in each character.
Sex and the City celebrated the fact that when it came to sex, dating and love us women were finally equal to the guys. Amen to that.
Carrie Vs Samantha: The Real-Life Feud
You would have to be living under a rock not to realise that Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker just don't get along.
The SATC actresses have been butting heads for years with rumours that Kim was isolated by the other cast members, with SJP as the ring leader.
Recently, news that the SATC 3 movie had been shelved disappointed fans with many people blaming Kim for not wanting to take part.
The feud came to a head in February when Kim's brother suddenly passed away and SJP shared her condolences on Twitter.
In response Kim posted a message to her Instagram, saying: “I don’t need your love or support at this tragic time @sarahjessicaparker."
She added the comment: "My Mom asked me today “When will that @sarahjessicaparker, that hypocrite, leave you alone?
“Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven’t already) You are not my family.
“You are not my friend. So I’m writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your ‘nice girl’ persona.” Ouch.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Meanwhile, Cynthia Nixon has quit acting to run for Governor of New York.
And, these are the stars that almost played your favourite Sex And The City characters.
Finally, Kim Cattrall has hinted that her much-loved character of Samantha should be be killed off
