Do You Even Need A Man? with Mary Beth Barone...

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Do You Even Need A Man?" with Mary Beth Barone

Podcast: Are You A Charlotte?
Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Mary Beth Barone (with frequent input from co-host/producer)
Air Date: November 10, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Are You A Charlotte?" dives into the legacy, cultural impact, and personal resonance of Sex and the City and its reboot, with comedian, writer, and actress Mary Beth Barone. Through stories of personal journeys, reflections on creating comedy in today's world, and the evolution of female representation on TV, Kristin Davis and Mary Beth explore how concepts of love, career, and fulfillment have shifted over generations. They also touch on the meaning of partnership, the complexities of public reception in the streaming age, and the joys and challenges of creating boundary-pushing television.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Cultural Legacy of Sex and the City

• Mary Beth's Entry Point: Mary Beth recounts first seeing the show at a friend’s sleepover in high school—despite it being “a little mature”—and instantly recognizing its influence on her life.

  "I just dove in and I was like, holy shit. I think this show is going to change my life." (05:29)

• Push for Progress: Both note that while the show wasn’t perfect by modern standards, it brought previously taboo topics into mainstream conversation and offered an unprecedented look at women’s lives in NYC.

  "Sex and the City was such like a progress, I mean at the time [...] presenting the mainstream with these things that were happening in New York." – Mary Beth (05:29)

• Intentions vs. Reception: Kristin reflects on how the cast originally thought the show would be "niche" and never expected its massive appeal.

  "We never thought it would have widespread appeal." – Kristin (06:26)

Generational Shifts & the Modern TV Landscape

• Career Beginnings: Mary Beth traces her move from improv to standup, describing comedy as an “addiction” and sharing the harsh realities of pursuing entertainment in New York. (09:10)

  "If you don't love it, like, if you don't feel like you would risk everything for it, then you really can't do it." (10:46)

• Streaming Age Ambiguity: The difference between TV in the Sex and the City era and now is stark: instant audience feedback (sometimes negative), but less clarity on viewership due to withheld streaming data.

  "With streaming, you're just like, I don't know. The only people you're aware of is who's complaining." – Kristin (15:52)

• The Weight of Criticism:
  Both discuss the pain and bizarre thrill of reading comments online—why negativity often outshines praise, and the toll it takes. Kristin recalls advice from SJP:

  "She said, why are you reading those comments? Don't read the comments." (13:09)

• From Stand-up to “Overcompensating”:
  Mary Beth details meeting Benny Drama (Benny Felder) at a near-empty standup gig, their creative chemistry, and making the leap from canceled podcasts to their successful show "Overcompensating".

  "He said he needed someone for a sketch... that was a time when it was say yes to everything." – Mary Beth (17:19)

Sex, Relationships, and the Question: "Do You Even Need a Man?"

• Desire for Partnership: Mary Beth expresses a longing for romantic companionship, despite societal pressure to declare she “doesn’t need a man.”

  "I still want to find a partner. And I just... when I talk about wanting a partner, they say to me like, you don't need one. I'm like, but I want one." (39:27)

• Hopeless Romantics and Modern Narratives:
  The discussion touches on why it’s valid to want love and partnership amidst fulfilling friendships and career, and how ending the reboot with Carrie single was controversial among fans.

  "Why shouldn't you want... We've watched these characters pursue romantic love and their friendships flourish at the same time. But I still want to see them achieve what they want." – Mary Beth (39:35)

Female Ambition, Complexity, and Representation

• Breaking Stereotypes on TV: Kristin recalls how Carrie was intentionally written to be complex—even messy or “selfish”—challenging the then-limited template for female leads.

  "We wanted her to be complex, and that was kind of unheard of in a woman main character." – Kristin (40:10)

• Comparisons Across Time—Charlotte and Grace:
  Mary Beth connects her character Grace on “Overcompensating” to Charlotte: both initially seem one-dimensional but reveal deeper, evolving motivations as their stories progress.

  "She's, in some ways, like the Charlotte. Because in the beginning, kind of underwritten, a very recognizable character...and then it was just such a wonderful payoff when you did finally get to understand and see..." – Kristin (27:59)

Lasting Moments: Fashion, Femininity, and Favorite Scenes

• The Show’s Fashion Iconography:
  Mary Beth gushes about how the show’s fashion influences her to wear her “special” clothes and heels, even after breakups, and both women reminisce about the creative (and sometimes desperate) ways wardrobe was sourced in early seasons.

  "The show really inspires me to just, like, wear the clothes that are hanging in your closet that you were so excited to buy." – Mary Beth (49:06)
  "We had $10,000 for the whole first season." – Kristin (50:57)

• Favorite Lines and Emotional Resonance:
  Mary Beth calls out lines and moments that have stuck with her, including Charlotte’s plaintive: “I’ve been dating men for 15 years, where is he?” (37:27), and Carrie’s “We are over. We need a new word for over.” (48:10)

  "I'm your wife, and I'm sexual and I love you." – Mary Beth (47:54)
  "You broke my heart, Carrie." – Mary Beth, quoting Aiden (48:38)

The Enduring Impact of Female Friendship

• Reflection on the Core Four:
  The show’s “boxes” for Charlotte, Samantha, Carrie, and Miranda are defended as both relatable and ever-shifting. Mary Beth states, “Depending on the day, I’m one of the four. It just depends on the day, really.” (36:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Risking it All for Comedy:

  "If you don't love it, like, if you don't feel like you would risk everything for it, then you really can't do it." – Mary Beth (10:46)

• On Wanting Partnership:

  "Those people are the same people that when I talk about wanting a partner, they say to me like, you don't need one. I'm like, but I want one." – Mary Beth (39:27)

• On Complex Female Leads:

  "We wanted her to be complex, and that was kind of unheard of in a woman main character." – Kristin (40:10)

• On Enduring Character Depth:

  "She's, in some ways, like the Charlotte...and then it was just such a wonderful payoff when you did finally get to understand and see..." – Kristin (27:59)

• On Nostalgia and Fashion:

  "The show really inspires me to just, like, wear the clothes that are hanging in your closet..." – Mary Beth (49:06)

• Charlotte’s Iconic Longing:

  "I've been dating men for 15 years. Where is he?" – (37:27)

• On Ending the Series:

  "We were just ongoing storytelling in a really, you know, free way, which is great. And HBO almost said nothing, you know." – Kristin (40:27)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sex and the City Impact & Generational Shift

