Catching Up with Friends with Dan Futterman aka the Sexy Pastry Chef

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Are You A Charlotte?

Episode Title: Catching Up with Friends with Dan Futterman aka the Sexy Pastry Chef
Release Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Danny Futterman

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Overview

This episode of "Are You a Charlotte?" features a heartfelt and candid reunion between host Kristin Davis (Charlotte York from Sex and the City) and actor/writer Danny Futterman, who played Stefan, Charlotte’s “metrosexual” one-episode boyfriend in Season 2, Episode 11 (“Evolution”). The conversation moves between nostalgic behind-the-scenes details from Sex and the City, musings on acting and creative careers, explorations of change in TV and culture, and personal stories about love, friendship, and professional crossroads. Both actors reflect on the challenges and joys of aging on- and off-screen, as well as the bittersweet end of the reboot series And Just Like That.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reuniting and Revisiting "Evolution" (03:02 – 13:45)

• Nostalgia and the Passage of Time:

  • Kristin and Danny remark on how little they seem to have aged and share the strange sensation of rewatching their Sex and the City episode over 25 years later.
    • “To me, you look the same because I literally just watched the episode. Right. Which is so crazy.” (Kristin Davis, 04:11)
  • They discuss the emotional disconnect between feeling unchanged internally and seeing themselves so young on screen.

• Audition Anecdotes and Broadway Connections:

  • Danny recalls auditioning for the role of Stefan, cementing how rare it was to get cast in New York back then, and how the Sex and the City set drew from the city’s rich stage talent.
    • “I was getting some offers for stuff, not a lot, but I was like, I’m gonna go out to Queens to audition for like a one episode thing. Seriously.” (Danny Futterman, 06:08)
  • Both reminisce about casting dynamics, with Cynthia Nixon advocating to bring Broadway actors onto the show.

• The "Metrosexual" Label in the '90s:

  • Kristin and Danny discuss the (now outdated) term and how Stefan represented Charlotte’s first "positive" sex scene.
  • Kristin shares how unusual it was for Charlotte to get a sex scene that felt genuine, enjoyable, and beautiful, especially compared to prior comedic or uncomfortable ones.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Acting, Identity, and Intimacy (13:45 – 20:43)

• Blurring Personal and Professional Lines:

  • Danny opens up about how his roles (often gay characters on stage and TV) led to real-life questions from his now-wife about his sexuality, reflecting broader questions about identity and performance.
    • “Early in my relationship... she said, ‘If you are gay, just tell me now, because we're like, falling in love.’” (Danny Futterman, 11:29)
  • Kristin and Danny discuss the shifting cultural norms around gay roles, straight actors, and casting in TV and theater.

• Deep Dive: Broadway Casts and Actor Crushes:

  • They recall the legendary cast of Angels in America, Danny’s admiration for Cheri Jones and Cynthia Nixon, and the camaraderie and occasional crushes exchanged backstage.

• Being Comfortable On Set:

  • The sex scene is remembered as a standout for its visual care and the comfort created by director Pam Thomas. Kristin praises Danny as a sensitive and respectful scene partner.
    • “I had so many fears and then ended up really enjoying it because you, of course, are a respectful and lovely co-star.” (Kristin Davis, 36:19)

Endings, Reboots & Legacy (23:48 – 39:00)

• Aging in the Spotlight and “And Just Like That”:

  • Kristin opens up about the complexities of returning to the franchise after so many years, the challenge of fan expectations, and the emotional impact of the series’ most recent ending.
    • “It’s a documentary of middle age... I feel so seen.” (Kristin Davis, 24:52)
  • She shares the resonance of a New York Times podcast (“Cannonball”) that reframed the new series as a powerful, true depiction of middle age and friendship.

• Impact on Viewers and Generational Legacy:

  • Both note the profound effect Sex and the City had on viewers, especially women who saw themselves represented for the first time.
  • Danny reflects on how Sex and the City and The Birdcage have aged—admitting he expected The Birdcage might not hold up but is surprised by its continued popularity.

Friendship, Romance & Real-Life Crossovers (28:09 – 39:00)

• Real-Life Love Stories:

  • Danny shares how he met his wife Anya while guest-starring on Homicide: Life on the Street, with Kristin playfully referencing how she lent him her house during that heady time.
    • “Walking out and being told, that's the writer. And thinking, that's the person I should be engaged to.” (Danny Futterman, 29:36)
  • Touching on the complications of dating and the demanding schedule of Sex and the City, Kristin reveals her own relationship timelines and the challenges of balancing work and romance.

• Cultural Impact & Recognition:

  • Both discuss being recognized for their roles decades later and share stories of how Sex and the City remains relevant for new generations—Danny’s daughters insisted he should do the podcast.
    • “They are fans of the show. Oh, this has, you know, it really amazing in a way that you would think it, you know, these things would not.” (Danny Futterman, 50:04)

Industry Realities, Writing, and Moving On (44:41 – End)

• Career Evolutions:

  • Danny talks about his shift away from acting into writing, showrunning, and producing; Kristin reflects on the possible “typecasting” effect of Sex and the City, and the opportunities they did—or didn’t—get as a result.
    • “It’s kind of like your energy in the business is kind of sucked up by this, you know what I mean?” (Kristin Davis, 61:10)
  • They both highlight how luck, chemistry, and great writing underpin a long-running show's success.

• Show Production and Creative Collaborations:

  • Insights into the changes in TV production: from the logistical differences between long and short seasons to the shifting makeup of cast and crew after many years.
    • Kristin describes her surprise and bittersweet feelings at returning for the reboot and finding herself surrounded by a new, younger crew.

• Processing the End and Finding Gratitude:

  • Kristin shares her process of mourning the end of And Just Like That and balancing the sadness of loss with ongoing friendships and gratitude for what the show brought.
    • “It was like suddenly walking into your own funeral when you didn’t know it was coming. I mean, it was like we died.” (Kristin Davis, 59:14)
  • Both recognize the privilege and rarity of such a career, and Danny offers encouragement and hope for new opportunities ahead.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “To me, you look the same because I literally just watched the episode. Right. Which is so crazy.”
  — Kristin Davis (04:11)

• “It was a semi humiliating audition where they're basically like, get up on a chair and be scared…that was what I did.”
  — Danny Futterman (08:38)

• “In this is literally Charlotte's first kind of positive type sex scene.”
  — Kristin Davis (09:46)

• “Early in my relationship…she said ‘If you are gay, just tell me now, because we're like, falling in love.’”
  — Danny Futterman (11:29)

• “I had such vivid memories of some of it and then some of it, like, I didn’t remember.”
  — Kristin Davis (36:19)

• “It’s a documentary of middle age…I feel so seen.”
  — Kristin Davis (24:52, quoting a podcast that moved her profoundly)

• “Let me tell you, it was like suddenly walking into your own funeral when you didn’t know it was coming.”
  — Kristin Davis (59:14)

• “I hoped so because God knows we have a very big profile. Let’s, let’s put that to use for something else, you know what I mean? Because no one can stop talking about us, which is interesting. Very interesting.”
  — Kristin Davis (61:33)

• “You're like—you're mourning it a little bit right now while you're celebrating, for sure.”
  — Danny Futterman (58:59)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:02: Beginning of content; Kristin welcomes Danny and sets up the episode
• 04:27: Reflections on youth and memory from rewatching the episode
• 06:08: Danny describing his audition for Stefan
• 09:46: Kristin recounts Charlotte’s first positive sex scene
• 11:29: Danny’s personal story about perceptions of sexuality from roles
• 19:35: On comfort, trust, and working together as scene partners
• 24:52: Kristin discusses the podcast that reframed And Just Like That as a documentary of middle age
• 29:36: Danny remembers meeting his wife, Anya, and knowing she was “the one”
• 36:19: Kristin recalls anxieties and ultimate comfort during their infamous sex scene
• 43:14: Kristin highlights the memorable on-screen kiss between Charlotte and Stefan
• 50:04: Danny’s daughters encouraging him to be on the podcast
• 59:14: Kristin analogizes the end of the show to attending her own funeral

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Tone & Atmosphere

• Warm, deeply personal, and nostalgic—laced with humor, candor, and mutual respect.
• Reflective—both speakers are honest about aging, change, and the end of a beloved project.
• Playful and affectionate—discussing old crushes, funny set stories, and real-life entanglements.
• Melancholy but optimistic—acknowledges sadness but looks forward to new possibilities.

