A Revelation about that Infamous Burger Post It Note!

Summary

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Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: A Revelation about that Infamous Burger Post It Note!

Date: June 5, 2026
Host: Kristin Davis
Guests: Michael Patrick King, Cynthia Nixon

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Episode Overview

This episode continues Kristin Davis’s deep-dive conversations with Sex and the City showrunner Michael Patrick King (MPK), joined by series star Cynthia Nixon. The trio reflects on untold stories, iconic moments, and meaningful behind-the-scenes memories from Sex and the City, its movies, the recent revival And Just Like That…, and King’s work on other projects such as The Comeback. The conversation is candid and warm, weaving themes of change, female visibility, the impact of age and media, and the key importance of authentic storytelling—and, crucially, it finally reveals the truth about that legendary “Burger Post It Note.”

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Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Reflecting on The Comeback’s Creation & Resonance

• The Comeback, King’s show with Lisa Kudrow, is dissected for its blend of heartbreak and comedy, and connection to their own experiences as actresses aging in Hollywood.

• Naming the fictitious show ("How's That?") was inspired by a casual conversation about what Valerie (the main character) would be doing during the writers strike and reflected the AI-laden anxieties facing Hollywood.

  • "Lisa, within two minutes, did a monologue ... and she went, 'I don't know what. I'm doing everything I can. I don't know that I can't do any better than that. How's that?' And it just came right out of her mouth." – Michael Patrick King (05:36)

• Parallel to 'And Just Like That...': Both titles convey ongoing journeys, but with different tonalities:

  • "‘And Just Like That’ is a dot, dot, dot, to infinity, right? And this is a question mark and an exclamation point." – Michael Patrick King (06:12)

Timestamp: 02:42–08:15

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2. Age, Visibility, and Misogyny in Media

• The group discusses societal tendencies to “diminish” women as they age, both in media and real life.

• King recalls a 2000s New York Magazine feature that literally depicted the main cast with tape over their mouths, symbolizing silencing older women.

• Themes of female evolution, resistance to invisibility, and how the show’s “anarchy” challenged societal norms.

  • "The great shocker of And Just Like That, to me, was how there seemed to be a…‘Yeah, go away.’" – Michael Patrick King (09:09)

• Cynthia Nixon draws parallels between the show’s creative risks and women’s real-world experiences of being told to “go away” by society.

• "How dare you tell a whole demographic of people to go away and not speak? What is that? We know what it is." – Cynthia Nixon (10:04)

Timestamp: 08:15–15:29

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3. TV as a Mirror and Escapism

• The conversation turns to how the evolving landscape of television serves as both a mirror and comfort, especially in turbulent times.
• Michael Patrick King notes the challenge of letting beloved characters grow in a time of cultural upheaval (“chaos on chaos”).
• Reflects on fan resistance to character evolution and the importance of “competence and solidness” in TV characters as comfort in uncertain times.
  • "You know that people want to see competence and solidness. They're not being super eloquent right now in what they're seeing because the world is not that." – Cynthia Nixon (14:40)

Timestamp: 13:29–16:27

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4. Untangling 'Sex and the City' Urban Myths & Iconic Props

• Cynthia Nixon brings up confusion around a photo of Willie Garson (Stanford) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) in an outfit not seen in the final episodes.

  • Debunking myths: King clarifies that the episode “I Heart New York” was filmed before 9/11, with no post-9/11 scene additions; voiceovers might have been altered, and the World Trade Center was carefully handled in later edits.
  • Discusses which props—like the iconic Burger Post-It Note—are in whose handwriting:
    • "Every handwriting on the show is mine. Everyone. The burger post-it is mine." – Michael Patrick King (25:32)

• Julian’s Auctions: Many show props are now available to buy; cast and crew feel torn about their memorabilia entering the public sphere.

Timestamp: 20:40–29:37

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5. Miranda’s Character and Social Identification

• Discussion on Miranda’s personality—her sharp wit and why viewers have been historically reluctant to identify as “a Miranda.”
• Cynthia and MPK agree Miranda’s humor and insight remain underappreciated, though she has some of the best (and most biting) lines.
  • "It was always like 11% Miranda. And I was like, bullshit. I know so many Mirandas. But they don't want to attach to that wildly sharp wit, sarcasm, and negativity." – Michael Patrick King (34:27)

Timestamp: 33:18–36:32

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6. Craft, Grief, Humanity: The Essential Elements

• Importance of writing humanity into TV, even amid comedic settings.

• King and Nixon praise episodes dealing with real grief ("My Motherboard, Myself") and how the show's writers brought emotional depth to “Sex and the City.”

  • "It is thrilling to be able to completely have different vibrations of shows and still have something that you feel is important, a humanity to them." – Michael Patrick King (41:39)

• The group touches on The Comeback's acute relatability for actresses, including dealing with public shaming and social media.

Timestamp: 39:20–44:00

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7. Art, AI, and the Future of Authentic Storytelling

• Anxieties and philosophies around AI:
  • "It's a very challenging time to be an individual...or even a human versus a machine." – Michael Patrick King (43:48)
  • "AI is not us." – Cynthia Nixon (44:28)
• The irreplaceability of human spark in narrative work; AI can’t surprise or move a viewer in the same way.
• Nostalgia for TV’s golden eras and skepticism at reality TV as “a tacky wing on the house."
  • "Unless it has the spark of that individual group, it doesn't track." – Michael Patrick King (44:42)

Timestamp: 44:00–45:57

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8. Looking Forward: The Challenge of “What’s Next?”

