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Kristin Davis
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Ben Platt
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Ben Platt
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Kristin Davis
Hi, I'm Kristen Davis and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? Okay, you guys today, thank you for joining us on Rus Charlotte. We have an incredible guest, Ben Platt. He is almost an EGOT winner. He has a Tony, an Emmy and a Grammy. Everything but the Oscar, which I have every faith he will one day get. You would know him from Dear Evan Hansen and also Pitch Perfect. He plays Benji and also he was on the Politician Ryan Murphy series. I mean, he is incredible. And he has this unbelievable concert at Radio City Music hall where he basically says that he's a Charlotte and then he sings a song that he wrote about it. So we're going to talk to him about that and so much more. So here is the incredible Ben Platt.
Ben Platt
Hey.
Kristin Davis
It's very exciting.
Ben Platt
I'm so excited to be here.
Kristin Davis
And we have a bunch of similarities or connections, though I have never officially met Ben. But what I have to start with though, and I don't know if you are aware of this, tell me. So I fly a lot. I fly around a lot. And we had one season of the show and just like that, where it was during the school year. So I was literally flying to LA every weekend to see my kids. It was hard and. And I was deliriously tired. So one flight, I'm on the flight and there were some adorable young men on this flight. I was like, they seem familiar. But I was so tired. And we take the whole flight, there's some chatting going on. There's possibly a mother or a mother in law. Do you know what I mean? There's some chatting, there's some boisterousness. I'm like, I don't know who they are, but they're super interesting. We get off and I'm like, oh my God, I think that's Ben Blood.
Ben Platt
Oh, it was me.
Kristin Davis
I think so.
Ben Platt
And your husband was in York to la?
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
I mean, we do be doing that play.
Kristin Davis
You didn't notice me?
Ben Platt
No. Are you kidding me?
Kristin Davis
Thank God.
Ben Platt
I would have bothered you.
Kristin Davis
I'm so glad because I was so mortified that I Didn't say hi to you.
Ben Platt
I would have made you make a video for my sisters.
Kristin Davis
Thank God in heaven. Because I thought to myself, like, I mean, I was in my, like, do not look at me phase. Do you know what I mean? I might have had a hat on. I was in like, my.
Ben Platt
No. Plains is the most, like, fortifying zone to be a person.
Kristin Davis
Because later on I felt so bad because you have that super adorable concert where you literally say that you are a Charlotte.
Ben Platt
It's true. I do. I do.
Kristin Davis
Which everyone and their brother sent to me.
Ben Platt
Yeah, I hear. I wrote a whole song.
Kristin Davis
I know. Tell us about it.
Ben Platt
Well, yeah, I mean, I very much identify as a Charlotte. Always have grew up with two sisters, as I said, and they loved the show and exposed me to the show. And I've most of the show memorized. So I just. It's very formative to me as a gay person and a New York person. So I also from a Jewish family and very much the MO culturally as obviously Charlotte becomes is, you know, you gotta find your. Find your husband and settle down and buy the china. And, you know, it's all about, like, making a home. And so for me in dating, like, even prematurely, that was very much my M.O. and so I very much consider myself a Charlotte. So I wrote this song called Share youe Address that's on my first album. That. That's about kind of jumping in really quickly as soon as you like someone after the first couple dates. And I always say that it's very much inspired by Charlotte.
Kristin Davis
Ah. Which I love so much. And it's so beautiful in the concert. It's so, so beautiful. And people kept sending it to me and I was like, this is adorable. It's before I had the podcast. But then I was like, yes, this. We need to have him on the podcast.
Ben Platt
Yeah. Just as soon as I heard this was a thing.
Kristin Davis
Yay.
Ben Platt
I'm so glad you're doing this, by the way, as someone who loves the show and watches it before I go to sleep, but it's just nice to have someone to chat about it with.
Kristin Davis
I do find this whole new. It's really amazing to have lasted this long in terms of the show being culturally discussed at all. And then obviously we got to go back and do. And just like that. And then they came to me while we were doing and just like that, asked me if I wanted you to do the podcast. I had had other chances to do a rewatch podcast and I hadn't. I hadn't been ready in a way yeah, of course, it seems weird in a certain way to look back and kind of live in the past. Like, I didn't want to live in the past, of course, but I had also never rewatched the show. And in my mind, of course, I love the show. I always love the show. Everyone knows I love the show. But when I rewatch it, I'm blown away by how good it is.
Ben Platt
Yeah, it's really good. And so many people I hate to bring it to. It's really good. Right?
Kristin Davis
Thank God. Right? Thank God. Like, it's such a gift as an actor to just luck in, like, literally fall into a situation where everybody is trying to do something new and everybody is committed and everyone cares so much. And our writers were so amazing and still are and, you know, so many different things. So I'm so lucky that I did say yes. I'm so thankful that I did say yes.
Ben Platt
And I so understand that. Having to have the right amount of time between to, like, live your life and be a person and separate and then come back to it fresh and.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
Like, I so understand, like, that you needed to wait till the right moment.
Kristin Davis
To revisit, and now it's very therapeutic.
Ben Platt
Really, I would imagine.
Kristin Davis
Right. It's so interesting. And sometimes I remember nothing. Like, this entire episode was new to you. Totally, totally. Fresh eyes.
Ben Platt
When you watch it, does it put you back on the day? Like, do you think of. Do you get flashes of, like, work days and little flashes?
Kristin Davis
Because that is the way actors remember things.
Ben Platt
Right?
Kristin Davis
You remember, like, I was so hot that day or whatever.
Ben Platt
Like, you can see me melting.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. I can see me melting. I can. I'm gonna see weird details that no one else would see or whatever. I. I don't even think I. Do I. Yes, I did have flashbacks.
Ben Platt
Okay, good. I was.
Kristin Davis
I'm remembering now. I'm remembering now. The funny thing is that sometimes, like, for instance, people over the years, it's always interesting to see what people remember and talk to you about. Right. And people would talk to me about the S and M club, and I'm always like, I don't know what you're talking about.
Ben Platt
Of course.
Kristin Davis
This is apparently what I was talking about.
Ben Platt
Yes.
Kristin Davis
Le. The La Dolor.
Ben Platt
Exquisite.
Kristin Davis
Thank you so much.
Ben Platt
I kinked my hair.
Kristin Davis
Good job. I know.
Ben Platt
That's Charlotte's kink.
Kristin Davis
I know. And I don't. I didn't. I have no memory of this at all. No memory of this at all. Except that there is. There's a picture of the cast, and I don't know where we are. Possibly at a premiere party, and my hair is kinked, which, you know, is scary. Okay. It's a scary thing. I love it. Do you love it?
Ben Platt
Yeah, of course. And I just love that that's her interpretation of the assignment when she shows up.
Kristin Davis
I know.
Ben Platt
Charlotte is true to Charlotte. Always.
Kristin Davis
Charlotte is true to Charlotte.
Ben Platt
Well, all four of them are, which is why they're so iconic.
Kristin Davis
Well, this is true.
Ben Platt
And why everybody sees themselves in them is that they're very true to their, you know, their centers. Obviously, they all change and experience things, but they have, like, an ID each of them that, like, stays very consistent and makes them feel like real people.
Kristin Davis
I agree 100%. I agree 100%. There are people in the world who do not agree well with us.
Ben Platt
They can come to me, actually. Don't.
Kristin Davis
Don't.
Ben Platt
Do not. Absolutely.
Kristin Davis
How's that been? Thank you for putting yourself out there for us. Thank you. Okay, so the thing. Okay, here we are. We're back. Should we go back and discuss?
Ben Platt
Oh, my God, of course.
Kristin Davis
Okay, great. Or should we. I just want to just briefly touch on. So you're happily married?
Ben Platt
I'm happily married.
Kristin Davis
I want to tell the story.
Ben Platt
I found my Harry Goldenblatt.
Kristin Davis
And how did you find your Harry Goldenblatt?
Ben Platt
Well, we met his name's Noah Galvin. He's very talented actor and writer and singer and performer. And he and I met when we were, like, 19, making, like, a web series. Like, a comedy web series. I never saw the light of day.
Kristin Davis
I didn't even know this.
Ben Platt
Yes.
Kristin Davis
Oh, my God.
Ben Platt
We met really early on.
Kristin Davis
Whoa.
Ben Platt
Our mutual friends who we made this film theater camp with, they were one of the first things that we all made together was this web series. They invited me in, and I met Noah doing, like, improv with him, and we had talent crushes immediately on each other. And then we started, you know, working together in the theater community, like, workshopping musicals and stuff. And we started dating, like, right away when we were, like, 20 years old.
Kristin Davis
Wow.
Ben Platt
And I, like, really panicked and sort of freaked out quickly.
Kristin Davis
Understandable.
Ben Platt
And for reasons that I don't think I understood at the time. At the time, I sort of expressed it like, oh, like, I think we're best friends. I think this is a friendship. I think this is, like, a lifelong friendship. And I don't want to ruin that by. And I don't think I understood at such a young age that, like, that is one and the same 100%.
Kristin Davis
But nobody, when they're young, understands no.
Ben Platt
I thought those were, like, totally different categories.
Kristin Davis
Right. You were looking for the heat.
Ben Platt
That's right.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
And so I sent him a text message that was so long that it has an arrow at the bottom to go to the rest of the text message, which wasn't the nicest way to do it. But he. So he was mad at me for a little while, but then he was. We became friends, and he was very patient. And we were friends for, like, five, six years.
Kristin Davis
Wow.
Ben Platt
And then sort of had like, a maturing turning point, mostly on my end of coming to my senses and realizing, you know, this was the sort of greatest person that I know has been in front of me the whole time. And he graciously allowed me to come to that realization. But we really gave both of us a chance to, like, sow some oats, which I really appreciate. I'm glad we didn't get together right away and we're able to come a little bit more fully formed. And we've been married almost a year. Well, September 1st will be our first anniversary.
Kristin Davis
Amazing. But then, where's the Dear Evan Hansen?
Ben Platt
So the Internet loves to tell me that we met doing Dear Evan Hansen, so. Which is not true.
Kristin Davis
Got it.
Ben Platt
We already knew each other.
Kristin Davis
Correct things.
