Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Sex and the City comes to an American in France

When one hasn’t had or watched TV since I Love Lucy replays and starts watching DVDs at fifty-something stacks of TV episodes of endless possibilities (52? 53?), the s.

Our DVD/TV episode watching started when our friend Philippe gave us a series of DVDs called “FRIENDS.” We were hooked from the very first words out of Rachel’s mouth: “The Limoges gravy board…” followed by ” potato head.”

We downed ten years of “FRIENDS” like starving animals on steroids. Embarrassing but true. Then we continued:

Crying through “Grey’s Anatomy”,
Laughing with “Desperate Housewives”,

And now…
oh now…

I have started watching “Sex and the City.” Where have I been, and why didn’t anyone tell me?

Sex-in-the-city

What character are we in each of these TV shows? That is the question Chelsea likes to ask. Though she has been watching “How I Met Your Mother,” without me and I started and the City.” Great debates take place when analyzing the characters. It is rarely a clear shot, more of a mixture of a few:

You could say I am:

Monica, because I am a neat freak, with a dab of Phoebe’s Patchouli.
I wish I had Gabriella’s one-liners instead of Lynn’s no-nonsense normality. Add a twist of behind-the-scenes Callie, give or take a few shots, though most see me as Izzy. Maybe the blond has something to do with it.

But my latest addiction, “Sex and the City,”… with only three episodes under my belt, I can tell you that I am not the blond one; what’s her name? Do any of the guys ever remember her name?

What mixture of TV characters do you like? Your definitions might help me narrow down my list of TV shows to watch.

NOTE:

To those who have corrected me, “Sex in the City” should read Sex and the City. Got it, thanks.

Comments

61 responses to “Sex and the City comes to an American in France”

  1. Jen

    My daughter and I are like the Gilmore Girls, only I don’t talk as fast as Lorelai (I’m a single mum with one daughter, like them). We always watch it together. Love that show!

    Reply
  2. Jeanne

    I am Charlotte from Sex in the City
    The blonde Hungarian Housewife from Green Acres and with my nonsense
    Lucy at times
    so many characters am I.
    Love you

    Reply
  3. Jill

    Love both of these shows! Can’t wait to see Sex in The City 2!!!
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/didio

    Reply
  4. sanja

    samantha is the blonde one. im like a mix of carrie and charlotte, a love for risks an a love for classic style. i hope you enjoy the show!

    Reply
  5. Christina Renee McCormick

    Dexter, True Blood and Damages are the best shows out there right now. In my opinion. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kathie B.

    I’m none of the above. This is probably not a good sign, but the TV character to whom I most closely relate is the uber-logical Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, except for my being married.

    Reply
  7. ally bean

    I’m 60% Phoebe from Friends ‘cuz I tend to do my own happy thing. And 40% Piper from Charmed ‘cuz I have a rather no-nonsense approach to getting things done.

    Reply
  8. Irina

    I like how you call it ‘sex in the city’ better than ‘sex and the city’ 🙂

    Reply
  9. Judy O

    This will date me, but I think of myself as Ethel in I LOVE LUCY. I loved the show and still watch the reruns. I am a little ditzy but a loyal friend who can get into some funny predicaments. Of the new shows on American TV now, try to get copies of MODERN FAMILY and IN THE MIDDLE. They are HILARIOUS!!!!

    Reply
  10. Katiebell

    Sorry, none of the above! I too have not watched TV in ten years – I killed my television where I found I was watching big brother (ughhh) and am scared to say the now we have recently received a hand-me-down tv again, that reality tv is STILL going… uggggghhhhh! Humanity I thought we were over this strange, nasty, voyeuristic obsession? (apologies anyone who likes it – yes it is addictive, and bad for you, I know I found myself watching surviver tonight!)
    Anyway I am proud to say I am not like any character I have ever seen: a red-head, dreads, sensitive, smart, loud, profound, wise, crazy, artistic, wild, opinionated, open-minded, radical, strong, intense.
    Yes TV plays with the archetypes we like to relate to, but I dont seem to be like any. (unless its a combination of I love lucy, lister from red dwarf and dr who?)
    Be true to yourself – uniquely you!