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Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a rare, intimate window into the real relationships and creative processes behind a TV classic while confronting big questions about identity, change, aging, and creative fulfillment. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a reminder that Sex and the City’s legacy is as much about friendship, vulnerability, and adaptation as it is about shoes and sex—onscreen and off.

Transcript

[Kristen Davis]

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[Kristen Davis]

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[Kristen Davis]

Hi, I'm Kristen Davis and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? Hi, everybody. Welcome back to are you a Charlotte? Today we have a really special episode. It is a catching up with friends episode and we are talking to the incredible Danny Futterman who was in the episode Evolution, which is Season, Season 2, Episode 11. It's a fantastic episode where he plays my would be boyfriend Stefan, who is very in touch with his feminine side, shall we say? So the thing that I want to say about Danny, he is so, so brilliant as a person and an actor. But also he went on after our show to be nominated for an Oscar for writing Capote, which is an incredible film if you haven't seen it, so, so good. And he's created shows and he's a showrunner and a writer now. So this is a really fun con. Please enjoy listening. Hi. How are you?

[Danny Futterman]

I'm good, I'm good. It's great to see you.

[Kristen Davis]

Are you good? It's so great to see you. And you look just the same.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, yeah, we look just the same. That's right.

[Kristen Davis]

Let's just go with that.

[Danny Futterman]

We look great, but we don't look the same.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay. Okay, fair enough. To me, you look the same because I literally just watched the episode. Right. Which is so crazy.

[Danny Futterman]

I just watch it too. But I didn't have the separate thought I was like, I'm. I am so young. Like, who would you really are?

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, well, I think I was equally, equally young looking. Right. Like, but also it is kind of like to me, I feel the same, you know, inside. So, like, I have that very weird dichotomy of like, I look so young, but I remember it like it was yesterday in a way, you know?

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, I remember a lot of it. I remember all of it.

[Kristen Davis]

No, I didn't remember all of what's on camera. Right.

[Danny Futterman]

Yes, exactly.

[Kristen Davis]

Like, you have kind of like a, like a filter in, in your memory of like, like the good parts for like as an actor or whatever. Right, right. First of all, let me back up. It was. I know you're working. That's the other thing I want to talk about.

[Danny Futterman]

I am working, you know, as a writer, like trying to get stuff going, you know.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. I'm so impressed.

[Danny Futterman]

That makes, you know. Well, thanks. Sometimes I am. Sometimes I'm just deeply disappointed.

[Kristen Davis]

Well, I mean, that's our business, isn't it? Right? Like, it's always gonna be one with the other. There's never just glory. Right?

[Danny Futterman]

That's right. And look, I should say at the top of this, I'm sorry, I don't know how you feel about the fact that you guys aren't continuing.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, very upset. I'm very upset. I'm very upset and confused. And thank you for saying you're sorry because, you know, we've all been. Been through so many different things, right, in our careers. And you've been nominated for an Oscar, like, since you were on Sex in the City, which was really kind of like somewhat early in your career. Though I remember at the time that I thought, you know, you'd been on Broadway with Cynthia and Angels in America, and, you know, you were a big deal to us at the time, and then you became an even greater deal in terms of your multifaceted career.

[Danny Futterman]

Okay, all right. You got to rewind a second. They mean audition for this. So I like. And I was getting some offers for stuff, not a lot, but I was like, I'm gonna go out to Queens to audition for like a one episode thing. Seriously.

[Kristen Davis]

But I was, aww, shame on them. Well, I'm glad you did it. Thank God. Thank God. I mean, look, auditioning, I think, is always semi much a nightmare. I'm not good at it at all. But I have enjoyed, because we all remember our first trip to Queens as well and being like, where are we? What is happening? What is the show? And whenever I talk to people and they tell me their funny audition stories about how either they refuse to go and they missed out on one role and then they come back or whatever it is, and then they had to get out there and they were like, wow, it's a very enjoyable part of it all for me because I remember that all so vividly too. But it's funny because I know that at that point, I feel like one of the things we were trying to do that Cynthia was really a big part of was trying to get great theater actors because we had access, you know, to all the great theater actors. And here we are in Manhattan. There was Law and Order and there was us. You know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. Well, it was like, you know, it was one of those godsends. There were not that many shows, right, that were shooting in New York. And I don't know how many times I auditioned for Law and Order, and I never got on Law Like, I cried, I got angry. I. You know, my child was kidnapped, like, whatever it was.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Danny Futterman]

I was a stalker, like, whatever it was. And I never. I never got on that show.

[Kristen Davis]

That's crazy.

[Danny Futterman]

One. One New York actor who's never been on that show.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God, me neither. Me neither. But I'm not totally a New York actor.

[Danny Futterman]

You were busy.

[Kristen Davis]

I was. I was in fact, busy. Yes, it's true. Go ahead. So when you went out to see our guys, did you have to go more than once?

[Danny Futterman]

No, I went out once and it was basically like. I mean, everybody's very nice. It was. What the. What I remember was, I think Cindy Shupak was there, probably Pam Thomas, who directed the episode, and. And I think maybe Jenny Bex, but I don't. But I'm not sure.

[Kristen Davis]

Well, those are all the people that we collectively were crushing on you, so that makes sense. But I just had Cindy on and she was like, Futterman. And I was like, Futterman. Like, we just had a whole moment.

[Danny Futterman]

Okay, okay. But it was. It was, you know, it was like a semi humiliating audition where they're basically like, get. Get up on a chair and be scared. No, like, that was what I did.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow. Wow. Yes, you certainly did. You certainly did. I mean, the thing. I love so many things about your part and that episode and. And we did discuss with Cindy, like, what holds up? What doesn't hold up? Do you remember at the time everyone saying was saying the word metrosexual sexual, as though it was like a thing, and now it's gone.

[Danny Futterman]

I think that's okay. What's wrong with that?

[Kristen Davis]

Totally. I don't know. I don't know. I mean, that was what Cindy and I were talking about too, because I do. There were things I remembered about it and then there were things I didn't, of course, which is always true. And at the end, I love the voiceover. I mean, we'll refresh our viewers memory or our listeners, whichever we want to call them. Dani is in Evolution, which is in season two, towards the end. And the thing that I remember it most for, other than the fact that you were amazing and I was so excited to have you, was that in this is really, literally Charlotte's first kind of positive type sex scene.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, interesting. Okay.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

Okay.