Ben Platt
Yes. Always. For several years when I was doing Evan Hansen, I originated the part on Broadway, and they were looking for a replacement, and they obviously found Noah because Noah's very talented. And I was just like, oh, I love him. He's amazing. I co. Sign. That's amazing. So we already had a friendship, and I was able to help him acclimate to that really intense part and at least make the transition as easy as it could be. But, yeah, that was like chapter three or four in our.
Kristin Davis
That's amazing.
Ben Platt
In our story.
Kristin Davis
That's amazing. I love that story so much. And I love. I do think that there's just so many different elements of. First of all, you know, meeting when you're 19. I mean, that's kind of insane.
Ben Platt
Totally.
Kristin Davis
So it's amazing that you were able to navigate that in a way and both have patience or whatever. It took time and patience and growth to come to the point where you did realize and you hadn't burned that bridge.
Ben Platt
It was. Yeah. Very grateful to the universe that, like, I, for whatever reason, wasn't ready to deal with it and so kind of blew it up for a moment. And also grateful to him that he stuck with it.
Kristin Davis
And amazing. Congratulations.
Ben Platt
Thanks.
Kristin Davis
It seems definitely, like, we could use the word Bershaert.
Ben Platt
Yeah, it's bershaert Love it. That's right.
Kristin Davis
Love it so, so much. Yeah, I love that story. And I. I think it's also funny. I love to correct things that are wrong out there because people glom onto something and then it becomes like, it's real, but it's not.
Ben Platt
It's in the narrative.
Kristin Davis
Yeah, right.
Ben Platt
And I get it. It's such a fun. That's such a fun story that, like, we met doing Dear Evan Hansen, and it's like we both played Evan Hansen, but, like, it's more boring to be like. Actually, we had done a workshop of a musical called Alice by Heart. And we had also made a web sketch together and Gone to Vassar and stuff. But, yeah, I love it. We still did both Liam and Hansen, so that's great.
Kristin Davis
Of course. Of course. And that's a funny. It's a funny, like. Yeah, it's a quirky little thing. So a year married.
Ben Platt
A year married, yes. September 1st.
Kristin Davis
And then you knew what you thought it would be.
Ben Platt
Yeah. I mean, I think the bigger change, for me especially. Cause I've known him for so long, was the cohabitating, like, moving in and really, like, building a home together for the first time.
Kristin Davis
And this is a very Charlotte type of thing.
Ben Platt
Exactly.
Kristin Davis
How has it panned out?
Ben Platt
Really, really well. He's very aesthetically gifted, and that's very much his strong suit, which is not mine. I'm very good at cleanliness.
Kristin Davis
Oh, nice.
Ben Platt
And organization.
Kristin Davis
Nice.
Ben Platt
And like, logistics and sort of excell. And he's a good visual ideas man. So it's a nice combo. But because we had already done that and started living together for, like, almost a year by the time we got married, I think the marriage part was sort of just like. Of course, like, this is naturally what we want to do next and what feels right. And we didn't sort of come home the next morning and think, like, uh, oh, now everything's different. We've changed everything. We just kind of watched Pop Star Academy and love it.
Kristin Davis
The funny thing about Charlotte's whole thing, because people do talk a lot about the china. Because the china, you know. You know, when she marries Kyle and we're in Bergdorf and I flip that plate over. But also, even the first season, I go out with Carrie's discarded men, and he doesn't like my china taste. And I'm like, out.
Ben Platt
Which is really funny to me. But sometimes if you know, you know.
Kristin Davis
If you know, you know, in whatever way you find out whatever meaningful thing in your mind that is, I guess that's important to me. I do think, like, wow, Charlotte. It's very picky. But she is.
Ben Platt
But she is. And I love that with Harry. They had to trial and tribulate and come to on their own time.
Kristin Davis
There's growth in Charlotte and status, which is super important. But the thing that was funny about it in my mind, and this is again, like an actor type of a thing. So when she was married to Kyle, obviously. Sorry, what's his name? Trey. It's so messy in my mind at this point. Then I can't even.
Ben Platt
Did you have a nice experience working with him?
Kristin Davis
It's a dream.
Ben Platt
Okay, good. He's wonderful on the show.
Kristin Davis
He's amazing.
Ben Platt
Love the character.
Kristin Davis
I know. Amazing, right? And complicated.
Ben Platt
Very, very human and, you know, heartbreaking and great and funny.
Kristin Davis
I haven't gotten to that part of the rewatch. We won't.
Ben Platt
Sorry.
Kristin Davis
I'm looking forward to it because I do feel like I need to work some feelings out.
Ben Platt
We all do.
Kristin Davis
But what I remember is, of course, you know, the thematic is that this is exactly what she was looking for. Everything looks perfect on the outside, but it's not perfect on the inside. And that is her growth is that that's not gonna work out, sadly. And that then she's gonna expand and grow herself inside and realize, no, this person who doesn't look anything like what she thought she wanted is in fact what she really wants on the inside. And it has worked out to be, thank God, a happy relationship and marriage in the Sex and the City universe.
Ben Platt
Kind of the only one.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. The only one, as he likes to say, the last man standing.
Ben Platt
It's tr.
Kristin Davis
And I'm so happy. I'm so happy for her and for him.
Ben Platt
Feels earned.
Kristin Davis
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Kristin Davis
When we came back to film and just like that, it was a lot, right? It was right after Covid we were we had to get the sets out of storage and or rebuild them depending on the situation and recreate.
Ben Platt
It's like Twilight Zone.
Kristin Davis
So much so, but yet our children had grown up, right? So they were trying to update. They were like how can we update? How can we change in a way that makes sense? So the first day I was the first person to work.
Ben Platt
What was the first thing you shot?
Kristin Davis
Basically a day of crying because Big has died.
Ben Platt
Whoa.
Kristin Davis
With the children who are now one day.
Ben Platt
One.
Kristin Davis
Yes. Okay. Yes.
Ben Platt
That is brutal.
Kristin Davis
I had to go to work at 4:30 in the morning. I hadn't been to work in a while because of COVID Right.
Ben Platt
And sometimes the first week is a wash because you're just, like, getting your bearings and your life. So unfair.
Kristin Davis
I know.
Ben Platt
I would never have known.
Kristin Davis
Thank you. They expect a lot of me. Okay. But Michael Patrick was directing, so there's an ease in that. But I had my new children, who we, you know, we've done a read through. We do. We're old school like that, so we've done that. I had my new dog, Myrtle. Love her so much. She's a. She's a she. I feel like I can say this now. She's a she. I've been trying to keep this quiet for years. She's a she. So I often just refer to her by her character name, but she is a she. Myrtle. I love her so passionately, and I might start to cry. She's eight. Okay.
Ben Platt
We just lost our dog in the spring. His name was George. He's. Here's George.
Kristin Davis
Oh, George is beautiful. George is beautiful. Let's not cry about the dogs, because really, it could happen. So I'm just gonna close my eyes for a second and talk about being at work. Going back to work. I'm all so excited, but also so nervous. I have so many important scenes. I have to basically cry for, like, three episodes.
Ben Platt
When we first came back, right, it.
Kristin Davis
Was a lot of Charlotte crying. And I can do that, but it was still a lot. So I go into Charlotte's set. I'm so excited to see the things that I recognize. You know, she has that beautiful china cabinet with all of her china in it. We know this is important to Charlotte. Then there's this little vestibule where you're walking from the dining room into the kitchen. And it's where there's, like, kind of desks on either side. And they had decided that this was the children's area and that the children were messy. So it was like if, like, someone's bedroom exploded into a very small area. And I was like, you guys, whoa, what is this? Are you not finished, you know, like, setting up? Like, we could see this in this shot. They're like, no, no, that's how it is. Cause, you know, the kids are messy. And I'm like, but I'm still Charlotte.
Ben Platt
It's true.
Kristin Davis
They can't be this messy.
Ben Platt
She wouldn't let them fly.
Kristin Davis
What on earth? And they were like, oh, so this whole conversation has to happen. And I'm, like, anxious. So I'm like, no, it can't be like this. You know what I mean?
Ben Platt
Did they. Did they take the feedback?
Kristin Davis
They did.
Ben Platt
Good.
Kristin Davis
Yes. Thank God.
Ben Platt
That's what makes it feel real after all these years. Like, Sarah Jessica talks about this too. Just like, you guys take all of the details very seriously. And everyone. Because you know these women really well, so it's like.
Kristin Davis
And everyone on the set also takes all these details really seriously. So it's really interesting. But what we had to come to, like a happy medium of it. Right. Because yes, they are teenagers. Right. Tween teen.
Ben Platt
You're right behind them, just.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. And also I would want them to be trying to be doing better. Right. So also in their bedroom, we had like Lily's side be really neat and rose rock. Cause she wasn't rock yet. Not be really neat. Right. So it was all very interesting. But anyway, you reminded me of that with the china. Because this really. The china stands out to people about Charlotte.
Ben Platt
It's like emblematic because she's also like very, I don't know, optimistic and elegant and naive. And it sort of like symbolizes all of that. And that's also a really hard thing to play. Just to like gas you up for a second to play somebody that's so coming from such a place of earnestness. As someone who plays a lot of characters that are very earnest and is a very earnest person that people have. Don't have a lot of like, they don't have a lot of like a very large tank for that. Like, it fills up quickly for them. So I think the fact that you made her feel like a real person and sustained the character for so long and let us like go on the journey with her and lived in that space so consistently, it's like a really challenging, impressive thing to do.
Kristin Davis
Thank you so much, Ben. Isn't that an interesting thing about society?
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
That people are so funny about kind of like earnest, open hearted characters.
Ben Platt
I know. It's one of my least favorite cultural shifts, I would say, is that like everything is cringe unless there's an apathy to it.
Kristin Davis
I know. It makes me want to cry.
Ben Platt
Yeah. It's not the best.
Kristin Davis
No. And I feel like people do really, really love Charlotte.
Ben Platt
They do.
Kristin Davis
Thank God, you know, I do. I'm glad. And I love you and your characters and I feel like we have to just keep on, you know what I mean? And even if people want to be critical and say like, cringe, cringe, this, cringe, whatever, blah, blah, blah, or she's not believable or whatever it is that they say, you just have to hang on and just do it anyway.