    Reply
  11. Julienne

    As a blogger and reader I no longer have time for TV and have never seen SITC so am feeling totally left out! Off to rent the DVD’s so I can join in!!!!!

    Reply
  12. Rhonda P

    Her name is Samantha, she is a real hoot! I am a Sex in the City fan, I just watched the movie for the 5th time on Sunday. Do you have the movie yet?
    I live by Carrie rules, “What would Carrie do? – I always ask my friends. Would Carrie go camping, I think not…etc. Oh the clothes, the shoes, the love stories that tv show brought us. And don’t forget about Mr. Big drama…..enjoy….we all did for years.
    Right now my favorite tv show is “Modern Family” it is hysterical.

    Reply
  13. kim

    My friend, you must get the boxed set of Weeds. My British husband and I discovered this show on a plane on the way to the US for a visit. When we got back to England we bought the whole set.
    Next up… The Wire.

    Reply
  14. Lisa

    If you haven’t watched The Tudors, put that on your list…great way to learn history(for adults!!).

    Reply
  15. Wandering Chopsticks

    Hulu.com has a lot of older tv shows online and the recent 5 episodes of current shows. There’s documentaries and movies too. It’s been great for me to catch up on episodes I’ve missed.

    Reply
  16. Laura

    Gilmore Girls! This is your next watch! It’s wonderful! Sometimes I’m Rory – with all the books – and maybe even now and then I’m Michel, the anal, organized part…

    Reply
  17. shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Carrie and Samantha are both blonde but you must mean Samantha….I hope you know that the finale takes place in Paris!!! You will love it!

    Reply
  18. shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Two and a Half Men is hilarious….and early episodes of House – riveting!

    Reply
  19. christine

    I love the blonde one, Samantha, in the same way that I love Joan in “Mad Men”. I have just finished the third series, and so there has been no ironing done, nor proper cooking for the past week – whoever invented boxed sets, I adore you.

    Reply
  20. tommie

    I am totally Charlotte from Sex and the City. All the way….clothes, attitude, style. Now if I could just get that Birkin.

    Reply
  21. Natalie Thiele

    I stopped watching TV 11 years ago, so I do not know current TV characters, but I am definitely Lucy, from I Love Lucy. I am always cooking up a scheme and will drag along a friend (Ethel) when possible.
    My husband’s good friend is Ralph Kramden from The Honeymooners, and drags my husband (Norton), into his schemes.

    Reply
  22. Jeanette Mc. from Everton Terrace

    I’d say I’m a Carrie Charlotte mix (I know it’s sounds impossible)and my daughter is a Charlotte. I watch a few of the shows mentioned but have now added a few to my list!

    Reply
  23. Jenny N

    This is fun Corey! I am a mixture of Miranda’s straightforwardness and Charlotte’s constant hopefulness. I can’t wait until you get to the Aidan/Big back and forth. I also started watching this show after it had ended and tore through all, what? 6/7 seasons over one summer while I was worn out and pregnant. And there are some awesome one liners and such bittersweet storylines on love and friendship. I might be a prude but I could of done with all the sex stuff out of it because just the true friendship between them all if touching and funny. Now, you need to get hooked on Gilmore Girls, and learn what “copperboom” is, what “butt napkins” are, and celebrate that special relationship between a mom and her daughter.

    Reply
  24. Ed in Willows

    Her name is Samantha and two words come to mind…….”the rabbit”. Keep watching, Corey, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you never watched *MASH* ,,YOU MUST !! Best show ever!!

