Month: January 2013

In the US: Mondays, 8/7c, The CW

Sex and the City? Remember that? It’s a little known HBO show that’s practically vanished into obscurity now, so just in case you need reminding, it featured four female 30/40-something best friends, including one Carrie Bradshaw, a columnist for a New York tabloid who writes about sex, dating and relationships in that city. Hence the title.

Based on the books of Candace Bushnell, it was notable for its giving a women a rare forum of their own to discuss their attitudes towards sex, men, relationships, shopping, jobs, family, friendships, social occasions, vacations… Life basically.

It was also notable for being if not always massively explicit with its sex, at least being explicit with its dialogue about sex.

So what should we make of The Carrie Diaries on The CW? Yes, it’s again based on books by Candace Bushnell, but since her books never resembled Sex and the City too much, that’s not much of a recommendation.

It also features a 16-year old Carrie Bradshaw so is set during the mid-80s – horrifyingly enough, that’s over 20 years ago now and yes, the maths on that do not add up in the slightest – making it less relevant to the typical audience of The CW, who are in their mid-to-late teens and early 20s.

There’s also no Miranda, no Samantha, no Charlotte – yet – just Carrie, so perhaps the most important group of female friends in TV history isn’t going to make an appearance or have much to do with the show.

And just to reiterate some of those facts again for a final point, it’s on The CW, it’s going to be watched by teenagers, it features a 16-year-old girl as its lead – exactly how sexually explicit in thought, word and deed do you think it’s going to be?

In short, just how much of a pale shadow of Sex and the City is this show going to be?

The quick answer is very pale, with little that’s remarkable or interesting to draw you in. Even the Twin Towers have been erased from the 1980s New York skyline just in case they upset anyone.

Having said that, despite all the worst fears you might have had about it, The Carrie Diaries is still perfectly acceptable fare. Here’s a trailer. You may notice Freema Agyeman from Doctor Who in it. You may also notice she’s lost all trace of acting ability since.

Continue reading “Reviews: The Carrie Diaries (The CW) 1×1”