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 August 6 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 August 6 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.

[+ ApexNomad]

If there was any doubt that AJLT was canceled rather than simply ending by design, tonight’s penultimate episode cleared it up. A title card teased the next episode as the season finale, when of course it should have said series finale. This wasn’t planned. It was canceled. HBO couldn’t even be bothered to swap out the card. 

[+ SirBillybob]

2 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

If there was any doubt that AJLT was canceled rather than simply ending by design, tonight’s penultimate episode cleared it up. A title card teased the next episode as the season finale, when of course it should have said series finale. This wasn’t planned. It was canceled. HBO couldn’t even be bothered to swap out the card. 

AJLT I’ll have to tune in tomorrow because of a hot new visiting Portuguese guy at very crowded Pride Week at Campus, interrupting the programming, that could easily rival any of Anthony’s blue onesie-clad baked good delivery studs. 

Edited August 8 by SirBillybob

[d.anders]

5 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

If there was any doubt that AJLT was canceled

There are "insider" videos on YouTube claiming SJP had no clue the show was being canceled. I would not be surprised if people worked hard to keep the social media hate away from her, but there is no way the folks at or near the top weren't aware of it. They hire people now to track social media impact.

Can't help but wonder what SJP will do with all the clothes now. She's spending a fortune on temperature controlled storage, maybe several college tuitions, and that's not a price tag burden an older actress wants as she enters her twilight years.

[+ ApexNomad]

9 hours ago, d.anders said:

There are "insider" videos on YouTube claiming SJP had no clue the show was being canceled. I would not be surprised if people worked hard to keep the social media hate away from her, but there is no way the folks at or near the top weren't aware of it. They hire people now to track social media impact.

Can't help but wonder what SJP will do with all the clothes now. She's spending a fortune on temperature controlled storage, maybe several college tuitions, and that's not a price tag burden an older actress wants as she enters her twilight years.

I wouldn’t be surprised. It clearly wasn’t their intention to end it now. The fact that they hire people to track social media as you say and still ignored the fan reaction, for this long, is pretty shocking, especially given how much money was invested. That’s hubris.

This doesn’t have to be wish fulfillment for fans, but don’t insult our intelligence by pretending these characters are anything like the ones we last saw. That’s a huge part of the problem.

The other thing I’ve wondered, in addition to my previous post, is whether there’s ever been a show that started as a series, moved to movies, and then came back to television. Maybe it’s a stupid thought, but that could also be jarring—having to return to serialized storytelling after watching it play out over the course of two movies.

[+ SirBillybob]

33 minutes ago, ApexNomad said:

I wouldn’t be surprised. It clearly wasn’t their intention to end it now. The fact that they hire people to track social media as you say and still ignored the fan reaction, for this long, is pretty shocking, especially given how much money was invested. That’s hubris.

This doesn’t have to be wish fulfillment for fans, but don’t insult our intelligence by pretending these characters are anything like the ones we last saw. That’s a huge part of the problem.

The other thing I’ve wondered, in addition to my previous post, is whether there’s ever been a show that started as a series, moved to movies, and then came back to television. Maybe it’s a stupid thought, but that could also be jarring—having to return to serialized storytelling after watching it play out over the course of two movies.

I don’t think so, and the premise may work but with different storylines. Perhaps Fargo could have pulled off such a structure if incipience with a limited series. But the middle movie would seem an abbreviated series. As you suggest, not enough SITC / AJLT sustaining of quality to ascertain the validity of the structure transitioning you mentioned. 

Edited August 8 by SirBillybob

[MikeThomas]

I thought last night's episode was the best of what has been a dreadful season.  Granted, I fast-forwarded through Seema and the other new family's segments and I fast forwarded through Charlotte's husband moaning about not being able to get hard (the same moan week after week.). Nice to see Brady tell of the super-selfish Miranda.  I thought Carrie's trip down memory lane was somewhat poignant.

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

I thought last night's episode was the best of what has been a dreadful season.  Granted, I fast-forwarded through Seema and the other new family's segments and I fast forwarded through Charlotte's husband moaning about not being able to get hard (the same moan week after week.). Nice to see Brady tell of the super-selfish Miranda.  I thought Carrie's trip down memory lane was somewhat poignant.

It was the best because you skipped more than half the episode. 😂😘

[+ SirBillybob]

1 hour ago, ApexNomad said:

It was the best because you skipped more than half the episode. 😂😘

That’s just. 

[MikeThomas]

1 hour ago, ApexNomad said:

It was the best because you skipped more than half the episode. 😂😘

Yes, as I said, I thought the parts I watched were the best of this dreadful season. 

[samhexum]

A Toast to And Just Like That…: No, It Never Came Close to Sex and the City, But We’ll Still Miss It

TVLINE.COM

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'And Just Like That' may be considered a disappointing follow-up to 'Sex and the City,' but we'll still...

 

[+ ApexNomad]

Watched the series finale of AJLT. Carrie’s final line, “The woman realizes she’s not alone… she’s on her own,” might be the most tone-deaf ending imaginable for a series that once revolved around four women who were each other’s soulmates. For decades, the whole point was that friendship was the constant, the safety net. To end on a shrugging “good luck out there” is like watching a show about a life raft and having the finale tell you to go swim with the sharks.

I read an article that SJP and MPK don’t read reviews or audience commentary on the show. Had they, they might have remembered the show they abandoned from the people who knew it best.

[MikeThomas]

I think the pissing scenes and the shit overflowing in the toilet were a reflection of how awful this reboot was.

[+ SirBillybob]

AJLT a welcome end to futile hope-watching.

Edited August 15 by SirBillybob

[+ ApexNomad]

1 hour ago, SirBillybob said:

AJLT a welcome end to futile hope-watching.

 

Ding. Ding. Ding. 

[+ ApexNomad]

Sarah Jessica Parker Says “I Don’t Really Care” About ‘And Just Like That’s Hate Watchers

DEADLINE.COM

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As 'And Just Like That...' ends, Sarah Jessica Parker recently addressed the show's "hate watchers," who have been...

 

[d.anders]

On 8/14/2025 at 10:11 PM, ApexNomad said:

I read an article that SJP and MPK don’t read reviews or audience commentary on the show. Had they, they might have remembered the show they abandoned from the people who knew it best.

If it's true, then those in their company probably weren't allowed to mention the hate watchers. They didn't want to hear any of it. It interfered with their cast-iron bubble.

One YouTuber asked, "Why didn't their writer's room invite at least one loyal fan at the table to tell them what they were doing wrong?" It's an interesting question, but I doubt their huge egos would allow them to do that. SJP and MPK thought they could do no wrong, as long as they paid attention to the most ridiculous, costly, useless details.

[samhexum]

And Just Like That EPs Defend the Polarizing Series Finale (‘It Felt Like the Most Honest Way to End’ It), Respond to Fan Backlash

TVLINE.COM

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'And Just Like That's' EPs make a case in favor of the controversial series finale — and they respond to...