[Kristen Davis]

I'd had these other sex scenes where it's kind of like a joke or something's going horribly wrong. Right. And I'm in the scene just trying to get out of the scene as an actor, you know what I'm trying to say I'm mortified and. Or uncomfortable as is Charlotte. Right. And do you remember because Pam came from commercials, that she. I don't know how much you were part of this because we didn't have the intimacy coordinators, but she had a whole plan for how to film the scene. And she and I talked at length about it and she was gonna, you know, she had the track above us, I think, you know, and it was very cool and beautiful. And this is the first time Charlotte's ever had a beautiful sex scene that she's enjoying.

[Danny Futterman]

And yet it wasn't enough.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. Which I'm really sorry about. But I do love the final. I mean, this is like somewhat the stupidity of Charlotte. Right. And I really shouldn't say stupidity of Charlotte because that will be the clickbait of this. Of this talk. But, you know, she had some weird. Her vision was, you know, extremely elevated at this point in time. Right. And you had to check so many boxes. I mean, it was elaborate, which I do think is something that women and probably men can relate to. Right. But I do love the final voiceover, which I had forgotten about, which says Charlotte realized that she was not in touch with her male side enough to be involved with someone who was so in touch with their female side. Something to that effect, which I thought was pretty clever and accurate. Charlotte is not particularly evolved in terms of her masculine side. Right.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. So. All right, I'm gonna. So I. I'm gonna. This is very deeply personal, but I'm gonna. I'm going to disclose it. So you. So they're. This scene on the bed before Stefan and Charlotte have sex and you say. You sit up and you're like, are you gay? So early in my relationship, and I just started dating Anya, my. She. I cannot tell you how many times she said that to me. She said, exactly. And she said, if you are gay, just tell me now, because we're like, falling in love. And this continued once we got married. Like, unbelievable. And part of it was. I mean, not part of it, but like, a lot of it was. I'd been in Angels in America, right. I've been on this show, right. That winter, Anya and I went to Sundance where I was in a movie called Urbania.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

I played a gay man who's, like, searching for the guy who killed his lover, you know, soon, some time after that, I did like a four episode thing on Will and Grace called where, like, Will and Jack are teaching. Are teaching Jack's cousin. I think it was how to be properly gay, you know, so, like, she, you know, there was a. Oh. Oh. And I think that the. The last thing was I. I had. I had this quilt that, like, at some point I was like, I need a blanket for my bed. Like, so I'm walking through there and I'm like, this is a nice blanket. I'll just buy this blanket. And it was like. Let's just say it had some pink in it.

[Kristen Davis]

This is so good.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, it was like the first place where, you know, we were.

[Kristen Davis]

Of course.

[Danny Futterman]

And at some point she was just like, what are you? Why are you gay? Why do you want this to work?

[Kristen Davis]

I love it. First of all, I didn't realize that you played that many characters, and that is so fascinating. And what do you think about it now, when you look back on it, being a straight actor playing those characters?

[Danny Futterman]

Well, you know, I probably wouldn't have gotten to, you know, if it was now. I might not have gotten to play that. All those roles. And so I don't know. I don't know. They totally believe that there. I see, you know, I see plays all the time where I'm like, I know that guy's straight and he's playing gay part. Or, you know, so maybe that's not true.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, it's unclear right now.

[Danny Futterman]

I think, yeah, there might have been more of an issue with it, but, like, I don't know, I just felt. I don't know, I felt comfortable playing anywho, you know, whatever.

[Kristen Davis]

It's amazing.

[Danny Futterman]

Any judgment, any thought about it. And characters are all different from one another too, right?

[Kristen Davis]

Very much. Very, very, very different. I mean, I didn't realize. I. I guess I hadn't at the time. I don't think I really would have categorized, like, oh, that guy played a gay guy. Like, who cared? Do you know what I mean? Like, obviously you would want to be in Angels in America. Who wouldn't want to be in, like, one of the most brilliant and important, you know, plays about something so important in our lives? Right.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, God, yeah. And also, that's. I mean, I was in the second cast. I replaced Joe Mantello.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

That second cast was amazing.

[Kristen Davis]

Absolutely.

[Danny Futterman]

F. Murray Abraham.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Danny Futterman]

Replaced Ron Liebman. Right. Steven Spinella hung around for a while, which was incredible. Cynthia Nixon.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Danny Futterman]

Marcia Gay Harden.

[Kristen Davis]

Like, unbelievable. I know.

[Danny Futterman]

And who replaced Ellen McLaughlin?

[Kristen Davis]

Who?

[Danny Futterman]

Cheri Jones.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Danny Futterman]

Right?

[Kristen Davis]

And Sherry's going to come on our show soon, and I can't wait.

[Danny Futterman]

Okay, well, there you go.

[Kristen Davis]

Like, incredible. All of you.

[Danny Futterman]

The. I thought she was. I mean, I sort of idolized her already. And she hadn't. And she hadn't done, you know, half the stuff that she's done by now. And remember, she came in. She came in after I came in. And there's a scene in the hospital where Ella McLaughlin used to get a laugh on some line. And for. Cherry Jones wasn't getting the laugh. Like, who cares? Whatever. She wasn't getting a laugh. And she came to me backstage, she's like, why am I not getting a laugh on this line? And I thought, I don't know. I have no idea. A, I'm not gonna give you acting advice, right? But B, I have no idea. But that was an amaz. That was an incredible. That was an incredible cast. And the truth is, I had a huge crush on Cynthia at the time.

[Kristen Davis]

And Cynthia had a crush on you, which I found out later.

[Danny Futterman]

No, no, she did not.

[Kristen Davis]

Why do you say that?

[Danny Futterman]

Because I. I don't know. Because she. At the time, she was with Danny.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. I know. The other Dan, another Danny. But she and I discussed.

[Danny Futterman]

You.

[Kristen Davis]

And I remember this. Yes, I do. There was a collective crush on you in our world.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, that's very nice.

[Kristen Davis]

We just shared our, like, oh, and this, you know, and then. And she'd be like, oh, and this. And the reason that I remember it is because she was still with Dani, the father of her children. And I thought of them at the time as, like, invincible and the, you know, an amazing couple. And I was kind of like, oh, my God, you had a crush on Danny Fireman? Oh, like, I was kind of like. It was. Seemed dangerous to me, you know.

[Danny Futterman]

Well, she didn't betray any of it.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, look, she's got a good cover going on. You know what I'm saying? She can really keep it close to the vest. But, I mean, she really lobbied for you in terms of you being on the show. Because at that point in time, and I have to clarify with her, she had a list of actors, really, predominantly theater actors, right. Which she felt like, oh, they would be amazing on the show, and she would go in and pitch them, like for Sarah's guys or my guys or her guys, obviously. And, you know, it was always, like, just a really good kind of a reminder to our casting people and our producers that we have this incredible group of actors that you might not think of.

[Danny Futterman]

This is really interesting because she has never been. I guess she has never been quiet about that kind of thing. I mean, I'm very honored that I was on her list. But when we were doing that play, she was going to leave after a certain period of time, she offered to do another play. I don't remember what it was. And I think with the story I heard is that she told George Wolf.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

Director. That if he. Because Steven Spinella was going to leave by this point, that if he hired John Cameron Mitchell to replace Stephen, she would stay.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Danny Futterman]

Wow is right. Yeah. And I don't know why, like, sometimes directors just have this thing about actors.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

I guess maybe because John was so associated with Hedwig.

[Kristen Davis]

Hedwig, yes.

