Cynthia Nixon is here...

Summary

Podcast Summary: Are You A Charlotte? Episode: Cynthia Nixon is here...
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

---

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "Are You A Charlotte?", hosted by Kristin Davis, we are joined by Cynthia Nixon, renowned for her role as Miranda Hobbes in "Sex and the City". This conversation delves deep into their experiences on the iconic show, offering listeners an insider's perspective on character development, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and the enduring relevance of the series.

---

Early Casting and Audition Stories

Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon reminisce about their initial auditions for "Sex and the City", highlighting the challenges and surprises that came with being part of a groundbreaking series.

• Cynthia Nixon shares her audition experience, initially reading for Carrie before being cast as Miranda:

  "So when I first read the script, they asked me to read for Carrie, as I think they asked you to read for Carrie."
  (04:25)

• Kristin Davis expresses surprise at Cynthia being cast as Miranda instead of Carrie:

  "But I was like, can't we. Couldn't I get one of them?"
  (06:11)

• The duo discusses the rigorous audition process and the eventual casting decisions, emphasizing the importance of wardrobe and appearance in defining their characters.

---

Character Development and On-Set Dynamics

The episode delves into how Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York were brought to life, focusing on their distinct personalities and the chemistry between the actresses.

• Cynthia Nixon reflects on her character's evolution:

  "Miranda has this really tough, armored exterior, but she has all this fragility inside."
  (55:35)

• Kristin Davis discusses the challenges of portraying Charlotte, especially with initial uncertainties about the character's direction:

  "What are you gonna compare us to? Charlie's Angels? I mean. Right, Right."
  (50:53)

• They highlight the writers' room rule that plotlines must stem from real experiences, adding authenticity to the show's narratives:

  "The writers really put themselves in it and located the good and bad and funny and whatever sexy things that were happening to them."
  (52:19)

---

Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

Listeners are treated to humorous and heartfelt stories from the set, including memorable read-throughs, logistical challenges, and personal interactions.

• Cynthia Nixon recalls a chaotic read-through at Chelsea Market:

  "And I get off the train in Long Island City and I can't find it. And I'm walking around the streets and I call Shelly and I'm like, Shelly, I have my, you know, 15 month old."
  (44:59)

• Kristin Davis shares her experiences with the demanding filming schedules:

  "They would film, like, so many scenes in a day. And it was. That was partly why it was so complicated."
  (38:26)

• The conversation also touches on the camaraderie between cast members and their methods for maintaining professionalism under pressure.

---

Themes and Legacy of the Show

The hosts discuss the timeless themes of "Sex and the City", such as female empowerment, friendships, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment, underscoring why the show remains relevant today.

• Cynthia Nixon emphasizes the feminist undertones of the series:

  "We're all feminists. It's a feminist show. What would it be if it wasn't a feminist show?"
  (31:52)

• Kristin Davis reflects on the show's impact and its ability to spark meaningful conversations:

  "The themes are still so resonant today. And it's kind of just a testament to our writing."
  (51:34)

• They highlight how the show's honest portrayal of women's lives and relationships paved the way for more open discussions about sexuality and personal growth.

---

Personal Reflections and Growth

Both actresses share how their roles on "Sex and the City" influenced their personal and professional lives, shaping their approaches to acting and personal relationships.

• Cynthia Nixon discusses overcoming typecasting and embracing complex roles:

  "What is going on, you know? So I really once we started the podcast, I really felt like I needed to have us on to talk about the beginnings."
  (03:07)

• Kristin Davis talks about balancing personal life with the demands of the show:

  "And we were like, you kind of remember that?"
  (25:40)

• They reflect on the growth they experienced both individually and as a duo, solidifying their bond through shared experiences on set.

---

Conclusion and Future Prospects

Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon conclude the episode by acknowledging the lasting legacy of "Sex and the City" and hinting at future discussions that will continue to explore the show's impact and their evolving careers.

• Kristin Davis invites listeners to tune into future episodes:

  "We are going to make this into two episodes. You guys. Please tune in to the next one."
  (58:37)

• The episode underscores the importance of revisiting and reflecting on the past to appreciate the progress and changes in societal narratives around women and relationships.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Cynthia Nixon:

   "We're all feminists. It's a feminist show. What would it be if it wasn't a feminist show?"
   (31:52)

2. Kristin Davis:

   "The themes are still so resonant today. And it's kind of just a testament to our writing."
   (51:34)

3. Cynthia Nixon:

   "Miranda has this really tough, armored exterior, but she has all this fragility inside."
   (55:35)

4. Kristin Davis:

   "We look like little tiny babies, but string all this sex, relationships, and conversations together—it's our unique legacy."
   (50:22)

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Are You A Charlotte?" offers a rich tapestry of stories and insights from two pivotal figures behind one of television's most beloved series. Through candid conversations and shared memories, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon provide a nuanced understanding of "Sex and the City"'s creation, its cultural significance, and its enduring legacy. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, this episode is a must-listen for its heartfelt exploration of friendship, career, and personal growth.

---

For more episodes and exclusive content, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

[Jon Stewart]

Catch Jon Stewart back in action on the Daily show and in your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. From his hilarious satirical takes on today's politics and entertainment to the unique voices of correspondents and contributors, it's your perfect companion to stay on top of what's happening now. Plus, you'll get special content just for podcast listeners, like in depth interviews and a roundup of the week's top headlines. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or. Or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colleen Witt]

Are you hungry? Colleen Witt here. And Eating While Broke is back for season four every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. This season we've got a legendary lineup serving up broke dishes and even better stories on the menu. We have Tony Baker, Nick Cannon, Melissa Ford, October London, and Carrie Harper. Howie turning Big Macs into big moves. Catch Eating While Broke every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts. Wherever you get your favorite shows, come hungry for season four.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Dressing. Dressing.

[Unknown]

Oh, French dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Kristin Davis]

That's good.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm A.J. jacobs, and my current obsession is puzzles, and that has given birth to my podcast, the Puzzler.

[Jon Stewart]

Something about Mary Poppins?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Jon Stewart]

This is fun.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You can get your daily puzzle nuggets delivered straight to your ears. Listen to the Puzzler every day on radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Welcome to my Legacy.

[Kristin Davis]

I'm Martin Luther King iii, and together with my wife, Andrea Waters King, and our dear friends Mark and Craig Kilburger, we explore the personal journeys that shape extraordinary lives.

[Colleen Witt]

Join us for heartfelt conversations with remarkable guests like David Oyelo, Mel Robbins, Martin Sheen, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Billy Porter.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Listen to my legacy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is my legacy.

[Kristin Davis]

Hi, I'm Kristen Davis, and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? You guys, Cynthia Nixon's here with us. Hello. On the podcast, are you a Charlotte? Which I think the answer is no.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I think not really, but we'll get.

[Kristin Davis]

To that as a bit, I think not really. Thank you, Cynthia, for being here.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Thank you for having me.

[Kristin Davis]

It's beyond exciting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It is. It is.