    Reply
  25. Violet@CreateBeauty

    My friends and I do have our “Lucy and Ethel” moments…. I’ve been compared to Phoebe a few times, minus the long blonde hair, and I, like, totally don’t see it…
    (but then, would she?)
    I’d love to get DVD’s of the Carol Burnett shows, the skits with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman and her are so hiliarious! I have not watched any Sex and The City shows…
    You have asked a fun question!!! ~ Violet

    Reply
  26. Chris Wittmann

    We haven’t watched tv in our house for nearly 30 years, and frankly I’ve never seen any of those shows you mention. We do however have hundreds of vintage films on dvd and video, including the Honeymooners, I Love Lucy and everything Monty Python! We collect silent movies, mostly comedies, and have tons of other vintage films and comedies from more recent decades so there’s no lack of entertainment here. I’m afraid I cannot relate to anything new but I just love all those old films. They transport me to another time when things were simpler and more innocent. I think my sense of humour might relate to a combo of Ethel and Lucy from I Love Lucy.

    Reply
  27. Jill

    lol… Samantha’s a hilarious character, and I have yet to hear a woman claim that they are most like her! I think I relate to Carrie the most, but I have elements of both Miranda and Charlotte in me.
    I’m so glad you discovered the show– you’re going to love it even more as it developes and you get more insight into their friendships. Their friendship is as big of an element as the fashion and big city lifestyle– and we can all have friendships!

    Reply
  28. mindi

    I love Sex and the City, I can’t wait for the next movie to come out! And, dont watch the movies until your done with all of the episodes. When my friends and I would watch it we would ask the same questions. They always said I was a Carrie.
    I think its because I love fashion, especially when mixed with a touch of vintage flair! And, you can never go wrong with a Cosmopolitan Martini! Cheers!

    Reply
  29. Julie Ann Evins

    In Sex in the City, I am Charlotte with a touch of Carrie. In Desperate Housewives I am Brie with a touch of Gabby ! Jx

    Reply
  30. Amy

    House, M.D. – for that sharp wit (love it!) and Gilmore Girls…. two shows that I will inevitably get sucked into.. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Franca Bollo

    Sex AND the City.
    They don’t call me Pristine fer nuthin’.

    Reply
  32. Franca Bollo

    Okay, now I feel guilty for only offering a correction.
    I recommend:
    Comedy: Arrested Development
    Drama: Deadwood
    Now watching: The Wire (We have the DVDs but are allowing ourselves one episode a week. The restraint is killing me.)

    Reply
  33. Paula S In New Mexico

    The Tudors…….OMG, love that series.
    Not really sure who I’m like…….I guess I’m just like me.
    Have never watched Sex In The City…..maybe I’ll do that soon !!!

    Reply
  34. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    V. and I watched Sex and the City every Friday night, wouldn’t miss it. We got a lot of chuckles at Samantha’s antics (the blond one). It is a very grown up television series and I know that you are in for a lot of treats!

    Reply
  35. Beachy

    I am under a rock, as I have never watched a single episode of “Sex and the City”. The last sitcom I ever watched was “Cheers”… and that is ancient history (I was still a kid living with my parents)! lol But I did watch random episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond”… about a husband/wife/young kids living nextdoor to their inlaws and bachelor BIL (when I first married & started a family, we lived nextdoor to my MIL & bachelor BIL… and OHHHH the similarities were hysterical – especially because my BIL was a clone of the BIL on the tv show)!

    Reply
  36. cynthia Wolff @Beatenheart

    Wow…lets see. “Deadwood” is frigging amazing if you can get over the bad language, violence,and sex..It’s acted like a Shakespeare play
    Breaking Bad” The kid in it is best actor on TV
    “The Wire” was pretty amazing.
    “Weeds” the first two seasons…after that it got lame.
    A short lived show called “carnivale”

    Reply
  37. Sara

    Here’s something if you like quirky and creepy – Twin Peaks. It’s my absolute favorite (from the ’80s) and has a great soundtrack too.
    Also very fun if you like detective shows is Monk. The defective detective. I was addicted for years and got my fix every Friday night.
    Have fun with Sex and the City. I loved that series too!

    Reply
  38. Christan

    GILMORE GIRLS, GILMORE GIRLS, GILMORE GIRLS!!! you won’t be disappointed 🙂

    Reply
  39. Joanna

    We’re hooked on videos of series too. We loved Six Feet Under and Greys Anatomy. Our latest one is Nurse Jackie. I think I’ll have to take a look at Sex in the City.