[Danny Futterman]

Right.

[Kristen Davis]

The time. Right, the time of Hedwig. Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

Right. It had just been downtown at Jane street, you know, and he was. You know, everybody who was in theater had seen that and just.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

And he just didn't want to do it. And so she left.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my gosh. She really has always been very much a champion, and I think rightly so, because she's been in theater, you know, her whole life. And I think she understands the kind of sometimes forgotten about, you know, incredible riches that are there in terms of actors. And I think for our people, I think they did understand that. But at the same time, it always helped to remind, you know, like, pitch, like, hey, what about this person? So when you came, the reason that it came up, and thank God you had already met Anya, because I would have just been like. But I had to behave myself. Which is good. Which is good, because then you can just put it in the work. You know what I'm saying? And when I see us on screen, one of the things that I think about and I. You know, it's hard to separate myself from Charlotte at this point, obviously, but I'm just so comfortable with you, which is so nice.

[Danny Futterman]

Good together. We really. Yeah, we. I felt the same way about those scenes. I was like, that is a really good. First of all, it's a great storyline, and Cindy is a great writer and really funny. But it's also, you know, every one of the stories in that is. There's nothing that's in there that's just to be funny. They're all story, and they are an hour thing. And I think there was, like, a real comfort in our thing. And you are so kind of tortured about it and trying to figure it out and, like, bring your friends in to try to figure this out and wanting it to work, but it just doesn't. It just doesn't sit well with you. But it's a. Yeah, I had a ball doing it. And. And. And I'M sad you guys aren't continuing because I was going to use this opportunity to pitch myself.

[Kristen Davis]

That would have been amazing where I.

[Danny Futterman]

You know, cater it or something.

[Kristen Davis]

But oh my God. Fantastic opportunity missed.

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[Danny Futterman]

We do whatever it takes to get you the in depth info on local schools you won't find anywhere else. Things like student teacher ratio, test scores and school programs. And sometimes that requires attending school recitals. So many recitals. That's my son. Isn't he terrific? Yeah, a real prodigy. Homestock.

[Kristen Davis]

Com.

[Danny Futterman]

We've done your homework.

[Kristen Davis]

The thing that's funny about it all, and, you know, I feel comfortable talking to you about it, but it's been very, very weird, the whole trying to come back with this different but similar show. Right? Like, different show, which we were very clear about. It's different show, you guys, same characters, which I really think I was naive, how weird that was for people, you know what I'm saying? For our fans. Right. Like, it's kind of asking a lot of fans. I. I guess, I guess I'm still trying to figure this out. But I did. Just this morning, Cynthia sent me a podcast from People on the New York Times. It's called Cannonball with Wesley Morris. And he has this incredible guest, Taffy Brodesser Actner, who is a super fan of Sex and the City. And. And just like that. And she was saying things that made me feel so much better and really gave me hope. Like, at this point, I'm looking for any understanding of what we were trying to do. You know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

What did the podcast say?

[Kristen Davis]

The podcast said this incredible woman was on. I should find her name because I literally was listening to it in the car on the way here. It said that it might sound crazy. What I'm gonna say. She is, I believe she's in her early 50s or maybe 49. So she's slightly younger than us, but on the precipice, like at middle age. Right. She basically said, it's a documentary of middle age. I know, I know. I was like, I feel so seen. You know what I'm saying? I feel so seen. And she said one of the amazing things about it for herself was that she had watched it when she was younger. She had a lot of really profound and in depth things to say about the first show and what it meant to women. How unusual it was to see four strong women, you know, leading a show which I think people forget about. Right. That this was kind of unheard of. Right, right. And thank God we got to do it and that she used it kind of as a model of like who she wanted to be and how she wanted to be. And this is a writer in New York, so of course it would be very much in Her. Her wheelhouse or whatever. And then she said that what the HBO Max app would do is when she would watch and dress like that, when it was over, it would go into whatever episode of Sex and the City she had last been watching. So she would see our older selves, and then it would bleed into our younger selves. And she talked about. She said she might cry talking about it, and I might cry talking about it, because it's so. You know, it's like the kind of profoundness of the time spent, you know, and us being on camera, you know, when we were so young, obviously, I mean, not that young, but compared to now, young and now. And like, for us, it was this thing where we knew, okay, people are gonna have a lot of thoughts and feelings about it, but we didn't really understand the depth of confusion and. Or, I guess, struggle about us aging and trying to talk about the things that you talk about and deal with in your 50s. It's, like, a lot people have, like, some super strong feelings about it.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, I guess. I don't know. I don't know what people's reaction was, but for you. I mean, I just. I'm much more interested in your reaction to it. It's obviously emotional and. And. And meaningful. I mean, you got. It's not only that you guys were playing these roles that meant a lot to people, still do, and a whole other generation of people, but you also. It's like a snapshot of your life where you're in really important friendships with people.

[Kristen Davis]

Absolutely.

[Danny Futterman]

Right. I mean, this was. I was fairly early. It was second season. Right. So.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

In terms of the entirety of the show. So you guys are probably just becoming really close to one another.

[Kristen Davis]

Absolutely.

[Danny Futterman]

And seeing that and seeing yourselves and remembering all those feelings has gotta, you know, have a profound impact. I know just watching the show, I was very aware that was a very formative year for me, and all of that stuff kind of came up. Watching the episode.

[Kristen Davis]

Watching the episode. You remember meeting Anya, your wife, and what you were doing?

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, my God, I had met her. I don't remember when we filmed. Sometime in the spring, I think.

[Kristen Davis]

Definitely. Yes, because it's towards the end of the second season, and we would go back in February, so it was probably like. Like the best part of this.

[Danny Futterman]

June. Yeah, yeah. Maybe May or June. Something like that. And that previous September, October, I had shot. I was a guest on Homicide, and that was what Anya was writing for.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, I forgot this.

[Danny Futterman]

That's when I. That's when I met her. And I Remember? And I had been. I had been engaged to somebody and. But I think we were both pretty unhappy. It just wasn't been together, like, four and a half years and kind of like, what are we doing? What are we doing? Got engaged. Not the right decision.

[Kristen Davis]

Interesting. I don't remember that.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. Lesson for all the younger people listening to this in four and a half years and you still don't know, maybe that's not. You shouldn't be doing this. Right.

[Kristen Davis]

Good advice. Good advice.

[Danny Futterman]

I had read the script that Anya had written, and then I remember very, very clearly walking out of my little cubby trail. You know, like, you get your guess, you get its tiny little cubicle.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes, yes.

[Danny Futterman]

And walking out and being told, that's the writer. And thinking, that's the person I should be engaged to. Wow. A little unfair. She's beautiful. But also, she had written. It was like, a little unfair. I wasn't just, like, I had read something that she had written that was meaningful to her. So I knew something about her. But I really did have that thought.

[Kristen Davis]

That's amazing. That's amazing. We have an episode a couple times ago about love at first sight, and I say, yes, I have experienced love at first sight. It did not work out for me, which is the sad part, but I have experienced it, and it was a great experience. But I love to hear that you experienced it and it worked out. And can I add that I lent my house to you guys. I feel like I'm invested, like I'm part of it.

[Danny Futterman]

Are you still in that same house or.

[Kristen Davis]

No, no, no. I sold that house.

[Danny Futterman]

Okay. So you did an incredibly kind thing for me because I was. I was going out to la. I did not live there, and I was going to be on a regular on a show on Judging Amy With Amy. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

I forgot that that was the show. Oh, my gosh. Amazing.