[Kristin Davis]

So, okay, what we want to do, I mean, there's a lot, right? There's like, kind of endless amounts of things to talk about. But what I want to do with you, because I have you here. And for me, once I started rewatching, which you remember, I never rewatched, like, I watched at the time, but I find it, like, uncomfortable. But but at this point, looking back, it's not so uncomfortable for me. It's more like archeological, you know, like, what is going on, you know? So I really. Once we started the podcast, I really felt like I needed to have us on to talk about the beginnings.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Because all of us had different experiences and all of us were coming from different places, you know, and that's what's kind of so interesting about it, I think, in a way, like, we were all so different in terms of the careers we were having. And then we all came together for this, and magic happened. And here we are almost 30 years later, which, you know, crazy. Insane to think.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Crazy.

[Kristin Davis]

So tell us a little bit about. I mean, should I intro a little? Like, you know, you were this incredible Broadway actress. I mean, I had seen Cynthia, not knowing Cynthia in. When I did Hurley Burleigh, I saw.

[Cynthia Nixon]

The other one, the Real Thing.

[Kristin Davis]

The Real Thing, which I love so much.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

She was in two Broadway plays across the street from each other at the same time. She'd done Juliet and Shakespeare in the Park. You'd been in Amadeus. I mean, just. You'd been in the.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I'd work with Robert Altman and Sarah Jessica. And I, of course, really knew each.

[Kristin Davis]

Other, which was amazing because we were.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Child actors in New York. Right.

[Kristin Davis]

And you were in that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We did a bunch of things together.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Vanessa Radgrave, we played Sisters in a TV movie with Vanessa Redgrave and Mike Albertson. Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

Unbelievable. So when did you hear about Sex and the City? When did you get the script? What did you think?

[Cynthia Nixon]

So, okay. So again, as I think you've talked a tiny bit about. So when the show first started, the premise was that we were going to really, as a launch, come from her column, and the people she was writing about would be kind of like, the first episode starts with the main characters. Like, we're not anywhere in sight. Right. It's the woman she's talking about. Right. That's. This horrible thing happened to. So when I first read the script, they asked me to read for Carrie, as I think they asked you to read for Carrie.

[Kristin Davis]

I did not know this. Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

They asked me to read for Carrie. Right. And then I did. And they were like, yeah, not so much. But I did not tend to be very proactive about these things. But for me, because I was, like, 31, I want to say, right. And I had been acting literally for 20 years at that point. Wow. And a lot of success and a lot of. But I was, you know, when I first started acting, I was a Child. And I was in school, so I was very like, I only work in New York. Right. So this show in New York was, like, unheard of.

[Kristin Davis]

Unheard of. Totally.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Totally.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We had Cosby, I think we had Kate and Ally for a while.

[Kristin Davis]

Law and Order.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We had Law and Order. We used to have the Equalizer like we had, but, you know.

[Kristin Davis]

But it was Slim Pickens.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes. And not all those shows were on at the same time. Those were, like, the things that we had. So I did call my manager and I. Or I guess she was my agent at the time.

[Kristin Davis]

Emily.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Emily. And I said, okay, they don't want me for Carrie. No one's really surprised here. But there's, like, seven women on that show.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Couldn't I get one of them? Because it didn't seem like there were four. That's true. Because these other characters and just in the pilot were, like, central coming and going. And then we had all those testimony from women on the street. It seemed like a larger. That's true. But even had there been four, maybe I wouldn't have been so optimistic. But I was like, can't we.

[Kristin Davis]

You're like, I can get one of those. I can't. One of those.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah. And so they said they'd like me to come back and read for Miranda.

[Kristin Davis]

And is this just casting directors at this point, like Billy Hopkins, Carrie Barton?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I think. I don't remember, but I would assume so. But I don't.

[Kristin Davis]

Like, you didn't know Darren?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I didn't know Darren at all. So I went in, and at some point, maybe it was the first time I went in for Miranda after. So it was like the second audition, maybe. And my Emily said to me, gently, but clearly, she said, maybe you could put on a little lipstick. Maybe you could comb your hair. I was like, I'll try. I'm gonna try.

[Kristin Davis]

I love it. I love it. I love it.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So then they really liked me. I mean, it's like an endless saga. I mean, I think you said yours was, like, a matter of weeks. I mean, mine was months and months and months. And it wasn't like I was endlessly auditioning. I think I auditioned. They really liked me. And then I think they moved me on to, like, testing.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So I tested right here in New York. Here in New York. And I think I was one of the very early people that tested.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah. Yeah. Did they know that Sarah Jessica was potentially Carrie yet?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I don't remember. So I auditioned and nothing happened. My contract lapsed. I was basically right. I mean, it went on for months.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And Emily would call and say, what's going on?

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And they would say, we haven't found anyone we like better yet.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, gosh, that's painful.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I think. And I can't. Oh, it's so terrible that I can't remember this at this point, but I had auditioned. I had never, you know, gone out to LA to test for things, but I did maybe the previous year or something. And I tested for a lot of things and I didn't get. I tested for, like, the best friend on Ally McBeal. And I tested for a thing, like a thing where I was a nun in the name of the Father. And I tested for the Fargo, the woman in Fargo, which was then made many years later.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But I didn't get any of them. And I remember Becky Ann Baker, who actually ended up playing my sister briefly in the show, said, that means you're very close if you keep almost getting these, you know, but you don't get it. You know, like, don't think about, like. I didn't get it. I didn't get it. Like, you're close.

[Kristin Davis]

No, she's right. That's so good.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Anyway, months and months and months went by and it was like, you know, and every day Emily would call. Not every day, but she would call and they would say, we still haven't found anyone we like better.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, my gosh.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So then there was a pilot presentation. Do you know what that is?

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. So a pilot presentation is not like a real pilot.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's like they do it live. It's very. It's like a bare bones. Right?

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And they had some pilot presentation. They were doing that shot in la. There were some okay people in it. I can't remember now. And they had a part for me and it was an okay part. It wasn't a great part, but they were like, we just want her. And if she'll just come and test, we'll just go right into production. Like, there's no one else who's auditioning.

[Kristin Davis]

Okay.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So I wasn't really that interested, but I was like, it's money. And I actually did need some money at that point, so.

[Kristin Davis]

Sure.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So. But it was Passover week.

[Kristin Davis]

Okay.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I was. My boyfriend, Danny, and I. The father of my first two kids, we were throwing a Seder for his.

[Kristin Davis]

Family, which I've been to.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right. And so it was like a big. You know, and we'd been planning it for a while. And so I think Passover was like on a Wednesday that year. And I was like, but I don't want to miss the Seders.

[Kristin Davis]

Aw.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So I. So they let me fly out the idea. So I'm going to fly out Friday morning or Thursday night. I was going to test, and we were going to go right into the first read through whatever.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I was, like, adamant that I want to do this thing. So then it was like Passover. And Emily, my manager, spent. My agent then, like, called them, I think all day.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, no.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Like, every hour.

[Jay Shetty]

What?

[Cynthia Nixon]

And she would give them a count. She would be like, you're gonna lose. Cause I think the next morning, maybe I got on the flight, whatever. Maybe it was Thursday. And she said, you're gonna lose her in 22 hours.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You're gonna lose her in 17 hours.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You're gonna Lose her in 10 hours. Right. Because as soon as I get on that plane, they have me under contract. Right. And at one point, she actually apparently broke down and cried on the phone with them. Emily, like, what are you doing? This is the perfect person for the part. You love her. You've looked for months. You haven't found anybody better. Come on.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Pull the trigger.