• King is now seeking his next creative challenge, unbound by previous IP.
• Nixon and Davis both express the difficulty of finding fulfilling work after such an impactful series.
  • "There are not a lot of great ideas out there that are getting a lot of light." – Michael Patrick King (48:26)
• Encouragement to remain open to new creative partnerships—even if that means working with unknown “wildcards.”

Timestamp: 46:09–49:33

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evolving the narrative:
  • "Stop seeing us the way you think we should be and start seeing the way we are and can be." – Michael Patrick King (09:03)
• On comedy and identity:
  • "Miranda has a sense of humor. And you know what? Like, it's not the writers putting jokes in her mouth. Like, Miranda has a sense of humor." – Michael Patrick King (35:05)
• On storytelling and AI:
  • "As long as there is a next. And I think there will be." – Michael Patrick King (46:50)
  • "How could there not be? Come on, we need you. Yeah, we need you, babe." – Cynthia Nixon (46:53)
• On letting go and serendipity:
  • "I sat in front of the fire and I started throwing pages in like I was in an Ibsen play...And the next day they called and said they made the deal. We're doing the movie. No way. After I had let go." – Michael Patrick King (28:31)

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The Truth About the Infamous Burger Post-It Note

• Revelation: "Every handwriting on the show is mine. Everyone. The burger post-it is mine. The Miranda list of pros and cons for Steve is my handwriting."
  — Michael Patrick King (25:32)

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Recurring Takeaways

• The magic of Sex and the City—and its ongoing legacy—lies in its willingness to portray women as evolving, imperfect, and wholly human, eschewing societal pressures to “fade away” as they age.
• The prop revelations and behind-the-scenes stories delight fans and underscore the show's collaborative, detail-oriented heart.
• For both creators and cast, moving beyond landmark series remains daunting, yet the discussion is shot through with optimism, support, and the sense that authentic voices will always matter.

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For anyone seeking insight on the inner workings of SATC, TV writing, or the persistence required for creative evolution, this episode is full of warmth, candor, and lasting resonance.

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Transcript

[Kristin Davis]

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[Unknown Female Speaker (Fitness/Wellness Ad)]

I turned off news altogether.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people.

[Bowen Yang]

We got clear facts.

[Unknown Female Speaker (Bombas Ad)]

Maybe we could calm down a little.

[NBC News Announcer]

NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America.

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[Kristin Davis]

Hi, I'm Kristin Davis and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? Hi everyone. Today is part three with the wonderful, brilliant Michael Patrick King. Thanks for joining us, Little segue.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I want to talk about the Comeback for a second.

[Michael Patrick King]

Okay.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Because I love it so much.

[Michael Patrick King]

Thank you.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's of course whenever I watch anything else that you do the depending on the thing obviously. Right. But the comeback is always like so close to home in so many ways. Right. Because she's an actress and she's our age basically. And you know the first episode, the first season was right after the end of our show. And I've told you many times, I was just laying on the couch crying. So it wasn't a great time for me to be watching to come back, though. I really wanted to watch it, but I was just so sad, you know, and I was 40 or 41 or whatever it was, Right. So like, we didn't know what was happening. We didn't know if we were going to get our film made or what the hell was going happen right over. Yeah. So it was just painful, you know, and because Valerie is always down and trying everything in her beautiful, sweet way to get things going and trying to make the best of the situation that she's put in. It's just so heartbreaking. Right? And I love this current one and I laugh out loud so many times, but also, like, why did you name her show that?

[Michael Patrick King]

How's that?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Uh huh.

[Michael Patrick King]

Um, her name is. Her show is named. How's that? Because Lisa and I, after we did season two, there was never like a mandate to come back. We were just kind of like, everybody thought we did a good job and that was that. And HBO was kind of happy with it. But every now and then over the last 11 years, 10 years, Lisa and I would have lunch and we were like, what was Valerie doing? And we. Maybe there's something to come back for. We never really came up with an idea that was a big enough machine to come back. We had funny things like Chicago, which we put in the first episode. Valerie stars in Chicago, like. Cause all the real.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So fucking funny.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah, I know, but it was like. We knew it was like, boom. But it wasn't. You can't.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No, it's not a whole show, but it's super satisfying.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was a great thing. And we had it like five years ago. We kept thinking, well, it's not enough. So then one day we were talking and Lisa said, it's too bad Valerie wasn't around during the SAG writers strike. Yeah, because she would have been hilarious. And then all of a sudden, a door opened in my mind and I said, why can't we go back for a minute? Why can't we start then? Because if it's so funny, why don't we start then? And the thing about the SAG writers strike was when it ended, the sentence that stuck in my mind was, we're going to have to renegotiate in three years because of AI. And as soon as that's what everybody was saying at the end, it's a happy ending. But, yeah, we're still going to negotiate in three years because of AI and the minute that popped into my mind, I said. And then three years later, we have. We're at AI And Valerie's cast in the first multicam written about AI And Lisa went, click. And then we started talking about. It would be about bed and breakfast, like a typical sitcom, but we thought it was going to be all about, like, she's a Luddite and she doesn't understand technology. And Lisa, within two minutes, did a monologue as the proprietress, and she went, I don't know what. I'm doing everything I can. I don't know that I can't do any better than that. How's that? And it just came right out of her mouth. And I said, how's that? That's the sentence. That's the phrase. That's the name of the catchphrase. That's also the sitcom. So it just presented itself.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It didn't remind you at all of. And just like that.

[Michael Patrick King]

How's that? And then just like that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No, you're so.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because it's not. Because it has the word that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

They're just. They're just interestingly similar, kind of like dot, dot, dot, question. You know what I'm saying? They're phrases.