[Danny Futterman]

And you really kindly said, do you. I'm not gonna be there in the spring. Do you wanna stay there? Because you're probably shooting the new season.

[Kristen Davis]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

And I said, that's really great. Yes, I would love to. And it was gorgeous. Such a gorgeous house. And. What?

[Kristen Davis]

Thank you.

[Danny Futterman]

And then it was like, I didn't even tell you. Oh, by the way, Anya's gonna be staying with me.

[Kristen Davis]

Well, you don't have to tell me.

[Danny Futterman]

Can I say who you were dating at the time?

[Kristen Davis]

Who is it? Whisper.

[Danny Futterman]

No, I'm not gonna whisper it. I'll just. He's okay with. I actually just saw him. The Homicide reunion, which I Went, okay.

[Kristen Davis]

Then you can talk about it. Yes, if he's okay, then please talk about it.

[Danny Futterman]

He's great. I said to him, I think that was the last time I saw him. I think it might have been the last. You.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Danny Futterman]

Remember what happened? You walked in the house with him, and you had left me a message saying, hey, I'm gonna be home this weekend. And Ani and I were like, we. I think we were in bed. We were not, like, having sex in bed, but I think we were in bed.

[Kristen Davis]

I don't remember this. Oh, my God.

[Danny Futterman]

And you were like, oh, oh, oh. You were so. You were so nice, though. I can't imagine what was going on inside. You're like, oh, no, no, no, no. It's okay, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I had not. I didn't even think I had a cell phone at the time. So, like, listen to my messages.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, I love it.

[Danny Futterman]

You were so nice. And you were like, we're gonna go stay in a hotel. It's totally fine. Totally fine. And you left with Reed Diamond. Reed diamond is who it was.

[Kristen Davis]

I did date Reed Diamond. I do not remember walking in the house and you not knowing that I was coming. I remember that I said to you, go stay at my house. Because also, I had, like, for me, you know, the success of the show, obviously unexpected. You never think these things are going to succeed. You know how it is. And so I had bought this house, I feel like, after the pilot, before the show. And I remember going to the show and Sarah Jessica saying, like, are you crazy? And I was like, it's going great. Why shouldn't I buy this house? Like, weirdly, you know, Pollyanna, right? But it was a really special, like, I called it my treehouse. It was, like, up in the canyon and Amazing. Right? Thank you. Thank you so much. I loved it. Not everyone loved it. I had a terrible time selling it. But I did sell it eventually because I needed a bigger house for the kids because it was kind of a tree house. It wasn't necessarily, like, a huge house. It was just special, I thought, and.

[Danny Futterman]

Big enough for family in case. Just. If you're not worried about them falling off of the balcony.

[Kristen Davis]

100%. It was not the safest house for little children. I did have my one child there, and I just policed her, you know, like, for sure. But. But then, yes, we got a bit more of a flat. Flatter house. Not so far up. But I had guilt about that house, right? Like, it was so weird to Own a house. I had never owned a house, so I was always feeling like, oh, does someone need a house? Like, please stay in my house. If I liked you, obviously. Do you know what I mean? And for you guys, I didn't. I wouldn't. I mean, you didn't have to tell me anything about what you were doing as long as you weren't, like, you know, having the police called or whatever. Do you know what I'm saying? And I remember thinking that Anya was so cool. Like, I was like, oh, thank God he's with an awesome woman, since he's not with me. And I guess I was with Reed.

[Danny Futterman]

I felt like I had pulled such a dick move and was like, cheryl, oh.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God. You're a grownup. You're a grownup. No, I just remember, like, for me, it made me so happy that you were staying there. Right. Cause I had my little secret crush on you, apparently. I was dating Reid, so I really shouldn't have been having a crush on you. I can never remember things linearly, you know what I'm saying?

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, yeah. And if there are a lot of them, then, you know, it's very, very difficult.

[Kristen Davis]

A lot of boyfriends.

[Danny Futterman]

I don't know.

[Kristen Davis]

There aren't that many boyfriends because the schedule was such that it was really pretty much impossible to survive, which I don't know if Reid mentioned was like, basically the problem with what happened there. I mean, I'm sure. Other problems. He's happily married now, thank God. Good for him. But, you know, we were dating into the third season and the third season. Yeah. Young in there for a while. And the third season. I remember the first week that we went back to work was a hundred hour week.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, God. Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

And here I'm dating, at the time, an unemployed actor. I mean, what hell must he have been in, you know?

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. And you know when you. And both. I can never see you and stop complaining. You're working.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes, exactly.

[Danny Futterman]

Because Homicide had just got gotten canceled. Stupidly.

[Kristen Davis]

Yep.

[Danny Futterman]

That's why Anya was able to come out. Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Right, right. And it's so sad. That was like an incredible show. An incredible show in all the ways. I had forgotten all of that. Oh, my God, I love it. And so they just had a Homicide reunion.

[Danny Futterman]

It was like a 30th reunion of when it started, maybe. Wow.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. Wow, wow, wow, wow. Love it. Homicide. Life on the street, you guys. Look it up.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, that's a. It's an. It was a really groundbreaking show. I mean, it was really like an HBO show, but it was on NBC.

[Kristen Davis]

Absolutely true. Absolutely true.

[Danny Futterman]

And in that cat. I mean, it was. It was incredible. Yeah. Tom Fontana just had. Who is a creator of it, you know, just has kind of a mass. This enormous family. He and Barry Levinson. And. And so I was, I. I'm a part of it because of Anya. You know, I was in a, you know, one episode. So. Yeah. And that's where I saw Reid there. And it was really nice to see him and reconnect. And I apologize to him. And he said, no, no, I don't care, as I never would have been able to stay in the hermitage if I. If I was.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow. I can't remember. I can't remember any of this. Isn't that funny? It's funny because, like, when I'm rewatching, because I had never seen the episodes before I've been rewatching for the podcast, and I have such vivid memories of some of it and then some of it, like, I didn't remember. I knew intellectually that there was something that went wrong with our relationship on screen. Right. But mostly what I remember is that we were so excited to get you. And I remember talking to Cynthia about you. And then I remember this sex scene because I had so many fears and then ended up really enjoying it because you, of course, are a respectful and lovely co. Star. And we're very much, you know, in it with me in a way where it was, like, easy. You know what I mean? It wasn't hard.

[Danny Futterman]

It was really comfortable. I mean, and I, I, I really credit. I had no idea that you had spoken through, talked through it with Pam, which is great. I say Pam as if I know her. I just. She directed that. I thought she was terrific.

[Kristen Davis]

Me too.

[Danny Futterman]

And it. She made it really comfortable. It was kind of quick.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

Even though I don't re. I didn't remember. I remember all the positions. I just was like, one memory of it. And then I was like, oh, my God, we must have filmed for a while.

[Kristen Davis]

I know it was a lot remember that.

[Danny Futterman]

But I feel like she was like, here, sit up. I'm gonna. And she got like, one shot and said, okay, do this. Yeah, it was really quick.