[Kristin Davis]

Good job, Emily.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know. And like, literally, literally during the Seder, at like, 9:00 at night, my phone rings and Emily is like, I got it.

[Kristin Davis]

That's amazing. I've never heard this story.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. And it was. And it was. But it was literally from the time I tested. I mean, it was months.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was months. Wow.

[Kristin Davis]

I didn't know this. It's amazing. And so in your, like, gut or your heart or whatever, did you feel connected? Like, yes, I want to do this. Like, this is amazing. Or did you just feel like, ah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I felt like. It felt like the Holy Grail. It really. I mean, we didn't know what would happen with the show, but it was so interesting and it was so clever and it was all actually about something.

[Kristin Davis]

Right. I felt the same way.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But then there was, like, all this sex in it, which was like, we didn't know.

[Kristin Davis]

But it was so different, wasn't it?

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was so different. It was so different. But also, weirdly for me, for people who this is the main thing they know me from, again, I had been acting for 20 years at this.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I had never played anything remotely like this. Like, I was a person. I. For a lot of my early life, I had long blonde hair and I played a lot of, you know, very easygoing, shy, wallflowery, kind of insecure people, flower children, waifs. Waifs for days, you know. And so to play this woman. And I had been nominated for a Tony a couple of years earlier when I was doing a play called Indiscretions, which was Jude Law's New York debut, and I was wearing a wig and we ran for many, many months. And I got nominated for a Tony and the guy who did my hair said, why don't we cut all your hair off and dye it red? Just as like a really a thing. And it was fine because I wore a wig, so it didn't matter what my hair was like.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So then. So I was blonde, Kim was blonde, Sarah was blonde. You were the only non blonde, Right. So they came to me and they said, we got too many blondes. Would you. We've seen these photos of you from a few years back with this red hair. Would you dye your hair red? So, yeah, but. So.

[Kristin Davis]

So that's how that happened. Yeah, I never knew that either.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So in every way it was such a. It was like such a trance, such a departure.

[Kristin Davis]

And you love that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I was great. It was great. But it felt like, you know, a character that had, like, not a lot to do with.

[Kristin Davis]

Well, and I mean, in some ways that's true, and then in some ways it's not.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, people would ask me, you know, are you. How are you? Like, Mary? And I would always say we both feel confident about our brains, but that's kind of where it ends because, like, I was in a long term relationship, right? You had a kid, I had a child. I was incredibly domestic. I was. She's a really good cookie. I'm very domestic. Like all the things that Miranda has, no, at least no patience for it.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Those were like my bread and butter.

[Kristin Davis]

Staying out of the garbage.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Exactly.

[Kristin Davis]

Right, right, right. So. So when you took it on, like, remember, I mean, you have these kind of aggressive power suits and whatnot in the beginning, you know, like, what did you think?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, I thought, I have these really good jokes, which is great. And I have a really strong character.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

She's like. I understood who she was clearly. And I was really, you know, poor Pat Field, who, you know, does the clothes. I was really concerned with trying to look like one of those women would really look, which was not.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah, we really tortured Pat in the.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Beginning, which was not Pat's favorite. But we reached a. You know, we did it. Did you know. I mean, do you remember how in the very beginning. Cause we would have all those coffee shop scenes, right?

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And we tried so hard to make Them real. And we're constantly. Not just eating, but, like, reaching out, reaching for things and, like. Right. And so looking away. Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Like, constantly. Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Like, just trying to have as much.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So I was really kind of focused on that, like, have as much sort of real behavior and the clothes and the sort of, like, the Miranda armor of, like, the, like, the jewelry was very, like, silver and spiky and, like, it was like armor.

[Kristin Davis]

Definitely, Definitely. Definitely. I mean, yeah. I think that when I watch myself, too, I mean, I think a lot of things, but one of the things I do think, because I had come from Melrose, where you had to, like, hold still because they were. And do the super close up and just stare at the other person. And I'm always like, I'm. You barely see my face for, like, the first couple episodes or whatever, because I'm just working so hard to be present. You know, follow your lead and follow Sarah Jessica and Kim. And, you know, Kim's doing her own thing, and, you know, it's like, super interesting to look back on. And I do remember thinking, you know, like, this is different. You know, like, this is its own animal.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. And, you know, I knew Sarah. Sarah and I knew each other quite well. We'd worked together a bunch of times, and we were always auditioning for the same parts and stuff when we were kids. And Kim, I knew a little bit. I'd seen her in a few things, but also, I think we had auditioned for a production of Miss Julie that we. I think she got it and ended up doing it.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I feel like she came to see me in something and I met her backstage, so I had some sense of.

[Kristin Davis]

I didn't know this either.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. I had some sense of Kim. And I didn't know who you were, but I looked at the way you spelled your first name with an I, which is unusual. Two eyes.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I basically, I decided you were Kristen Scott Thomas.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow. Well, thank you.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I was like, it must be Kristen. That must be Kristen Scott Thomas.

[Kristin Davis]

You must have been really disappointed.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I didn't really know who Kristin Scott Thomas was at that time.

[Kristin Davis]

British, incredible. Yeah, no, I know now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know now.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes. Oh, my God. That's adorable that you thought you were going to do the pilot of Sex and City with Kristin Scott Thomas. I mean, I wish I was Kristen Scott Thomas, you know, I don't wish you were. You don't?

[Cynthia Nixon]

No. You're so sweet, baby.

[Kristin Davis]

Thank you, baby.

[Unknown]

Have you ever looked into the night sky and wondered who or what was flying around up there? We've seen planes, helicopters, hot air balloons and birds. But what if there's something else, something much more ominous that appears under the COVID of night? Silent, unseen, Watching. They may be right above your car late one night as you cruise down the road. Or look like mysterious lights hovering above your home. Drones. Or are they?

[Cynthia Nixon]

We used the word drone because it was comfortable to other people. One minute was there and one minute it wasn't. Oh, that is beyond creepy.

[Unknown]

Do you feel like this drone was targeting you specifically?

[Jon Stewart]

Yes, absolutely.

[Unknown]

Listen to Obscurum Invasion of the Drones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

I'm Dr. Laurie Santos and to welcome the new year, my podcast, the Happiness Lab is releasing a series of happiness how to guides to help you in 2025. I'll distill the wisdom of world class experts into easy to digest actionable tips.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's about never feeling good enough. I feel like I'm always failing.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

You'll learn how to handle relationships, how to be inspiring, and how to find your purpose.

[Kristin Davis]

We make it this big pie in the sky thing and then of course.

[A.J. Jacobs]

We'Re all frustrated because no one knows.

[Kristin Davis]

How to get there.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

Struggling with tough emotions. We have a How to guide. Worried that you're not enough? We got you self obsessed and want to get over yourself. There's a guide for that too.

[Cynthia Nixon]

The ability to approach somebody and make.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Them experience desire for you in minutes or even hours is a rare and rather unnecessary skill, historically Speaking.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

The Happiness Lab's How to season starts January 1st. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jay Shetty]

I'm Jay Shetty. My latest episode is with financial expert Scott Galloway.

