Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: We Meet Anthony with Mario Cantone... (S3 E11 "Running with Scissors")

Original release: January 19, 2026
Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Mario Cantone

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and engaging episode, Kristin Davis is joined by Mario Cantone to celebrate both Anthony Marentino’s first appearance on Sex and the City (Season 3, Episode 11, “Running with Scissors”) and Cantone’s lasting impact on the show. Together, they reminisce about production memories, dissect key character arcs in the episode, and explore the cultural relevance, emotional beats, and behind-the-scenes secrets from this turning-point episode.

Davis and Cantone also discuss how Sex and the City tackled complex relationship dynamics, sexual politics, and the emotional fallout for each character, all while reflecting on how their own personalities relate to Charlotte, Anthony, Miranda, and more. Laced with humor, nostalgia, and candor, this episode is a must-listen for fans keen on both story analysis and insider perspective.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mario Cantone’s First Episode: On Set, Off-Broadway, and Cut Scenes

[03:24-13:03]

• Joining the cast:
  • Mario recalls how he juggled performing in the off-Broadway show The Crumple Zone with filming his Sex and the City scenes.
  • The pressure of being on set until 4 a.m. and being starstruck by the presence of HBO executives on expensive shoots (“It was stressful and long... we were over budget.” — Kristin Davis, [04:38]).
  • The Vera Wang sequence was particularly costly and logistically tight due to the boutique’s small size.
• Cut scenes and the editing process:
  • A scene was shot but cut where Anthony rips Charlotte’s dress with scissors, directly tying to the episode title.
  • Cut scenes were a recurring challenge, even in And Just Like That.
    • “There were two scenes of ours to this last season that were cut.” — Mario Cantone, [06:46]
  • Michael Patrick King’s philosophy: “I don’t know in the edit what’s going to work.” ([07:47])

2. The Impact of Mario Cantone’s Anthony

[07:50-13:03]

• Kristin gushes: “You are just a breath of fresh air...your energy, you’re just like a blast of energy...a note that we didn’t have in the ensemble.” ([07:50])
• Cantone appeared in only 12 episodes but made a strong impression; many fans assume it was more.
• Candid about always feeling “nervousness” and “paranoid” about being funny enough, especially without a laughing crew when the cameras rolled.

3. Reflections on the Show’s Longevity and the End of “And Just Like That”

[13:03-14:50]

• Both Kristin and Mario express sadness over the current end of the franchise and wish for more seasons.
  • “People are like, how are you? I’m sad. I just wanted one more season.” — Mario Cantone, [13:08]
• Kristin hints that there might be some future project, but nothing is certain due to rights issues and lack of direction following Aidan’s storyline finish:
  • “We’re gonna do something else. I don’t think it’ll be a whole season, but I think we will do something else.” ([13:24])
  • “I don’t think that was a series finale.” — Mario Cantone, [13:14]

4. S3E11 — "Running with Scissors": Episode Deep Dive

[20:24-73:47]

Carrie's Affair and Fallout

[20:24-51:52]

• Carrie’s descent:
  • Both hosts note the gritty, unglamorous reality of her affair with Big, from sleazy hotels to emotional discomfort.
    • “As each room gets dirtier and slimier and less glamorous, so does the affair.” — Mario Cantone, [31:37]
  • Carrie’s emotional unraveling and self-loathing render the infidelity story “not soap opera” but raw and uncomfortable.
• Charlotte’s discovery and moral stance:
  • Charlotte finds out about the affair in a way that leaves her disappointed (“You’re not even thinking about [Natasha],” — Kristin Davis paraphrasing Charlotte, [22:58]).
  • Mario contextualizes Charlotte’s judgment as both concern for Natasha and protective of Carrie.
• Climactic scene with Natasha:
  • Natasha unexpectedly returns home, discovers Carrie, and is physically injured; the fallout is “so over that we need another name for over.” ([30:41])
  • The aftermath is described with empathy for all characters, especially Natasha.
    • “Carrie puts her in a cab, and Natasha tries to lock the door. Someone told me that Bridget had ad libbed that, which is super brilliant...” — Kristin Davis, [47:02]
• Aiden’s innocence:
  • The pain and complexity of Aiden not knowing the truth are highlighted.

Samantha’s HIV Scare

[52:57-57:12]

• Sam’s new paramour (Sam Robards) insists on an HIV test:
  • “As a gay man coming up in the 80s and 90s, those tests were horrifying.” — Mario Cantone, [53:39]
  • Mario and Kristin praise Kim Cattrall’s performance, especially her comedic fainting in the clinic.
• Discussion of sexual responsibility:
  • Samantha’s unapologetic sexuality is matched by her partner’s boundaries, emphasizing responsibility without shame.
    • “You don’t need to apologize for the lifestyle, but you need to take responsibility.” — Kristin Davis, [57:12]
• Samantha’s generosity:
  • Offers Charlotte a list of stylists (setting up Anthony’s arrival).

Miranda’s “Eat Me” Sandwich Guy

[67:46-70:37]

• Miranda is both annoyed and obsessed with the local sandwich mascot; it’s pure meme material.
• Cynthia Nixon’s performance and Miranda’s “height of her power” are praised.

The Essence of Each Character

[70:37-72:44]

• Kristin asks Mario who he most identifies with. After some back-and-forth, both agree that Mario (and Anthony) are more Miranda than Charlotte due to their forthright natures, but both are “squishy inside.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You are just a breath of fresh air…a note that we didn’t have in the ensemble.”
  — Kristin Davis to Mario Cantone ([07:50])
• “I just wanted one more season.”
  — Mario Cantone ([13:08])
• “As each room gets dirtier and slimier and less glamorous, so does the affair.”
  — Mario Cantone ([31:37])
• “I don’t think that was a series finale.”
  — Mario Cantone ([13:14])
• “She’s so brave…like, she just does it. But also she brings such truth. Like, it’s so real.”
  — Kristin Davis on Sarah Jessica Parker ([29:39])
• “You have to dare to be hated.”
  — Mario Cantone, quoting Bette Davis ([25:04])
• “It’s beautifully shot. It’s a movie…It’s all New York.”
  — Mario Cantone ([14:28])
• “When you crawl in bed with someone, is sex ever safe?”
  — Kristin Davis reading a Carrie quote ([69:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mario’s First Episode Memories, Filming Challenges, and Cut Scenes: [03:24–07:47]
• Introduces Anthony’s Character and Impact: [07:50–13:03]
• Franchise Ending and Hopes for More: [13:03–14:50]
• S3E11 Deep Dive Begins: [20:24]
• Carrie/Big/Aiden/Charlotte Affair Fallout: [20:24–51:52]
• Samantha’s HIV Storyline: [52:57–57:12]
• Stylists & Fashion, Charlotte’s Emmy Memory: [57:12–62:39]
• Miranda’s ‘Eat Me’ Sandwich Plot & Meme Quality: [67:46–70:37]
• Charlotte vs. Miranda vs. Anthony/Mario: [70:37–72:44]
• Tribute to Michael Patrick King and Anthony: [72:44–73:47]

Tone & Style

The episode mirrors the original humor, self-deprecation, warmth, and candidness of both Kristin Davis and Mario Cantone. Their exchange is intimate and easygoing, brimming with love for the show and appreciation for its fandom. The mutual admiration is palpable, and the conversational style is both welcoming and deeply informative for any SATC fan.

For Listeners

This episode provides a rich blend of show lore, behind-the-scenes tales, and emotional insights—perfect for anyone who wants to revisit SATC with new eyes or learn what really happened on (and off) the set of Charlotte’s first “Anthony encounter.”