[Kristen Davis]

And she had it planned out.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. And you seemed really comfortable, which makes. Which made me feel comfortable because it's, you know, I have. As a guy, you're supposed to feel comfortable. You know, that's sort of what you're. But you seem totally fine, so that made me.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm so glad. I think that's. Cause it was you and because she did really include me and because I did love the story, like, it was a very different type of story for Charlotte compared to what she had been having. And I credit Cindy and the writing, you know, with that as well. And then casting you. It was like one of my most. Cause in my mind, first season, second season were kind of awash in a weird way in terms of like storylines. Cause I think we were just trying to find ourselves in a lot of ways is when I look back now that I'm rewatching, a lot of the episodes are so incredibly good. So much better than what I remembered. But in my mind, this one was up at the tippy top in terms of enjoyment factor. In terms of like a beginning, middle, and an end of. Of a storyline for Charlotte, which kind of took a while for those to get going.

[Danny Futterman]

I mean, you. I mean, look, I'm biased, but I think you had a great storyline. But all the storylines work, right?

[Kristen Davis]

Exactly.

[Danny Futterman]

It's not always the case in every show. Right.

[Kristen Davis]

It's hard.

[Danny Futterman]

But I think all of them worked in this one.

[Kristen Davis]

Ye.

[Danny Futterman]

Because I'm lazy. I'm like. I watched it and then, you know, it's like, 10, 9, 8, the next one's gonna start. And I'm like, I don't feel like reaching for the remote. Let's watch it. And the next one's good too. And it was interesting to see Sarah Jessica Parker do something totally different. That. Which was. She got. And it reminds you like, oh, she's a really good actor. Because a lot of. It's kind of light in the. You know, but she was really pissed at Mr. Big for. And she gets really angry.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, I remember this.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, it's good. And so it was kind of nice to see here. I'm curious about this, actually.

[Kristen Davis]

Sure.

[Danny Futterman]

The one thing. Not the one thing, but among the things I thought watching it was there's. For instance, we're walking down the street. I think it's the first time you meet my character. Right.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm have my glasses.

[Danny Futterman]

Exactly. Yes. And the hailing cab. Right. Hail the cab.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, I know.

[Danny Futterman]

Right.

[Kristen Davis]

I know what you're gonna say.

[Danny Futterman]

And it's. There's a lot of silence. There's like. And I. The lines weren't written. And I'm curious if later on, I mean, I thought. I'm not gonna add. I just can't imagine what I was thinking. I'm not gonna ad lib. This is a funny script. I'm not gonna it up. Like, you know, there's All. A lot of it's one take because.

[Kristen Davis]

It'S just us, which I love so much.

[Danny Futterman]

I'm not gonna. This. I'm not going to ad lib because maybe they might not want it or. And. But it's a lot. There's a lot of gaping holes in it, even though it's edited to fit together.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

You guys ad lib later on or. That just wasn't.

[Kristen Davis]

We were not allowed to ad lib because one time they let us and then they just lost control.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. Yep, I bet. No, I bet.

[Kristen Davis]

And you know how tightly Michael Patrick writes, right? Like, for his comedy is very. Like, the rhythm is really kind of fast and it's very tight. Right. At least the first show. And I think what happened when I watched it, I was also confused in that scene. First of all, I just love a oner. I'm like, oh, my God, the days of a oner. Oh, God, I love it so much. And we just kind of lost that somewhere along the way. And I think some of it was because we couldn't afford other things back then. Right. But also, just as an actor, the joy of walking down a New York City street in a oner is just. Just, oh, so special. So I also, like, you know when I go to hail the cab and I'm supposedly showing my leg, which I absolutely do not do. Do you know what I mean? I'm like, okay, that's really funny and weird. I hate my legs, which I know. And I'm sure you know, Pat also was not always a fan of my legs. No, for real. For real. Don't even get me started. But yeah, yeah, not so much. So I thought about that, watching it, because also there's a long silence there where you're like, what's happening?

[Danny Futterman]

Exactly. Like, yeah, there are two cars coming in. Like, I. I get. It's not part of the one shot anymore. It's. There's coverage there because the cars have to have to come in.

[Kristen Davis]

Right. But it's weird. It's weird. And this is what I think it is also, first of all, I think it's the. The oner and trying to cut together. Right. But I also think because we still had the voiceover, there would have to be weird times and scenes where you weren't talking, but you're still acting. Because she's gonna connect it with the voiceover. But what they did do. And I would have to ask Cindy specifically about this episode, they would sometimes change the voiceover later.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, yeah, okay.

[Kristen Davis]

So that could have been it. Could have been that there was supposed to be more voiceover, but then they changed it once they saw her performance.

[Danny Futterman]

That's interesting because there are kind of no lines after I kiss you then. And it's like total silence, as if I'm waiting for a reaction. And you're getting. There's no conversation. You get no.

[Kristen Davis]

Right. It's odd, but it's also. I thought it was so great because I couldn't remember either. I was like, oh, my God, what's happening? What's happening? But also, you kiss me so well, you know, like, it's so good, but it doesn't.

[Danny Futterman]

It's sort of the end of it. And then it's like, okay, silence, definitely.

[Kristen Davis]

And I don't say bye or anything.

[Danny Futterman]

Close the door.

[Kristen Davis]

But then they cut to me and I touch my glass, which I'm pretty sure Pam told me to do, because it doesn't even look like I really want to touch my glasses. It looks like I just want to stare at you. But I touched my glasses because someone told me to. But I think it was also, I would say budget stuff, right. Because, like, I think that Pam had this very visual plan. She had storyboards, I remember. And like, none of our directors had storyboards. Like, that was a shock. Like, what?

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, my God, I bought it. No, it's a really, well, it's well shot show.

[Kristen Davis]

Right. And I think for her, she was trying to. To get her visual plan in order and yet afford it. Right.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Which is always a struggle, as you know. Is there anything else that you remember about the time and like, what did people say to you after the show?

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, I remember my friend Craig thought I had totally stolen his personality and that I was playing him.

[Kristen Davis]

That's funny.

[Danny Futterman]

I was like, hey, Craig, I have a lot of gay friends. But. But no, I just. I mean, I'm not. I'm just playing. I'm just playing the part. But he, to this day feels like I was. And this is a. This is a sort of. I get recognized from this part.

[Kristen Davis]

See, you do look the same. See, I love that.

[Danny Futterman]

It does become more and more of a compliment if I. If I get recognized.

[Kristen Davis]

Nice, nice, nice.

[Danny Futterman]

Because I don't act anymore, you know, So I don't.

[Kristen Davis]

So wait, you don't act at all?

[Danny Futterman]

I mean, I would act in something maybe if it came up, but I wouldn't go to Queens and audition for it.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Danny Futterman]

I don't. I don't know that feel totally. I'm not sure if I would feel totally comfortable. I would. I would see, maybe I would. I haven't done it in a while.

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[Danny Futterman]

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[Kristen Davis]

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[Danny Futterman]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

Retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime.

[Kristen Davis]

Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It is hot out there this summer, right? But don't sweat it. We got tons of ways to save on your family's favorite personal care items to keep yourself feeling cool and smelling good. Now through September 9th, earn four times points when you shop for items from your favorite brands like Right Guard, Raw Sugar, Dove Soft Soap and Olay. Then use your points for discounts on groceries or gas on future purchases. Offer end September 9th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[WashablesOfAs.com Advertiser]

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[Danny Futterman]

Hula we got one play. Everything we work for comes down to this quick question. Speaking of workouts, how would you rate your athletic program Bro, we're in the.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Middle of the state championship.

[Danny Futterman]

Oh, so like a B then? Dude, get out of our huddle. Well, at holmes.com, we leave it all on the field to get you detailed information on local schools.

[Kristen Davis]

Off the field.

