Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: "Alrighty… it’s Happening. Kyle MacLachlan is Here!"

Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Kyle MacLachlan
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Kristin Davis (Charlotte York from Sex and the City) welcomes Kyle MacLachlan, who played Trey MacDougal—Charlotte’s ex-husband in the iconic series. The conversation is a rich blend of behind-the-scenes stories, career reflections, the evolution of both actors’ roles, and the lasting cultural impact of SATC. Fans are treated to reminiscence, vulnerability, humor, and the kind of honest reflection that can only come from two actors who genuinely enjoyed working together and are eager to connect the past with the present.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reconnecting and Personal Chemistry

Opening Banter & Decor: The episode opens with playful jokes about Kyle bringing the infamous "cardboard baby" (03:21-03:28) and an anecdote about home decor advice Kyle once gave to Kristin regarding alabaster sconces.
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “You said, you need an alabaster sconce that's appropriate to the time, and this is where you go to get it. And I still have them.” (03:54)
  - Kyle: “It's a beautiful light that comes out of there. It's very flattering...makes us look good like the lighting you have here.” (04:10-04:18)
Aging, Hair, and Self-Acceptance: They discuss hair (going gray) and aging on- and off-screen, embracing natural looks and “good lighting.”
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “That's what I love about your hair. I think your hair is kind of like creating like, a beautiful halo around your face.” (04:28)
  - Kyle: “I’m glad I have it ... It's a little different color ... Been coloring my hair. I started going gray in my 20s.” (04:38-04:49)

2. Events, Fashion, and Career Versatility

Kyle’s Involvement in the Vogue World Show:
- MacLachlan describes walking in Baz Luhrmann’s “Vogue World” production, the excitement of meshing fashion and celebrity, and reconnecting with Anna Wintour and old crew (05:40-07:35).
Both Actors’ Multifaceted Careers:
- Kristin notes Kyle has had “different eras” in his career—ranging from drama, fashion, and design.
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “I feel like you have had, in some ways, like, many different careers ...you always kind of had one foot in fashion and design.” (07:10)

3. Behind the Scenes on "Sex and the City"

Casting Trey:
- Kristin recalls not knowing who would play Charlotte’s love interest; Kyle shares he was initially considered for a very brief arc, but things changed after he joined the cast.
- The Impotence Plot:
  - Quote:
    - Kyle: “They sort of go into this thing...and they said...he’s got kind of an unusual relationship with his mother...and he’s impotent. And I'm there like this, and I'm smiling, and I'm like, you know, just when you think you're gonna get out, they pull you back in.” (12:24–13:08)
  - Both reflect on how open SATC was in handling “embarrassing” or taboo topics without judgment.
- Longer Arc Due to Chemistry:
  - Initially, Trey was intended for just a handful of episodes, but the chemistry between Kristin and Kyle led to an expanded role.
  - Memorable moment:
    - Kyle: “Good choice of word, it extended. Sorry. I'm very sorry.” (13:48)
      (joking about Trey's storyline about impotence)
- Working Dynamics:
  - Kristin shares the excitement and challenges of rewatching episodes after decades, noting how well the writing and performances hold up. Kyle expresses appreciation for the “non-judgy” and humorous treatment of difficult subjects.
  - Quote:
    - Kyle: “...One of the strengths...was, let’s say, the conceit of what was happening was funny and embarrassing, I'll be honest. But at the same time, they gave us a chance to deal with it in a fairly educational and understanding...non-judgy...There was a deeper thing going on there.” (09:09–09:47)

4. Comic Timing and the Charlotte Character

Deep dive into what made Charlotte (and Trey) funny and real—Kristin’s earnestness, accidental comedy, and the interplay with Kyle’s “eccentric but sweet” style.
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “With Kristin, I said, I don't know if she realizes she's funny...It's one of the great comedic qualities...that you don't know kind of what's going on...but it's funny.” (15:49–16:27)
- Kristin relates how, before SATC, her “big feelings” often led to unintentional humor; Jenny Bix (writer) recognized this on set.

