TV Review: Sex & the City

In preparation for the impending release of the money-spinning sequel to Sex and the City: The Movie, it seems an appropriate time to cast an eye over the series that spawned it. While firmly rooted in the sitcom genre, Sex and the City often delves into issues that aren’t representative of traditional comedy fodder. This is commendable, but the overriding problem with the show isn’t its subject matter, it is its appalling representation of modern day career women. I find the championing of SATC by Western feminists quite perverse; endless loveless sex, rowdy behavior and ambition that never really extends beyond the acquisition of the latest pair of Manolo Blahniks has influenced an entire generation of women; women who believe that the foursome in SATC actually represent liberalization for the female gender.

However, in an effort to not be known as a total buzzkill, it is worth noting what Sex and the City has going for it. Firstly, the four characters are carefully drawn and the reason for their success is that any girl can see certain traits in friends they have or people they know. Indeed, being able to relate to the characters is probably the primary concern for many viewers. Secondly, some of the more sexual complications make for very good comedy and the explicit nature of the dialogue helps to draw these issues to the viewer’s attention. Thirdly, there is a real poignant sense throughout the series that none of the foursome is really truly happy; this makes them more realistic and somewhat flawed and misguided by their own rampant materialism.

What is truly disturbing is that young women grow up now believing that the example shown to them in SATC is the way of the world and the normal way to act. A girl who spreads her legs with a different man every week is no shining light for gender equality. Sure, fans of SATC will argue that it is different because the woman holds all the power, but it isn’t; if the man gets sex when he wants it then he wins. The shunning and belittling of traditional values in favor of sexual promiscuity and consumerism hardly amounts to liberalization and progression for the female gender.

Despite the unhealthy empowerment derived by consumerism that unites the quartet of characters, their interaction is the principal reason for their popularity with viewers. There is a sense of chemistry and personality about each of them, no matter how contrived their individual traits may be. As entertainment not taken too seriously, Sex & the City certainly has its fanbase out there. But as satire and social commentary, much like the shallow designer-obsessed stars of the show, there isn’t much beneath the surface.