Originally played on HBO, Sex and the City continues to influence the image of women on TV. What is it with this show that average viewers identify so much with?
Well, for one, they’re average. The women of Sex and the City are just like your four best friends. Each of them represent a different type of woman. Carrie - the dreamer, Miranda - the idealist, Charlotte - the romantic, Samantha - the sex kitten. Even though their individual personalities often coincide, their approachability comes from the realistic way they each solve their everyday problems.
The success of this group of friends has helped revitalize and influence the way modern women are depicted on television. The typical stereotype of the stay-at-home mother had long been eliminated by the portrayal of characters like Jane Andrews Mancini from Melrose Place’s and Friends’ Monica Geller, but Sex and the City proved that being career-driven while still being sociable was far from impossible.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the show is the portrayal of powerful sexuality of the women. These ladies are not embarrassed to go after what they seek in a relationship, or even just between the sheets. Their confidence has sparked a new generation of television personalities that feel comfortable for who they are and are more assertive in their romantic lives, whether it’s taking revenge on an unfaithful partner or landing a date with a potential new lover.
Sex and the City has also reinforced the classic idea that relationships come and go, but friends are forever. Today’s modern world often finds the old-fashioned family unit torn apart by divorce, disputes, and distance; leaving people to search for love and support in others. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha formed a bond that went beyond their mutual interests to create a close group that they could disclose their triumphs and heartaches to. The appeal of the closeness of friendship is commonly utilized in Television shows today, and even has began to look past gender, as male-based dramas have surfaced that focus their plots around the brothership that they have formed as well.
Aside from these key elements, Sex and the City has also made groundbreaking influence on TV’s fashion world. These fashion conscious women were never shy to splurge on an expensive pair of Manolo Blahniks or trot down the runway of a designer brand. Their clothes portrayed the way they saw themselves and wanted the world to view them. The women of Cashmere Mafia are a textbook example of how this style trend still thrives, right to the tips of their leather gloves and suede open-toe heels.
It’s hard to tell if these newer television shows will gain the kind of cult following and success that Sex and the City maintained for six straight seasons. Regardless of which shows make the cut and which get dropped from the line-up, the self-sufficient, ambitious and realistic image they continue to employ is what has the ability to captivate millions of followers.
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