Ben Platt
Because if it's coming from a Place of love and optimism. There's no, there's no downside.
Commercial Announcer 2
Right.
Ben Platt
It's just a. Add positive to the world.
Kristin Davis
Yes. Thank you.
Ben Platt
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Kristin Davis
That's very healing conversation for me to have at this time.
Ben Platt
It's true. That's why I identify with her so much. Ask my husband. I'm very earnest in our home.
Kristin Davis
I love it. I think you have permission to be earnest anywhere you want to be earnest.
Ben Platt
Thank you. Agree.
Kristin Davis
You know, and I want to say also, this is going to be on whatever. It's going to air, it drops after. And just like that is finished.
Ben Platt
Oh my God. The whole thing will be done. Wow. I mean, I only have the last two to see, so I don't want to hear. But I'm very anxious to. Very anxious to see.
Kristin Davis
Yes, yes, yes, yes. I haven't seen either and you know, it's hard. It's hard.
Ben Platt
Of course, it's a big chapter.
Kristin Davis
It is. And it's a bit of a shock, you know, so trying to keep myself together.
Ben Platt
I understand.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
I have this portrait in my family's house of this clown, this like crying clown that was on my grandparents house. Because, you know, the whole thing.
Kristin Davis
I'm familiar. Yes.
Ben Platt
Like the, the end of every show because I, you know, since I've been doing this since I was a kid. So every time a shoot finishes or especially when you're doing a musical for.
Kristin Davis
Like a year or two years. So intense.
Ben Platt
And you're like breaking with a family every time. It's like it's a whole.
Kristin Davis
It's a whole thing.
Ben Platt
Yeah. It's like a loss in a way.
Kristin Davis
It is. The good news with this is that we have already thought we were done a few times. And the joy of life is that we're never done in life.
Ben Platt
Yeah, of course.
Kristin Davis
So everyone was like, what's it like to get back together? Well, we were getting back together on the set, but we had been together the whole time.
Ben Platt
Yeah. These are real friendships. These are life friendships.
Kristin Davis
Thank God. You know what I mean?
Ben Platt
It's very special.
Kristin Davis
The pain is that I love making what we make. So it's sad not to make what we make.
Ben Platt
Of course.
Kristin Davis
Like I would make whatever we wanted to make with these people until I die. Of course, if I was given that choice.
Ben Platt
Well, when you find a happy, like, fulfilling environment, you never wanted to.
Kristin Davis
No.
Ben Platt
Because they're few and far between.
Kristin Davis
It's true. As much as everyone tries to be that in our industry, it's not always gonna hit.
Ben Platt
Not always gonna hit the Bullseye.
Kristin Davis
Yeah. Yeah. And, I mean, you can have a great time and it cannot turn out.
Ben Platt
Well, or you can make something incredible that everybody loves and it was a miserable experience.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. Which often is the case, I find. Right.
Ben Platt
Like, it's hard to find the.
Kristin Davis
Definitely. Definitely. Anyway, thank you. Thank you. We're having some therapy on the podcast.
Ben Platt
That's what I'm here for.
Kristin Davis
I appreciate it so much. Okay, now we're gonna go back to this episode, La Dolor Exquis, which aired in 1999. Which is crazy to say that out loud, right?
Ben Platt
I mean, I don't know. I was six years old.
Kristin Davis
I love it.
Ben Platt
I realistically probably watched it somewhere like 2009, 2010.
Kristin Davis
Got it. And how did you start to watch? Was it. The Sisters had it on.
Ben Platt
So my sisters watched, especially my oldest sister, Samantha, watched it, like, in real time. And I always knew it sort of in the background of my life, but I was obviously a little mature for me. And then when I was in, like, you know, early high school and figuring out who I was as a queer person and developing my own taste and wanting to watch something that I thought was funny and culturally interesting, and it sort of, like, came back into my mind. And again, because my sisters, it's always there. Like, they have trivia games and merch, and so it's always was there in the back of my head. And so I started to watch it, and then I used to watch it every night before I went to sleep and just burned through the series.
Kristin Davis
Love it.
Ben Platt
And then since then, I'm, you know, I can't really count on my hands how many times I've gone through and watched it.
Kristin Davis
Amazing.
Ben Platt
I probably have it a lot more.
Kristin Davis
Memorized than you do, which is great. And that's what I started to say. Also the fact that it is now comfortable food comfort watch for people. If you had told us this in the beginning, we never would have believed you. Like, for us, you know, people were, like, so upset with us in the beginning, which people forget now. Right. They think, like, oh, of course it was amazing in the beginning. No, everyone was like, who are these women? Who do they think they are?
Ben Platt
I was gonna ask Beth if it was received, how it was received initially. Cause my other show that I always return to and that I'm obsessed with is Girls, which is sort of like a metaphorical of the show. And, you know, I think Lena's brilliant. And it was sort of a similar thing. I mean, I loved it the first time around, but where I think people are rediscovering it and reappreciating how daring it was and how interesting and original and 100%. I feel like this is maybe sort of the same thing of like, maybe we didn't appreciate quite at the time, like to center these women and the way you were centering them.
Kristin Davis
I think it was so shocking in the beginning. And really, if you think that this is something I'm thinking a lot about now. Our world has changed so drastically with social media. Right. Where literally everyone is a critic and everyone has a platform. Right. Back then, there were like a handful of white men critics predominantly. Maybe a few others at the big newspapers. This was the thing or the magazines. Right. So, like, we knew we had filmed the whole first season before it had aired.
Ben Platt
Oh, wow. There was no pilot situation. It was just.
Kristin Davis
We did film a pilot and then they took like a year, a year and a half. Something in my mind too long to pick it up. But they did pick it up.
Ben Platt
You shot the pilot and went away for a year.
Kristin Davis
Mm.
Ben Platt
So the second episode is a year later.
Kristin Davis
Mm.
Ben Platt
I gotta go rewatch it and leave that in mind.
Kristin Davis
Roughly. Roughly. Roughly. Sarah's Harris Brown in the pilot.
Ben Platt
Yes, I remember.
Kristin Davis
Yes. Now she tells me that I might be wrong, but this is like 1997. That we filmed the pilot. No one can find the paperwork like it exists somewhere. And I forgot to ask Krist Ulbricht, who was running HBO then.
Ben Platt
We were still analog at the time, 100%.
Kristin Davis
We were. We had to wait. Willie and I waited at the test for our very thick contracts. Seven year contracts to be printed by the fax machine.
Ben Platt
Oh, my God.
Kristin Davis
Because the fax machine broke. And so we had to wait and wait and wait. No one was allowed to go in until you had your big contract.
Ben Platt
Do you remember the other people that were testing against you?
Kristin Davis
It was no one. Well, there was one girl who was there testing against me, though I really didn't perceive it that way. Cause in my mind, I was 100% Charlotte and no one was gonna come close. Though I do know another actress who's really wonderful who ended up being on another HBO show who I do think tested, though she wasn't there, which was good because I did know her and that would have been weird. Perry Reeves. Do you know Perry Reeves?
Ben Platt
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Kristin Davis
Yeah, yeah. Perry was in the mix.
Ben Platt
Oh, great.
Kristin Davis
Would have been perfect and wonderful. But at the time I was like, back everyone up because I'm getting this part.
Ben Platt
As soon as you read it, you were like, this is for me.
Kristin Davis
Yes, yes. But luckily Willie was there, so he was entertaining me and I was not freaking out in the way that I would have been. And then there was a guy there who ended up being. He was reading for Mr. Big, but he ended up being Big's toxic friend who would be like, that bitch.
Ben Platt
I. Oh, at the dinner at the Il Cantonori, I think.
Kristin Davis
So is he. That he has two toxic friends.
Ben Platt
He always has a toxic friend.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. But this was like the really handsome guy. I cannot remember his name right now. Anyway, he was there and Willie was there and then maybe like two other women. I think like a potential Samantha, because I think at that point Kim had said no. And so people were stressing about that. Anyway, doesn't matter. It was at, you know, the buildings, the tall buildings in Century City. The twin. Yeah, yeah. It was when HBO was there.
Ben Platt
Wow.
Kristin Davis
I know. So whenever I drive by, I'm like, oh, the beginning, the beginning. Anyway, back to the episode. So we are here. And the idea here is that first of all, I want to say this. Do you know Alison Anders, the director? Allison Anders directed this. She was an indie film. This is in our indie film era.
Ben Platt
I see.
Kristin Davis
We had an indie film era in the beginning. Like Nicole Hofssner.
Ben Platt
Oh, of course. Yes.
Kristin Davis
I always recognize the name of the. That was our gig for a while.
Ben Platt
That's cool.
Kristin Davis
Then we start mixing in the Sopranos guys. So we got Ellen Coulter, Ellen Taylor, you know, a bunch of. Oh, my God. Van Patten. Timmy Van Patten. Amazing. Amazing. So then we kind of shift a little bit and then we get this incredible Charles McDougal British guy. Like, amazing. But then we've still got like indie Women, which was great. And Alison was one of those Gas Food Lodge was big in the 90s and it was like right before this. And I can't remember that much about it except that she was so cool. She had tattoos everywhere and she's like a mommy. Like a mommy presence, but funny and offbeat mommy.
Ben Platt
And so, like, it's a really well directed episode, right?
Kristin Davis
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Kristin Davis
Okay, let's talk about the episode. Yeah, so this episode is directed by Alison Anders and it's written by someone named Ollie Levy. And I'm sorry, I don't know who that is. Like sometimes I'm just like, I see names. I'm like oh, I don't know who this person was.
Ben Platt
Was it like a room? And then different people would write about this.
Kristin Davis
I think they had a room and it's Michael Patrick and Ollie Levy and they would have a room beforehand and then when we were working in the beginning, it was Darren and Michael. Then Jenny joined. Soon Cindy comes, but not quite yet, I don't think Cindy Shupack. And then Cindy and Jenny become executive producers as well. And then slowly we start adding in people that last. Right. But I'm sorry, Ollie Levy was not one of those people who lasted or maybe had just been in the room. Exactly. So this also, we've got some incredible guest stars. Will Arnett, very funny little baby face.
Ben Platt
I know. So handsome.