    Reply
  40. Suz

    Well Corey, I think you’ve hit a hot button. Too funny! Sex and the City is a quirky, funny, well-written show that is sometimes a bit on the edge of what’s acceptable for non-cable tv in America (hence the late-night time slot). There is the HBO version and the made-for-tv version. And, I figured I’d just settle for the tv version! 🙂 Well, anyway, I could watch it over and over and over again. Yes, I think you are going to really love it. Enjoy!!

    Reply
  41. Lily

    I loved FRIENDS!!! Try Seinfeld too. BUT, I think you hit the jackpot with FRIENDS. I quote them all the time. I’m a cross between Monica and Rachel. I’m kind of anal like Monica but a bit of a ditz sometimes like Rachel. Did you see the episode of Monica using her fancy plates for Thanksgiving; Rachel’s sister gets an invitation and well… my favorite line as they argue over who will get Emma if Rachel AND Ross BOTH die is from Phoebe, ‘Yeah, you’re a lot of fun (rolling her eyes)”. LOL…. I laugh every time I reference the show. Enjoy!!!
    Lily

    Reply
  42. Danna

    “Frazier”. Definitely!!!
    There is a very good reason it was on TV for 11 years…..
    Laugh-out-loud funny with wonderful characters. French husband will love it, too.

    Reply
  43. stljoie

    It’s great you’ll love it…but have you seen Seinfeld?

    Reply
  44. jend’isère

    Absolutely Fabulous! Comedy often gets lost in translation, but typical of British humour, much is physical/visual in this series.

    Reply
  45. Karon

    Having just spent 3 months stuck on the sofa after foot surgery, I feel I am now almost up to date on my dvd viewing. Friends (Rachel x Phoebe), Gilmore Girls (love Lorelie), Ab Fab (nothing better), Sex in the city (Carrie), Rosemary and Thyme (so very British – I’m Rosemary)it just goes on and on. The joy of escapism.
    All best
    Karon

    Reply
  46. jend’isère

    Translation vignette of this very morn:
    While waiting for a French tramwy you provoked me to take notice to the wordings of a movie poster. Large letters at the top spelled out “Sex AND the City 2”. We then sat down next to a woman who was reading. Glancing at her open book, there it was on page 61 a chapter heading “Sexe AND the Country” of a English bestseller about French life! Luckily my small son who is figuring out how to read did not point as usual, demanding me to read what was written.

    Reply
  47. dana

    oh, i love this. the modern times of watching a tv series chronologically with no ads. the only way to go.
    bones is good and for funny, quirky ones, ally mcbeal, eli stone, brothers & sisters and i love bones too(the bodies can be gross unless you have strong suspension of disbelief abilities)
    it is all tv after all, fun but nothing too serious.
    Enjoy, all your discoveries…
    *

    Reply
  48. Lia deKoster

    Ahh, Thinking,
    Pippi long stockings –
    mixed with Carrie in the lost dress at the end of the T.V. series in THE DRESS…
    I search for that dress….
    the colour……..
    the fullness…………
    the girly whimiscalnessness……..
    then Pippi will emerge….
    silly looking,
    weirdness
    on or in a mission……
    dragging so poor soul
    this way
    perhaps
    that
    way
    and
    around
    down
    town
    giggling with
    my babies
    I might be Lorelai???
    Gilmore girls….
    enjoy
    sigh
    bye

    Reply
  49. Gracie

    I’m really into Criminal Minds right now, I even subscribed to a forum and I’m a twitter followers of all the cast members…..