[Unknown]

If you are doing a lot of side hustles, it's very, very difficult to be great at your main hustle. The only way you're going to build real wealth and economic security is to go all in on one thing. That is greatness. Focus. None of this matters. None of it means a thing if you can't have deep and meaningful relationships.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Scott is a Professor of Marketing at.

[Cynthia Nixon]

NYU Stern School of Business.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He's a best selling author.

[Kristin Davis]

He has earned a massive following through his lectures, podcasts and YouTube channel.

[Jay Shetty]

Scott Galloway how do we rewire our relationship with money? Because most of us have a stressful relationship with money.

[Unknown]

You want to be good at money. Put down the facade and start talking to people about their investments, how much money they make, what they do with their money, how they save money, what I tell Young people is you can have it all.

[Colleen Witt]

All.

[Unknown]

You just can't have it all at once.

[Jay Shetty]

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports, and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondent and contributors. And with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kristin Davis]

So do you remember the read through?

[Cynthia Nixon]

No.

[Kristin Davis]

Me neither. I remember. There's a thing that I remember about you, and I guess it was at.

[Cynthia Nixon]

The read through I just remembered some stuff.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I remember that we did it at the market.

[Kristin Davis]

Okay. Chelsea.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Chelsea Market.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I remember Sarah came in and she had just gotten married.

[Kristin Davis]

She had just gotten married.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I and others congratulated her because she'd just gotten married. And I guess they must have been scouting around there, which is why we did it at Chelsea Market.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, I. I don't even remember.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So that's all I remember. I remember Chelsea Market and I remember Sarah coming in having just gotten married.

[Kristin Davis]

That's nice. I. This is what I remember. You had like a notebook with your script in it. Cause, you know, you're very professional. And on the front of the notebook was a little baby picture of Sam. And I was like, oh, is that your baby? You were like, yeah. And I was like, aren't you worried to, you know, not be at work? You know, not to be home? And you were like, no. And I was like, oh, I was just very impressed. Very impressed. And you're like, it'll be fine. I was like, oh, my gosh. Amazing. But I didn't remember the bigger picture. Sarah Winter remembers the bigger picture of the read through, which. Super interesting. Yeah. Because apparently there was a Kennedy there. Can't remember his first name. He was gonna play that part.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Which part?

[Kristin Davis]

Her guy. Sarah Winters guy in the beginning who ghosts her. And then I guess something happened. He got cold feet. Who knows? Who knows?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Okay.

[Kristin Davis]

Lawford Lawford. Was his name Peter Lawford? Peter Lawford. Yes. Yes, I know. Super fascinating. Don't remember that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I kind of remember that.

[Kristin Davis]

I should have a little bit. Okay. Okay. I had not remembered. She remembers Darren coming in and Me talking to Darren, because I knew him from la. I didn't really know the rest of you. You know, I had just seen all of you. You know what I mean?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Barry.

[Kristin Davis]

Barry, Right, Barry Jocelyn, whose name I keep saying. I'm like, oh, my God, where is Barry? I mean, yeah, he was a big part of it all.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

He was the Mel. We didn't have Melie.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We didn't have Melie. And do we have Jane Rab yet?

[Kristin Davis]

I think we. No, not in the pilot. We have the mystery woman who gave me the contract to sign where I would have been a recurring, who, you know, doesn't have a fond place in my memory. I'm sure it's not her fault, but. And I don't know her name, but. Did you know about that? Did I tell you about that at the time?

[Cynthia Nixon]

You told me about it. I think you did tell me about.

[Kristin Davis]

It at the time. I think you might have been the only one. Cause I really tried to keep it a secret. Michael Patrick didn't even know.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

I think you did amazing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I don't know that you told me right away, but I think sometime during the first season you told me.

[Kristin Davis]

Cause it really. It really. Like, Michael was Michael. Michael talked really interestingly about his beginnings and how he didn't know how to write Charlotte. He was like, wow, that one, I don't know, you know, which I understand, because in the book, she's not really very, like. She fleshed out or. Yeah, she's not fleshed out. She doesn't really make a lot of sense. She's just a little different. You don't. Like, she takes drugs and goes roller skating. Like, it's weird, you know, you're like, who is that one? You know? And I remember, you know, really feeling like I've got to figure her out. And, you know, there was some stress about, like, they wanted me to have short hair, I wanted to have long hair. Pat was trying to put me in these clothes. I was like, what are those clothes? You know, which was, I think, not uncommon for us. I mean, Sarah Jessica was in sync with Pat, but the rest of us were like, what's happening? So that was a process, obviously, but also, I think Charlotte had to be developed. And that was, you know, luckily happened over time, but definitely was not true in the beginning. And for me, inside, I had this sense of, oh, you know, someone doesn't know if I'm important here. Right, right. I didn't know who that was. I didn't know if it was like, HBO because we didn't really know Strauss at that point. We didn't know Carolyn.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No. We didn't know anybody.

[Kristin Davis]

Right, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We were just like, you knew Darren.

[Kristin Davis]

I knew Darren, which was great. But also, Darren was, you know, trying to create this thing. Like, do you remember one time he came down and he was like, you guys have to be funnier.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And we were like, you kind of remember that?

[Kristin Davis]

And then he was like. And then the next week, he was.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Like, was that a scene in Sarah Jessica's house?

[Kristin Davis]

I think so. When we ad libbed, like, the one.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And only time or something in the.

[Kristin Davis]

First episode, and we had to ad lib what we felt insecure about.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. I remember I said my neck.

[Kristin Davis]

Right. Yes. And I said my thighs. Yes. It was the only time we ever said yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

At her nose. Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes. It was just.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I don't remember what Kim said.

[Kristin Davis]

She doesn't. Because Samantha's not insecure about anything. Yes. But it was, like, our only time they ever asked us to ad lib.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

That was the end of that.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right, right, right, right, right, right.

[Kristin Davis]

But it was very sweet because they didn't want to write anything that would upset us, which was nice. But I remember.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. They wouldn't want to say, what you must feel terrible about your. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then we'd be like, that's my best thing.

[Kristin Davis]

Totally. But then I also remember a different week when he'd come down. Darren would come down. He'd be like, you know, everyone's gotta be sexier. You've gotta be sexier. And I would be like, me?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Like, what? Like how? In what way? Like this.

[Kristin Davis]

Totally. Like, just low cut. I don't know. Yeah, it was bizarre, but I just feel. I remember just not knowing, you know, what our aisle was, you know, what our goal was, kind of. Or who we were. But then when I look back on it, which. Having not watched it for, you know, 8 million years. We're very good.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We are very good.

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, it's kind of amazing. Like BAE of Married Pigs. Everything is there.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

You know, like, we're together.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You mean in terms of our characters, you mean? Or not.

[Kristin Davis]

They're not fully fleshed out, but, like, the energy, the gist, you know, we're at that scene with the pepper mill. Do you remember that scene?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I do.

[Kristin Davis]

It was long with.