[Michael Patrick King]

Well. And just like, that is a dot, dot, dot, to infinity, right? And this is a question mark and an exclamation point.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. I'm sorry I said that to a writer, you guys. I'm in trouble now.

[Michael Patrick King]

I'm just letting you know that. And just like that alludes to something happened.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes, yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

This is just like.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's a comedy, it's a sitcom.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, got it, got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's so. I don't connect them except the word AJ AJLT Yeah. And h. Yeah. When I would see it, I go, oh, that. Yeah, I guess I like the word that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, I think you do. Because every time I say, I'm like, wait, is he talking about us? I mean, there's so many times then, like. Because obviously you have so many situations in there. Like, you have Benito on Benny. Well, Benit, my God, a dream, right? But that whole scene. I'm dying. That whole scene, Right. Like, I'm having similar situations in my current life, you know, I think it's

[Michael Patrick King]

interesting because Valerie's world is usually about people diminishing her, and she's got to fight for her thing, our world. And just like that. And Sex in the City. Never felt like there was any Mandate to diminish any of you. So the costumer clearly, to me, would never happen on one of our shows. It would happen on every other show.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, definitely. Yeah. No, I mean, I'm having Kristen life.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. Because that is our world. You are diminished and told things by young people that are wrong.

[Michael Patrick King]

I mean, you realize that in season one, when she was 40, they made her an aunt in a funny, awful tracksuit.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, you're done now. That part is a similar in the brand.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

Women saying, stop seeing us. Like, we're done.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And that's the connection between.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And just like that. Totally, totally.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's like the thing that I love the most about what we did with that show was saying, stop seeing us the way you think we should be and start seeing the way we are and can be. And that not only goes from the way the characters evolved, specifically from Miranda to Miranda, but also the way that you were allowed to look and dress and I guess you're not allowed to be 58, 59, and go to a bodega in a tulle skirt without meaning the end of the world. And it's all really about how both the shows are about how women are fighting the way they are being told to be. Or seen.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. Or not seen. Fighting to exist or don't seem right. Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

I mean, the great shocker of In Just like that, to me, was how there seemed to be a. Yeah, go away.

[Kristin Davis]

I know.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, we don't need to see you now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know.

[Michael Patrick King]

And that happened on the second movie. Right before the second movie, there was an article in New York magazine where there were the four of you from Sex and the City, the. A promo for, like, from back in the day, and they had masking tape over.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, I remember. That was horrible.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's like, what are you talking about? You haven't seen them. That was actually the first movie. You haven't seen them in four years. And they can't speak why.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And that even it happened so much that I put it in the second movie when Carrie has tape over her mouth in the review of her book.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

But, like, why are they told to go away?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

Why are they told to not speak?

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's like in mainstream media, told without apology to go away. That's the part that bugs me. Like, you should be embarrassed to say that. You know what I'm saying? Like, how dare you tell a whole demographic of people to go away and not speak? What is that? We know what it is.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's audacious.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's misogyny on their part.

[Michael Patrick King]

Society still.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. It's society. This is why I'm not worked out about. And just like that, just so you know. Because you're like, why we begin when we began. You were telling me. Yeah. I mean, I'm not. I'm not worked out about it.

[Michael Patrick King]

No. There's a lot of things to. To have an unreal rest about.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And when I was doing press for the comeback in Europe, somebody said to me, oh, I think it was a Brit. I'm sure you're hoping that this goes better than your last attempt at coming back. And I said, what are you talking about? They said the reaction to him, just like that. And you know what I said, call me in four years. It is going to.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I saw that quote pulled out.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I actually just recently heard something Lena Dunham said in her press tour about significant shows are never about when they're launched. They're about where they are in 10 years.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Interesting.

[Kristin Davis]

I like that.

[Michael Patrick King]

Do they stay in the consciousness? And I feel that. And just like that was incredibly well made. And anarchy again. Which is what I'm so happy about.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because when we started Sex in the City, it was, you're 34.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

You should have a husband.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was that simple.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And if you don't, there's something wrong with you.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And then just like that was, you're 50 something, you should have this figured out by now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And if you don't, there's something wrong with you.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. And also, you should just be quiet. Like, just be quiet. Mind your own business over there in the corner or whatever.

[Michael Patrick King]

Just quietly.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

Go into the background.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

Don't be old and bright.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And confused.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And alive.

[Cynthia Nixon]

All the things.

[Michael Patrick King]

Don't be people we've never seen before.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

That really upset them.

[Michael Patrick King]

Rue McClanahan on the Golden Girls was, I think, 50, and they had already retired and were in Florida with nothing, no future. I mean, and then there are all those women on and just like that, vibrantly fighting to be themselves still. And it was quite a expression. And I think people like their stories left alone.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's the only thing I'm interested in.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I agree. It's never entered my mind that they would want their stories left alone.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's the same thing that made Sex and the City work is the evolution of the characters.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I'm really interested in the evolution of characters. And it was a bold move to come back again with Valerie Cherish 11 years later.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

But I'm Only interested in how people are growing or changing or not growing or not changing and what the stories around that are.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And with you three so beloved, I thought, that'll be interesting. And then they were like, oh, okay. But maybe we didn't want them to change that much.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. Which I think, too. And I mean, I don't really know because, as you know, I'm still processing. But I also think that some of it has to do with our bigger cultural moment of upheaval. You know, like, maybe if we weren't in a total cultural chaos, they would have had more room for us to grow and change.