  • Mary Beth’s first encounter: 05:29
  • Early assumptions about show’s reach: 06:26

• Comedy, Career Struggles, and Support

  • The grind of stand-up: 09:10–10:57
  • On "overcompensating" & meeting Benny: 16:44–17:28

• Streaming Era & Criticism

  • Reading comments & public reaction: 12:35–13:09, 15:52–16:22

• Sex, Love, and Modern Desires

  • Talking about wanting a partner: 39:07–39:42
  • Societal reactions to singledom: 45:32–46:19

• Female Character Development & Legacy

  • Charlotte’s parallels to Grace: 27:56–28:46
  • Complexity of Carrie: 40:10–41:04

• Memorable Lines & Fashion Influence

  • Charlotte’s iconic longing: 37:27
  • Memorable lines: 47:44–49:21
  • Wardrobe stories: 49:36–51:46

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Tone & Style

Warm, conversational, occasionally self-deprecating, and marked by a blend of wistful nostalgia and optimistic realism. Both Kristin and Mary Beth are candid about the challenges of their industries and the personal stakes of their work, while also celebrating friendship, finding oneself, and the persistent allure of love and self-expression.

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For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is much more than a nostalgia trip; it's a nuanced, frank, and funny conversation about how TV can influence lives, the realities of creative work, and the ever-evolving conversation around women’s place in love, career, and friendship. It's a love letter to Sex and the City’s impact—and a case for why, even (or especially) in 2025, we’re still asking: Do you even need a man? And is it okay to say yes?

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Transcript

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[Kristen Davis]

Appreciate hi, I'm Kristen Davis and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? You guys, we are here at Are youe a Charlotte?

[Mary Beth Barone]

With Mary Beth Varot.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I can't. This is so surreal. You have no. Yeah. I don't even know if I could even count the number of times I've watched Sex and the City all the way through.

[Kristen Davis]

You couldn't even count.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I think I do a rewatch once a year and I just finished my recent rewatch maybe like four months ago. And then when I went back to watch the episode we're gonna talk about, I almost let it keep playing, but I was like, I can't do this. I actually can't do this.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I love to hear that.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I love to hear that story. It's one of my favorite shows.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Thank you. Thank you. Well, I do feel, as I said to you when you got here, that I feel like you and Benny are carrying the torch forward with overcompensating and all your comedy and all your everything that you're doing, I feel like you're the next generation. Like, you know, trying to make good stuff like out there pushing the envelope, talking about the issues. So it's so perfect that you are here to talk about boy, girl, boy, girl.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Which people do in a bit. But first I want to talk about you a little bit and I want to talk about overcompensating because I'm so, so excited. And when I first had Benny on, I hadn't seen the whole season. Okay. Because my niece had told me to have him on. She was like, have Benny Drama. I said, I don't know who Benny Drama. I love That I had to do some. Some research to like, catch up. And I was like, wow, these kids are amazing.

[Mary Beth Varot]

You know what? We had good role models with you guys because I feel like Sex and the City was so formative. And I actually. I remember where I was the first time I saw Sex in the City, where I was born in the 90s. So it was a little bit like, you know, mature for me as like a kid when it. Sharing. But then in high school, I had a sleepover at my friend Julia's house. It was like all the girls were all still friends to this day. And she had DVDs of like the fourth season or something. And we just dove in and I was like, holy shit. I think this show is going to change my life. And ever since then, I've. Yeah, I guess that must have been like 10 years ago. It's just been such like a mainstay, constant for me and watching the movies over and over and. And then. And just like that. It's just been so fun to follow the characters. But I feel like Sex and the City was such like a progress, I mean, at the time. And obviously there are issues that we would handle differently today, of course, but really presenting the mainstream with these things that were happening in New York.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Absolutely.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Maybe didn't feel so accessible at the time, so.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Absolutely. And I think that we thought when we started it in 98, which is, you know, bizarre to say out loud, that it would be like a little niche, you know, like we all related to it. Obviously. We were in our 30s and, you know, this was kind of our life. I mean, it wasn't exactly our life. It was like an elevated, more intense version or whatever. But it was so exciting to do it, you know, but we never thought it would have widespread appeal.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Did you live in New York at the time or la?

[Mary Beth Barone]

I had been back and forth. I had. I went to Rutgers and then I. Then I graduated and lived in like, first I lived in Jersey City. Not exciting. Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know. I mean, you know how it was, right?

[Mary Beth Varot]

You got it. Any means necessary.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right now you live in Williamsburg, which is very, very cool. Hoboken at the time wasn't really cool, though it later got cool. But it was kind of like the financial bros were there. I was a waitress at that restaurant. Right. I don't know if you've ever been over there. When you would get off the PATH train, there was a restaurant right there. And they would all just come in their suits and they were like, horrible. I would cry every day.

[Mary Beth Varot]

They're still like that.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes, it's true. I feel like they've been somewhat diluted, though. I don't know if it's. My experience has changed, but, like, it used to seem that the entire city was that.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah. Now. Yes, you're right. There's much more segment. It's much more segmented.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You've got the hipsters where you are. You know, we've got the artists, which we had as well. We've got the college students. I feel like the college students. And I think this is because the last season we stayed in the Village when my kids were there. I mean, the students are living the life.

[Mary Beth Varot]

They are in the lap of luxury down there.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Wow.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah. I think a lot. I think a lot. How my life would be different if I went to nyu, but I went to, like, an information session there. Cause that was my top choice for a while. I ended up going to Boston College and dropping out after two years. But I went to this information session and one of the admissions people was like, we just know if someone is, like a fit here, and we know if they're not.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, no.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And just that vibe really turned me off. And I didn't even end up apply.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So perfectly a fit.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But you know when you're just like. And thank you for saying that, but you know when you just hear one thing where you're like, no, I actually don't think I want to do this.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I do. Totally. I do. Totally. That was how I felt about Rutgers, because Rutgers, they. It was an acting program, and they. They were like, no one gets in.

[Kristen Davis]

And I was like, okay, great. That's for me.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah. No, I. I almost. I actually tried to sign up for Drama 101 at Boston College, and the teacher was like, I think the class is too full, but you can come to the first day and meet everyone. And then I did that. And then the second class, I walked in and she goes, it's full. And then I had to walk out with my. My head hanging low.

[Mary Beth Barone]

That's horrible.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah, it was. I just think there's so many ways I could have found this, but I'm glad it happened the way that it did.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean, it always happens the way that it should. Right. But it's never easy.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

No.