5. Relationship Arc and Ending

Why Trey Didn’t Return in “And Just Like That”
- Kyle shares openly why he declined to reprise Trey, feeling the new storyline offered was too “one-joke” and didn’t honor the deep, bittersweet story he and Kristin built.
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “I really felt like we had invested so much in this relationship, and I think culminating in that moment...when I actually return and we do the photo...and I felt like, you know, there's more here than that.” (24:04–24:14)
Reflections on the Cardboard Baby:
- Both actors recall the infamous breakup plot point and how Kyle puzzled over Trey's motivation—was he clueless, cruel, or just flailing?
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “Why would I bring her a cardboard baby? ...This doesn't track for me at all. ...Do I play it that I'm clueless? ...Or do I play it that I'm trying to end it and being kind of cruel?...I finally just kind at all. I just kind of just said, cardboard baby...” (27:58–28:45)
- Both discuss the emotional realism of the breakup, the pressures of baby-making and IVF, and how the show chose humor over stark drama.

6. Working in TV: Unpredictable Storylines

SATC, Desperate Housewives, and Melrose Place:
- Kyle and Kristin swap stories about the unpredictable nature of TV scripts; sometimes characters are stretched or ended abruptly due to shifting storylines and staffing.
- Kyle: “It is one of the scary things about television about getting a script week to week ...Are you going to be naked, kill someone, have a breakdown?...A lot of trepidation.” (35:05–35:15)
- Kristin: “That's how it was for me, big time, because Darren brought me in and then Darren left ... I was just like, oh my Jesus. God. And then they were like, now you're gonna die.” (35:17–35:44)

7. Directors and Visual Evolution

Both reflect on how the series evolved visually—from “lo-fi” beginnings to a more cinematic style, referencing directors Alison Anders and Charles McDougall.
- Kristin: “...the kind of evolution of the visuals ... we start getting the Sopranos directors coming in and her dollying through the rooms ... It gets better and better.” (41:32–42:10)
Discuss the excitement (and nerves) of shooting real New York street scenes, sometimes guerrilla-style, contrasting that with elaborate set-ups later in the show.

8. Touching on Fandom and Continuity

Both marvel at the depth of fan memory and how modern scrutiny (especially online) means every continuity quirk is noticed.
- Kristin: “Nowadays, if you did that, the Internet would be like, Miranda never had a cat. Where'd that cat come from?...But back then, we just did it every week. We just did our stuff. We didn't worry about it.” (43:40-43:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Just when you think you're gonna get out, they pull you back in.” — Kyle MacLachlan, on Trey's surprise impotence storyline (13:08)
“Good choice of word, it extended. Sorry. I'm very sorry.” — Kyle, joking about his character’s arc and storyline about impotence (13:48)
“It's a beautiful light that comes out of there. It's very flattering light. ... makes us look good. Like the lighting you have here. It's warm and soft.” — Kyle, on decor advice and flattering light (04:10–04:18)
“With Kristin, I said, I don't know if she realizes she's funny ... It's one of the great comedic qualities that you could possibly have, because I think there are a number of people throughout the history of film and television that you don't know kind of what's going on … but it's funny.” — Kyle (15:49–16:27)
“I really felt like we had invested so much in this relationship ... there's more here than [a one-joke return]." — Kyle, on declining to reprise Trey in AJLT (24:04–24:14)
“Why would I bring her a cardboard baby?...This doesn't track for me at all. ...I understand it from the outside...do I play it clueless, or do I play that I’m deliberately trying to end it?” — Kyle (27:58–28:45)
“We just did our stuff. We didn't worry about [continuity].” — Kristin (43:54)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 03:21 | Cardboard baby joke, warm banter begins | | 04:05–04:18 | Home decor & lighting chat, segue into aging/grace | | 05:34–07:35 | Kyle's fashion show experience, discussing style | | 09:09–09:47 | Discussing SATC's tone: humor, openness, empathy in touchy storylines | | 12:24–13:08 | Trey's casting: "unusual relationship with his mother...he’s impotent" | | 13:48 | “Good choice of word, it extended…” – double entendre humor | | 16:27 | Kyle on Kristin’s secret comedic superpower | | 23:40–24:14 | Why Kyle didn’t return in "And Just Like That" | | 27:58–28:45 | Cardboard baby: actor process on an odd story beat | | 41:16–42:10 | Visual evolution: directors, style, breaking the fourth wall | | 43:40–43:54 | Fan scrutiny, continuity, and nostalgia for simpler times | | 49:06–49:27 | The magic of filming in NY streets, making the city a character | | 50:29–50:34 | Promise of a part two with Kyle returning |

Tone & Style

The conversation is affectionate, self-deprecating, and thoughtfully candid, with both Kristin and Kyle weaving humor into even the most bittersweet or awkward storylines. Both show deep respect for the show's legacy, each other as actors, and the passionate SATC fanbase—offering genuine insights, laughs, and the promise of more to come.

