MUMBAI: After quite a while HBO has finally decided to start tapping its original series. The first one off the block is Sex And The City. The show will air every Saturday at 11:30 pm from 4 October.
Based on the book by Candace Bushnell the show takes a frank look at the ups and downs, turmoil and the nature of friendship between four women. The series is about the four protagonists constant search for a meaningful relation ship that will last beyond the one night stand. They are hoping to find that one guy that will bring their lasting fulfillment.
The show launched in the US in 1998 and it has been nominated for over 100 awards. HBO South Asia MD James Marturano pointed out that each year a number of HBO Specials including this one win awards at the Golden Globes, Emmies and their like. " Our mix of excellence, consistency and cutting edge programming is something that our competitors find hard to match. This year at the Globes we won seven awards which was more than the other television networks combined."
Sarah Jessica Parker plays Carrie Bradshaw. She writes a column, which is the shows title. She is constantly on the move exploring the date scene in Manhattan. Her search for the one man forms the core of the series emotional base. Kim Cattrall has a ball playing the free spirited Samantha with a wild side. Monogamy for her is a disease she would rather not get infected by. The other actors are Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. Nixon's character constantly tries to balance the notions of love with the reality of life.
At a media briefing yesterday the second episode of the first season of the series aptly titled Models and Mortals was shown. The show has the expected slick look to it what with the incredibly sharp editing which goes hand in hand with the snappy dialogue. The annoying laugh track is conspicous by its absence. While this writer found it a welcome change one wonders how the audience will react to the show when they are programmed as to when exactly to laugh with sitcoms such as Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond.
This episode explores the notion of having a perfect body and the chance a person with a not so perfect body has of landing a good date. The episode also lampoons the so-called chic New York clique dinners where the women merely pout. The repetition of dialogue is the standout segment here along with mock appearances of models trying to explain their craft. "Models are not brainless people. They just do not have to use them."
With the Emmies coming up shortly Sex And The City can expect to add a few more trophies to its kitty.