[Mary Beth Barone]

For no one. Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's been a tough. I mean, it's. Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I feel like stand up. I mean, stand up is, to me, like the hardest, hardest, hardest. Like, what made you want to do that?

[Mary Beth Varot]

I don't know. I think I have. It's the type of mental illness that I have. It's really specific. And I started taking improv classes when I had like a full time job and I lived with my boyfriend. At the time, I had a very quiet, sort of contained life. And then once I took improv, I just decided I wanted to try standup. And then after that first time I did it, I was like, oh God, I think I found the thing I want to do. Like the drug, it was such a high. And I totally blew up my whole life and then just decided to like pursue comedy. And at the beginning, you have that right level of like, delusion where you're like, this could actually happen for me. And I just tried to apply all of the like type A personality that I have to this career.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And now I'm 10 years in and things are going well.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So it worked out. Yeah, it's amazing. I think that's what I love so much about you and Benny. First of all, you're super talented. But second of all, the way that you have made it and I don't know how you guys met, which I want to know, but it's very much inspiring and exciting to me that it has worked out for you guys. Because first of all, I think you're super committed, which everyone has to be. Like when people ask me when they're young, like, what should I do? And I'm like, you know, how bad do you want it? Like, that's really the key.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's a lot of banging your head against the wall.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

It really.

[Mary Beth Varot]

For years and years and years and you have no money 100% and it's embarrassing and you're begging people to like, support you.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And yeah, if you don't love it, like, if you don't feel like you would risk everything for it, then you really can't do it. I mean, I'm sure there are some people who've sort of stumbled into it and everything's worked out for them, but that's very, very rare.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean, I don't, I don't know anyone like that. I can't think right now of anyone like that. But I love you guys because you, as opposed to like our generation, like we all, I mean, Cynthia and Sarah were child actors and Kim had been acting for a long time too. But, but like, I went to college for it. I got a bfa. It did me no good. Like, what kind of insanity is that? You know what I'm saying?

[Mary Beth Varot]

Studying it.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I know, right? I mean, it, it was the thing that was good about where I Went is that it was very, very challenging. And they cut people every semester.

[Mary Beth Varot]

What?

[Mary Beth Barone]

So. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, 500 people auditioned to be a freshman. 50 of us got in.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That makes me five graduated. And you were one of the five.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I was.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Wow.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, you're not going to stop me.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That's. You know what I mean? I would. That would be a lot for me to handle mentally. Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

But, I mean, you have handled 10 years of this business, so it's the same. What I'm saying is that the. The weird. Weird hardness of it was good prep.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Because it made no sense. Right. Like, you couldn't. You couldn't. You just be like, what? What. What happened? They cut wide and like, at one point, they told me I had to lose weight. This is during college, right? And I was like, oh, God, you know, good. It was actually good because the real world is, like.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's much worse.

[Kristen Davis]

A nightmare.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You know what I mean?

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's brutal. Especially when you start, like, working your way up a little bit and you start to hear the conversations that are happening behind the scenes. I know you see just how brutal it is. And I guess what's almost nice about social media is, like, all the meanest things anyone could ever say to you. You got to know. You got a notification.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Totally.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Hey, this person said this thing.

[Mary Beth Barone]

That's.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So now I'm like, whatever an agent or exec could say about me, I would love for them to try to come up with something new, because I would just be interested. But, yeah, it definitely.

[Mary Beth Barone]

That's so true. That's so true. I had not thought about that. I mean, as much as I really, like, I. At one point when. So. So I'm doing the podcast, so I'm looking at more stuff. And then the show ended as, you know, and just like that. And I was so confused by it. And also, like, you know, everyone was hating on us. And then we announced we were over, and they were like, oh, no.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And then I was like, well, that's really interesting. Like, what's actually happening, you know? But, like, the. There's, like, such a weird vibe out there. But I said to Sarah Jessica, I was, like, trying to figure it out, and she said, why are you reading those comments? Don't read the comments. And I said, I know, I know, I know.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But it's hard to.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Not once you get in. I mean, for us, like, we've been through it, like, every which way. And she's very strong about it. She doesn't. Cynthia reads everything. Everyone finds their own way. You know, I think Cynthia feels like she learns from it, which I think is amazing.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And she's very tough. I'm not so tough, but I am really curious. You know, I want to understand.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It is that weird thing. I mean, I think people love being mean on the Internet. That's like one of the reasons why we started our podcast. Just because we wanted to celebrate things and we wanted to. We wanted to talk about things that we loved in. In a genuine way. Yeah. And it's so much easier to obviously have a podcast where you're snarky about everything and. And you just. On what's being made and you insult people's work. But I think what people don't realize is like, yeah, if you are going to complain about something and say it's bad, like it might not be around anymore. So.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I know. I mean, I would like people to hear Mary Beth saying that because I feel. I feel like there is this weird. I mean, I assume that it's also like the times that we're living in. Right. People are so uncomfortable and we don't know what is happening at any given time. Right. So it's much safer to complain about a TV show than it is to deal with the bigger issues, you know, And I get that. I get that. But if you're the people making the TV show, it's hard to be yelled at continually and told that you don't know what you're doing and that that person in wherever their house is knows your character better than you. Which, you know, is interesting. No, we were trying to make a different show with the same characters.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Well, that's the thing. Right. And that's how I approached it was like, it is the same universe, but the characters obviously have changed because they're in totally different phases of their lives. Right. And I feel like, again, the show tried to tackle topics like, you know, you having a non binary child, it's like. Or Charlotte having a non binary child, it's like.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I knew what you meant.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's. I just felt like, yeah, people were always gonna hold it to. I mean, they hold reboots and anything like that to such a different standard because of the nostalgia. But I just. To me, it was like, you know, once again, same with the original. Even though I didn't necessarily. I wouldn't make the same choices as the characters. Like, I was watching that every single week and every single friend that I talked to, conversations would start with, did you see? And just like that, like it was must see TV.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I'm 30.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I'm 34.

[Mary Beth Barone]

That's amazing. You're in the third 30s, let's put it that way. You're in the 30. See, we were. And that's part of what's weird about streaming. And I don't know how you guys feel and overcompensating, but back in the olden days, not so much with HBO because that we were our own. We were, like, paving the road or whatever. Yeah, we were new. But, like, you. You kind of knew who was watching streaming. You're just like, I don't know. The only people you're aware of is who's complaining.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Oh, for sure. And who's posting clips and, you know, chopping it up and.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right. Do you feel that way about overcompensating?