[Cynthia Nixon]

What's his name's son. Reneuberchenois. Son.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Remy Auberjonois.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

Good memories, Sin. Impressive. You told me you didn't remember anything that's not true. You know, when that pepper mill had come in the right time, that was like our first real true coffee shop.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Really?

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, there's not one in the pilot. But we're at the Chinese restaurant, you know.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right, right, right.

[Kristin Davis]

Very brief.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Oh, but so only at the Chinese restaurant. Yeah, there was that. Where was that? Remember, there was that diner.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes. On Long Island City.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And when. What episode is that?

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, I feel like Skipper goes there with Carrie, so someone goes there with Gary, and I'm like, there's a diner.

[Cynthia Nixon]

There's a diner that we use. That's a real diner.

[Kristin Davis]

Stanford, remember the place? They would, like, put us in the van and drive us over there. And it was kind of not the cleanest. I don't want to say anything. Right, right, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We were like, ooh, there's very interesting tile on the walls.

[Kristin Davis]

Very. I mean, ugly would be a word. Ugly would be a word. Yeah. That didn't last long. It didn't last long at all. But the other thing I think when I look back on these early episodes is to me, New York looks so different. It looks like it's the 80s, you know what I mean? Like, it's like. And the cars and like, in this particular. In the episode, 20 Something Guys or Valley of the 20 Something Guys, you know, we go to these bars, right. Like, downstairs, and they're just like nothing. They're just like a dark room in the basement. Right. It's so 80s, you know, super interesting to me. I don't really remember it. Like, I don't know where we are. I have no memory.

[Cynthia Nixon]

No, I have no memory of that. Right. Yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

And Charlotte doesn't really get to go very often. Like, the first. You guys are in chaos that. Remember chaos? Which I don't know if it was a real place or not.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I don't think probably in the pilot, but you're there.

[Kristin Davis]

That's when Skipper comes and you push him up against the wall. It's so good.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right?

[Kristin Davis]

That's a pilot. I think it's excellent. Excellent. But I'm not there. I'm with that dude up on the stairs of the Met.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah, right. Thinking I'm on, like, the perfect date. And then he goes, has sex with Samantha. I know, I know. Poor Charlotte. She's a bit of a mess. So wait, let's get back to you. Let's get back to you. So we start the pilot. You did feel like it was the Holy Grail. So you had a sense that it was amazing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, for me, Because I was at a point, like, I had a kid and I just bought an apartment and I needed to earn some money. And so much so that after literally 20 years of saying, I will not audition for anything that shoots in la, long term or even really short, I was like, get me a TV show. And it was like, here's a TV show here. Wow, that's so great.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

You know, so I did feel like it was the holy grail.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah. Yeah. And when we actually did the pilot, did you feel like, wow, wow, wow, or did you feel like, oh, my God?

[Cynthia Nixon]

I always thought it was all great. I just thought it was all great, you know, I thought, how am I gonna be this, like, you know, sexy person that's like going on all these, like, never dated. I had, like, long term relationships. I never.

[Kristin Davis]

I remember you saying this. Yeah, right. I also remember you saying I never had, like, girlfriends where we would like, go around and kind of like be powerful like this or flirty. Flirty.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. My, my, my girlfriends. Right. We're not ever out on the prowl, and we never were. We're like my friends from high school. We like, hang out with the boys in our high school. You know what I mean?

[Kristin Davis]

Yes, I do, I do.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was not like we'd go and meet strangers and go to bed with them.

[Kristin Davis]

I know, I know, I know. It's super interesting to look at the beginning episodes. Like, there's a, you know, like a. It's very sex positive, which is wonderful before we ever called it that. But also like an openness, like a, you know, everyone's not everyone, I guess Charlotte's not, but like Carrie, especially like Valley of the Twin something guys, you know, I mean, it's, it's very interesting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, so remember, there was all this stuff. I don't know if you've spoken about this yet, but there was all this stuff. There was this backlash where people were sort of. Some people were like, horrified, right. And said, these aren't women.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Women don't act like this. Women don't talk like this. Women don't have this kind of lack of inhibition and lack of sentimental, romantic, you know, necessity. Right. These are gay men disguised as gay.

[Kristin Davis]

I do remember this.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was very troubling, right? It was very annoying. And I also remember, and I don't remember what season it was where we had a reporter, like all four of us were talking to this person at the same time, and the reporter said, do you think this is a feminist show? And all four of us basically almost took that person's head off. We were like, well, of course it's a feminist show. Like, what's wrong with you?

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah, totally. Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

We're all feminists. It's a feminist show. What would it be if it wasn't a feminist show? Because we're wearing lipstick and high heels.

[Kristin Davis]

Right?

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's not a feminist show. What's wrong with you?

[Kristin Davis]

Absolutely. But I do think that that also reminds me of the different times, you know, and the fact that we were not. There was no blueprint for us, you know? And that, in some ways is, I think, like, this kind of magic about us coming together and HBO allowing us to find ourselves and then also being able to do the movies and then also being able to do. And just like that. I mean, like, there is no blueprint. There is nothing else.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But you know what? It's really funny for me because, as I said, I started acting when I was, like, 11, 12. And one of the very first things that I did was this movie called Little Darlings, which is starring Tatum O'Neal and Christy McNichol. And then there are six of us who aren't those two people. So there are eight young women.

[Kristin Davis]

Amazing.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And we're all, like. We're all supposed to be, like, mid teens, I would say. And some of us, like me, are 12. Cause I'm tall. And other people are, like, 18, but they're playing 15. Whatever.

[Kristin Davis]

We're all playing, like.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And it's about two girls who don't like each other at summer camp. And somebody starts a bet to see which one of them can lose their virginity first.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And all the rest of us line up with one or the other, and there's lots of betting on it. And the whole camp gets involved.

[Kristin Davis]

Wow.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And this was a very popular, successful movie that is, like, very dear to a lot of people's hearts.

[Kristin Davis]

Right?

[Cynthia Nixon]

But when it came out, I remember one review that started, now, here's a disgusting idea for a movie, right? Critics were horrified. And this was like, literally 20 years later. And I was like. It was deja vu for me. It was like, here are women who are talking about sex and the possibilities of sex with their female friends and then going out and assertively pursuing it. And audiences are like, wow, cool. And critics are like, ew, so crazy. But I mean, I think that that's. I mean, you know, it's a show that women and gay men have always particularly, you know, embraced. But we would hear again and again and again. It was first on was like, the men wanna watch it, too. And the girlfriends get them to watch it, or the wives get them to watch it. And then they're fascinated and they love it and they're entertained. But also then it sparks all these conversations about this semi taboo stuff that maybe if you're dating somebody, you wouldn't talk about it cause you'd be shy or something. But it's happening in the episode, so it's a perfect entree, right? Like the up the butt stuff in the right.

[Kristin Davis]

Of like to say all the things that embarrass me. But yes, very good example. And also such a fun, fun memory.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So great.