Kristin Davis
Oh, my God.
Ben Platt
Really funny. And it's so good.
Kristin Davis
So dreamy. So well cast.
Ben Platt
So well cast.
Kristin Davis
So well cast. And James Urbaniak.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
I don't know if I'm saying his name right.
Ben Platt
I think it's Urbaniac.
Kristin Davis
Thank you so much. Urbaniac. That sounds better. And weirdly, both of those people end up on the Office.
Ben Platt
Oh, yeah.
Kristin Davis
Isn't that crazy?
Ben Platt
That is bizarre.
Kristin Davis
Another show I love so much.
Ben Platt
And I also really like James on Difficult People. If you haven't watched Difficult People, it's a really funny show. I haven't seen Billy Eichner, Julie Klausner, Kola Scola. Really, really like satirical funny.
Kristin Davis
He's very good at that.
Ben Platt
Very.
Kristin Davis
So the thing that I find really funny about this, and we're gonna be technically rewatching, but I just wanna say that, you know the whole thing with the Internet and the feet.
Ben Platt
Yes. Huh? Of course. WikiFeet.
Kristin Davis
I mean, all of it. Right. Like to the point where I have some. Some lovely girls. I call them my digital girlies. And they come over and help me film stuff for social media. And they cut my feet out of everything. And I'm like, why do you guys. It's like the best part of the outfit. Why are you putting my feet out? They're like, we can't. We can't put any feet of any of our people on. And I was like, is that bad? And they were like, yes, it's that bad.
Ben Platt
The Internet is a show. It's.
Kristin Davis
I know, but it's like an early. An early version of it.
Ben Platt
Truly.
Kristin Davis
Shoe salesman is willing to give Charlotte free shoes if she tries shoes on.
Ben Platt
I know.
Kristin Davis
And then we have this really awkward scene where he's theoretically, potentially having such a shoe experience, though. I remember so much stress about how we were going to do that, that it wasn't just going to be awful.
Ben Platt
I was gonna say it's very funny, tasteful, uncomfortable. I think it's real. And James does a really great job.
Kristin Davis
He does a great, great job. He does a great, great Job. And I do not think I was that nice to him. I'm just gonna be really honest. I think that I was not in love with this storyline.
Ben Platt
Yeah, you were probably feeling really anxious about it.
Kristin Davis
I was feeling very anxious. And like, what are we literally actually doing right now? Like, I get the theme of the show, but like, what? Like what? And I remember that, like, you know, he massages my feet at one point. And I don't think he. I don't know what he wanted or what he didn't want. Because also I was just like, what? And I remember them saying to me, like, he's a really big deal in the indie film world. Like, be nicer to him. And I'm like, I'm having trouble because to me. And I don't really think of myself at all as a method actor. But like, I am very introduced to.
Ben Platt
Him as this guy.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. Yes. By the storyline. Like, it's very hard to jump over.
Ben Platt
Yeah. When that's your first context for someone.
Kristin Davis
Right. And you don't have any other context for them. Do you know what I mean? It's not like we're hanging out enough in a different setting or whatever. Anyway, I was really stressed, really stressed about this. But I think when I watch it that it works.
Ben Platt
It really does work. And also, again, to bring like only a character that's as pure hearted and naive as Charlotte, could we watch go through that and be like, oh, you poor thing.
Kristin Davis
Totally.
Ben Platt
I get why you're saying yes, they're gorgeous. You know what I mean? Like, we go on the journey with her.
Kristin Davis
Well, that was my other thing is like, would she say yes? But the way he plays it too. It's pretty charming.
Ben Platt
Yeah, it is.
Kristin Davis
Considering what he's actually asking. Like, he goes about it in a way that isn't like.
Ben Platt
No, there's an elegance to him, definitely, that matches up with her that she thinks and really start to turn that corner till the very end, that last.
Kristin Davis
And then it's not as horrific as it could have been. No, no, no, no, not at all. Not at all. So anyway, thank you. That was good. We just did Charlotte storyline. Now, someone else pointed out to me that Samantha doesn't really have a storyline.
Ben Platt
No. She kind of opens the episode and then that's it for this.
Kristin Davis
Right. But she's got that whip, which is fantastic. But I think it's important to mention, and this is something that one time I was doing one of these and I was like, wait, where's Charlotte's storyline? She didn't have One. Right. Because we had storyline A, B, C, D because there were four of us, and the show's only 22 minutes.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
It's insane what they were able to get in there.
Ben Platt
It's true.
Kristin Davis
But one thing that I've been watching the development of is that as writers, what they started developing, and it hasn't totally gelled in this episode. We have a theme in this episode that's very, very accurate and excellent for the different, you know, storylines. But what starts happening as we go is the. The voiceover. She'll say something like. And then uptown. And they'll cut to me uptown and downtown. They'll cut to Samantha downtown. And, you know, on the east side or whatever, there'll be Cynthia. And they're really, really quick, and they pull it all together. But we're not totally firing on all those right now. So some people might have the D storyline, which is very much less. And so that would have been Samantha. But then usually what we're doing is filming two episodes at once so that we can crossboard the locations. Because in New York, the locations are the thing, of course. So we could have one where we're outside maybe that restaurant and then inside that restaurant.
Ben Platt
Maybe pretend.
Kristin Davis
Yeah, we might pretend it's a different place, or we might dress a corner of the restaurant differently so it doesn't look so identifiable. And you probably have a good storyline in the other episode if you didn't have a storyline in the one. But it's hard when you're watching it, of course, to know that or whatever. But it's not like anyone was meaning to leave Samantha out. Of course, no one was mean to.
Ben Platt
But it's still finding itself. And there are those magic episodes where it's like all four stories are really inherent to the theme and they all feel really irrevocable from each other. And I totally get it.
Kristin Davis
And the reason in this particular episode that there's not as much time is because the Carrie and Big storyline, it's a big turning point, is massive.
Ben Platt
It's one of the biggest turning points.
Kristin Davis
And it is so unbelievably good.
Ben Platt
It's really good.
Kristin Davis
And Sarah Jessica, if she hadn't been winning awards, which actually, at this point she hadn't been completely. One needs one for this particular episode.
Ben Platt
Yeah. Really amazing. I mean, let's just start with the meme. You know, it's a very popular meme. Carrie out the door with the hat on the way.
Kristin Davis
Oh, well. As well it should be. And can you believe his reaction?
Ben Platt
Like two. Well, that's kind of why they were so special together. Because he lets her come to him.
Kristin Davis
It's so bad.
Ben Platt
Which makes us hate him.
Kristin Davis
I hate him so much. I want her to beat him with that.
Ben Platt
But then we get it. Cause we're like, listen, we've all been there.
Kristin Davis
Totally. We've all been there. We've all been there.
Ben Platt
There wanted to be the chaser.
Kristin Davis
And I didn't know this was a meme, but I totally get it.
Ben Platt
Oh, yeah, it's big. You'll search it after we do this.
Kristin Davis
Okay, I will. I will. Cuz her with that outfit, with that whip and that hat is good.
Ben Platt
Cuz then she appears at the door again with the beret and the McDonald's.
Commercial Announcer 2
Right.
Ben Platt
Which is also a meme.
Kristin Davis
Which I totally get that one. So. And I mean, I get them both. But the thing that's funny with the big thing is. So when I first started with the first season, I'm like, big is so awful. Big is so awful. It was really this. A huge thing for me because I had never second guessed it ever. Obviously, I was in it.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
But obviously we've all known Biggs and. Or different versions of Biggs.
Ben Platt
Of course we still know them.
Kristin Davis
Right. It's like, very true still.
Ben Platt
Yes. Yeah, of course.
Kristin Davis
It's so annoying.
Ben Platt
Of course.
Kristin Davis
So I'm very identified with Carrie through all of this. Right.
Ben Platt
We all. I mean, we all are.
Kristin Davis
Right, Right. And that's why she's such an incredible character. And whoever wants to criticize her can just like, whatever.
Ben Platt
I think a lot of that comes from people recognizing things within themselves that they don't like that they see mirrored by kids.
Kristin Davis
Oh, how mature. How mature.
Ben Platt
Say it again. I love heroes that are complicated. Much like, not to always bring it back to Girls, but much like Hannah Horvath on Girls, who also does a lot of challenging things, but we all.
Kristin Davis
Do challenging things 100%. And it might be hard to accept those sides of ourselves, but that's a.
Ben Platt
Much more interesting person than just perfect.
Kristin Davis
Perfect. Absolutely. Well, also, we would never have a show like, have you seen the. There's some guy on Instagram and. Or TikTok who is like, this is how people want Carrie to be.
Ben Platt
She's like, nobody to find this.
Kristin Davis
It's really, really funny. He's like, I'm gonna call my therapist. I'm not gonna call my friends and talk to them about Big. I'm gonna call my therapist and I'm gonna not shut up.
Ben Platt
I'm shocked. All my shoes.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. It's really, really entertaining. Anyway, back to the show. Back to the show. So what I love so, so, so much. So, okay, we start the show. The first season I've been like, big's awful. That's basically every episode. Then the second season, he's amazing.
Ben Platt
Yeah. He starts to come around like, oh, thank God.
Kristin Davis
He's so charming and they're so great together and I was so happy. Then we have this beginning of this episode. She's there in that outfit and he's just like, bleh, bleh. Which obviously then is the engine that pushes her to the wall where she finally says all the things she's been wanting to say and realizes her own issues in terms of trying again and again and again to get him to.
Ben Platt
Do, to be considered in his life in a real way.
Kristin Davis
Absolutely. Oh my God. You're hired to be here every week, Ben with these insights. But what I love. So here I am not remembering the episode right? And just starting from the top and being like, oh my God, I don't remember being at that bar. This must be the thing that people keep talking to me about. That's an M bar. And look at my hair. That's hysterical. That I say. She's like, what's your kink? And I'm like, I kinked my hair. It's so Charlotte.
Ben Platt
It's perfect.
Kristin Davis
It's so perfect and I love it so much. Don't remember any of it.
Ben Platt
Amazing.
Kristin Davis
Remember all the shoe things. Don't remember the S node.
Ben Platt
You don't remember the spanking, the waiter. You don't remember the guy tied up in the chains?
