Just about everyone has something to say about the now infamous Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, and it’s just so very complicated.
The 10-episode comedy-drama was developed by SATC veteran Michael Patrick King for HBO Max. It’s set 11 years after the events of Sex and the City 2 and stars Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes), Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt), and newcomers Sara Ramirez (Che Diaz), Sarita Choudhury (Seema Patel), Nicole Ari Parker (Lisa Todd Wexley) and Karen Pittman (Dr. Nya Wallace).
Uproar sparked immediately when Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones) opted out of joining the reboot and doubts about the show’s quality began to pour in. In time, many people were happy that the show never had the chance to sully the iconic character.
Following the season 1 finale, people are voicing their disgust over And Just Like That, describing it as “wrong.” Yet, the anthem for audience reactions for this show should probably be Luther Ingram’s hit song “(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right,” because people are ultimately loving to hate this show. That’s right, in case anyone thought hate-watching wasn’t a thing—it is.
Audiences love to hate-watch And Just Like That
The hate-watching for this reboot has ignited so much discourse, debate and discussion that And Just Like That is becoming its own cultural phenomenon. It’s probably more ideal for show creators that fandoms bond over a joint love for a series, but as many know, sometimes collective despise is stronger than collective adoration.
The show attempted to right the wrongs of its predecessor, and that blew up in its face in the most entertaining way. It’s insulting, it’s inaccurate, it’s annoying, and inconsistent with the original series—and no one can stop watching it.
The train wreck of Miranda abandoning all of her values, poor Steve, and her entire personality altogether is something awful that people can’t look away from. Seeing Charlotte hunt down Black people to “make” her friends as she has a series of annoying teary tantrums and tries to control everyone she knows, keeps attention.
The sheer rage and exhaustion that comes over audiences when they hear “Hey, it’s Che Diaz!” is like the text from an ex that isn’t ignored despite so many painful chapters. It’s there, it’s annoying, but for some reason, everyone keeps looking. When Carrie started hosting her own “podcast,” that’s basically a call-in radio show with the name podcast plastered on it, people wanted to throw their TV’s out the window. But they didn’t.
And Just Like That: What’s the final verdict?
And Just Like That has no idea how to depict Black and brown characters. It has no idea how to depict non-binary and queer characters, and it has no idea how to reflect a realistic New York City. So, it pretty much has the same problems that SATC did, but actually tries this time—-and fails miserably. However, in this strange disaster, lies a unique gem.
No one saw it coming, but the viewership for this series has been exceptionally high, perhaps even paving the way for a second season. It proves that loyalty doesn’t necessarily have to come from love when it comes to a television series. Bad ratings, complaints and controversy have worked surprisingly well for this show as an exceptional 10-episode rollercoaster for anyone looking for anything to hate-watch. Plus, the memes have been simply fabulous.
Season 1 is available on HBO Max and waiting for someone who’s bored and looking for a heated hate-watch show to gossip about with their friends, who are also hate-watching.
And Just Like That season 1 review: Hate-watching is a powerful force
Source: Pinoy White Knights
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