[Kristin Davis]

Such a great memory and such a funny. I mean, now that I look back on it, which I didn't really compute this or whatever, that's really my first storyline, like, where it's like a beginning, middle and end, right? Like Carrie's like, you know. And then Charlotte has a new boyfriend and we see him and I'm like, did I tell you? He wants to buy a painting? And you guys are like, oh, you know. And then we do that scene. No, then we do the scene. Then I call her, right? And she's like, oh, Charlotte, I gotta run out of the house, right? And I'm like. And she's like, I'll be right there. And then we're in that big cab. Do you remember? It was like a 1970s cab. And Allison, the director, and Maris, who's French, the dp, who. I could never say her name, right? They're in the front seat. Do you remember this? With the handheld? Yeah, they're in the front seat, like on the floor. That's how big the cab was. That they could do that, right? And they would like pop their heads up and give us direction as we're driving around, then pop back down. And then we added you guys. And I remember it being so funny, but also being so even just like mortified to say the words out loud that I kept messing it up. Like I couldn't remember that. Say the words. Because the first time I say it, it's just Sarah Jessica with me, right? It's just Carrie with me. And I. I had so not said it in rehearsal. Remember how we used to run our lines all the time, which I told Michael. Michael was like, I didn't know this. I was like, we were so scared that we weren't going to talk fast enough for you.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, at least I was, right? So we were. Remember we were in the makeup trailer, just running, running, running, running, running. Do you remember this?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Did they have us do that. Did they have us watch some like. Like His Gal Friday or something?

[Kristin Davis]

I think you did, but I don't think anyone told us to. No, I think that was your creative, you know, thought process. And also, I was. I told you I was going to tell you this. I do think this is when you started saying to me quietly, like, not my medium. Not my medium. Because we'd be in some complex thing where they'd say, like. And then you find the lens, and then you move forward and you find the lens, and you would just be like, not my medium.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

And I'd be like, it is hitting the mark.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Finding the lens, continuity. These have never been my strong suits.

[Kristin Davis]

Well, they are now.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, that's very kind.

[Kristin Davis]

It's true. But number two, I mean, first of all, I see those early episodes, you're, like, spot on. I mean, you're amazing. So, you know, some of it, I think, is just your own mind. But I also think also, it is obviously a very different experience. Doing a show is a very different experience than even just a film, you know?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, it's. Right. It's new. It's not like one long arc. It's like every week or every two weeks or whatever it was. We got a new script and new things happen.

[Kristin Davis]

Definitely new things happen. And also, we film a lot quicker, especially back then. Right. Remember, we would film, like, so many scenes in a day. And it was. That was partly why it was so complicated. Right. Because we couldn't, like, stop, like, now. Now it. And just like that, we do. We. We take some time, you know, to. To, you know, do the singles and whatever. But back then, we were, like, on the go. Do you remember? They used to, like, wheel those huge lights down the street, you know, from one location to the other. Like, it was kind of amazing to think about, like, guerrilla filmmaking a little bit.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. You know, in such crazy hours.

[Kristin Davis]

Crazy hours.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Never less than 15 hours. Often 17, 18 hours until the sun came up. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Have you ever looked into the night sky and wondered who or what was flying around up there? We've seen planes, helicopters, hot air balloons and birds. But what if there's something else, something much more ominous that appears under the COVID of night? Silent, unseen. Watching. They may be right above your car late one night as you cruise down the road. Or look like mysterious lights hovering above your home? Drones. Or are they?

[Cynthia Nixon]

We used the word drone because it.

[Kristin Davis]

Was comfortable to other people.

[Cynthia Nixon]

One minute was there and one minute it wasn't. Oh, that is beyond creepy.

[Unknown]

Do you feel like this drone was targeting you specifically.

[Jon Stewart]

Yes, absolutely.

[Unknown]

Listen to Obscurum Invasion of the Drones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

I'm Dr. Laurie Santos and to welcome the new year, my podcast the Happiness Lab is releasing a series of happiness how to guides to help you in 2025. I'll distill the wisdom of world class experts into easy to digest actionable tips.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's about never feeling good enough. I feel like I'm always failing.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

You'll learn how to handle relationships, how to be inspiring, and how to find your purpose.

[Kristin Davis]

We make it this big pie in the sky thing and then of course.

[A.J. Jacobs]

We'Re all frustrated because no one knows.

[Kristin Davis]

How to get there.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

Struggling with tough emotions. We have a how to guide. Worried that you're not enough? We got you self obsessed and want to get over yourself. There's a guide for that too.

[Cynthia Nixon]

The ability to approach somebody and make.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Them experience desire for you in minutes or even hours is a rare and rather unnecessary skill, historically Speaking.

[Dr. Laurie Santos]

The Happiness Lab's How to season starts January 1st. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jay Shetty]

I'm Jay Shetty. My latest episode is with financial expert Scott Galloway.

[Unknown]

If you are doing a lot of side hustles, it's very, very difficult to be great at your main hustle. The only way you're going to build real wealth and economic security is to go all in on one thing. That is greatness. Focus. None of this matters. None of it means a thing if you can have deep and meaningful relationships.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Scott is a professor of Marketing at.

[Cynthia Nixon]

NYU Stern School of Business.

[A.J. Jacobs]

He's a bestselling author.

[Kristin Davis]

He has earned a massive following through his lectures, podcasts and YouTube channel.

[Jay Shetty]

Scott Galloway how do we rewire our relationship with money? Because most of us have a stressful relationship with money.

[Unknown]

You want to be good at money? Put down the facade and start talking to people about their investment, how much money they make, what they do with their money, how they save money. What I tell young people is you can have it all. You just can't have it all at once.

[Jay Shetty]

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in podcast, politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the Show's correspondence and contributors. And with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kristin Davis]

I talked about it a little bit. Like, back then, we felt like we. We shouldn't say that. Do you remember? Like, we.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That it was so long.

[Kristin Davis]

Right. Like.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Because remember how we shouldn't complain or we shouldn't.

[Kristin Davis]

We shouldn't complain?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

Because remember how people just come up and be like, isn't it so much fun? Like, once it started to kind of, you know, take off, and we'd be like. Yes. Like, as we're, like, you know, fainting, you know, as. We're just so tired.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

But we couldn't really say that we.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Felt like we felt.

[Kristin Davis]

And our feet hurting.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

And our feet. I mean, you know, I told them the story. I had the bigger size sho for the weekend. My tennis shoes were bigger so that I could, like, let my little swollen feet rest. Yeah. Cause remember how we would film till the sun rose and then start at 5am on Monday?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

So you had this tiny little window to recover, and you had a whole life. I didn't even know.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I think eight months when we did the pilot.

[Kristin Davis]

Exactly how did you do that?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, I don't know. I mean, the pilot. What I think of is when we were getting ready, when we'd been picked up, and we were getting ready to do the second episode. Right there. The first episode of our first season. You remember this? So we shot in Silver cup, which is in Long Island City in Queens. All of us were living in Manhattan.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, Kristin had an apartment in Manhattan, and they decided that we were gonna take the subway to work.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Do you remember that?

[Kristin Davis]

Yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was like, we're not gonna pick you all up. And I was like, you have to get here on your own. I was like, what?

[Kristin Davis]

What?

[Cynthia Nixon]

And. And so I think I was coming for fittings or something. Yes, I was coming for fittings.