Kristin Davis
Nothing. I'm sure it's 5am it might be 7am like we were all night every night and all those things. I have no memory whatsoever. Which is interesting cause you'd think I'd remember that.
Ben Platt
No, it kind of makes sense to me that like the things that we would consider to be the like shocking, like oh, you must remember this like salacious thing. It's like, no, you probably remember this like two hander thing that you couldn't get and it was four in the morning. Like, you know what I mean?
Kristin Davis
Definitely. It's the random stuff that you're remembering. It is true. It is true. And also I think because I was, you know, nervous and confused about my own storyline that I, that I, that I. That took my attention. And I also do remember the scene that you're talking about where it's the three of us walking and talking because I was so excited to be there because sometimes Charlotte's left out. And I was like, I'm here in the middle.
Ben Platt
It's wonderful.
Kristin Davis
Like even when we were doing it just like that, if Miranda and Carrie had a walk and talk, I'd be like, why am I not there? And now that I'm rewatching, I realize that the Miranda Carrie storyline of walking and talking is a through line that is so powerful.
Ben Platt
It is really powerful. A couple of friends walked a couple of blocks. Just wait. You have so much. I mean, I know, right?
Kristin Davis
It's because their dynamic is so interesting. And Miranda really tells her the truth. Like people are like, well, why didn't people stand up to Carrie? They did. Miranda especially all the time. Big savings, bold vehicles and the perfect time to make your move. That's what the Hyundai Getaway sales event is all about. And it's happening right now. Whether you're looking to upgrade your daily commute, prep for a summer of road trips or finally make the switch to electric, Hyundai has a lineup that covers every lifestyle, every budget and every kind of driver. Hyundai is rolling out incredible deals on some of the most award winning vehicles like the versatile Kona, the sleek Tucson, the Road Trip Ready Santa Fe and the fully loaded family favorite Palisade. Prefer a tech savvy sedan. The Elantra is packed with features and the Sonata is Hyundai's most advanced yet. It's a serious standout and for those ready to go electric Hyundai is leading the charge. The all electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 deliver bold design, ultra fast charging and seriously impressive range, all while qualifying for potential EV incentives depending on your state. But here's the part that really sets Hyundai apart. It's not just about what you drive off the lot, it's what comes with it. Every new Hyundai is backed by America's best warranty, a 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty that's industry leading coverage that brings real peace of mind. And with three years or 36,000 miles of limited complimentary maintenance on every new 2025 model, Hyundai keeps delivering long after you've driven off the lot. You're not just buying a car, you're getting value, confidence and a company that truly has your back. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Offers end September 2, 2025 Famous Footwear has the latest styles and all the iconic brands your kids love for back to school from Nike, Adidas, Jordan brand Crocs, Converse, New Balance, Birkenstock and more all at a great value. There's something for everyone in the family and I know for myself I cannot even keep up with the shoes that my kids want. So the fact that there are so many choices at Flames Footwear and that I can get them the next size up and as soon as they outgrow the ones they have and not have to break the bank to get them the shoes that they want is incredible. Plus they make it so incredibly easy because you can just order online because I know I don't have time to go to the shoe store. These kids grow so fast. You have to just buy shoes all the time. I feel so I love Famous Footwear because they make it so easy. It saves me so much time. They have over 830 stores. They're just around the corner from wherever you are. Plus buy online, pick up in store and same day delivery options. Powered by DoorDash makes shopping at Famous so easy and convenient. Kids feet grow fast. Famous Footwear has fit experts in store to make sure you get the right size every time. I like that you don't have to overspend to make it famous right now. Buy one pair of shoes. Get one half off at your local famous footwear store or famous.com see store associate for details. You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Feel good and look good this summer with savings on your personal care favorites and earn four times points now through September 9th. Shop in store or online for items like Dollar Shave Club razors, Hydro Silk razors and Edge shave gel. Plus some favorite brands like Tampax, Pearl, Depend and Poise to earn four times points to use for later discounts on groceries or gas. Hurry in before these deals are gone. Offer end September 9th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.
Commercial Announcer 2
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Kristin Davis
So Carrie has this scene where she goes to Big in her incredible outfit and she's trying to be funny and fun and sexy.
Ben Platt
And the night goes okay. I think they like, they hook up, they sleep together. And then in the morning he.
Kristin Davis
That he. That he's maybe gonna go to Paris for months. She asks him if he will go, if he wants to do a Hampton share because Charlotte has asked her to do a Hampton share. And he says, oh, I can't cause I'm going to Paris. And she's like, what? And she's standing on the bed and then she leans forward, which is so cool and interesting. Cause you know, most directors would be like, don't stand on the bed. You know. But this is why the show is so awesome.
Ben Platt
Yes.
Kristin Davis
Right. She's standing on the bed in her cute vintage slip, which I love so much. And she is so good and so deeply, you know, upset and thrown and trying to hold it together.
Ben Platt
She's really good at. I mean, she's an amazing actor altogether, but she's really good at, specifically at receiving information, which I always think is a really hard thing.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
Information that, you know, as a person, as a human being, you already know. Like making it feel like it's being heard for the first time.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
And she's really expert at that.
Kristin Davis
She is expert at hearing it and also expert at covering. But also it's just enough covering that the audience is with her.
Ben Platt
They know what she's going through.
Kristin Davis
Right. It's a very, very fine line to walk. And she's amazing.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
I mean, I always knew this, but rewatching, I'm like, even more. Wow, wow, wow. Okay. Then he says, oh, yeah, it might be for years. He's such a dick. I'm sorry. I'm so mad at him.
Ben Platt
I know.
Kristin Davis
I get so mad at him.
Ben Platt
It's the avoidant. It's the like, emotionally unavailable Avoidant. Like. Like, it's just the way. It's the way. First of all, it's not, like, relationship ending to say, my work is gonna take me to Paris. And I think we're in a weird space where I don't know how to handle that. And I don't think it's time for you to move. But maybe, like, he doesn't have any of that language. It's just, like, I have to be able to just throw things out and, like, do what I want.
Kristin Davis
Right. I'm gonna do what I want.
Ben Platt
Otherwise, I'm threatened.
Kristin Davis
Absolutely. Absolutely. He doesn't take her into consideration in any way, shape, or form, which is why she does what she does the rest of the episode, which. Thank God. Right? Thank God. Okay. Oh, wait, I have to bring up Stanford for a second.
Ben Platt
Of course.
Kristin Davis
Love this storyline so much.
Ben Platt
So much. And, you know, I was like, young queer person figuring myself out and doing my first dating and stuff. So, like, to see just, like, a regular, sweet, like, not Mr. Perfect Superhero man, like, go out and try to, like, have an experience like that. It was so wonderful.
Kristin Davis
And it's like, before the apps. Right? So he's online.
Ben Platt
I know. It's like Proto Apps.
Kristin Davis
I know. It's the cutest.
Ben Platt
Big tool for you.
Kristin Davis
Big tool for you.
Ben Platt
Rick nine plus. Rick nine plus.
Kristin Davis
Oh, my God, it's so good. And the way that Willie does it is just so sweet.
Ben Platt
So sweet. He just wants connection.
Kristin Davis
I know. He just wants connection. And he's intimidated, which I understand so much from a straight woman, but also from a gay man's perspective, obviously, many gay men. Friends. And the pressure is real.
Ben Platt
Oh, my God. Of course. Especially the body stuff. Like, specifically having it be a story where he has to. He's like, in order to have this experience, you gotta strip down and just bare it all. And then he has a really great, like, flirty encounter. It's just, like, so affirming.
Kristin Davis
It's really so affirming and beautiful. And the way he does it is just so good. And another thing that I didn't really realize at the time because Willy was straight and stressed sometimes about how to play Stanford. I think he'd be okay with me saying this. I hope so. He and I were gonna do a rewatch podcast. I know. Yes. The week that we decided to do. And just like that, we were supposed to sign our contract.
Ben Platt
Wow.
Kristin Davis
I know. Let's not cry together. It's gonna be bad. I'm gonna have trouble.
Ben Platt
He's.
Kristin Davis
I know.
Ben Platt
I know. He's Around.
Kristin Davis
I know. So we were gonna do a rewatch podcast, which would have been so much fun, but he was really worried. Cause he thought he was gonna get in trouble because he had, like, no filter in life. I don't. Did you get to work with him?
Ben Platt
No. I just admire him from this, but never.
Kristin Davis
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. And cr. Incredible human being and funny and cutting. Like, super smart and cutting in life that comes across. Yeah. I mean, Stanford is incredibly sweet compared to Willie. Willie was sweet, but, like, could also, like, cut to the bone. Do you know what I mean?
Ben Platt
Sounds like my husband.
Kristin Davis
Oh, love it, love it, love it. So we were gonna do this podcast together, and he had said to me after we ended up doing. And just like that. Instead, basically, it seemed too weird to do both at the same time. And we didn't think we'd have time, which is true. And I didn't know that Willy was sick at the time, though. Willie knew. And he said to me, one of the things he was worried about was that when he signed on to play Stanford, in his mind, Stanford was gay, but it wasn't the whole essence of him. He was, in this world, equal. Yeah.
Ben Platt
It's about the relationship and the. Yeah, yeah.
Kristin Davis
And then there were times he felt that certain people encouraged him to be more flamboyantly gay than he had wanted to be originally. And there was a person that Stanford was based on who was in our world and would come to our parties and stuff, who you never would have ever known was gay. And I think he was like a lawyer or something. Like, he. Stanford's a manager, vaguely. Of models or whatever. Vaguely.
Ben Platt
The perfect underwear man.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. The boner, maybe. Something like this. But this guy was not in any way flamboyantly gay. And the idea was that Stanford was based on him in some vague way. And so Willie's struggle in the beginning was that sometimes people he felt would come up to him and be like, gay it up. Gay it up. And he felt like, is that right? Is that wrong? I don't know what to do. And he was worried about talking about that because he didn't want to ruin Stanford for people or make people uncomfortable about it. But when I look back on his performance, to me it's just the most beautiful balance.