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah, I think it's just. It's tough when a lot of the streamers don't really tell you how many people or what or anything like that. I mean, the numbers get so big at a certain point, I'm like, I can't even conceptualize that many people, but I know how many people are reaching out and posting about it and making fan edits and stuff like that. So I feel like. Yeah. It's also. For whatever reason, the criticisms always resonate, like, stick in your brain more than the people who love it.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Of course. So. Yeah. Well, I just feel that the people who love it, if they're. If they're your friends, of course you're assuming that they are just, you know, biased. And then you don't necessarily hear from the people in the world who love it because they don't post about loving it.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Only the angry people post, it seems. I don't know. But, like, with overcompensating. So. So, okay, first of all, how'd you meet Benny?

[Mary Beth Varot]

So Benny and I actually met at a standup show.

[Mary Beth Barone]

No way.

[Mary Beth Varot]

This was in. Yeah. Pre Pandemic, we met. We were booked on the same show in Bushwick.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, my God.

[Mary Beth Varot]

At a bar called Our Wicked Lady. And it was. We always say there were more comics on the lineup than people in the audience. It was a very small show.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I love it.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And we just really liked each other's sets. And he stopped me on the way out, and we sort of had this, like, moment of connection. And then we were booked on another show together, like, a week later. And he said he needed someone for a sketch that he was doing. And I was like, absolutely. Like, you know, that was a time when it was say yes to everything. And then also, if it's Someone that you think is really funny. You're like, well, of course. Like, I'll be there.

[Kristen Davis]

What time?

[Mary Beth Varot]

And then it just sort of organically grew from there. And then we had this opportunity to do our first podcast together, which was canceled. First podcast in history to ever be canceled.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yeah. I've never heard of that.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's called Obsessed. Oh. Which was for Spotify.

[Mary Beth Barone]

What year? What year?

[Mary Beth Varot]

This was during the Pandemic.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Okay.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So it was 20. Big time podcast.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That was sort of the beginning of it. So then that got canceled, and we decided to start our own thing called Ride.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So, yeah, it's been. We've done a lot of different projects together, and it's always so fun, and it's just nice to have someone in this industry who you genuinely feel like, so happy or. And so much love. And, like, we support each other. It's so inflating.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It's so beautiful and so rare. Like, when I see. Because we. I had been obviously by myself in my career, right. Previous to Sex and City. And then because we were together and we went through the whole experience together, you had someone to check in with about the insanity and the difficulties and the whatever was going on.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And it's something that I'm just so grateful for because I see other actresses. Because generally speaking, you're alone. You're very alone, especially as a female. Right. Like, you know, you'll be on a set and they'll just be all guys.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Oh, my God. And so few shows go for that many seasons now.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So it's like you guys really had, like, a family on set, which is.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Such a gift, which was what was so great to get back together. Together.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So. So great. And we did the movies in Morocco, and, you know, we. We've had, like, quite the life. Quite the life. It's been incredible, and obviously I just want it to keep going, but, you know, whatever. Right now we're just taking a little pause. That's.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Taking a break.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Taking a little break.

[Mary Beth Varot]

If whatever's next, I'll be there.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Thank you.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I'll be there.

[Kristen Davis]

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[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

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[Mary Beth Barone]

I'm very, very, very excited for the second season of compensating.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's so fun. We're writing it right now.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Mary Beth came to us before. She's going to the writer's room.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

I have a full day.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So exciting.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's so fun. It's such a crazy thing to do for work. Like, we just sit there and like, pitch what we think is funny. And sometimes it's not funny. You find that out when you say it out loud.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean. Yeah. And the other thing is, like, sometimes it's a funny idea and then on the page it might not be funny. Yeah. All right, all right, let's talk about. So you and Betty meet at a standup and so you're both doing standup and is he already doing his YouTube things and whatever?

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yes, he had been doing sketches online and some character stuff. And so, yeah, we met at this very interesting time. It was like 20, I think it was 2018 or 2019. But basically when I first started, there were so many, like, clear milestones that a comedian could hit in their career to be like, I'm on my way to what my dreams are, my goals. And then it felt like with the pandemic and then the strikes, like, so many of these. So many of these, like, cornerstones of comedy just sort of like, went away. Yeah. And so it's been really interesting to see, like, people have to build their own career paths and like, Benny was such a trailblazer in that respect.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And I think his being able to pivot to, like, you know, traditional legacy media gives a lot of people hope who started online or even, you know, even me who gives me hope. It's just like there is. There are ways.

[Kristen Davis]

There are ways.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And, and he's extremely talented. So it's not just like anyone could do it, but.

[Mary Beth Barone]

No, no, of course. But I think, I think that the commitment and the persevering through the different things and also just using your head. Right. Because you guys are super smart and you're seeing opportunities to get in there. It gives me hope, you know. And I saw Michael Patrick and I was like, you've got to meet Benny. He's like, I've met him, he's amazing.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Oh my God, that's so.

[Mary Beth Barone]

We had like a whole love fest.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I know.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And it's so nice because Michael Patrick was also a stand up, you know, he didn't know that. Yes, he was a standup, possibly not hugely successful standup, right. Where you would know his name, but he was out there grinding, going to the clubs, doing all the things. Now this is when he was wearing like plaid shirts. He's from Pennsylvania and he had like curly hair and like it was a whole different time. Whole different, different vibe. Very extremely different vibe. But he worked and worked and worked at it and then started writing, I think like punch up jokes for sitcoms and then eventually was hired on Murphy Brown and won an Emmy on Murphy Brown, which was, you know, trailblazing in the 80s slash 90s, I guess. And then obviously we got him on the first season of our show Sex and City. Thank goodness, because you know, he's been the visionary. You know, I think Darren's vision is about putting things together at the right time. He's one of those producers where he can put the pieces together really brilliantly like everyone else and kind of feel the zeitgeisty type thing. So he knew Candace and he optioned her book, but then he brought Michael in because Michael knew how to write jokes.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Cause we didn't really.