[Michael Patrick King]

You mean, if the world was calmer, the characters could have had chaos? Maybe, but chaos on chaos.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Was a little. We want ice cream. We don't want a syllabus.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. Like. Like. Or. I don't know, a syllabus. Maybe. I wouldn't, you know. But, yes, it was a lot for them to try to take out on the other day. That seemed really smart. That was about how, you know, the success of the Pit and the Pit. The characters are obviously, you know, beautifully written and deep and, you know, whatnot, but they also are very good at their jobs and they care about the right things. So you're seeing the thing that we're not seeing in the world on your screen. Because when I first watched the Pit, I couldn't go to sleep, of course, because I have, like, medical anxiety. Right. So I was like, oh, my God, the anxiety. But then I did want to watch it. I did find myself drawn to watch it and try to try to get to sleep. I try to watch something lighter after and then go to sleep. But you know that people want to see competence and solidness. They're not being super eloquent right now in what they're seeing, because the world is not that. Right. But we are challenging. Our brand is challenging.

[Michael Patrick King]

I will say that everything on the Pit, which I find so interesting is the new people, and I think Noah's amazing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And the more people you haven't seen before. Yeah, but all those characters that are making mistakes and putting in the wrong catheter.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

20.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right. That's a good.

[Michael Patrick King]

Mistakes in 59.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right, right, right, right. That's a good point. That's a really good point, too. That's a really good point. I think all that stuff is super interesting to think about.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. I love all the humanity in the Pit. I think it's really interesting how flawed the character, especially Noah's character is and all the new faces that's what TV used to be.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, I agree. It's beautiful. It's beautiful to watch. I agree. And I feel like we did that, too, you know, in the first show and the second show. You know what I mean? But I think my other reason that I'm still, you know, first of all, as I've said many times, and I'll say forever, you know, I still just want to work together forever.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Because everything else is like. Like less.

[Michael Patrick King]

Here's the thing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

I got to a point on Sex and the City where my story, person that lives inside my head said, we're done for now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

You told me this, and it happened, and this felt like that. And I didn't. I respect everybody so much that I thought, we're done for now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I respect that. I just didn't necessarily expect it in that second that had happened or that moment. I mean, I wasn't shocked. Remember, when you called me, I was like, no, I felt the vibes, but I didn't feel the vibes from you. I felt the vibes from the world. And I don't mean the criticism. I just mean the strangeness. I don't know how to put it right. But, like, we really just take you for granted that you are, like, plugged into this, you know, vision board of the ethers or whatever it is, because you always really are. Which reminds me, I need to ask you something from this season specifically, but, like, I fully respect that. You are the font, right? You are the.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, look, I mean, that's a very grand statement to say.

[Kristin Davis]

It's just true.

[Michael Patrick King]

I'm happily, every now and then visited by an idea that I. This is very clear.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

And when we were doing the end of season one of it, just like that, we were standing. We were doing the blocking of Carrie moving into that house. And I knew exactly.

[Kristin Davis]

Season two.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah. And I saw the lights in your eyes.

[Michael Patrick King]

I saw a boom. I was like, I know what season three is. And I waited.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

It didn't come right. It's not. I'm not the vision board. I am the executor of a vision. But the reality is, I mean, you're

[Cynthia Nixon]

the receiver of the vision.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yes, yes, yes. Or else I have my sense of story taste.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I could work for you, with you forever.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Me, too. Yes, me too. And that's why. And good. Good. That's what I want you to say.

[Unknown Female Speaker (Fitness/Wellness Ad)]

I turned off news altogether.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people.

[Bowen Yang]

We got clear facts.

[Unknown Female Speaker (Bombas Ad)]

Maybe we could calm down a little.

[NBC News Announcer]

NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News Reporting for America.

[Kristin Davis]

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[Cynthia Nixon]

So big question. Big question with some debate. Remember I love New York.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yes How?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Wait, I heart New York. I heart New York. How? Okay, so there's a picture of Willie and Sarah Jessica on the streets of New York wearing an outfit that is not ever in the show. And Sarah Jessica told us it was a scene that was at iheart New York but got cut, but that they had filmed it. But we filmed and wrapped before 9 11. Because I remember I wrapped on the 9th or something like this. Did a photo shoot on the 10th, was flying on the 11th. Sarah was starting rehearsal on the 11th. We had just wrapped.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But then for some reason. Bless you. For some reason, they held episodes. They cut our season into two that year. Do you remember this?

[Michael Patrick King]

The season was cut into six and then the rest.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Okay, so what we do know for sure is that we had filmed. You had written and we had filmed I Heart New York before 9 11.

[Michael Patrick King]

Correct, correct.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it. So anyone who thinks out there that we were somehow responding and had gone back to film. No, we. You had some kind of prescient.

[Michael Patrick King]

Unless the I Heart New York is the one where the autumn leaf falls.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And Miranda's water breaks.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. And she talks about things change.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was a voiceover. Now, I could have changed the voiceover.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

I could have said seasons change as do cities. I remember that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, got it, got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

So I could have addressed it there.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, got it, got it, got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because really where we addressed it was Anchors Away, the beginning of the next season, which was Fleet Week.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. That's the pregnancy season.

[Michael Patrick King]

And that was. We got to go downtown and spend some well earned money because of how bad downtown was.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

But seasons change, as do cities. I think I probably did redo a voiceover.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

Incorporate something. And we did take the World Trade Towers out of the opening credits. Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Which I thought was the right thing.