Ben Platt
Yeah. I think it's so well calibrated.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
And I'm not. You know, I think it's like a. It's like a snowflake in terms of the whole, like, queer people playing queer people, straight people playing queer people. I think it's case by case. Clearly, there was plenty of queer people in the creative, like, space making this feel like a real person and writing him as a real person. Clearly, Willy's coming at it with a lot of talent and humanity. Like, in this case, I see it as such a positive representation of somebody who's also, like, you know, or neurotic and nebbish y like me. So obviously I connect to him, but just in terms of, like, an actual person who's not just, you know, I love a snarky gay assistant who's there to just be a snarky gay assistant. But Stanford's like, a whole person, so I really. I couldn't agree more.
Kristin Davis
I'm so glad. I'm so glad. You're the first person I felt safe to talk about this.
Ben Platt
I'm so glad. We should do this once a week.
Kristin Davis
Me too. I mean, I really. I really like. Cause he's not in the show enough in the beginning, right? Like, he comes and then he goes. And usually I'm just, like, awed by just looking at his beautiful young self, you know, and remembering him. But this episode, because the storyline is so beautiful, I love the two of.
Ben Platt
Them in the apartment drinking the martinis and him being honest about it with Sarah Jessica, just like.
Kristin Davis
And you can feel it so many.
Ben Platt
Times with my girlfriends and, you know.
Kristin Davis
They'Re friends from, like, when they're in their 20s and you so feel it.
Ben Platt
Oh, my God.
Kristin Davis
Yeah. And she can't stop laughing. It's so adorable.
Ben Platt
It is.
Kristin Davis
I'm so glad it's on film, you know?
Ben Platt
Me too.
Kristin Davis
Isn't it a beautiful thing?
Ben Platt
It is. That girl and gay best friend relationship is a very sacred, special thing.
Kristin Davis
Sacred, special thing. 100%.
Ben Platt
And just like Anthony. But that's not this episode.
Kristin Davis
But, but. But they. They all matter, of course. You know, and they're all different versions, and they're all real to us, and we all have them, thank God, in our lives. And it's so important. So important. Okay, I'm gonna really try not to cry.
Ben Platt
I don't know if I'm gonna do it.
Kristin Davis
Okay, let's get to Carrie and Big, because it's super important. This whole episode is so incredible. And I so relate to Carrie, and I so think Sarah Jessica is just brilliant.
Ben Platt
Yeah, I agree.
Kristin Davis
Like, so incredibly brilliant. And at this point in her life, she's happily married to Matthew, so he even still, like, awes me the depth that she's pulling from, you know, and when she throws that hamburger, which we're not at. I mean, it's so good. Oh, God.
Ben Platt
La Filmaine de Fish.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
Le Big Mac.
Kristin Davis
Yes. And I love Alison Anders for making us all feel so. What I see when I look at this episode is all of us feeling very safe and comfortable and settled into our parts at this point in the second season.
Ben Platt
And audience wise, you feel. Which always, to a certain extent, you do, but particularly in this episode, like, in the room with people, like, it feels very 100% very intimate because the show has a lot of style. So sometimes the sharpness and the style can create a bit of removal in a way that's, I think, intended. But a lot of these more messier emotions. Like in this episode, like, I felt very, like, let in.
Kristin Davis
100% let in. And I think a lot of that is Alison.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
I think she's. She was so chill and laid back. And I can see that in Sarah. Like, there's a take where Sarah's got her computer, but her legs are on either side and the camera's behind her. Like, it's creative and fun, and Sarah Jessica loves that stuff, you know, like, give her props. Give her. Let her do weird things with her body. Like, she's so.
Ben Platt
Knows how to make a space feel like she really lives in that space 100%.
Kristin Davis
Because she's a very physical actor. You know, she's intellectual and physical. It's very interesting. It's very, very interesting. It's so interesting to watch your friends too, you know, because you know them. Right.
Ben Platt
That's the best. I mean, especially watching a friend you love and respect. Like, I made this movie theater camp with Noah, with my husband.
Kristin Davis
Yeah.
Ben Platt
Being part of the, you know, the cut process of that and, you know, shooting and like, just watching him work, like, it can be a really challenging thing when you're watching a friend or your person, when there's not a belief in them or, like, there's like a criticism, you know what I mean? Where it's like, it's not a talent that you really believe in. Cause it's. That makes that line as hard. But there's nothing more special than, like, someone you love as a person and you can really admire that theirs have a special ability at the same time.
Kristin Davis
Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Okay, so here we are. We're with Carrie and Big. We're with Carrie and Big. Oh, wait. Should we talk about. We should talk about the Will Arnett, because that's a pretty funny storyline.
Ben Platt
So good.
Kristin Davis
And so New York.
Ben Platt
So New York. But I know what you're saying about the Episode. Sort of like that storyline could kind of go anywhere.
Kristin Davis
Totally.
Ben Platt
It's just its own little pocket episode.
Kristin Davis
It is. It's not totally a game. It's kind of a game.
Ben Platt
So funny, right?
Kristin Davis
It's so funny. He wants to have sex in public places. So they meet at a bookstore. Basically the Strand on the street, talking about biographies. So he takes her to where Mark Twain wrote, which I think we all know as New Yorkers. Like, it's right there. We've all been there. I've never had sex there. And he wants to have sex there, which is funny. And then they have sex in a cab, which is. That's a bit of a stretch for me.
Ben Platt
She says, take 9th Avenue.
Kristin Davis
Yes. Which is very, very, very Cynthia, though she wouldn't be having sex in the cab, but she is very directing of the drivers.
Ben Platt
We can suspend disbelief for the show that they somehow made it happen in the back of the cab.
Kristin Davis
I mean, look, I'm sure people have. Of course, I have definitely made out in a back of the cab.
Ben Platt
One of the best places to make out.
Kristin Davis
Definitely. But not the rest.
Ben Platt
She's a great on camera maker. Outer Cynthia.
Kristin Davis
I will say I think she's amazing.
Ben Platt
I mean, she's an amazing actor.
Kristin Davis
She has no fear. She's not. Concerns whole hog 100 in a sometimes anxiety provoking way. For me, as her friend, of course. Yeah. I would be like, is anyone protecting her? You know what I'm saying? Because there's no intimacy coordinators, as we know back in the day. Just whatever. And she's like, yes, I'll do it. Yes, my feet are dirty. I don't care. Film them. Like, you know things. Well, I'm like, didn't have anyone have a wet one. Come on. Anyway, that's me, that's me. And I play Charlotte as Charlotte. Very clear, very clear. Okay, so here we are. We're. Stanford confesses to Carrie about the cyber sex, which is so cute on the Internet. Big tool for you. We've gone over all that. Then they have the. I'm back at the shoe store and his name is Buster, which is kind of hysterical. Like Buster Brown. I don't know if anyone will get that reference at this point, but I.
Ben Platt
Know Buster Brown, but why Buster Brown in this?
Kristin Davis
They make shoes. Oh, the youngsters. This is like from the 40s. Okay. Don't ask me why we did that, but all right. I'm getting free shoes. He's charming, but slightly ew. But that's okay. Then we have this adorable walk and talk. I'm wearing my own shirt for some reason.
Ben Platt
Really?
Kristin Davis
That's another thing I'm thinking about. Yeah.
Ben Platt
Does that happen a lot when you go back home?
Kristin Davis
In the beginning, yeah. We didn't have a lot of budget. You can see that it's getting better. The fashion is getting better. But, like, sometimes I would go shopping and I'd be like, I want shopping. So then I just take it, you know, and try to, like, it's a work in progress. Me and Pat figuring Charlotte out. It's a labor of love and being able to afford Charlotte. Yeah, basically.
Ben Platt
Well, Charlotte has very expensive taste.
Kristin Davis
Very expensive taste. And I'm wearing this beautiful necklace. It's a butterfly. It's got rubies. It's vintage necklace. I wore it a lot. And then at the end of the season, we're still trying to get press, which I know is insane to think about now.
Ben Platt
I know. Crazy.
Kristin Davis
Yes. But we had to try. Anyone who would talk to us, we'd be like, sure. Ask us anything. Do we'll do anything. Like, at one point they were like, tell us your worst dates. Which I unabashedly did. And Cynthia Nixon called me, and she was like, why did you tell them that story? I was like, well, they asked. I don't know. I felt like I had to tell them something. She's like, don't ever tell that story again. I'm like, okay, okay, okay.
Ben Platt
Well, now it's like the currency, you know, not to get off topic, but in terms of, like, press tours and stuff, it's like that becomes more important than the movie or the TV.
Kristin Davis
It's like 100%.
Ben Platt
What stories are you telling? And are you cool on camera? And I know. Is it viral? And is it the tea?
Kristin Davis
It's a crazy town.
Ben Platt
It's like, what about the movie?
Kristin Davis
Yes, right. Totally true. I feel like we were on the forefront of that happening.
Ben Platt
Totally.
Kristin Davis
But we understood. Cause they were trying to relate it to the show, you know what I'm saying? Like, you as people, which is the lasting power of the show. Right. But then you're also giving up your personal stories to whoever it is who's gonna present it, however they're gonna present it. I think now the good news is you have more control because you have your own social media, etc. Big savings, bold vehicles, and the perfect time to make your move. That's what the Hyundai getaway sales event is all about. And it's happening right now. Whether you're looking to upgrade your daily commute, prep for a summer of road trips, or finally make the switch to electric. Hyundai has a lineup that covers up every lifestyle, every budget and every kind of driver. Hyundai is rolling out incredible deals on some of the most award winning vehicles like the versatile Kona, the sleek Tucson, the Road Trip ready Santa Fe and the fully loaded family favorite Palisade. Prefer a tech savvy sedan. The Elantra is packed with features and the Sonata is Hyundai's most advanced yet. It's a serious standout and for those ready to go electric, Hyundai is leading the charge. The all electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 deliver bold design, ultra fast charging and seriously impressive range, all while qualifying for potential EV incentives depending on your state. But here's the part that really sets Hyundai it's not just about what you drive the off the lot, it's what comes with it. Every new Hyundai is backed by America's best warranty, a 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty that's industry leading coverage that brings real peace of mind. And with three years or 36,000 miles of limited complimentary maintenance on every new 2025 model, Hyundai keeps delivering long after you've driven off the lot. You're not just buying a car, you're getting value, confidence and a company that truly has your back. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Offers end 9-2-2025 Famous Footwear has the latest styles and all the iconic brands your kids love for back to school from Nike, Adidas, Jordan brand Crocs, Converse, New Balance, Birkenstock and more. All at a great value. There's something for everyone in the family and I know for myself I cannot even keep up with the shoes that my kids want. So the fact that there are so many choices at Flames Footwear and that I can get them the next size up as soon as they outgrow the ones they have and not have to break the bank to get them. The shoes that they want is incredible. Plus they make it so incredibly easy because you can just order online because I know I don't have time to go to the shoe store. These kids grow so fast you have to just buy shoes all the time. I feel. So I love famous footwear because they make it so easy. It saves me so much time. They have over 830 stores. They're just around the corner from wherever you are. Plus buy online, pick up in store and same day delivery options powered by doordash make shopping at famous so easy and convenient. Kids feet grow fast Famous Footwear has fit experts in store to make sure you get the right size every time. I like that you don't have to overspend to make it famous right now. Buy one pair of shoes. Get one half off at your local famous footwear store or famous.com see store associate for details. You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Feel good and look good this summer with savings on your personal care favorites and earn four times points now through September 9th. Shop in store or online for items like Dollar Shave Club razors, hydro Silk Razors and Edge Shave Gel. Plus some favorite brands like Tampax, Pearl, Depend and Poise to earn four times points to use for later discounts on groceries or gas. Hurry in before these deals are gone. Offer end September 9th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.
