Candace Bushnell, the author behind the iconic “Sex and the City,” has shared a provocative theory about why men might love the show more than women do.
Speaking exclusively to Page Six at the American Ballet Theatre’s Fall Gala in New York City, Bushnell joked that men “always watched” the series because they can identify with the “assholes” portrayed on screen.
“The men loved it because men know other men are assholes!” she said, laughing. Bushnell, who wrote the original New York Observer column that inspired the show from 1994 to 1996, noted that the audience for her column was predominantly male, with 60 to 65 per cent of readers being men.
The beloved television series aired on HBO from 1998 to 2004. It followed the lives of fictional friends Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, and Miranda Hobbes as they navigated love and friendship in New York City. Even two decades after its conclusion, the show continues to attract viewers, with many rewatching it or discovering it for the first time.
“It’s really about a certain kind of woman at a certain time in her life, and I think it gives women the freedom to think about their lives differently,” Bushnell explained, emphasising the show’s ongoing relevance. She believes it provides valuable advice on friendships, dating, and “real life,” making it resonate with audiences today.
Bushnell, now 65, asserted that “Sex and the City” is “more popular than it ever has been.” Alongside the classic episodes, fans are also tuning in to the spin-off series “And Just Like That,” which is currently filming its third season, featuring returning stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis.
Though Bushnell is not directly involved with the new series, she expressed excitement about the cast’s appearances. “I think they all look great, and I can’t wait to see it,” she said, praising the fashion showcased in the upcoming season, including a 24-year-old Chanel top by Parker.
Bushnell attended the gala among other celebrities, including Chelsea Clinton, Michael Imperioli, and Coco Rocha, to celebrate the ABT and honour legendary ballerina Natalia Makarova. “I love the ballet,” she remarked. “It’s always such a treat to come to this. It’s always so New York. Dance is so important in New York City, and it’s something New York does beautifully in all its different forms.”
