Podcast Summary: “Catching Up With Friends with Kane Peterson”
Podcast: Are You A Charlotte?
Host: Kristen Davis
Guest: Kane Peterson
Date: February 20, 2026
Duration: Main content [03:15–45:52]
Episode Overview
In this episode, Kristen Davis sits down with special guest Kane Peterson, known for his role as the comic book store owner who briefly dates Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City’s iconic “Hot Child in the City” episode (Season 3). They reminisce about Kane’s unique experience joining the SATC universe, dive into behind-the-scenes stories, discuss the quirks of casting and acting, and reflect on New York City’s evolution. The tone is nostalgic, personal, humorous, and full of warm appreciation for the “Sex and the City” legacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kane Peterson’s Role & Episode Memories ([03:15]–[10:11])
- Introduction & Memory Lane:
- Kristin introduces Kane as an actor, radio personality, and podcaster.
- Kane shares how he revisited his episode just before the recording, appreciating it with new perspective:
"I gave myself some grace. It was a fantastic episode. And not just me, but like the entire episode—every storyline was hilarious." (Kane, [05:00])
- Personal Pride & Relatability:
- He reflects on his initial self-criticism and later appreciation.
- Kristin notes how unusual and memorable Kane’s episode is, as it stands apart from the series’ norm.
2. Audition Stories & Chemistry with Sarah Jessica Parker ([06:28]–[09:49])
- Audition Experience:
- Kane initially didn’t know much about Sex and the City; his agent convinced him to audition.
- He describes his callback, reading with Sarah Jessica Parker, surrounded by other recognizable actors:
"I'm too stupid to be nervous. Too ignorant to be nervous. Thank God." (Kane, [07:42])
- Getting the Part:
- SJP told Kane they knew he “had it” the moment he entered the room.
- Kristin highlights how “perfectly cast” Kane was for the role.
- Filming Memories:
- Kane filmed over his birthday; SJP surprised him with a birthday cake at Silvercup Studios, making him feel welcomed and special.
3. Behind the Scenes: Writing & Production ([10:11]–[12:59])
-
Unique Episode Attributes:
- Writer Alan Heinberg only penned this single episode, bringing a unique voice and comic book sensibility to the show’s universe.
- Kristin explains SATC would occasionally bring in outside writers, like Alan, to add new perspectives to specific episodes.
-
Filming Challenges:
"It was supposed to be really hot based on last summer, but it wasn't." (Kristin, [12:11])
- The “Hot Child in the City” title reflected the prior summer's heat, though conditions during filming weren’t as sweltering.
4. On-set Experiences and Working with SJP ([13:03]–[24:11])
- Kane’s Fresh Perspective:
- He describes the challenge of appreciating the experience in real time versus watching now in hindsight.
- Direction and Professionalism:
- Kane received little directorial input, which helped his portrayal seem authentic.
- Memorable Direction:
"Here was the best direction anybody gave me. It was Sarah, the bedroom scene... right before they yell action. She leans in and goes, 'No tongue.'" (Kane, [19:32])
- Kristin praises Kane for his naturalness and genuine “regular-guy” energy on screen.
5. Life After SATC: Auditions, Radio, and “What-Ifs” ([20:15]–[21:49])
- Post-Show Experiences:
- Buoyed by landing an acting job on his first try, Kane recounts being sent out for further auditions—including “Will & Grace”—and nearly booking a recurring TV role, only to lose out to Woody Harrelson.
- Kane reflects on how his career pivoted back toward his love for radio and podcasting, expressing contentment.
6. Sarah Jessica Parker’s Character and Real-life Kindness ([22:10]–[24:11])
- Personal Anecdotes:
- Kane shares how SJP made him comfortable on set, even researching his favorite baseball team (Minnesota Twins) to converse about it:
"I sit down the next day, and she's rattling off all these... She goes, 'I looked at the box score. I wanted to be able to talk about it today.'" (Kane, [23:19])
- Kane shares how SJP made him comfortable on set, even researching his favorite baseball team (Minnesota Twins) to converse about it:
- Kristin’s Reflection:
- SJP’s kindness and professionalism are discussed at length; Kristin stresses she’s “a very professional person… been working since she was nine..."
7. Favorite Scenes & Spontaneous Moments ([25:30]–[26:21])
- Most Memorable Scene:
- Kane’s favorite moment: walking through the arcade with SJP, noting their authentic chemistry.
- Spontaneity shines:
“We get in the ride at the end of that scene... I remember looking— that wasn't in the script where I go, ‘Here we go.’ And then she laughs. ...I was just in the moment. Right.” (Kane, [26:13])
8. 00s NYC—Context and Changes ([26:23]–[29:26])
- Nostalgia for Old New York:
- Reminiscing about the city as an extra character in the show.
