I remember the first episode I ever watched of Sex and the City. My best friend from high school (later maid of honor at my wedding) and I watched season four, episode two, titled “The Real Me” one night prior to an early dance practice to which we both had to report. This episode has so many good cameos and guests: Heidi Klum, Ed Koch, Kevin Aucoin, Alan Cumming (who I then mistook from Paul Reuben’s alter ego, Peewee Herman), Tony Hale, and one of my favorite comediennes, Margaret-FREAKING-Cho. This is also the episode in which Stanford and Anthony were fixed up. The writers were playing the long game with that match.
Clearly, I vividly remember this episode and I was always certain that many other gals (and guys!) had comparable memories about their introductions to the series. Upon reading the experiences of the author of Sex and the City and Us, particularly how she recognized certain things about the series that she wanted to experience firsthand, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong is a gal with whom I identified.
I initially became aware of her book Sex and the City and Us via The Bradshaw Boys podcast. Despite the trio’s obsession with the one-and-done character, Capote Duncan, and his supposed swipe of Carrie’s v-card (when we all know it was Seth Bateman on the ping pong table in a smelly rec room after half a joint), they are hilarious and I wholeheartedly recommend giving their podcast a listen. Last month, the Boys had a SATC trivia drawing for Ms. Armstrong’s book. While I think I was blacked out at the time as I cannot recall the question, I was later notified that I won a signed copy of the book.
The book was fantastic. Easily digestible, yet not simple. I especially enjoyed reading about the origins of the Candace Bushnell’s column. I very much romanticize about 1990s New York City and her New York Observer columns are excellent primary source material, as was the recounting of her experiences in the book.
I marked up the book and turned down page corners, but how about instead of reviewing my comments on the blog, you just go buy the book and read it yourself? I know I will definitely re-read this book and I recommend everyone else – guy or gal – read this book as well.
Sex and the City and Us by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
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