[Danny Futterman]

Off the field. Copy. All right. Go sports. How'd he even get in here? Holmes.com. we've done your homework.

[Kristen Davis]

So you're just writing and, like, showrunning and. Or producing and. Or directing?

[Danny Futterman]

Not directing.

[Kristen Davis]

Not directing. Okay, so you're producing, creating, writing.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, sometimes. Adanya. Sometimes on my own. I'm doing something now with a. Another friend of mine, so. Yeah. So if I get recognized, it's from a while ago, and I definitely take it as a compliment now.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

Right. Because 25 years ago or more.

[Kristen Davis]

It's amazing. Yeah, absolutely.

[Danny Futterman]

And then I try to. You know, there are times when. Because it's not. It doesn't happen very often because it is so long ago, but I. But there are a few things that I might get recognized from, and if I do, I try to guess what. What it is. I'm like, in my mind.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

What it is.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. The birdcage.

[Danny Futterman]

Right. Yeah, that. And that's because that's continue in a way that this has too. That's like. That is still something that I thought that would not have aged well.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

If I could have predicted 15 years ago.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Danny Futterman]

Would this, you know, given sort of changing cultural environment, would that have aged poorly? I would think yes. But not at all interesting. Not at all.

[Kristen Davis]

I love it.

[Danny Futterman]

And in same with the first Sex in the City, I mean, I don't think that has aged very well.

[Kristen Davis]

Better than one would have thought.

[Danny Futterman]

When I got asked, my agent just sent me an email. Do you. They asked, if you want to do this, do you want to do it? And I was. At first, I was, like, a little nervous about it. I was like, I don't do this. I'm not sure. And I mentioned it that my daughters, who are 25 and 19. 24.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God. Wow.

[Danny Futterman]

I said they happen to be around. And I was like, should I. Should I do this? And they were absolutely. You have to do this.

[Kristen Davis]

Yay.

[Danny Futterman]

Because they are fans of the show. Oh, this has, you know, it really amazing in a way that you would think it, you know, these things would not.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean. Yeah, no, it's incredible. And we feel so, like, just incredibly grateful and lucky. You know, it's just luck, really, that we happen to be there at the right time and get the chance to do what we Wanted to do, you know, and that it connected because you never know if anything is going to connect.

[Danny Futterman]

It's true. And that you continue to have these great writers that stayed. That stayed with the show.

[Kristen Davis]

Absolutely. Absolutely. That's a hard thing in our business.

[Danny Futterman]

Yes, it is. People believe other things. And what. I guess I'm not sure how long Cindy Shubek stuck around, was she there for?

[Kristen Davis]

I think she stayed till the end. Yeah. I mean, both Cindy and Jenny got big deals to go off and do their own thing, but I feel. And I'd have to double check if she was there to the bitter end, you know what I'm saying? But definitely the final season, she was there, and then they went off and did their own things. But, I mean, we still see them, which is just such a joy.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, no, that's really me. It's really helps the show stay together and. And then, you know, all you guys wanted to continue to do it. I'm sure there was a. There were conversations at some point, should we keep doing it? Should we not. They probably had some of you for what, five years or something? And then you.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, they had me for seven. I don't ever like to talk about anyone else. I had like a standard, like, standard pilot deal. Right. And I would have kept going, but because Sarah and CYN had both had babies towards the. Towards right before the final season. I think Sarah Jessica, especially Cynthia, is so like, oh, yeah, I have a baby. It's fine. You know, she's very like, I can do anything. But I think Sarah, because it was her first, really felt, you know, the need to be there and, you know, the struggle of, like, am I a good enough mom if I'm at work? It's a hard thing, obviously, to navigate. And so she, I think, also very similar to now with. And just like that. Michael and Sarah are very much a partnership. You know, they work very well together, very closely together. They respect each other creatively. And at the time, I feel like both of them felt when the first show ended, Sex and City, so that would've been 2004. They felt like it's so hard to make a weekly show and keep it good, you know, and the rest of us were like, what don't end? You know, Like, I just remember just panic, just absolute panic. But I do. I do think. I mean, you've made shows yourselves, like, it. The. It's grueling for the writers.

[Danny Futterman]

It can be. I've only written, well, shorter shows you guys were doing. I didn't realize the second season was 18 episodes.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. I think the third season might be 21 or something or it was a lot.

[Danny Futterman]

I've never done something like that. It was more like 10.

[Kristen Davis]

Right. Well, that's how it is now Nowadays, you know, 10 is like normal or whatever. Right, right.

[Danny Futterman]

That's very, very different.

[Kristen Davis]

So you plan in advance. You write in advance.

[Danny Futterman]

Most of it's written in advance. Well, at least the things that I've done tend to have been so. Because that ends up being less expensive, you know, because you can plan it all out and what are you shooting together, you know, all this. But. But it's. Yeah. I mean, you just got. You guys hit something. I guess it's lucky. I guess it's just, you know, you guys are all so talented and it. You worked well together and you had great writing and you got a bunch of great directors that kept coming back. Right?

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. So important.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

So important.

[Danny Futterman]

I assume your crew hung around because.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, yeah. You know what? Also, I'm so silly. Like, I don't know lately, I think. Cause I didn't realize that we were gonna end and just like that. So I'm still processing and like so Pollyanna that I thought we would just keep going. But like when we came back, I thought we would have the same crew, but we couldn't. We couldn't get the same crew because they had all moved on to bigger things.

[Danny Futterman]

Or retired.

[Kristen Davis]

Or retired. Absolutely. Absolutely correct. I mean, we did get some. Like, we got our set people back and. But like Jeremy, who had been our. I guess he was like our overall designer of everything. He went on to do the Olympics, like, you know what I'm saying? Like insane things. And then our. I saw some behind the scenes pictures the other day and our focus puller, Joe Collins is now like a big deal dp, you know, like huge and or director. You know what I'm saying? As he should be. Right. So I'm thrilled for them. But I remember when we got to. And just like that I was like, these people are all so young. Oh my gosh. But that's how it should be, right? Like new people coming up and they were incredible on their own. So. But I remember just like, wait, where are the other people?

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, probably you're looking for that sense of security too.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And in my mind it would. Because we were the same. Right. With some new additions, obviously. But, you know, we were together and so I just kind of in my mind assumed that the larger picture would be the same, but the world has changed. I mean, it was such a different environment to go back to work, and that was when we went back to work. It was just right after Covid. So it was really, you know, early days, like the masks and all the stuff. You know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

Right. Yeah, that was a bummer. How did you feel integrating the new characters into the show?

[Kristen Davis]

I loved it. I loved it so much because they are just incredible people and incredible characters, and it made it exciting for us. I mean, I guess apparently that was part of what people didn't like. I don't know. I don't even know why I'm trying to figure out people, because. I know, I know, I know. Can I tell you my issue? My issue? I used to really try to protect myself from, you know, media and critics and whatever, but because of the podcast, I'm more kind of in it. You know what I'm trying to say? Like, I look at more stuff. My phone knows that I'm always talking about Sex in the City, so it's always showing me stuff, annoyingly so. It's just I'm more in the world of it all than I used to be. I used to just feel like I know what it is inside me. You know what I'm saying? I know what I wanted to do. I know what we did. I know what we meant to do. And I still do feel that, especially with. And just like that, like, I know what we were making. I don't know what people were necessarily seeing when they watched it, but I think, like, that's how our business is, right? People are projecting all kind of things of their own and their own expectations and. Or desires and. Or disappointments or whatever it is. They have such strong feelings. And so when I can be calm about it, I know that that's a compliment, right?