[Michael Patrick King]

And a couple of scenes actually when Samantha and Richard are on the roof of his apartment to swim. The whole background was the World Trade Towers. And we had quite a debate about should we take them out or leave them in our. Or take them out or leave them in. But it was after they had gone, so it made the show invalid.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I agree. And being in the moment. Right. Very stressful. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Still very stressful. When you see them in things, you go, oh my God.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes, I agree totally. I agree totally. Okay. That was super helpful because I had also had some weird idea, but I think it was that when we did go back to work, they said, will you guys go downtown? Right. To be on the streets and show that we're functioning. I couldn't remember when that was. And because there was this picture of Willy and Sarah in a scene that I don't remember. And Sarah said, oh, yeah, we filmed a scene that just didn't make it in the episode. Cause obviously we had to cut things not based on anything important, just time. You know what I'm saying?

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. The only scene that I ever remember seeing pictures of that was not in anything was. There was a Willie. There was a Stanford Carrie scene in the first movie where she's in a very, very, very pretty pink dress.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I think this is it.

[Michael Patrick King]

A bright suit, a summer suit.

[Cynthia Nixon]

What was the scene?

[Michael Patrick King]

I think it was a scene right around talking about Bitsy or something. I don't remember.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, got it, got it. So it was just cut just for time. Maybe that's what it is. This is the.

[Michael Patrick King]

Is she in a beautiful pink dress?

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's a Vivian Westwood. I think it's.

[Michael Patrick King]

That's from the movie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it. Okay.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's from the movie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

This picture is what has been irk. Like, I can't place it. Yeah, okay. Got it, got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's a summer scene. He's in a gray suit. She's in a pink dress with, like, a little eyelet lace, I think, so bustier top. It's a gorgeous thing. And it was. It's from the movie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Can you pull the picture up, Heather?

[Michael Patrick King]

It's from the movie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it. Because that's been the thing that's been just like. What was that? What was that?

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Or even either one of you. Thank you so much. That was because when we talked to Sarah, she said, oh, I do think there was a scene cut, but maybe she's remembering also the movie, you know?

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. I mean, I don't remember ever putting a Stanford scene on the ground except for the movie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That's funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was always so much fun. Fun.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Funny and fun and very. Those were, like, targeted. Like, you really wrote those with such intention.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,

[Cynthia Nixon]

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you see this sale on Julian's?

[Michael Patrick King]

I did not.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, my God, it is so trippy and bizarre. So you can get, like. Like all of our props and stuff from. And just like that, you can go and buy them at this auction called Julian's. And there's, like, all the letters that Stanford wrote, Carrie, are there.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, that's my handwriting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know that's your handwriting.

[Michael Patrick King]

Every handwriting on the show is mine. Everyone the burger posted is mine. The Miranda list of pros and cons for Steve is my handwriting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Patrick King]

Carrie. Some of Carrie's. And I. Every now and then I would say to Sarah Jessica, write this because she's left handed and has a weird signature.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

But yeah, that is definitely my handwriting in Stanford.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Carrie's chapters of her book are there. Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, all that. That's good shit. Yes, that is good. I remember writing that and going like, this will be fun to write. And then now it's available.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, well, it's available if you go on there and.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I wanted, if it was seen by Sarah Jessica, that she didn't feel like she was a bad writer.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, that's nice.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know, so at least the first three pages, which you would flip there would be. Then it was right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No, there's a thick looking. Oh, they just duplicated. Oh, okay. I don't think anyone. I don't think this sale is closed or whatever. So I'm sure we'll be hearing more. Got it.

[Michael Patrick King]

The first two pages or three pages is prosecuted and the rest is just every. All working. No playmakes jacket from the Shining. It's just. It's just repeated, repeated, repeated, repeated prop.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Wow, that's super funny. Okay.

[Michael Patrick King]

There is some legitimate writing by me.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Wow.

[Michael Patrick King]

In the beginning of me as Carrie

[Cynthia Nixon]

writing a book, maybe Craig should go on Julian's and bid.

[Michael Patrick King]

Craig actually said to me a couple of times, paige, what about this auction? I always feel like, I don't know,

[Cynthia Nixon]

I feel the same way.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, I don't know if I want to see any of our magic.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know.

[Michael Patrick King]

Right down to a table.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know. I mean, they have Myrtle's dog bed, Richard Bird's dog bed, and the little taco dog toy. I kind of want that.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know what I have in my office? I have Charlotte's white opaque drinking glasses.

[Cynthia Nixon]

From the bedside or from the kitchen?

[Michael Patrick King]

No, from Sex and the City.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, from Sex in the City.

[Michael Patrick King]

From her old kitchen. And every time I get a drink of water, I have that white opaque.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That's beautiful, Charlotte.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah, I have like six of them.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That was a good one. Good call, Good call.

[Kristin Davis]

I have Charlotte.

[Michael Patrick King]

Huh?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I have Charlotte's pink lamp from the very, very beginning.

[Michael Patrick King]

Fantastic. And in. And it coulda, woulda, shoulda at one point. Carrie has a very tiny silver shamrock necklace off.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

With a little diamond chip in it. And Pat field and Sarah Jessica gave me a duplicate of that. It's such a delicate. That I wore it. Baby chain. I wore it from the minute they gave it to me. Season 4 All the Way through and up till the movies. And I actually took it off when the first movie wasn't going to go.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because we thought it was Going to go. And then it wasn't going to go.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

Couldn't make the deal. Couldn't make the deal. And that night it was three. The script was ridiculously long. It was 300 pages. I had a big fire. I had a big fireplace in LA outside.

[Kristin Davis]

I remember where we did the ceremony

[Michael Patrick King]

on New Year's Eve. And I said, all right, I have to let this go. And I took the 300 page script and I sat in front of the fire and I started throwing pages in like I was in an Ibsen play. And then, and then it was so hot. I was like. I started throwing in 30 at a time. And I was still there. My knees were. And I went upstairs and. And I took off the chain ceremonially. And I put it away, never to be thought of again. And the next day they called and said they made the deal. We're doing the movie. No way. After I had let go.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You made it happen.