[Mary Beth Varot]

The show is so funny. I mean, it's surreal because you see these names on your TV as you're watching the shows. And then when you meet the people in real life, it's just like, oh my God, like I've watched you for so many hours and I feel like the comedy of the show, I mean, I'm sure there was so much criticism of just like having these sexually empowered women on TV back when the show came out. But I think also just the comedy of it all gets overlooked sometimes where I'm like, first of all, the comedic performances are genius. And I think it is really difficult to like have these. And I think that's something we always try to do in overcompensating, is have these really earned heartfelt moments. But also the comedy of it all. And sometimes it is physical, sometimes it is someone like having to swallow a bunch of fish and then going to throw it up at a Charli XCX concert, which was very funny. Which is very funny. But I think it's. You don't see as many shows that.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Are able to do both trying or even trying. I think it's a very hard thing to do. And that's one of the things that I did love about our show and that it's rare to you, kind of, in a weird way, have to earn that opportunity to even make that show. And then I think actually executing that show is so hard. And that's what I love about the first season of overcompensating that you start. And it's really fun and it's interesting. And you're like, you know, what's gonna happen? Is he gonna come out? Is he. You know, whatever. And then by the time we get to your episode, it's so deep, but also so funny, but so earned. And the whole time you've been wondering, like, what's up with her? Yeah, at least I was.

[Mary Beth Varot]

No, that people had a very strong reaction to Grace in the first few episodes, I think, because the way it was written was, like, you do really peel back the layers on all the characters as the season progresses. So I think people just saw, like, oh, she's a bitch for no reason.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But then it was so expertly done. Once we go home and we see more of her interacting with, even, like, her. The character of her boyfriend, you really start to understand, like, what is motivating her.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Absolutely. She's, in some ways, like the Charlotte.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Because in the beginning, kind of underwritten, a very recognizable character. Right. You're like, oh, I think I know her, but why is she so uptight? You're like, why is she so unhappy? Like, that's interesting. That's how I felt. Right. And then I was like, I hope they're gonna give her more, you know? Cause I didn't. I didn't. I just was watching by myself in the nighttime, right when the kids are asleep. And then I. It was just such a wonderful payoff when you did finally get to understand and see and also divert a bit from, you know, the campus. And that took a lot of guts, I think, to do that in your first season, to be able to write that. And then you so beautifully acted it, and it was so. You were so rooting for her, you know, and it's just so good. I can't wait to see the second season.

[Mary Beth Varot]

A lot of fun things in store. I think it's going to be. I mean, Benny's so In the zone right now, too. Like, everything he's sending us to. To look at is so funny and so beautiful, and it is so personal to him. So I think they're. Everyone in the room and on the show, on set, everyone feels a lot of, like, care for the story.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes. As well you should.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And playing the character is one thing Benny always talks about with the casting process is like, playing these characters with a lot of respect for who they are, not making them these, like, reductive, sort of dumb college kids, which I feel like you guys also did on Sex and the City. It's like, it's so easy to put the four main characters into their little boxes, but you really feel the depth and, like, the complexities. Especially as the show goes on where it's like. Yeah, it just feels like a lot of TV shows and not to. I mean, I watch so much tv too, of course, and some TV shows, they don't need to go so deep, but, like.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right. Everyone's got their lane. Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I go back to those ones.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Well, I mean, for us, we never thought we were in our boxes. I mean, that's the thing as an actor. You have to think bigger and deeper.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You never. I mean, everyone else is going to do whatever they're going to do. Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And interpret it. However, I think there's also been a lot of reflection on the show in the. In the past few years, people from different generations finding it. It's amazing, and I think that's great, and everyone can take what they want from it. But I get very defensive of the characters. I'm. I just think you don't get it. Maybe you don't get it.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean, sometimes people don't get it. I mean, certainly within just like that, people sometimes got it, sometimes didn't get it. And I think a lot of that had to do with how old they were. Right. But you're young and you got it, so you never know. Right. But with the first show, and I think also, Les, you're saying perspective, you gain perspective over time. And for us, you know, in the beginning, we were like the girls show at hbo, you know, and we were the unserious show. We were a big hit hit. Not. Not originally, but like, say by season three, which is the episode we're watching, we were. I think we'd won our first Golden Globe, I want to say, and we got nominated for an Emmy that year, which we never thought would happen. So we. We got credit for a certain kind of success. But the Sopranos was like, the Serious.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Serious. Like prestige, whatever.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yeah, and definitely prestige. I mean, we were prestige because we were on hbo. We could say whatever we wanted.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's prestige to me.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Well, it's prestige now. That's what I was going to say. It kind of gained. I think it gained importance. I don't know if that's the right word. It gained something in time, which has been so rewarding.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Well, it also feels like. I mean, I was a kid at the time, but it was sort of around the same era as, like, the Spice Girls and all these female pop stars coming up. And I feel like there was this sort of. I call it Spice Girls feminism, but it's just this thing of, like, girl power. And I do feel like maybe it coincided with the show really finding itself.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You know, definitely most huge audience. Sir Jessica, I don't know if she'll be mad at me for saying this, but she used to play that Spice.

[Kristen Davis]

Girls CD in the makeup trailer, like, over and over.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, over and over and over.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean, it was a lot. It was a lot. And then she would leave, and then Cynthia would put on, like, oh, my God, Gypsy Rose Lee. Like, Like. Like, who's that belting lady on Broadway? Like in the 40s or 50s? Like the original Gypsy Rose Lee. Thank you. Cynthia would put on Ethel Merman. Thank you, Easton. That's so funny. I know, I know. And you just be like, oh. And then sometimes if they both left, Kim and I would put on classical because we just needed to chill, you.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Know, it's like a palate cleanser.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yeah, we need a little palate cleanser. It was a lot going on because we also. We had to head out on the street. Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, filming in the. In the.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Bustling in the middle, New York side in the middle.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's insane. It must. Or it must have been crazy.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It was crazy in a good way. It added. It added a lot, I think when you go onto a soundstage, I don't know. Do you guys film out in the world in Toronto?

[Mary Beth Varot]

Sometimes we do. We have some in studio stuff and then some. That's, like, on location, as they say.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes, location.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But I would say Sex in the City for Benny and I. They. They're real people to us. Like, we talk about it as if we know these people. We have a joke on our podcast that Alexander Petrovsky died of COVID because he refused to wear a mask. Don't you think he would.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

We wrote.

[Mary Beth Varot]

We wrote a fake obituary for him. Sure.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I mean, I wouldn't even say that. Out loud. Because I do not want Baryshnikov to die. Right? And like, for me, I can't separate them. I get it. I get it. See, like, for me, Petrovsky and I. I have only seen the episode where we meet him. I can't remember why I watched that one.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That whole stretch is like the way they reveal that he is like, kind of a nightmare.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I don't even remember.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Gut wrenching.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I don't even remember when she.