[Danny Futterman]

It's. Well, for you guys. People feel so personally about you guys, too, but. But you have that. I mean, in the various shows that I've done, you get praise. That's great. You get slammed. That sucks. But you have no control over it. It's not as if you tried harder or less hard without less of yourself into the ones that just don't click. It's just part of the territory. But it's painful.

[Kristen Davis]

It can be really painful. Yeah. And it's just been. My biggest thing is that it's been very confusing. I'm still confused. And I do not like to be confused. I like to understand things. Right. So I am somewhat trying to seek some understanding, and I am getting some. You know, I'M getting some. Cynthia sent me something really helpful today. Cynthia's always there for me, trying to, you know, talk. Talk calmly and practically to me, which is a great thing because I'm. I'm often kind of up in my, you know, like, fantasy world. Some, somewhat.

[Danny Futterman]

You're also so deeply in it doing this podcast, too. So it's in your. And you're revisiting it with, you know, me and somebody else next week. And. And so that's hard. It's hard to escape.

[Kristen Davis]

It is hard.

[Danny Futterman]

Everybody says, oh, I'm sorry, you guys aren't on anymore. You know, and. And.

[Kristen Davis]

Right. No, but that's. That's nice. That's nice because you're in it and you understand what it's like. I mean, it's better than people going, like, onward and upward. I'm like, no, no, no, I. I'm not there yet. Hit people. This just happened. And I didn't know it was happening, so give me a moment. But, yeah, I mean, I do love looking back at it, though, because I hadn't. Like I said, I hadn't looked at it, and I'm just so. It's kind of amazing. I'm just, like, amazed by it because, I mean, people talk to me, obviously, about it all the time. And, like, your daughters, like, when it came on Netflix and the younger people started watching, I was like, this is amazing. That's why I wanted to do the podcast. And then the joy of the podcast is getting to talk to people like you and Cindy and also new people, people who are fans of the show. Like, it's fascinating. It's my kind of thing. Right? Like, to investigate and talk about. And talk about our memories and also, like, how the world has changed or not changed. So I do love that part. It's just sometimes hard to incorporate all everybody's thoughts and feelings, you know?

[Danny Futterman]

Of course. And making the transition from just celebrating it is an incredible way. You're continuing to. You're like. You're mourning it a little bit right now while you're celebrating, for sure.

[Kristen Davis]

Danny, let me tell you, it was like suddenly walking into your own funeral when you didn't know it was coming. I mean, it was like we died. At a certain point, I had to be like, okay, I gotta stop. I gotta put my phone down. My phone is currently ruined for me. I cannot look at Instagram. I cannot see any more pictures of our young selves. And the odes, you know, they're lovely odes to the death of our characters, but they didn't die and I'm here and I'm fine. I'm good.

[Ryan Seacrest]

You know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. But sad. That's okay.

[Kristen Davis]

It is sad. It is sad. But I'm not dead. This is where I'm at right now.

[Danny Futterman]

Of course.

[Kristen Davis]

And you know what the joy is? Sarah and Cynthia and I had dinner, I think, last week in New York. And all the time, ever since we started, 1997 or whatever it was, we sometimes were working and sometimes we weren't, but we're always in each other's lives.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

So that's, I need to just like, no one's leaving my life. You know, that's our on screen life. That's not our real life. Right. That's important. But yeah, I mean, I am, as you know, anytime a job ends, you're kind of mourning it in a way. Right. But this is like our kind of our lifelong job. And in reality, I, I, it's hard to really believe that it will end because again, I'm going to see them all and we're all going to, you know, do stuff, I'm sure, whatever, and.

[Danny Futterman]

Do, and play other roles. Right, right.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, that hasn't happened yet, but I really look forward to it. You know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

Yes. And I think, I mean, I was curious to ask you this.

[Kristen Davis]

Tell me.

[Danny Futterman]

Obviously, it's an incredible blessing to have this and have it last for so long. I also would imagine that you and others have felt like, oh, there, there were opportunities you, you didn't get to do because people associated you quite closely with these roles.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, for sure.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, I don't even know what they are, you know what I mean? I don't even think they come to you. Right. Like, like they just, you're kind of like your energy in the business is kind of sucked up by this, you know what I mean?

[Danny Futterman]

Right.

[Kristen Davis]

But you know what it's like, what are you gonna do about that? There's really nothing to do.

[Danny Futterman]

There's nothing you can do about it. But I think.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Danny Futterman]

I, the, what I'm saying is that maybe you'll be sprung from that a little bit.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, let's hope so because God knows we have a very big profile.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Let's, let's put that to use for something else, you know what I mean? Because no one can stop talking about us, which is interesting. Very interesting.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah. Yeah. But you got a lot of, you got a lot of years of acting.

[Kristen Davis]

I hope so because I love it.

[Danny Futterman]

Yes. You know, so, you know, just, it, it Brings new opportunities as well.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, yeah, I'm. I'm slightly getting there, you know, Like. Like, I think also because we started working on and just like that right after Covid. Right. So it had been like a year plus of like, no one being able to do anything, which made it even more exciting to get to go back to these. These much loved characters that we get to do together. Right. But it is hard to remember back before when, like, you'd get this job, you'd get that job. You know what I mean? Like, that kind of. It's almost like a journeyman thinking, you know, like, I look forward to that. I'm ready for that. We'll see. I mean, sometimes they send you things to develop and I'm like, I will try to develop things, but we all know that's very hard.

[Danny Futterman]

Yes, it is.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes, it is very hard, as you know. But, yeah, it's all. Our business is crazy, as you know, and we're just lucky to still be in it.

[Danny Futterman]

It. Yep.

[Kristen Davis]

Danny, you're incredible.

[Danny Futterman]

You're incredible yourself.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm so glad that you could come on. Thank you for the actor pep talk. I. I needed it.

[Danny Futterman]

Yeah, well, you deserve it. You deserve everything good that's coming to you in the future.

[Kristen Davis]

Thank you, Danny. You too. Tell Anya hi.

[Danny Futterman]

I will, I will.

[Kristen Davis]

And tell your daughters thank you because I really, really wanted you to come on. Made me very happy. Thank you. Nice to see you over Zoom.

[Danny Futterman]

Good to see you too.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It is hot out there this summer, right? But don't sweat it. We got tons of ways to save on your family's favorite personal care items to keep yourself feeling cool and smelling good. Now through September 9th, earn four times points when you shop for items from your favorite brands like Right Guard, Raw Sugar, Dove Soft Soap and Olay. Then use your points for discounts on groceries or gas on future purchases. Offer end September 9th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Danny Futterman]

The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. In 2007, Amanda Knox was halfway around the world studying abroad in Italy. She had no idea that her dream dream would turn into a nightmare inspired by the actual events of her wrongful conviction and 15 year fight for freedom. Watch the Hulu original series, the Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[WashablesOfAs.com Advertiser]

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[Kristen Davis]

Of what you need.

[WashablesOfAs.com Advertiser]

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[Danny Futterman]

@Homes.Com we do whatever it takes to get you the in depth info on local schools you won't find anywhere else. Things like student teacher ratio, test scores and school programs. And sometimes that requires attending school recitals. So many recitals. That's my son. Isn't he terrific? Yeah, a real prodigy. Homes.com We've done your homework.

[Kristen Davis]

This is an iHeart podcast.