Commercial Announcer 2
This Labor Day, say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Anabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site wide@washablesofas.com Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Shop now@washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions. Restrictions may apply.
Ben Platt
I'm only gonna ask like a few fan questions I posed.
Kristin Davis
Go for it.
Ben Platt
But how far into it was like being yourself around New York. No longer possible. You know what I mean?
Kristin Davis
Yes, I do know what you mean, I would say in my mind. I don't remember it Getting difficult till third season in my mind. Third season is when we boomed. Other people seem to feel that we were already the. I. I didn't personally feel that.
Ben Platt
Did you permeate you until then?
Kristin Davis
I mean, I had been on Melrose Place before that. Right. Which had its own kind of culty, kind of a following. So I had some of that that would follow me wherever I was.
Ben Platt
But I mean, like, you became like emblems of New York. So it's like true.
Kristin Davis
And people always would say, oh, you know, no one in New York cares about actors. I'd be like, like, not really true, not really true. But that was because we were a New York show and they felt like we were theirs, you know. But I also feel now, well, no, it's different. See, like in la, I learned where to go and where not to go. Right. Like Brentwood, really easy. There's a lot of actors in Brentwood. It's cool.
Ben Platt
Well, it's so segmented. Like in New York, it's sort of like, you're out, you're out, you're out, you're out.
Kristin Davis
Absolutely. But there was a time where I realized I cannot walk down Madison Avenue. And that kind of sucked, you know what I mean? But like if I walked down Madison Avenue. I know, right? Like if I walked down Madison Avenue, if I actually wanted to window gaze or shop or whatever, I couldn't get anywhere. You know what I mean? It was frustrating.
Ben Platt
Small sacrifice.
Kristin Davis
Yeah, it was totally fine. I just had to be creative, you know what I mean? There was one time, and then I'm gonna have to get back to the show because you're too fun. There was one time we were shooting somewhere near Barney's and Sarah Jessica said, hey, do you want to go shoe shopping online? I was like, definitely. She said, let's leave our security behind. I was like, okay, this is later when we got security. At this point in time, we don't. We're just out there. Our trailers would be on the street with our characters names. And one day someone knocked on my door and I thought it was an ad. So I opened the door and it was some guy fanish type person saying, asking me. And I was like, well dad, I shouldn't be talking to you.
Ben Platt
And I had to shut the door.
Kristin Davis
Yeah, it was like kind of cuckoo. We changed all that as time went. But the time that Sarah Jessica went to go to Barney's, we thought we could lose our security guys. We each had one at that point. Q was mine, love him very much. Khalid was hers and she told Khalid she was gonna have lunch in her trailer and he could go have lunch.
Ben Platt
Tricky.
Kristin Davis
And then she snuck over to mine, and we went. But Q followed us at a distance, and we didn't know. But it was a good thing. Cause we get to Barney's at lunchtime, and we're trying to try on shoes. It's so stupid. Right?
Ben Platt
Like, right in the.
Kristin Davis
It's so dumb. It's lunch hour in New York City at Barney's. It's packed with women, and there's just a crowd around, of course.
Ben Platt
And you're trying on shoes at that.
Kristin Davis
I know. It's so stupid. And at one point, Q was hiding behind a pole, and we just see him like, do you need me? We're like, yes. Just so we could get out of the building.
Ben Platt
The lengths you'll go to for shoes.
Kristin Davis
I know, right? And Barneys, I mean, it was fun. We were just trying to be girls for a minute. Barneys. I know. Okay, back to the. Oh, the episode.
Ben Platt
Okay.
Kristin Davis
Oh, my God. You're too much fun. Okay. Charlotte. The shoe store. We're good with that. I want to get to big, because this, to me, is the fight.
Ben Platt
The fight, yes.
Kristin Davis
So basically, Carrie talks to us many times about. And this is when I think about the narcissistic Carrie situation. Right. Where for, like, a couple years, it seemed like everyone just wanted to criticize Carrie for being narcissistic. To me, first of all, I don't think she's narcissistic. I think that we're here.
Ben Platt
First of all, everybody is a little bit.
Kristin Davis
Well, yes.
Ben Platt
Let's just say that.
Kristin Davis
Let's say she's not more so or whatever. You know what I'm saying?
Ben Platt
Yes. And she's, like, twisting herself to try to be what he wants her to be.
Kristin Davis
Exactly.
Ben Platt
Which is, you know, kind of a selfless thing to do.
Kristin Davis
Exactly.
Ben Platt
I'm misguided, but.
Kristin Davis
Yes. But we all do this or have done this. Right. But also, I think, as a viewer, part of the reason you feel like Carrie's narcissistic is because you're hearing Carrie's thoughts.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
Which I don't think people think about. Like, you're in her head.
Ben Platt
We're getting the whole internal monologue.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
So it's like, if we were hearing that for each girl, we'd probably say the same thing.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. Because everyone's internal monologue is narcissistic. That's kind of important.
Ben Platt
Yeah. And she becomes, like, such an omnipotent narrator that she's sort of like, Helping us craft our judgments of what's happening with the other.
Kristin Davis
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Ben Platt
That's a great point.
Kristin Davis
Thank you.
Ben Platt
I never thought about that.
Kristin Davis
Thank you so much. So in this particular episode, she's, like, almost sending herself up in terms of, like, there's all these quick cuts where she's, like, talking to me and talking to Samantha and talking to Miranda and Big. And I just kept trying to be what he wanted. Like, she's just going on and on and on. And it's actually really, really funny because it's, like an exaggeration of what everyone complained about later on. Whatever.
Ben Platt
The first reaction is the. Like, her banging the table in the diner with you guys being, I can't believe I'm here again.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
And then she does, like, the 180. She, like, calls him drunk and, like, you know, makes the wrong move. And then does the 180 of, like, being embarrassed and feeling ashamed about that. And so then she's back with you guys and being like, actually, you know what? Like, what am I.
Kristin Davis
It's Paris.
Ben Platt
Like, it'll be great. Like, I'll go visit him.
Kristin Davis
She's taking. Cause that's what Charlotte said originally. Like, what's the big deal? You can go to Paris. Yeah. She does her.
Ben Platt
She, like, goes through her seven stages.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
While waiting for him to come back. It's like we've all spiraled exactly that same way.
Kristin Davis
That's so right. Does she call him in this episode?
Ben Platt
Yes. When she gets drunk with Stanford.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
In that scene that I love.
Kristin Davis
Oh, God, you've watched this show.
Ben Platt
Then she calls him, and it's like, 4:00am in Paris, and she is saying a real thing and is trying to be like, you're not considered. She's trying to say what she later says, which is like, you can't factor me into your life. But because she's drunk, it just doesn't come out well. And she gets really embarrassed by it.
Kristin Davis
And she's cranky. Cause he's asleep.
Ben Platt
Exactly. And so suddenly she's like, uh, oh, am I gonna lose him? And so let me try to reframe this. And then she's with you guys walking, and she's like, you're right. Like this. What am I freaking out about? Like, what's the worst thing about going to Paris with your boyfriend?
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
Just, like, doing her own, like, mental gymnastics to try to make it work. But this guy's giving her, like, nothing.
Kristin Davis
Haven't we all been there so much so. And then he comes back. So that's when she Comes in her adorable beret, her French outfit. Someone asked me, how did Paris become this through line with them. And I think it's all just because we all love Paris. I mean, I would have to ask Michael Batry.
Ben Platt
This is, I think, the first time we hear about it.
Kristin Davis
This is the beginning of what's gonna be a very, very, very long through line of Paris. Yes. I don't even wanna say how it ends exactly. For decades. So important. But who doesn't love Paris?
Ben Platt
Of course. I just went in the spring with my husband. The first, like, adult proper trip there. I went with my family when I was a kid. But so dreamy.
Kristin Davis
We just went there all together to promote and dress like that.
Ben Platt
Oh, that's. That's so fun.
Kristin Davis
It was incredible.
Ben Platt
That is so fun.
Kristin Davis
It was incredible. It was incredible. So he comes back, she's wearing her beret. She has the Big Mac. Yes. The filet o fish. And she apologizes and she tells him that she thinks they can make it work and that they can have phone sex if he has to move to Paris, which is hysterical.
Ben Platt
Yeah. We can have laphone sex.
Kristin Davis
Yeah. Which is also funny.
Ben Platt
Very funny.
Kristin Davis
In terms of. And just like that.
Ben Platt
Oh, yeah, of course. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Spoiler.
Kristin Davis
Yeah. And then he tells her something to the effect of, I don't want you to move to Paris because you're expecting something. Which literally makes me want to kill him.
Ben Platt
It's. I don't want you to uproot your life and expect anything.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
It's like, excuse me, Toll.
Kristin Davis
It's so after the mental gymnastics, after all that she emotionally has gotten through to try to get to that point, to say, it can work. He's like, but don't expect anything.