Summary

This episode is a heartfelt, funny, and revealing look back at one of Sex and the City’s most memorable couples—balancing nostalgia with honest industry realities. Kyle and Kristin’s rapport makes for charming listening, full of wisdom about acting, aging, and finding humor even in cardboard babies.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where Kristin and Kyle promise more deep-dive stories about Trey and Charlotte, the evolution of TV, and the enduring legacy of Sex and the City.

Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: "Alrighty… it’s Happening. Kyle MacLachlan is Here!"

Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Kyle MacLachlan
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reconnecting and Personal Chemistry

Opening Banter & Decor: The episode opens with playful jokes about Kyle bringing the infamous "cardboard baby" (03:21-03:28) and an anecdote about home decor advice Kyle once gave to Kristin regarding alabaster sconces.
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “You said, you need an alabaster sconce that's appropriate to the time, and this is where you go to get it. And I still have them.” (03:54)
  - Kyle: “It's a beautiful light that comes out of there. It's very flattering...makes us look good like the lighting you have here.” (04:10-04:18)
Aging, Hair, and Self-Acceptance: They discuss hair (going gray) and aging on- and off-screen, embracing natural looks and “good lighting.”
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “That's what I love about your hair. I think your hair is kind of like creating like, a beautiful halo around your face.” (04:28)
  - Kyle: “I’m glad I have it ... It's a little different color ... Been coloring my hair. I started going gray in my 20s.” (04:38-04:49)

2. Events, Fashion, and Career Versatility

Kyle’s Involvement in the Vogue World Show:
- MacLachlan describes walking in Baz Luhrmann’s “Vogue World” production, the excitement of meshing fashion and celebrity, and reconnecting with Anna Wintour and old crew (05:40-07:35).
Both Actors’ Multifaceted Careers:
- Kristin notes Kyle has had “different eras” in his career—ranging from drama, fashion, and design.
- Quote:
  - Kristin: “I feel like you have had, in some ways, like, many different careers ...you always kind of had one foot in fashion and design.” (07:10)

3. Behind the Scenes on "Sex and the City"

Casting Trey:
- Kristin recalls not knowing who would play Charlotte’s love interest; Kyle shares he was initially considered for a very brief arc, but things changed after he joined the cast.
- The Impotence Plot:
  - Quote:
    - Kyle: “They sort of go into this thing...and they said...he’s got kind of an unusual relationship with his mother...and he’s impotent. And I'm there like this, and I'm smiling, and I'm like, you know, just when you think you're gonna get out, they pull you back in.” (12:24–13:08)
  - Both reflect on how open SATC was in handling “embarrassing” or taboo topics without judgment.
- Longer Arc Due to Chemistry:
  - Initially, Trey was intended for just a handful of episodes, but the chemistry between Kristin and Kyle led to an expanded role.
  - Memorable moment:
    - Kyle: “Good choice of word, it extended. Sorry. I'm very sorry.” (13:48)
      (joking about Trey's storyline about impotence)
- Working Dynamics:
  - Kristin shares the excitement and challenges of rewatching episodes after decades, noting how well the writing and performances hold up. Kyle expresses appreciation for the “non-judgy” and humorous treatment of difficult subjects.
  - Quote:
    - Kyle: “...One of the strengths...was, let’s say, the conceit of what was happening was funny and embarrassing, I'll be honest. But at the same time, they gave us a chance to deal with it in a fairly educational and understanding...non-judgy...There was a deeper thing going on there.” (09:09–09:47)

4. Comic Timing and the Charlotte Character

Deep dive into what made Charlotte (and Trey) funny and real—Kristin’s earnestness, accidental comedy, and the interplay with Kyle’s “eccentric but sweet” style.
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “With Kristin, I said, I don't know if she realizes she's funny...It's one of the great comedic qualities...that you don't know kind of what's going on...but it's funny.” (15:49–16:27)
- Kristin relates how, before SATC, her “big feelings” often led to unintentional humor; Jenny Bix (writer) recognized this on set.