[Kristin Davis]

We were in the warehouse in Long.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Island City at the time, maybe. Well, this is before Google Maps.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. It is a confusing, windy place.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, Lord have mercy.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And so. And my kid at that point is, I think, like 15 months or something. I'm not sure how old he is. And my father has just died. He has died weeks before. And my father was living in Mexico.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So I don't speak Spanish. I've gone down there. My boyfriend was sick. I Went down there by myself with my kid, not speaking Spanish to try and deal with his. Not only his death. I mean, he was cremated, so that wasn't a big deal. But, you know, his belongings and his finance, everything. Right. And so I came back. I'm coming for this fitting where they've shelleyed. Do you remember Shelly?

[Kristin Davis]

Yes, I do.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Shelly told me that I had to take the subway or whatever.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And so I take my kid strapped to me on the subway with all the diaper bags and whatnot.

[Kristin Davis]

Yes, yes.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And I get off the train in Long Island City and I can't find it. And I'm walking around the streets and I call Shelly and I'm like, shelly, I have my, you know, 15 month old. My father has just died. I'm wandering around. Can someone please just pick me up? So I think they gave up on the subway idea.

[Kristin Davis]

I think that must have been somewhere close to me. Trying to also do the same thing with not a child, but just my really challenged.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So you're not right? You don't live here.

[Kristin Davis]

I mean, I used to live here, but it never, you know, it's just a challenge that I have right in wherever I am, it's a challenge. And there was no phones to be doing this.

[Cynthia Nixon]

There was no Google Maps.

[Kristin Davis]

There was no maps, nothing. And I had never in my life even heard of Long Island City. I was like, I don't understand. Like, just where are we? I just don't understand.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It was like a place where you assumed a lot of like snuff films were 100% like. I mean, it was like warehouses.

[Kristin Davis]

Anything could happen.

[Cynthia Nixon]

What's happening behind those doors?

[Kristin Davis]

Exactly. So I had gone, tried to go to my fitting sometime. Probably like the same day or next day or whatever.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right, right, right.

[Kristin Davis]

It was raining. And I'm just wandering, you know, like a little log, wet kitten, you know, like, help me, help me, anyone. And then crying, you know, like finally, like, I think calling Shelly also, I help me.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I don't know.

[Kristin Davis]

I don't even know if I'm in Long Island City. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, all of it. And then she was like, yeah, Cynthia had a problem too. I was like, you know, maybe you guys should send a van. Remember the 16 seater that we did end up spending a lot of time in anyway? I do remember that. And I, I was like, if Cynthia had a problem, I don't feel so bad, you know? But then, remember how we both lived on the Upper west side?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes.

[Kristin Davis]

And they would pick Us up blocks from each other. Blocks from each other, thank God. And they would pick us up together, which is really fun. And Cynthia very kindly would run lines with me because remember those times when I had those big speeches, like, very didactic, like soapboxy. Like, I'm gonna get married and I'm gonna follow this book, and I'm so hard. And, you know, I talked to Michael a little bit about, like, the word perfect. Like, we had to be perfect. We still have to be perfect. And comedy is very precise, you know, So I get that. But it's sometimes challenging. And Cynthia, God bless her heart, because I live by myself, right? So, like, you can only somewhat do so much work in your own head, you know, to. To a certain extent. And then what would happen is we'd get there and I'd get nervous and I'd, like, just freeze up. So on the way downtown or to Silver cup or whatever, Cynthia would run lines with me. So sweetly. Really saved myself. So that was fun. And, like, we were like kids. That's the other thing that cracks me up when we watch. Like, do you. I don't know how you think about this, but, like, we look like little children.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, yes, we're very beautiful. But also. So I have still, you know, baby fat?

[Kristin Davis]

No.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, I mean, from my baby. Right.

[Kristin Davis]

But not all.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But also I have literally pimples.

[Kristin Davis]

What?

[Cynthia Nixon]

On my chin.

[Kristin Davis]

Like, I don't see any pimples.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Take a look. Oh, my God. I still have acne.

[Kristin Davis]

Hysterical. But the thing that's so funny is that I remember thinking. Because I was living in LA before we filmed, right? And I remember thinking, like, you know, I gotta get a job. Because, like, we don't have a lot of time here, you know, this is back when, like, when you were 40, which I don't think you probably felt because you were very theater. And theater, thank God, goes on forever. But, like, you had this sense of, like, time is ticking. You've got to, like, make the most of it because you're not gonna last long.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, I mean, that's the thing is, like, now we look such. Like, such babies. But at the time, that was part of the point of the show was that we weren't kids.

[Kristin Davis]

I know. That's what's so funny to me, right?

[Cynthia Nixon]

We were. We were like mature women. We had these careers. And we were at a point when, you know, Charlotte or other people in previous, you know, we're like, why aren't you married? When are you getting married? Who are you gonna marry?

[Kristin Davis]

Absolutely. Absolutely. And in the Valley of the 20something guys, when they cut to the guys on the basketball court, which is one of the most enjoyable. I know it's finally like, for me, that's when the other people talking clicks in.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

In a great way.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Because it's all these guys and they're not so horrible. Like in the pilot, every man is just like. So finally, some of them are kind of likable. And one of them, you know, I think it starts the basketball confessionals and he says, you know, the great thing about women in their 30s is they're just so grateful. I'm like, wow, where we're gonna go, the journey we're gonna go on, people. Oh, my God, who would have ever thought?

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yeah, right? Yeah.

[Kristin Davis]

And back then, I remember also feeling. Because when I was auditioning, I would always just lie about my age. Like, whatever age the character was, you'd pick like a year older or a year younger, and that's how old you'd say you were. At least that's what I did. That's what all my friends did in la.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Wow.

[Kristin Davis]

So for me, I was like, oh, thank God we're playing women in our 30s. I can stop lying. You know, it's so exciting, right? Like, it was such a weight off my mind. And I don't look at us, I'm like, we're like little tiny babies.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I know, Little tiny babies. But I think the. You know how much sex we're having and going out and meeting people and going out on dates and just picking people up. Right? There's all that. Which is different.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And it's that. It's not. It's not. I mean, I don't. There is really nothing to compare us to. I mean, what are you gonna compare us to? Charlie's Angels? I mean. Right, Right.

[Kristin Davis]

No, those people, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, they don't talk to each other, right?

[Kristin Davis]

No, they don't talk to each other. I mean, they also don't date. I mean, they. Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I guess they don't. They just do that. They just sort of like strut around. Right. But I think that's the thing is, like, we're having all this sex with all these different men that we're actively pursuing and. And we're talking to each other about it. Right. It's like we're together.

[Kristin Davis]

We're together.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's like Bechdel to the umph degree. Right?

[Kristin Davis]

100%. Yes. And that's what was so, so special and amazing about it. Now let's talk about themes. Because part of the reason I wanted to do Are youe a Charlotte? Was because it seems like. I mean, first of all, you know, Netflix. We're on Netflix now, which is like, we could never have imagined these things. Right. And all these younger people are finding us, which is so exciting and really kind of amazing and wonderful. And the themes are still so resonant today.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Yes, totally.

[Kristin Davis]

And it's kind of just a testament to our writing, you know, and to just the. I mean, it was kind of just bravery on, I guess.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, but have you talked about the thing about the one degree of separation thing about.