[Michael Patrick King]

I let go of it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. That's how you made it happen. Got it. This is fascinating.

[Michael Patrick King]

All those years.

[Bowen Yang]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Wow.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I called that baby chain because it was so delicate. Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Where's the necklace, huh? Where's the next.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, good, it's saved.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Good, good, good.

[Michael Patrick King]

But I saw it on Carrie. I was like, oh, there it is.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, look, there's the picture. There's the picture. That's it. It's totally it. Can you see it? Yeah. Thank you so much for answering that question. We have asked that question in like.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's definitely not in I Heart New York, because that was. That. That was fall, right? That's pink. That's.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Got it, Got it, got it, got it, got it, got it. That makes so much sense.

[Unknown Female Speaker (Fitness/Wellness Ad)]

I turned off news altogether.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people.

[Bowen Yang]

We got clear facts.

[Unknown Female Speaker (Bombas Ad)]

Maybe we could calm down a little.

[NBC News Announcer]

NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Feed Facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America.

[Kristin Davis]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

for Albertsons and Safeway for you. Save days are here now through June 23rd. Find hot deals throughout the store and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Chobani, Vitamin Water, Jelly Belly, Nutella, Haagen, Dazs, Nestle and Outshine. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings stack rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy pickup or delivery, restrictions apply. See the website for full terms and conditions.

[Bowen Yang]

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[Cynthia Nixon]

I think because Cynthia already had Sam when we met her. You know, obviously super maternal in her own way. Right? Everyone is maternal in their own way. So I had forgotten, like it when you're really. Because now I'm steeped in the characters much more than I was when we were originally making. I'm like, yeah, this is crazy that this, you know, she's so like hardballed.

[Michael Patrick King]

Hardballed Racquetball.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh yes, yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

Everything she says about being a mother, she says, okay kids, let's forget my life.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean Literally everything she says about love.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Do what?

[Michael Patrick King]

I mean, well, she says to Carrie at one point, okay, you know what else is interesting? There's some things that I didn't write. And I wrote lines off of Carrie and it happens twice. Offer a reaction. The first thing is, okay, what's with the eyes? You say, oh, yeah, it's really good. You're giving the eyes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

There's no really words I could say. I just had them say things.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was great. And it reminded me. Do you remember later when Charlotte. Just like that.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. You get the big eyes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So good.

[Michael Patrick King]

But what about in the Miranda scene where Carrie's saying. She's saying, you're not gonna have it. She gives her a look.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, you're right. I'm gonna give up everything I wanted in life and have Steve's baby pizza for everyone. The sarcastic.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, my God, it's intense.

[Michael Patrick King]

Fantastic. Buzzsaw. And you know, that really leads to the fact that when they did those polls back in the day when we were doing the show, who do you identify with?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

And it was always like 11% Miranda. And I was like, bullshit. I know so many Mirandas. But they don't want to attach to that wildly sharp wit, sarcasm and negativity

[Kristin Davis]

that was so important.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know, no one wanted to identify with that. Even though that's a lot of world.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. And also, I mean, Miranda's brilliant.

[Michael Patrick King]

Brilliant. And had great jokes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, great jokes. And, like, she's not wrong.

[Michael Patrick King]

Miranda had one of those things that I love is when a character has a sense of humor.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

And you know what? Like, it's not the writers putting jokes in her mouth.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, Miranda has a sense of humor.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Definitely.

[Michael Patrick King]

And Miranda has imagined saying something funny.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

It's not like a character, an actress doing a joke. It's like, Miranda's funny, Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

She's funny and whip smart.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, smart.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, super smart and insightful and just gonna call it like it is.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah, yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, it's quite smart.

[Michael Patrick King]

And to a fault.

[Cynthia Nixon]

To a fault, absolutely. But still, great storytelling to a fault. So when she does. I mean, I really was just thinking, like, yeah, this is a stretch. Like, this is a big stretch to have Miranda just suddenly decide. But when she's in the waiting room with Carrie. Oh, it just.

[Michael Patrick King]

She says that line. That is interesting because it was kind of, as you said, none of the writers in the writing room were at the. Trying to have children or having children yet. I think Julie might have had kids when we met her. Julie. I think Julie and Ben were together.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I think they were together, but I don't think they had a kid.

[Michael Patrick King]

Well, they don't because their kids are 13 and 17 now. And we're way past those days. Right. They had babies after. But the thing that Miranda says that's interesting is what about when I'm 40 something

[Cynthia Nixon]

at her scary age.

[Michael Patrick King]

Her scary age?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

She says Charlotte's having trouble now and then she says, is this my baby? I know.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It cuts. Oh, it cuts. It's so good. It's so good. And that's also like.

[Kristin Davis]

Cynthia's just so good.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You know, she's just like. I mean, everyone's so good. When I look back. I mean, not that I didn't think they were, but, you know, the layers.

[Michael Patrick King]

The layers of. And the complete evolution. There's a slight evolution in everyone from doing it and being it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Being it. At this point, everyone's just being it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

You guys are acting and stuff, but you're sort of embodying it. You're just living in it. Everybody's very relaxed and happy and we all know what our jobs are. And the writing is leaving space.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Bam. Bam.

[Michael Patrick King]

Oh, you mean like there's space for you to feel underneath it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

You're saying jokes, but filling them in with subtext.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, but that's also the editing. Like you guys were editing Michael Baron problem. Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Amazing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Because, like, there'd be silences where I remember in the beginning it would cut, cut when you spoke. Right. And then, like, you might have a two shot reaction, but now there's so many.