[Mary Beth Varot]

When he can't. Cancels on meeting you guys. And then you go there to meet him at a studio and he's so cranky.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, I don't remember this.

[Mary Beth Varot]

They. They show up and he's like working on his light installation or whatever. And you know, Samantha's wearing an afro in the scene because she has cancer at the time. So she's. It's a. I mean, that whole stretch is like, it's so. And that was when the show really felt more like a movie. Like the last season, because it was like a. I think they did two half seasons.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Well, we really did one season and then they cut it up because they didn't want to pay us more. That's how it works.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah. That's awesome.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I love that. But it really was just like. It's so just. It was stunning. And I think so many women experience that of just like. There's this guy that is. When you're alone together, it feels like. Just like magic, of course. But then when you bring in your own life, you just see how wrong it is.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, I can't wait.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's really. I mean, it's very interesting, Mary Beth.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I. That part, I. I have, like, really clear memories of some things. Some things I have no memory whatsoever because we never slept.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

We.

[Mary Beth Barone]

We basically filmed all night long. Every night almost right till the sun came up. So, like, you're just not in your right mind. And so some things are really. Like, for instance, the episode we're going to watch. Boy, Girl, Boy girl. Because Alanis Morissette was on. I was very excited.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yes.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And also Sarah Jessica was very nervous about the kiss. So I went down there. I was not working, but I went down there to be like, moral support. Support. But then, because Atlantis was there and we were trying to, like, keep it chill, not overreact, you know, whatnot. I don't know how we did it, honestly. Right. Because also, like, she's really young. Like, she must have been at the height of, like, the whole thing. I can't even. I don't even Know how she ended up on her show?

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, I'm sure it was because it was a massive hit, I guess.

[Mary Beth Barone]

But, I mean, like, did we know someone who knew her? Like, how did it happen?

[Mary Beth Varot]

It's such a funny cameo because it's, like, very small.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It's so small.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So you're like, oh, my God, that's Elena's morset.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Like, baby Alanis Morissette with the little brat. Like, I love her so much. I can't even. I can't. Anyway, I went down there, but then there were so many people in that party scene that it was, like, kind of, like. Like overwhelming, and I didn't want to add to it, so I hung back. But Sarah Jessica was also really nervous because this is not something that she would be doing right. And it was Atlantis. It was a lot going on. So I went down there. Why did I bring this up? Don't know.

[Mary Beth Varot]

You were up all night.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I was up all night, as always. But also, like, we were in the bubble. That's kind of what I was thinking of. Like, you didn't really have other. I don't feel like I was tethered to normal life in any way during that time. Like, in the beginning, it was on and off. Right. Like, when you're filming, you're in the bubble, but once we really got going, you were just in the bubble all the time.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

And.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And you guys did so many episodes for most of the season. And so, yeah, I would imagine some things you're like, I just don't remember that.

[Mary Beth Barone]

I don't.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Some things I don't remember when.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Some things. Super vivid. Yeah.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And then.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And also, rewatching is so fascinating because, of course, when you're in it, you remember it one way because you remember what was happening on the set and whether you liked the actor or you didn't or whatever it was. Right. And then now when you look back on it, like. Like when I watched myself in this episode with Donovan Leach trying to be the man in the photograph. It's just fascinating and so different than how I remembered it. It's bizarre. I mean, Charlotte is full of surprises.

[Mary Beth Varot]

She is. And I think that. I mean, I really do feel like depending on the day, I'm one of the four. It just depends on the day, really.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Wait, so all four are incorporated in this?

[Mary Beth Varot]

I love it. I really think so, because I'm very Type A. One thing that I think for Charlotte, what I really identify with is she's Type A, and she's always willing to put her heart on the line.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Varot]

As many times as she is, like, you know, not even rejected, but as many times as things don't work out, when that next thing presents itself, she's ready to really, like, throw herself into it.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And I feel. I really identify with that.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You do?

[Mary Beth Varot]

Also, there was this one moment where I think you say, like, I've been dating men for 10 years.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Where is he?

[Mary Beth Varot]

15 years.

[Kristen Davis]

Where is he?

[Mary Beth Varot]

And I think about that line read all the time.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Thank you.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And I also think, like, Charlotte is certainly, you know, there are moments of judgment, but I also think it's because she is maybe has a less. She just hasn't met as many people. And then when she meets. I think she is very open minded. And I'm also judgmental and open minded at the same time. Well, that's because I'm a Gemini, so I can be both.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Ooh.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And then, you know, from Samantha's perspective, like, the sexual empowerment, I think is really important. And just showing a woman that her age is not limiting her and how she dresses or what choices she's making. And Carrie, of course, being a little selfish at times and being a writer, that's how I feel I am. And then Miranda being work obsessed and thinking she can do her job just as good as a man, if not better, of course that's good. Think about having those characters on tv. For me, as a high school student, I'm like, I can be anything. That was really what it felt like. I love it. I'm sure there's critiques of it where I'm like, sure, whatever. But to me, I don't see that. I don't see how it limited anyone's worldview. I think if anything, I mean, of course, when I look at it just like that, obviously it's wonderful that there's a more diverse cast and we're seeing people who have very different experiences. But for me at the time, it was. It felt like a lot of different experiences.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And I think it was, for television at the time, a much broader view of what it meant to be a woman, what it meant to be a woman in the world and your choices. And, you know, I'm thankful for that. I mean, it was nice to get to do even a broader view. And then just like that. And then you and I were talking briefly before we started. We said we would wait till we got here. You feel that the ending of Just like that, that Carrie should find the love you. You want Carrie to find.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That's what I want. Because I'm a hopeless romantic. And also, I think having a life full of beautiful friendships, that's what I have right now, and the family that I love. But of course, I still want to find a partner. And I just. You. You had mentioned there was criticism when the first series ended about you all being paired off and people were big.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Mad, Marybeth, big mad.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Those people are the same people that when I talk about wanting a partner, they say to me, like, you don't need one. I'm like, but I want one.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Well, those are two very different things.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah. And why shouldn't you want. We've watched these characters pursue romantic love and. And their friendships flourish at the same time.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But I still want to see them achieve what they want.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right. I think that might be one of the interesting points, and I'm not sure because I don't really have closure on it, as I was saying. And I haven't even watched the last two because I'm just in denial. Right. And I hope someday that we will come back and do something. But I do feel for Carrie. If you look at Carrie, because obviously this whole new thing about her being selfish, this was not something that we thought about at the time or would have said at the time.