[Kristin Davis]

No.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, you know that they had this rule in the writers room.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

That, you know, fantastical things happen on our show. Crazy, zany, like, wow, cover your mouth, you're so shocked kind of thing. But that they had a rule in the writers room that you could only make a plotline around something that had literally happened to you or someone you knew. It couldn't be like my friend's dentist's cat's brother.

[Kristin Davis]

Right, Right. I heard this.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I heard one time. Right. That it had to be you experienced it or someone that you could get on the phone and ask them about it in detail. It happened to them. So, I mean, I do think that that's one of the reason it really endures is, like, the stuff grounded even though it's real. Even though it's like, oh, my God, can you believe what happened on the show last night? Right. But it's real, and people really put them. The writers really put themselves in it and located the good and bad and funny and whatever sexy things that were happening to them.

[Kristin Davis]

Right, right. Right. So true. But when you think back on the themes, like, what do you think of in terms of, like, Miranda's themes or, you know, what stands out to you? What do you think of as your favorite themes or your favorite relationships or things like that? Hmm. I know it's hard.

[Cynthia Nixon]

So.

[Kristin Davis]

Hmm.

[Cynthia Nixon]

I mean, I think maybe this is not what you're talking about, but anything. I mean, like, the overarching theme is, obviously, we're not sitting by the phone waiting for a man to call in and ask us to marry him. Right. It's like we.

[Kristin Davis]

Possibly Charlotte is.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Well, possibly Charlotte, but then she.

[Kristin Davis]

But she's aggressively pursuing it. You know, she's aggressively pursuing it. And she.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And there's part of her that. That has this marriage goal in mind, but she also kind of wants to experiment and have fun.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, she's certainly more experimental than you realize, for sure.

[Cynthia Nixon]

She really is. And I Remember, of course, we did the thing. They had a thing in a magazine about who had had the most success. It was the book.

[Kristin Davis]

It was a book. It was intel in the back of the book.

[Cynthia Nixon]

But wasn't it even all the pictures? Wasn't it even before. I feel like there was a magazine article listing how many sex partners each of them had. And that Charlotte, surprisingly, I know one, she had been to bed with more men.

[Kristin Davis]

But I also think that is what I love about when we think back. And I kind of was aware of this at the time, because, like, for instance, you weren't Miranda. Right. So you playing Miranda, you brought different things to it. You brought kind of Sarah Jessica is not Carrie, you know, and she didn't want to show her body all the time, you know, so it created kind of a friction, like all of us being together and being such different people created kind of an interesting friction. Charlotte wanting to get married, but also being the one who literally has the most, you know, hookups or whatever. It's interesting, Right. Like, it wasn't as much as people think that we were archetypes and whatnot, which I get. Right, Right. It really was more complex than that. And certainly, like, the underlying thing, as opposed to what we were showing, I think created a depth and a Frisian kind of.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right. So I feel like, in terms of Miranda, obviously, she's very smart, she's very quippy, she's very cynical, she's very driven. She's all about her work and getting ahead.

[Kristin Davis]

Right, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And competing with men on an equal footing.

[Kristin Davis]

Right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And she's interested in having sex, but she really has thought not at all about the idea of marriage or long term monogamy, much less children or anything.

[Kristin Davis]

Like that, which is what's so great, how it unfolds.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Right?

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And so. So the fun thing about her has always been that she has this really tough, armored exterior, but that she has all this fragility inside. Right.

[Kristin Davis]

Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And so I feel like, for me, the turning point for Miranda was, I believe it's Jenny Bicks first episode. That's one of our writers. And when she first came on board, she wrote the episode where Miranda buys her first apartment.

[Kristin Davis]

Such a good one. Right? Yeah.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And it's like, as a single woman, what does that mean? Is that intimidating to a man when you already own and you're not waiting for him to, like, buy something with him that you choose together?

[Kristin Davis]

Right, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And that Miranda is really determined and excited, but then it brings up all of these demons for her about what does this mean buying this apartment? Does this mean I'll always be alone? And she has dialed and I'll die alone and, like, no one will know and the cat will eat my face. Oh, my God. Right?

[Kristin Davis]

It's so good.

[Cynthia Nixon]

It's so great. And she starts to have these panic attacks, which seem very un. Miranda, right? And, you know, and in the same way that Michael Patrick talks about with Charlotte, Charlotte is a beautiful, intelligent, warm career person who wants to get married, right? And so. Right. Michael Patrick says, at a certain point, even though it's about single women, we gotta let her get married because we just can't believe we lost. It's incredulous, right. That she wants to get married.

[Kristin Davis]

She's gonna get married, Right, Right, right, right.

[Cynthia Nixon]

And then it's not gonna work out. That's the point, right? So. And the same with Miranda. He was like, how much? How brittle and bitter can we make her? It's like, finally, she is gonna just break. So we have to. Finally. I guess it's season two. I'm not sure. I think so. You know, they bring in Steve, right? Somebody who is, like, the antidote to all of the. Who is happy to be the beta to her alpha, and who is so into her that she doesn't doubt him. And it's just. He's like, he's sexy, but he's also just very devoted. And it's a place where she can land. That's a wonderful place to be. And it's not threatening. He's not competing with her for supremacy. And she doesn't feel like he might walk away and break her heart.

[Kristin Davis]

Right. And what a great character.

[Cynthia Nixon]

Great character.

[Kristin Davis]

Great character. I know. No. All right, so I could talk to Cynthia for many, many hours, as you can tell. So we're going to make this into two episodes. You guys. Please tune in to the next one.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show, and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports, and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondence and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed, listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colleen Witt]

Are you hungry? Colleen Witt here. And Eating While Broke is back for season four every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. This season, we've got a legendary lineup serving up broke dishes and even better stories. On the menu we have Tony Baker, Nick Cannon, Melissa Ford, October London, and Carrie Harper. Howie turning Big Macs into big moves. Catch eating while broke every Thursday on the Black Effect podcast network. IHeartRadio app, Apple podcast Wherever you get your favorite shows, come hungry for season four Dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Dressing.

[Unknown]

Oh, French dressing.

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Kristin Davis]

Oh, that's good.

[A.J. Jacobs]

I'm AJ Jacobs and my current obsession is puzzles, and that has given birth to my podcast the Puzzler.

[Jon Stewart]

Something about Mary Poppins?

[A.J. Jacobs]

Exactly.

[Jon Stewart]

This is fun.

[A.J. Jacobs]

You can get your daily puzzle nuggets delivered straight to your ear. Listen to the Puzzler every day on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mary Kay McBrayer]

I'm Mary Kay McBrayer, host of the podcast the Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told. This season explores women from the 19th century to now, women who were murderers and scammers, but also women who were photojournalists, lawyers, writers, and more. This podcast tells more than just the brutal, gory details of horrific acts. I delve into the good, the bad, the difficult, and all the nuance I can find because these are the stories that we need to know to understand the intersection of society, justice, and the fascinating workings of the human psyche. Join me every week as I tell some of the most enthralling true crime stories about women who are not just victims, but heroes or villains, or often somewhere in between. Listen to the greatest true crime stories ever told on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.