[Michael Patrick King]

Silence became a very. It had a great vibe.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

It grew into a great vibe where there was pace but also unexpected. Like people were surprised every week.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, I'm surprised re watching it. And I thought I knew everything, but I do not.

[Michael Patrick King]

There was a surprising. Oh, they're gonna. Miranda's pregnant.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

How are they gonna get away with that?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

What are they gonna do with that? Now Miranda has a baby. How's Miranda gonna be Miranda?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know, I can't wait.

[Michael Patrick King]

Just like, how's anyone gonna be a mother.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And still maintain themselves?

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's a huge question. It's still an ongoing question.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was relatable.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

And yet still seems current.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, this is why we're still talking about it. Why it's on Netflix and why all kind of young people come up and talk to me about it. Yeah. So nice.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Amazing.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But I just want to talk about the comeback for a second too, because, like, when I Think about you. And I thought about this when we were at the Human Rights Campaign, when the package rolled, which was so brilliant. And so many different things and different shows and different. So, so many different ways.

[Michael Patrick King]

It was a package that I put together of all my LGBTQ characters and the straight friends.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. The allies.

[Michael Patrick King]

The allies.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. And the visibility. The award was for the visibility. And it was so brilliant to see it all together because I was kind of shock much. Right. It was so much over so much time, too. And it was just beautiful to look at. And each show, obviously, is different. It has a different vibe. And that's what I was thinking about when I watched the Comeback. It's so incredibly different.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But it has so much heart.

[Michael Patrick King]

But also.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I'm laughing out loud. But also it has so much to say about our culture, but also our industry. But also her as just a human trying so hard. And you just love her so much and you just feel for her. And, like, it's almost like everything is just stacked against her.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

All the time. And she's trying so hard. Like the one that I watched this morning, which, when I was talking to Julie and Elisa last week, I made the mistake of watching Motherboard. Rewatching motherboard while I was doing my makeup. Well, then I had to start all again, because, man, did it get me bad. You know, I mean, it cuts straight down into the grief and the loss.

[Michael Patrick King]

One of the great ones.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So great. So incredible.

[Michael Patrick King]

And so them.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So them. But then what they said was that you were the one who had said, we are gonna do this. Like it was on the whiteboard. We are going to have a death. It's gonna be Miranda's mother. This was not something that was being done in television in general, in comedies, you know, it just wasn't. But you said, we're gonna do this. And then they didn't know who would be assigned which scripts. And then as it was coming closer,

[Kristin Davis]

you were like, you guys.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And it's just so incredible what they were able to do. And then the next one, a change of address that they wrote, also incredible. Like, wow. And they really said that was because you, like, kind of brought them in. You know, they met with Darren. They almost missed the meeting. Cause they were gonna get on the plane. Cause they're so funny. And then their agent was like, no, you're going. And then they went to the writer's room, and you were there, and you just kind of cultivated them. And then you would also lean in their office and say, you're fired.

[Michael Patrick King]

Well, they Were terrified.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I love it.

[Michael Patrick King]

I love to scream out what the thing is. That's terrifying.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Definitely, Definitely. So good. But also, they were just like little kids. They were so young.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. But smart. So smart and so clever. And originals. My motherboard, myself. Oh, my God. That's their story.

[Kristin Davis]

It's so good.

[Michael Patrick King]

Sad. Mac. The computer died. That's them. And that was a good story. And then I took a big swing and said, you do the funeral and, you know, they're all us. They're all us. So, you know, it is thrilling to be able to completely have different vibrations of shows and still have something that you feel is important, a humanity to them.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

So, you know, the comeback has a wild sort of wheels coming off the cart pace that we didn't have in a lot of shows. But it does have. It suits its personality.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, most definitely. So this morning I was watching as I was getting ready. I think it's just the most recent one where at the end they found out. I don't know. I hope I'm not.

[Kristin Davis]

Should I?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. The leak, which also made me laugh out loud. But then at the end, I was just so crushed. And then I was like, don't cry. You gotta go put your makeup on. See Michael Patrick. But I mean, it was, oh, so good. When things have just like. And it's not her fault, it's not Valerie's fault, but no one sees everything that she goes through.

[Michael Patrick King]

They don't know the whole TikTok world turns against her. And any actress can sort of imagine that nightmare. But the thing that's great about that episode and why you probably cried is because the husband comes home.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, thank God. I was so worried. I was so worried that he's going to come home.

[Michael Patrick King]

Here's the thing. If you're going to write sad, give them something definitely to. To be okay about.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Thank God. Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know what I mean?

[Kristin Davis]

We.

[Michael Patrick King]

That's what we did on every. You know, if Charlotte can't get pregnant, give her a friendship where she sees someone loves her.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

And then she shows, you know, it's all about, don't leave them there. They can get enough of that in real life. In real life, definitely. But to reflect life and then sort of of elevate or not elevate, but like, bring a little bit more energy up to it. So you have a little bit of overview. So you can sort of cry in a good way.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Definitely.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because it's fiction.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, cry in a connected way. Like you're connected and you feel, but also it's like a kind of about our culture in a way. You know, like the thing like we're just like this one tiny part of a story leaks and blows up, and then the wrong person's blamed, and then someone might be trying to defend that person, but then the other person's still blamed. And it just feels like the world is against you and doesn't understand you. And it's like, so just deeply upsetting the culture.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know, it is a very challenging time to be an individual.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Totally.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I would even go further. A human.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Definitely.

[Michael Patrick King]

Versus a machine.

[Kristin Davis]

Definitely.