    Reply
  50. pat

    Corey
    What fun! I agree with Christina above.
    DAMAGES is a series with Glenn Close playing a lawyer who has been hired by the US government to track down billions of dollars in stolen assets by the largest investment fraud in history. It’s a story about a Bernie Maddoff character, a ponzi scheme and is a legal thriller. Gripping.
    The other one someone mentioned is NURSE JACKIE. The actress is Edie Falco who has been on Broadway and is a fabulous actress. In the show, she’s a loving mother of two children and happily married. She works as an ER nurse. She is tough minded dealing with doctors and a terrible health care system and kind and generous to her patients and does the best she can do. To make it ‘better’ she is addicted to pain killers and happens to be having an affair with the hospital Pharmacist! Wonderful characters. Addictive.
    For a little cracked, off the wall humour but with great doses of irony and “tongue in cheek” you can’t beat this for a legal show. It’s off the air but dvds are the way to go.
    BOSTON LEGAL with Candice Bergen and William Shatner. Sir John Mortimer, who wrote the British series RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY was hired as consultant for the series.
    I have no idea which actress I might be like. Probably Carrie in SATS without the clothes and hair and figure!
    Thanks for a fun blog today.
    Pat

    Reply
  51. Alexandra

    I so agree with Gilmore Girls, you have to watch that but I have two others for you: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Flight of the Conchords. So funny!

    Reply
  52. linda dufour

    Corey, last June my 90 year old Mom had a stroke and became paralyzed on her left side. My 4 sisters and I take care of her 2 at a time in her home in Florida. We fly from all parts of the country, happy to do it. When she needs us during the night she whistles, but sometimes her mouth is dry and this is difficult. We could easily buy her a bell, but she knows who you are and used to read your blog every day. She would be thrilled to receive something from you!! Thanks. I read your blog faithfully every day, too.

    Reply
  53. Alan

    Six Feet Under, and Dexter. Michael Hall stars in both. If you had to choose, I’d take Dexter first.

    Reply
  54. barbara gillies

    i think Sex “in” the City fits. i loved watching it and the movies are fun too or at least the first one was. who doesn’t like looking at beautiful clothes you’ll never buy or wear.
    i think it is time to write a book you have a great way with words and setting a scene. give yourself the time you do deserve it and i for one would love to read it.

    Reply
  55. Olive Cooper

    What about “Mad Men”? You must see it. The set and costumes are splendid. Not to mention it is well written.

    Reply
  56. Diane

    Seinfeld, a MUST SEE! Northern Exposure, Ally McBeal, Frazier, House, Lost. My husband loves Mad Men but the language is too rough for me 🙂 I like the Rosemary and Thyme British series too! I’ve never seen Gilmore Girls, I’ll have to try that this summer.. I’m a bit like Martha Stewart, guess that makes me a Monica. I was taught a lot growing up and not much has rubbed off on my 3 girls! Have fun Corey 🙂

    Reply
  57. Michelle

    It’s easier to remember that it’s Sex and the City when you think of the city as more than just where it all takes place, the city is another character. I love SATC, it is my favorite show, I didn’t get hooked on it until it was all on DVD and I crammed them all in as quickly as I could. I couldn’t get enough of this show. It is highly addictive! I am a Charlotte, and a Monica (friends)although I want to be Carrie because she has the best shoes. I love the Tudors too, I don’t have show time so I have to wait for those to come out on DVD and I rent them. Your going to love the last season when she goes to Paris!
    My favorite episode was Brady’s birthday party, Bozo the clown, hillarious!

    Reply
  58. Allison

    We watched Friend and Friends reruns for YEARS. Never fails when we move a piece of furniture “pivot! pivot!” How many times have we said jokingly said “we were on a break!” A few of my favorite shows are when Monica is dating Richard – omg, what a hunk!
    What about Seinfeld? The first years were better than the later ones, imo.
    Allison
    Atticmag

    Reply
  59. Dirty Talk Ideas

    thanks for sharing and keep posting for more thanks a lot.,.,.Yeah well I love that TV series.,., thank ..,

    Reply
  60. Supra Footwear

    Your blog brings me a whole lot of fun. Particularly glad to possess the possibility to meet you. Take ralax and give yourself a surprise, and we will live alot more content.

    Reply
  61. new balance

    I want that my love to you will turn into bright sunlight so that to warm your heart. Do you like it?

    Reply

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