5. Relationship Arc and Ending

Why Trey Didn’t Return in “And Just Like That”
- Kyle shares openly why he declined to reprise Trey, feeling the new storyline offered was too “one-joke” and didn’t honor the deep, bittersweet story he and Kristin built.
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “I really felt like we had invested so much in this relationship, and I think culminating in that moment...when I actually return and we do the photo...and I felt like, you know, there's more here than that.” (24:04–24:14)
Reflections on the Cardboard Baby:
- Both actors recall the infamous breakup plot point and how Kyle puzzled over Trey's motivation—was he clueless, cruel, or just flailing?
- Quote:
  - Kyle: “Why would I bring her a cardboard baby? ...This doesn't track for me at all. ...Do I play it that I'm clueless? ...Or do I play it that I'm trying to end it and being kind of cruel?...I finally just kind at all. I just kind of just said, cardboard baby...” (27:58–28:45)
- Both discuss the emotional realism of the breakup, the pressures of baby-making and IVF, and how the show chose humor over stark drama.

6. Working in TV: Unpredictable Storylines

SATC, Desperate Housewives, and Melrose Place:
- Kyle and Kristin swap stories about the unpredictable nature of TV scripts; sometimes characters are stretched or ended abruptly due to shifting storylines and staffing.
- Kyle: “It is one of the scary things about television about getting a script week to week ...Are you going to be naked, kill someone, have a breakdown?...A lot of trepidation.” (35:05–35:15)
- Kristin: “That's how it was for me, big time, because Darren brought me in and then Darren left ... I was just like, oh my Jesus. God. And then they were like, now you're gonna die.” (35:17–35:44)

7. Directors and Visual Evolution

Both reflect on how the series evolved visually—from “lo-fi” beginnings to a more cinematic style, referencing directors Alison Anders and Charles McDougall.
- Kristin: “...the kind of evolution of the visuals ... we start getting the Sopranos directors coming in and her dollying through the rooms ... It gets better and better.” (41:32–42:10)
Discuss the excitement (and nerves) of shooting real New York street scenes, sometimes guerrilla-style, contrasting that with elaborate set-ups later in the show.

8. Touching on Fandom and Continuity

Both marvel at the depth of fan memory and how modern scrutiny (especially online) means every continuity quirk is noticed.
- Kristin: “Nowadays, if you did that, the Internet would be like, Miranda never had a cat. Where'd that cat come from?...But back then, we just did it every week. We just did our stuff. We didn't worry about it.” (43:40-43:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Just when you think you're gonna get out, they pull you back in.” — Kyle MacLachlan, on Trey's surprise impotence storyline (13:08)
“Good choice of word, it extended. Sorry. I'm very sorry.” — Kyle, joking about his character’s arc and storyline about impotence (13:48)
“It's a beautiful light that comes out of there. It's very flattering light. ... makes us look good. Like the lighting you have here. It's warm and soft.” — Kyle, on decor advice and flattering light (04:10–04:18)
“With Kristin, I said, I don't know if she realizes she's funny ... It's one of the great comedic qualities that you could possibly have, because I think there are a number of people throughout the history of film and television that you don't know kind of what's going on … but it's funny.” — Kyle (15:49–16:27)
“I really felt like we had invested so much in this relationship ... there's more here than [a one-joke return]." — Kyle, on declining to reprise Trey in AJLT (24:04–24:14)
“Why would I bring her a cardboard baby?...This doesn't track for me at all. ...I understand it from the outside...do I play it clueless, or do I play that I’m deliberately trying to end it?” — Kyle (27:58–28:45)
“We just did our stuff. We didn't worry about [continuity].” — Kristin (43:54)

Key Timestamps

Tone & Style

Summary

Stay tuned for Part Two, where Kristin and Kyle promise more deep-dive stories about Trey and Charlotte, the evolution of TV, and the enduring legacy of Sex and the City.

wavePod

Alrighty… it’s Happening. Kyle MacLachlan is Here!

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: "Alrighty… it’s Happening. Kyle MacLachlan is Here!"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reconnecting and Personal Chemistry

2. Events, Fashion, and Career Versatility

3. Behind the Scenes on "Sex and the City"

4. Comic Timing and the Charlotte Character

5. Relationship Arc and Ending

6. Working in TV: Unpredictable Storylines

7. Directors and Visual Evolution

8. Touching on Fandom and Continuity

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps

Tone & Style

Summary

Summary

Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: "Alrighty… it’s Happening. Kyle MacLachlan is Here!"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reconnecting and Personal Chemistry

2. Events, Fashion, and Career Versatility

3. Behind the Scenes on "Sex and the City"

4. Comic Timing and the Charlotte Character

5. Relationship Arc and Ending

6. Working in TV: Unpredictable Storylines

7. Directors and Visual Evolution

8. Touching on Fandom and Continuity

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps

Tone & Style

Summary