[Mary Beth Varot]

She's the main. Also make. She's the main character.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Absolutely. I think the thing that we thought of at the time was that we wanted her to be complex, and that was kind of unheard of in a woman main character. Right. Like, as a woman main character, you're supposed to be, you know, flirty and sweet and the rom coms of the 90s.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Make good choices.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Brought up.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Exactly.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Make good choices. Or if you make a bad choice, then regret it and rethink it and change it. Whereas we were just ongoing storytelling in a really, you know, free way, which is great. And HBO almost said nothing, you know.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And it feels like real people because they're making mistakes.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes. And that's what we wanted. And it didn't make any sense to us, at least to me. Like, when the whole narcissist carry thing started, which I feel like was during COVID or at least when I saw.

[Mary Beth Varot]

It, people had way too much time. Y' all don't need to be thinking about Sex in the City that much.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, I know.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Enjoy the show. How about you just watch it and have fun?

[Kristen Davis]

AG's holiday 2025 collection is here. This season, AG explores the intersection of cinematic legacy and sartorial craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from the crews and directors behind the iconic spaghetti westerns of the 1960s. Set against the backdrop of Alabama Hills, a legendary location in film history, the collection channels a sense of sun, bleached grit, timeless style and quiet confidence. This collection is a tribute to the makers behind the lens, the costume designers, cinematographers and directors whose understated off screen style helped shape on screen Legacy. The Holiday 2025 collection is available now at aggeans.com use code KRISTIN15 to take 15% off your next order even if you've shopped a G before. I don't know about you guys, but I love to buy gifts. I love it so much. I love it so much more than getting gifts. But the one thing that I do love, especially when it comes to my daughter, is getting matching things. I know it's such a cliche, but I love it so much so I have the perfect brand for you. Pandora Jewelry can make their holiday unforgettable with the gift that says it all from Pandora Jewelry. A gift that tells a story and shows you know theirs that doesn't just sparkle, but speaks. From new festive charms to forever rings and personal engravings, this season give a gift that's perfectly theirs. Whether you're shopping for a shiny surprise for your significant other, matching bracelets to celebrate your friendship, or a heartfelt gift for a family member, say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop [e-mail] or visit your closest Pandora store. Smarter scenting starts with a free Pura diffuser for a limited time. Get a free set when you subscribe to two Scents monthly for a year. Customize your experience with app control technology and enjoy premium long lasting scents in a sleek modern device just in time for holiday hosting. Subscribe to a festive scent now and easily swap it later. This exclusive deal won't last, so shop [e-mail] if you're listening to this show, you know who Steve Brady is, one of the most beloved characters from Sex and the City. Well, if you love Steve, that means you probably also love David Eigenberg, who has a heart of gold and sure knows how to play one on tv like his other beloved character Christopher Herman on Chicago Fire. That's why you should check out his episode on the One Chicago Podcast, the new show that's an exclusive behind the scenes look at the iconic show from the One Chicago Universe, Chicago pd, Chicago Med, and of course Chicago Fire. Each episode joins host and former Chicago cop turned Chicago PD producer Brian Lucci as he's joined by the actors, producers and writers as they take a deep dive behind the EPIC1 Chicago Universe. Each week you'll hear exclusive conversations with the writers, crew and stars who bring your favorite first responders to life. To listen to the One Chicago Podcast. Search for One Chicago Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. That's One Chicago Podcast.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

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[Mary Beth Barone]

I find it all fascinating the way the conversation changes over time.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

And so there was this time of like, we don't like Carrie. And I was like, well, that's bizarre and interesting. I mean, we need Carrie to go through all this to have a show.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Exactly.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You know, and movies and then another show. But I do know what you're saying in terms of like, people. I'm single, you know, and people are always very like, you know, please explain yourself. Which is, you know, really unfair and hard.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Like, is it rocket science? I want to have fun with someone.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yeah. No. But that's not where I am at this point.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So I think that's what confuses people. If I had said that when I was 30, I don't feel like people would have. I don't know what people would have said because at that point we were trying to avoid these conversations. Yeah, right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, you'd be surprised, the reactions. People look at me like I have, you know, six heads. I'm just like, but you're married. The people I'm, I'm like the person I'm talking to. So you get it. Like, yeah, I'm not gonna, you know, throw away my whole life in pursuit of romantic love, but obviously that's what I want, like as a one part my life.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So people look at you like you're crazy because you want something or because you want to have fun.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Because I want to. At this point, where I'm at is like, I would just love someone to. Now I get invited to cool, fun things.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

And I would love someone to bring that wants to make out with me at the end of the night. Does that sound crazy to Anyone else. I'm like, I feel like that's kind of normal.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It is definitely normal. It is definitely normal. This is what I think is interesting from my perspective, like the thing that went through my head because I've definitely gone through many phases as the many times, you know, 30 years I've been doing this, I've had times where I had somebody who would come with me. And I just want to say it can get complicated.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

I know.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It doesn't always go so smoothly.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I know it's like someone that is like a social, socially additive like that will have a good time. I know it is hard.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Not so easy.

[Mary Beth Varot]

What I'm looking for is very specific. I think it exists. But yeah, ideally too, you're. You're laying the foundation for something that's more long term, but.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I did back to back long distance relationships for five and a half years.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh God.

[Mary Beth Varot]

So I'm really, I'm okay with, you know, feeling a lot of control over my life right now and not having to fly internationally like every three weeks.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

But I think, yeah, it's. Of course I want that and that was a lot of fun. And in my 20s I had the energy for it. Now I don't, I don't so much. But.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Interesting. Very interesting.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I want to call out some scenes from Sex and the City I think about at least once per day. I'm your wife and I'm sorry. Sexual and I love you.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Okay, explain this. Why are you and Benny so fascinated with it?

[Mary Beth Varot]

The. We love prose and it's just good writing.

[Mary Beth Barone]

It is good writing.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I'm your wife and, and I'm sexual and I love you. It's like, it's like just. You don't need any, anything else. You don't need any fluff. It's just like, it's this woman that just so badly wants to be seen. So that's like also Kyle McLaughlin so fabulous in, in our show. In your show.