[Michael Patrick King]

And, you know, everything that's so great about art, acting in it, writing it, directing it, is about being a human and saying, hey, this hurts and it's funny and it's this and it's that. So that's why I think we'll always sort of be here. Because I agree, we're looking for us.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. And AI is not us. No, no.

[Michael Patrick King]

And there's been a million, million attempts at doing some brand, but unless it has the spark of that individual group.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

It doesn't track.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. And it's also, I believe that the things that make people laugh and or cry are unexpected things. So how is AI going to be able to do unexpected things if it's just. What's the word when you're like. Like reading everything and then spitting it back at you? There's a word. Can't think of it.

[Michael Patrick King]

I think it's called reading everything and spitting it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Okay. There's a better word. But I can't think of it. But you know what I'm saying, it's not an original thinker. Right. So how's it going to surprise anybody?

[Michael Patrick King]

Unfortunately, there is a ton of television that doesn't command your heart or soul.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know what you're saying to enjoy it.

[Michael Patrick King]

You can just watch it. You know, people always thought when we started the Comeback, it was really about the emergence of reality tv. It wasn't going to kill the narrative telling, storytelling, and it didn't. It just made a very tacky wing on the house.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Totally.

[Michael Patrick King]

Like, there's just this tacky wing that if you enjoy it, I have a judgment, if you enjoy it, you can go over there, but you can still go see adolescence.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

You know, there's a. Still a world.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Michael Patrick King]

Where there's some very human expression and then just stuff to watch.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

So I'm sure AI will find its stuff.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, that's a good point. That's a good point. That's a good point. How many episodes More do we have of the comeback coming?

[Michael Patrick King]

There's eight in total and they just aired six. Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Michael, what are you gonna do next?

[Michael Patrick King]

I'm thinking and dreaming and imagining and it's a very interesting moment because I don't have any IP right now. I have to create something completely. It's thrilling.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, that's exciting.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yes, very exciting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Are you well rested? Have you gotten rest? Because I know you had still a

[Michael Patrick King]

little bit like a crack monkey looking for the button.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because I just came off the big press tour in the machine of it. But I don't think I ever rest. I think I.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's hard to picture.

[Michael Patrick King]

Calm down a little bit. And I dream.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I then start thinking something else, like what's coming in next? What's.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That's good. That's good.

[Michael Patrick King]

What's coming into the antenna?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

What's the next?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I like it.

[Michael Patrick King]

So it's exciting. As long as there is a next. And I think there will be.

[Cynthia Nixon]

How could there not be? Come on, we need you. Yeah, we need you, babe.

[Michael Patrick King]

And we got to work together again.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know. Anytime. I mean. Yeah. We'll see if I can find anything interesting. I don't know. It's tough out there to find interesting stuff after you've had what we've had, you know.

[Michael Patrick King]

Journey. Me? Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. Interesting. It's interesting. Like I, there's people that I meet and I like them, right. Youngsters, really young, young directors. And I think like, yeah, yeah, I, I, I, I could go, I could go and work with them. I could go and work with them. But then it's like, it's hard because he doesn't pull all of you. Like the parts aren't. And then I'm like, should I do it if I don't care that much? Don't. I mean, tarted.

[Michael Patrick King]

Be open to be surprised.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Okay.

[Michael Patrick King]

Because I just had a, a meal with two really exciting up and comers and I'm like, wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, that's how I feel about Benny and Mary Beth.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. Come on.

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, right?

[Michael Patrick King]

They're like. I was like, wow, those are. And they're self made and they're doing it and remember we had an evolution. Yeah, everyone's going to have an evolution.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

But the thing is be open.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You're right. You're right. No, that's good.

[Michael Patrick King]

To thinking of people as wild cards.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, the people. I'm totally not upset with the people. It's more the overall project and I think it's because I'm Spoiled. Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

There's not a lot of great ideas out there that are getting a lot of light.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No.

[Michael Patrick King]

So, you know.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah. Anytime people see you, they're excited.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's just.

[Michael Patrick King]

But you do have a level now that you want to maintain.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. That's the difficult thing, and that's where

[Michael Patrick King]

it gets scary, because how long can I maintain my level?

[Cynthia Nixon]

But it's not even so much about that, because some of that. I understand that we're in a chaos point. Right. So I'm not so much. It's more about the level of excitement of the actual creative work. That's where I get hung up.

[Michael Patrick King]

Up. Here's the facts.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Michael Patrick King]

You have a lot to give, and you've been asked to give a lot, thankfully. So to give a third.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Or less.

[Michael Patrick King]

Or less, I mean, feels a little bit disappointing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. And then I. I don't want to go if I'm going to feel disappointed because I don't want to let the people down.

[Michael Patrick King]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. Such a hard thing to navigate. I feel like I should send you these things and get your opinion.

[Michael Patrick King]

I think we're done now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We probably are, because now we're gonna

[Michael Patrick King]

just, you know, now we'll start talking about projects that no one knows about.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Totally. Totally. Totally. Which, you know, we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but, I mean, you know, this is.

[Michael Patrick King]

Well, send me anything you want and I'll say yes or no to it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. I mean, you won't. You're shaking your head. I mean, it's a joy. I mean, there's so many things I was supposed to ask you about. I'm sure, but I forgot. But I don't care because it's just a joy to follow you in a conversation.

[Michael Patrick King]

Well, it's a pleasure to come back.

[Kristin Davis]

We love you so much.

[Michael Patrick King]

And I love you.

[Kristin Davis]

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[Kristin Davis]

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[Unknown Female Speaker (Fitness/Wellness Ad)]

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[Kristin Davis]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.