- The evolution of neighborhoods and safety—Hell’s Kitchen, changing names, and how the vibe of 2000 NYC was unique.
- Kristin and Kane agree:
“That was the heyday of New York City.” (Kane, [28:32])
“...2001, you know what happened. Everything changed. So I feel like 2000, 2001 were like the glory.” (Kristin, [28:54])
9. Scooters, Comic Books, and Trends Ahead of Their Time ([30:15]–[31:36])
- Filming Challenges:
- Kane remembers the technical difficulties (and comedy) of handling the new-at-the-time scooter prop during filming.
- Kristin notes how the episode anticipated trends in comics, arcades, and urban scooters before they went mainstream.
10. Recognizable Faces, Fandom, and Living with Iconic Roles ([32:12]–[45:13])
- Guest Star Appreciation:
- Nostalgia for hiring theater legends like Anita Gillette.
- Fandom Moments:
- Kane’s “boyfriend ranking” in pop culture articles—"above Jon Bon Jovi!”—and surviving internet commentary.
- Famous Lines:
- Asked most about:
“And I’m taking it with me when I go.” ([42:33])
- Fans also mimic the wing-eating/deflection scene from the episode.
- Asked most about:
- Matthew Broderick Encounter:
- Post-bedroom scene, Matthew—the real “Ferris Bueller”—was the first to congratulate Kane.
“Her husband is the first one to tell me he just watched me roll around in a sack with... his wife. And he’s telling me, 'Great scene.'” (Kane, [43:07])
- Kristin tells a story of fans unfurling a “Ferris” banner during Broderick’s serious Broadway performance, illustrating the double-edged sword of iconic roles.
- Post-bedroom scene, Matthew—the real “Ferris Bueller”—was the first to congratulate Kane.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Casting & Chemistry
“You were just so perfectly cast. You’re just so great in it.”
—Kristin ([08:05]) -
On the SATC Set Dynamic
“There weren’t that many shows filming at the time in New York. ...There was Law and Order… And then us—very different. …Once we really got going...we got to pick and choose who we wanted.”
—Kristin ([09:32]) -
On Sarah Jessica Parker’s Kindness
“She was so friendly… we realize we have baseball in common...I sit down the next day and she’s rattling off all these...She goes, ‘I looked at the box score. I wanted to be able to talk about it today.’”
—Kane ([23:19]) -
On Spontaneity in Acting
“I forgot I was acting. We’re just hanging out. …So that, you know, speaks to what you said about...just look and play and bringing out the playfulness in her.”
—Kane ([26:20]) -
On Life After SATC
“I got into a lot of clubs because of that show.”
—Kane ([39:16]) -
On Iconic Lines
“That’s the line that most people…always say, ‘And I’m taking it with me when I go.’ I have heard that so many times.”
—Kane ([42:33]) -
On Famous Spouses
“Her husband is the first one to tell me he just watched me roll around in a sack... with his wife. And he’s telling me, ‘Great scene.’ And in my head, I’m like, oh my God, that’s Ferris.”
—Kane ([43:07])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [03:15] Start of main episode; Kristen welcomes Kane
- [05:00] Kane reflects on his episode with new eyes
- [07:42] Audition nerves (or lack thereof)
- [09:03] Filming during Kane’s birthday
- [10:31] Alan Heinberg’s role as a unique episode writer
- [12:11] Memories of a not-so-hot “Hot Child in the City” summer
- [13:03] On appreciating the episode as a viewer, not just an actor
- [19:32] SJP’s iconic “No tongue” direction before their bedroom scene
- [22:23] SJP bonds with Kane over baseball
- [26:13] Kane describes his favorite, improvised scene in the arcade
- [28:32] NYC as a “character” in the series
- [30:15] Escalator-scooter prop comedy behind the scenes
- [39:16] Fame, clubs, and being recognized after SATC
- [42:33] Most repeated fan quotes
- [43:07] Meeting Matthew Broderick after filming bedroom scene
Tone & Takeaways
- The conversation is warm, self-deprecating, open, and full of nostalgia and gratitude.
- Both Kristen and Kane emphasize the human, personal side of working on an iconic show—how it felt, the humor, and the real friendships and memories formed on and off set.
- They reflect on how “Sex and the City” captured a New York—and a zeitgeist—that has since evolved.
- Memorable moments and lines from the show live on in fan memories and in the actors’ lives.
- The value of kindness, playfulness, and professionalism shines throughout, especially in anecdotes about Sarah Jessica Parker.
- There’s a sense of pride, but also groundedness, in how these TV roles continue to impact those who lived them—and those who watched.
For listeners—whether you’re a diehard SATC fan or a newcomer—this episode of “Are You A Charlotte?” offers a heartfelt, revealing trip through TV history and reminiscence, with laughs, wisdom, and plenty of charming behind-the-scenes moments.