Ben Platt
This is the thing with Big. It's one thing to be emotionally unavailable, but be able to articulate that you have that shortcoming. And it's another thing to not have any words for it and to just be abusive.
Kristin Davis
Exactly.
Ben Platt
It's so sad.
Kristin Davis
At which point she takes back and smashes it against the wall, which, you know, hallelujah. That she does it. Right.
Ben Platt
Satisfying.
Kristin Davis
It's very satisfying. And he deserves that and so much more, really. And then she says something like, I don't know if she says this to him. Does she say, why is it so hard for you to factor me into your life in any real way? Kills me.
Ben Platt
Ugh. And he has no good answer. Really?
Kristin Davis
No. Because he doesn't deserve her.
Ben Platt
No, he does not. And then she said, you said you love me. And he said, I Do. And she's like, then why does it hurt so much? And we're back to La Dolores Cuis.
Kristin Davis
We are. And then. And this made me upset, and I didn't remember this. Then we cut to Stanford and we have some other scenes. But then he comes to her door in the middle of the night, and she lets him in. I didn't remember the ending. Yes, she lets him in and they have sex.
Ben Platt
They have this, like, unspoken goodbye.
Kristin Davis
Right? And I'm like, oh, no. Because I personally don't believe in goodbye sex. I do not think you should have goodbye sex.
Ben Platt
I don't think I ever have.
Kristin Davis
I think I have and I didn't know it.
Ben Platt
Is it goodbye sex if you don't know it's goodbye sex?
Kristin Davis
They know it and you don't. Do you know what I'm saying? Because I'm Charlotte, right. At some level. Do you know what I mean? So I'm thinking that this must mean it's gonna be good now that we're okay. But it doesn't mean that it's like goodbye sex. Which is awful.
Ben Platt
Yeah, it's honest, but it's awful.
Kristin Davis
I don't think it's honest if you don't say it.
Ben Platt
I just mean, like, of course she. Of course they would want. Like, there was no closure, and he has no ability to give them any closure.
Kristin Davis
Oh, good point.
Ben Platt
Cause he's such. He has just, like. No. You know, he's a lot of growing to do.
Kristin Davis
Totally.
Ben Platt
And so if this is the only kind of closure that's being offered, like, I would understand.
Kristin Davis
Do you?
Ben Platt
I mean, I do. If I was Carrie and I was in that kind of a web, she.
Kristin Davis
Has a lot more understanding than I, personally, Kristin, would ever have in that moment. Because then she's sitting there in her fantastic black bra in the morning, and he says, what are you doing over there? And she's sitting there, and we hear in her voiceover that she feels tied to the chair and she can't get up because she knows it's over and that she want. He says, come back. And she says, well, I want to, but I can't. It's so good.
Ben Platt
It is. It's really good.
Kristin Davis
And I so admire her. Carrie's understanding, but also Sarah Jessica's abilities in that scene to convey such emotion without conveying it on her face.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
Do you know what I mean? Like, you can feel it all, but she's not exhibiting it for him. You know what I'm saying? She's protecting herself in the scene, but you As a viewer know, were the.
Ben Platt
This is my other fan question. I promise the last one.
Kristin Davis
Sure.
Ben Platt
No, were the voiceovers already recorded so that, like, you know when in the middle of the scene, someone will say something and then you'll take time to think while we hear Sarah say something. And then, like, she has to then match the timing once the cut's already there.
Kristin Davis
Yes. So basically, when you'd read the script, they'd be there.
Ben Platt
So we know what's being said.
Kristin Davis
Yes.
Ben Platt
We just don't hear it yet being said.
Kristin Davis
Correct. And then she would go later and you'd have to ask Michael Patrick and Sarah, and I think I should ask them at some point how often they changed them. Do you know what I mean? That would be interesting because once you.
Ben Platt
See what you have. Yeah, but that's what I was gonna say, Especially in this moment at the end, it's like there's such a good synergy between what she knows we're hearing and what she's giving to him.
Kristin Davis
Right. But I think a lot of that is her incredible abilities, you know, and incredibly deep thinking on where Carrie's at and what Carrie's doing. And this syncing between Michael Patrick and her and Darren, too. I can't remember at what point he's how active he is at this point. But, like, even still ongoing, like, they have a lot of private conversations about this and kind of planning and discussing. And Michael Patrick was always very including to all of us, like, even if none of us have credits except for Sarah at this point. And I think she's just executive consultant, which is kind of a made up title, you know, but even when we had no titles, he would always come to us and say, this is the arc and this is what I'm thinking. And this is where I want you to be thinking about going emotionally and, you know, very inclusive in terms of that. You can feel that actor so helpful. And then sometimes it would change, but as a character, you didn't know that change was coming. So it was actually great. Do you know what I mean?
Ben Platt
Yeah, yeah.
Kristin Davis
And he'd call you like, I was supposed to have a baby when Miranda's also having a baby. And then it. It didn't. I know. And then it didn't.
Ben Platt
That would have been such a different timeline.
Kristin Davis
I know.
Ben Platt
I mean, I love what it ended up being, but I.
Kristin Davis
Me too. But at the time, I was really mad at him.
Ben Platt
Yeah, I understand.
Kristin Davis
I was like, no, she wants this. She's gotta have it. What do you mean? Because I couldn't Separate Right. From myself.
Ben Platt
Of course. And you have such love and empathy for her. You want her to get what she wants.
Kristin Davis
But then. And she wanted it so desperately.
Ben Platt
She did. And it was. Was even more Exactly.
Kristin Davis
It worked out as it should. But he originally the idea was to contrast how the two would mother.
Ben Platt
Yeah.
Kristin Davis
And then what he said to me right at the time.
Ben Platt
We still kind of got that eventually.
Kristin Davis
Definitely. And when he said to me at.
Ben Platt
The bar, the second movie, when you're at the bar talking about motherhood, that's when I. You.
Kristin Davis
Yes. I love that scene so much. Yes. But at the time he said to me because I don't think any of our other writers, all of whom are women, by the time we get to those storylines, no one had children yet. And he said to me, we don't have enough storyline to do two because we don't have kids yet.
Ben Platt
It's good to being honest about writing what you know is a good.
Kristin Davis
Right.
Ben Platt
It's a good thing.
Kristin Davis
Exactly. You're such a joy.
Ben Platt
Thank you so much. This has been like my dream. So fun. Thank you. Thank you for answering all my questions and letting me interview.
Kristin Davis
You are a font of knowledge and I so appreciate it.
Ben Platt
And you're gonna need to informative. Very special gift. This show has brought a lot of.
Kristin Davis
Community in our show.
Ben Platt
I know we have another show for.
Kristin Davis
You to be on.
Ryan Seacrest
Great.
Ben Platt
Sounds good. Internet. Have you ever met Michael Patrick Randomly, I think at Chisiana, like at a restaurant.
Kristin Davis
Got it.
Ben Platt
Justin said how I'm a huge fan, but we've never really sat down.
Kristin Davis
Well, I'm keeping a list. Let's just make sure we officially ask you. Are you a Charlotte?
Ben Platt
Oh, I'm very much a Charlotte.
Kristin Davis
Cause how many people have written a song basically based on their. On their Charlotteness?
Ben Platt
Yeah, I think I kind of win the crown.
Kristin Davis
I think you totally do. Well done. Well done, well done. Thank you for being here.
Ben Platt
Oh, my God. Of course.
Ryan Seacrest
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Kristin Davis
This is an I Heart podcast.
Podcast: Are You A Charlotte?
Host: Kristin Davis (Charlotte York on Sex and the City)
Guest: Ben Platt
Episode: S2 E12 "La Douleur Exquise!"
Date: September 1, 2025
This episode brings Broadway and screen star Ben Platt into the Charlotte York universe for an in-depth, playful, and heartfelt discussion about identity, fandom, and the enduring impact of Sex and the City (SATC). With the context of the rewatch of “La Douleur Exquise!” (S2 E12), Kristin and Ben blend behind-the-scenes nostalgia, queer perspective, reflections on love, performance, and cultural legacy – all filtered through the ever-optimistic, earnest lens of Charlotte.
Ben Platt’s Charlotte Identity (03:23, 05:49)
Kristin’s Delight at Ben’s Tribute
Kristin discusses the surreal feeling of rewatching SATC after years of forward momentum, noting the quality and craft that she now recognizes more deeply (06:50). • Ben reflects on timing, therapy, and the necessity to live life outside your character before returning to such a formative project (07:57).
Notable Quote:
Charlotte’s Story: The Shoe Fetishist
Carrie & Big: “La Douleur Exquise!” Turns
Stanford’s Queer Online Dating Storyline
Miranda & Samantha: Episodic Structure
Ben and Kristin reflect on the changing public reception of SATC, comparing it to Lena Dunham’s Girls and noting how societal readiness for female-centric “challenging” stories evolved (31:12).
Kristin reveals initial bad reviews: “People were, like, so upset with us in the beginning… They think, oh, of course it was amazing… No, everyone was like, who are these women? Who do they think they are?” (30:48)
Public Life and Recognition
Kristin describes being a NYC icon, how fame changed her ability to live anonymously, and a funny tale of escaping security to shop for shoes with Sarah Jessica Parker at Barneys (76:50–79:50).
On Being a Charlotte:
On Earnest Characters:
On Carrie & Big:
On Cultural Legacy:
On Podcast Therapy:
When did NYC recognition peak?
Kristin describes the third season as the “boom” (76:57), loss of anonymity, and the learning curve of navigating fame in NYC vs. LA.
About voiceover process:
Ben inquires how scripted voiceovers influence performance, leading to insights into Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker’s collaborative, inclusive creative process (87:08–87:54).
This episode is a love letter to the persistent impact of Sex and the City: its boldness, its complicated women, its queer embrace, and its refusal to apologize for optimism or depth of feeling. Ben Platt’s honesty about fandom, identity, and performance offers a fresh look at why Charlotte—and SATC by extension—still resonates. For anyone who hasn’t listened, this episode overflows with affectionate, insightful, and behind-the-scenes revelations, and it’ll leave you both laughing and reflecting on the exquisite pain—and joy—of loving something (or someone) the Charlotte way.