[Mary Beth Barone]

So great. Yeah.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Such an iconic character and he's so funny and so like just nice. He's just like a nice man. And so we loved having him on the show. Then there's a moment where after Carrie is leaving Big's apartment and Natasha falls and the hospital and she sees Big and she says, we are over. We need a new word for over. Yeah, that's good. That's huge. Then there's also when Carrie talks about the pear shaped diamond that's really good. That Aiden tried to give her. Really good. And Samantha's like, he doesn't get her. It's just such a good reaction. I mean, there's a million. Also, like, you broke my heart, Carrie. That Aiden says, oh, that's really good. It's closer to my heart this way. When she wears the ring, there's just so many moments that are, like, burned in my brain. I just. Yeah, I think it's. I mean, we could do a whole other episode about the clothes. And I will say, being single again, I'm. I watched the show right after my breakup, and I've been wearing my heels out as I'm wearing right now, because I have all these shoes, and I'm just like you. The show really inspires me to just, like, wear the clothes that are hanging in your closet that you were so excited to buy. Definitely. But that wearing feels like more of, like, it's gonna be, like, an element of the evening.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Right.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Where I'm just like, it. I'll be uncomfortable for the outfit.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, Sarah Jessica would really love you. Yes.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I feel all the characters, too. I mean, all the different styles that you guys wear. It's so true to the characters, but. But, my God, you look good.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Thank you so much.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, every outfit is flattering. It's.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Oh, thank you. They worked hard, man. I mean, I mean, it was. It was such a process. And Pat, very genius level. And Molly, who was with us from the beginning, who did it just like that. I mean, we have such an incredible time, and it is. It's a rare, rare situation that you get to have, like, first of all, just total freedom and couture, and.

[Mary Beth Varot]

I mean, it's couture.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes, for sure. And, you know, back in the day, it was a hardcore couture where, like, we felt the pressure to have the newness. And I remember there was a whole drama about Sarah Jessica wanted.

[Kristen Davis]

I can't remember who it was.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Something. And it was on the Runway. And so we had to send an assistant to Rome or.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Oh, my God.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Stood waiting for it to come off the Runway, took it, got on a plane, flew back. I mean, some.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That's, like, historic, though. That's amazing. I know.

[Mary Beth Barone]

But fully insane because it's artistry, like.

[Mary Beth Varot]

At every level, which I think is beautiful.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yes. And that's the thing that people would ask me about with the show. The first show especially. And true with the second show in a slightly different way, but the first show, because there was nothing else like it. Right. And like, in the beginning, when we had Molly come on and talk about the costumes, in the beginning, we. She said we had $10,000 for the whole first season. That nuts.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That seems. That just seems like fiction.

[Mary Beth Barone]

No, it's true.

[Mary Beth Varot]

That's true. Well, she did a great job. I mean, they did a great job.

[Mary Beth Barone]

There was a place, Century 21, down at the tip of Manhattan. Yes. Remember, they lived there. People used to think Molly worked there.

[Kristen Davis]

They would ask for, like, where the belts.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah, she probably knew.

[Mary Beth Barone]

She did. She did. And I remember going there with them and, like, you know, the Sarah's little tiny green skirt with the ruffle in the back.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Century 21.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Wow.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Yeah. But it took a while for us to build up our relationship with the designers, to get things lent to us. Like, we, first of all, no one knew what we were doing. Second of all, it took a while. We had to be photographed a certain amount of time. And then Sarah Jessica had her good relationships, and she was kind of a good example of, like, how to make a relationship with designers. You had to go to the shows back in the day.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

Like, kind of like, like pay homage and work on that relationship and return everything immediately in pristine condition.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Respect for the garments, right?

[Mary Beth Barone]

Respect. Absolutely. And also they needed them. They needed those samples.

[Mary Beth Varot]

Yeah.

[Mary Beth Barone]

You know, but also there was a lot of pressure about that, you know what I mean? But. But when I look back on it, I mean, I just felt the pressure at the time, you know what I'm saying? Like, was I thin enough? That was really my major conversation in my head. You know, not fun, but that was the truth. And then also, like, were we, you know, was Charlotte? Like, I was always really concerned about the character. You know what I'm trying to say? Which when I look back on, I'm like, yeah, it was good, you guys. This is so much fun that we.

[Kristen Davis]

Are going to have to have a part two. So join us later in the week on Are youe as Charlotte. AG's holiday 2025 collection is here. This season, AG explores the intersection of cinematic legacy and sartorial craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the crews and directors behind the iconic spaghetti westerns of the 1960s. Set against the backdrop of Alabama Hills, a legendary location in film history, the collection channels a sense of sun, bleached grit, timeless style, and quiet confidence. This collection is a tribute to the makers behind the lens. The costume designers, cinematographers, and directors whose understated off screen style helped shape on screen legacy. The holiday 2025 collection is available now at aggeens.com use code Kristin15 to take 15% off your next order. Even if you've shopped AG before.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Flu season is here and our pharmacies have you covered with a free flu shot with most insurance plans. Plus it's cough and cold season. And now through December 2nd. Stock up on all the season's essentials and get ready for relief with discounts on items like Mucinex, cold and Flu Kickstart, Mucinex, Fast Max products, Vicks Dayquil and nyquil Combo Pack. Alka Seltzer plus also Airborne and afrin offers end December 2nd. Restrictions apply and offers may vary by location. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Coca-Cola Ad Voice]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Mary Beth Barone]

All.

[Coca-Cola Ad Voice]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[Kristen Davis]

Mmm.

[Coca-Cola Ad Voice]

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

No, it's not too soon to start holiday shopping. Ulta Beauty's early Black Friday event is happening now through November 22nd. Shop $10 beauty minis from brands like Mac and Too Faced. Take 30% off Lancome and Touchland fragrances and body mists. With new offers dropping every week, our associates can help you find the perfect gifts. Head into Ulta Beauty today to shop our early Black Friday event. Ulta Beauty Gifting happens here.

[Matt Rogers or Bowen Yang]

This is Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Mary Beth Varot]

JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds are for.

[Matt Rogers or Bowen Yang]

Those who don't conform to the standard. Yeah, I mean if you want to get into some touchscreen technology, how about the smart charging case? Clear sound. These are not standard things. You're only going to get them with the JBL Tour Pro 3, baby. And I love the sound of JBL and Ghost. These earbuds are packed with innovation because you can't stand out by following others. Touchscreen smart charging case for one touch control, instant EQ customization, true adaptive noise canceling and the one of a kind audio transmitter which can plug and play with everything from game consoles to in flight entertainment. What more could you want? First doesn't follow. Grab a [e-mail] this is an iHeart podcast.