And Just Like That on Max

[+ ApexNomad]

The cancellation doesn’t come as a shock, in fact, I’m surprised it lasted 3 seasons. This was a real missed opportunity. The series had all the makings of a bold, emotionally rich exploration of women in midlife: nostalgia, brand recognition, and the cultural weight of Sex and the City. And yet, it never stuck the landing.

Why?

Because in my opinion AJLT was built on a shaky foundation from the start. Sex and the City wasn’t just about four women—it was about those four women. The chemistry, the balance, the specific alchemy of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. Remove one, and the whole premise collapses. No matter how many new characters were introduced, the show couldn’t patch the hole left by Kim Cattrall. Her absence was more than a casting issue—it was a narrative rupture.

Then came the reinventions. Beloved characters were transformed beyond recognition, sometimes in ways that felt like overcorrections rather than organic evolution. Viewers weren’t asking for the characters to stay static—but they were asking for consistency, for truth. Instead, we got versions of them that seemed constructed by committee, with arcs that often felt hollow or forced.

Let’s also talk dollars. AJLT was one of the most expensive shows on television, with the three original leads reportedly earning over $1 million per episode. That’s not a show you casually walk away from. So the official line about holding off on the announcement so everyone could enjoy the finale rings hollow. This wasn’t a creative decision. This was a quiet, respectful bow-out—because Sex and the City is still a golden goose for HBO. They knew better than to burn the bridge.

And I get it. I appreciate the spin. But we all know what happened.

What a shame. There was real potential here. There is still space—urgently so—for stories about women in their 50s that are smart, sexy, funny, and raw. AJLT had the platform and the audience. But ultimately, it lost the thread.

[d.anders]

7 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

And I get it. I appreciate the spin. But we all know what happened.

Your whole piece is well written and spot on.

Creatives like to work and make a lot of money, if that rare chance is there. With Kim Cattrall out, where was this group supposed to go if they wanted to capture lighting in a bottle once again? 

There may have been a chance to do it, but probably not with Michael Patrick King, sadly. There are so many hate videos on YouTube praising the fail. I hear King hired writers who ruined the narrative and made silly choices. King has to take the blame though.

I, too, am surprised it lasted 3 seasons. Goes to show how hungry HBO is for content. Competition is very serious these days.

[+ SirBillybob]

10 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

The cancellation doesn’t come as a shock, in fact, I’m surprised it lasted 3 seasons. This was a real missed opportunity. The series had all the makings of a bold, emotionally rich exploration of women in midlife: nostalgia, brand recognition, and the cultural weight of Sex and the City. And yet, it never stuck the landing.

Why?

Because in my opinion AJLT was built on a shaky foundation from the start. Sex and the City wasn’t just about four women—it was about those four women. The chemistry, the balance, the specific alchemy of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. Remove one, and the whole premise collapses. No matter how many new characters were introduced, the show couldn’t patch the hole left by Kim Cattrall. Her absence was more than a casting issue—it was a narrative rupture.

Then came the reinventions. Beloved characters were transformed beyond recognition, sometimes in ways that felt like overcorrections rather than organic evolution. Viewers weren’t asking for the characters to stay static—but they were asking for consistency, for truth. Instead, we got versions of them that seemed constructed by committee, with arcs that often felt hollow or forced.

Let’s also talk dollars. AJLT was one of the most expensive shows on television, with the three original leads reportedly earning over $1 million per episode. That’s not a show you casually walk away from. So the official line about holding off on the announcement so everyone could enjoy the finale rings hollow. This wasn’t a creative decision. This was a quiet, respectful bow-out—because Sex and the City is still a golden goose for HBO. They knew better than to burn the bridge.

And I get it. I appreciate the spin. But we all know what happened.

What a shame. There was real potential here. There is still space—urgently so—for stories about women in their 50s that are smart, sexy, funny, and raw. AJLT had the platform and the audience. But ultimately, it lost the thread.

Serially, you could probably sidebar beyond your chosen profession as a top critic with Rotten Tomatoes. 
—-

BTW, did anybody else catch Cattrall’s central role in Netflix’ 2023 series Glamorous? Did she get as bad a deal on material as the 3 AJLT gals bereft of Samantha? Bereft of Samantha. Bereft of Samantha. 

Edited yesterday at 11:32 AM by SirBillybob

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, SirBillybob said:

Serially, you could probably sidebar beyond your chosen profession as a top critic with Rotten Tomatoes. 
—-

BTW, did anybody else catch Cattrall’s central role in Netflix’ 2023 series Glamorous? Did she get as bad a deal on material as the 3 AJLT gals bereft of Samantha? Bereft of Samantha. Bereft of Samantha. 

Not sure what this says about me, but I was really sick in bed when Glamorous came out and binged the whole thing in two days. I enjoyed it. Though, to be fair, I think that had more to do with Zane Phillips than Kim Cattrall. I credit him for my recovery. 😂

[+ SirBillybob]

OMG, 1,000 times yes on Zips! It says you were a virally ill horndog with excellent taste.

Did you catch his cameo as “Mason”, almost unrecognizable, on Mid-Century Modern?

Edited yesterday at 04:23 PM by SirBillybob

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, SirBillybob said:

OMG, 1,000 times yes on Zips! It says you were a virally ill horndog with excellent taste.

Did you catch his cameo as “Mason”, almost unrecognizable, on Mid-Century Modern?

May I steal your affectionate nickname for him? I love that.

I did. He makes my old heart skip a beat. 

[+ SirBillybob]

Bien sûr, for everyday use … Unzips or My Pearl Necklace on special occasions.