CITY’ REBOOT KEEPS THE FOCUS ON FRIENDSHIP

BY JENNIFER IANNI

What I’m obsessed with: “And Just Like That .,”the new “Sex and the City” reboot streaming on HBO Max. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Why? Not to age myself but I was in college when the original “SATC” aired. At the time, my girlfriends and I were enamored of the show Even though we were younger than the ladies onscreen, their lives were aspirational. It was all so impossibly glamorous. These women had careers and lives that didn’t completely revolve around men. It was the first example I’d ever seen of a show where the women were the core and their friendships were the most important thing, not their romantic relationships. They taught us it was OK for women to view sex “the way men did” and to enjoy being single. It was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with my friend group and with so many others.

So to say the show had an impact on me is an understatement. I wasn’t quite old enough to drink, but I knew that when I was, I’d sit at a fancy bar and order a cosmo while wearing a nameplate necklace, an oversize flower broach and fabulous shoes, surrounded by my equally fabulous girlfriends.

After the show went off the air, I dutifully watched the two feature- length films as they came out even though they didn’t do the show justice, in my opinion. The movies reinforced the notion of not needing to fix things that weren’t broken. Let the show’s legacy live on and stop trying to ruin it with subpar (and honestly problematic) movies.

But when I heard about this reboot, titled “And Just Like That ” I was surprisingly hopeful. Maybe it’s because the show’s announcement came in January of 2021 when life still felt so bleak. I didn’t realize just how much I’d missed my friends, these characters. Seeing the ladies together again sans Samantha (Kim Cattrall chose not to return to the series) brought me back to 2001, sitting in my dorm room on a Sunday night with my girlfriends, ready to watch the adventures of Carrie and pals as they conquered New York City. Don’t all reboots suck? Yes, but this one sucks a little less. At the time of this writing, four of the 10 episodes of “AJLT” have aired. And while I went in with reasonable (aka, somewhat low) expectations I have to say, I really love this reboot. As a huge fan of the original, I’m biased, but “AJLT” reminds me of why I fell in love with the show in the first place.

The snappy dialogue is still there, with the same risqué double entendres that defined the first series. Of course, the chic fashions are still on display. I loved these characters 20 years ago, and I love them now, in this new, more mature stage of life.

Where are we now? The women are all grappling with the usual midlife issues: Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker)is suddenly a widow (bet the producers are glad they killed off Mr Big in the first episode, given the slate of sexual assault charges recently leveled against actor Chris Noth) She’s grieving and coming to terms with her marriage to Big. Charlotte (Kristin Davis)is raising two teens, one of whom is experiencing gender identity issues. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon)finds herself going back to school as an adult while her sexless marriage to Steve (David Eigenberg) flounders.

In fact, Miranda’s struggle to fit in with her woke younger classmates is an apt metaphor for the show: Times have certainly changed, and the ladies are just trying to keep up

Why I like it: The critical and cultural response to the reboot have been mixed, as is expected. Some of the plotlines are cringe see: Miranda’s son Brady’s robust sex life. Or Carrie’s new job as the “cis White woman” on a podcast Or the absence of the iconic Samantha, who was such an integral character on the show.

Is “And Just Like That .” great television? Not necessarily But I would argue that the first iteration of the show, as beloved as it was, wasn’t necessarily “great” television either The writing could be corny; the plotlines could be clunky. There was little to no diversity. But the characters were captivating enough that the original show surpassed those criticisms. And the focus on female friendship which can sometimes be dismissed in media felt refreshing. It was an absolute force, and for those die-hard fans of the original like me, this reboot scratches that itch.

Twenty years later, Carrie Miranda and Charlotte are still best friends living their lives together in the big city. The message is clear: Men may come and go, but some friendships can last forever

“And Just Like That .” is now streaming on HBO Max New episodes are released every Thursday. jennifer.ianni@sduniontribune.com

Best Bets

Sunday

“The Equalizer”: CBS, 8 p.m. Robyn (Queen Latifah), defender of the defenseless, and her sniper pal, Mel (Liza Lapira), help reunite a mother and son separated at the border With the help of CIA liaison Bishop (Chris Noth) they also try to free Mel’s hacker hubby Harry (Adam Goldberg) from jail

Dirty Jobs: Discovery Channel, 8 p.m. Season premiere. Host Mike Rowe rolls up his sleeves again for the return of his series that finds him celebrating the next generation of hardworking men and women who have made civilized life possible. The new season allows Rowe to come back for another chance to take on jobs he didn’t get to do before including the most grueling one of all In tonight’s premiere, Rowe joins the workers responsible for building America’s infrastructure and finds out what it takes to build complex and vital structures like bridges and highways

“NCIS: Los Angeles”: CBS, 9 p.m. The team investigates what looks like the suicide of a Navy Intelligence Officer. And Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) plans to redo the backyard without consulting his wife, Kensi (Daniela Ruah) No, dude.

“Carole King & James Taylor:

Just Call Out My Name”: CNN, 9 p.m. “You’ve Got a Friend” is more than an anthem for Carole King who wrote, recorded and won a Song of the Year Grammy for it —and James Taylor, for whom it was a No. 1 hit. The song also defines their longtime mutual admiration and support for each other, manifested in 2010’s Troubadour Reunion world tour, the centerpiece of director Frank Marshall’s captivating concert doc. “You and I probably just have the same musical DNA, says Taylor, who first urged King to

“The Cleaning Lady”: Fox, 9 p.m Monday sing her songs in public in 1969 at L.A.’s famed Troubadour club, where she played in his band. Reflecting on the arena tour, which often feels like two greatest-hits concerts on one turntable stage, King notes, “We do it for each other, but what they’re seeing is us having a great time together.” Happily, we get a ringside seat as they trade off signature songs, including one uninterrupted 35-minute stretch. Other documentaries may shed more light on these artists’ lives, but none will offer as much pure musical satisfaction in showing how they played

“S.W.A.T.”: CBS, 10 p.m. An off-duty private security detail goes sideways for Deacon (Jay Harrington) and Chris (Lina Esco) when a cartel tries to kidnap their VIP client. They fight for their lives in a desert ghost town.

Monday

“The Bachelor”: ABC, 8 p.m.

Season premiere. Clayton Echard will step into the role of the Bachelor for the show’s upcoming 26th season, kicking off the series’ landmark 20th year. Clayton was first introduced to audiences on the past season of “The Bachelorette.” He is a puppy-loving goofball with a heart of gold (and surprisingly good dance moves) who is ready to find the love of his life.

“9-1-1: Lone Star”: Fox, 8 p.m. Season premiere. Season 3of the hit action drama finds the 126 shut down and its crew of first responders dispersed throughout Austin. When a massive arctic blast and ice storm hit Texas and cause widespread chaos, firefighter Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) and paramedic Tommy Vega (Gina Torres) try to reunite their cohorts in an effort to save the city.

“The ’80s: Top Ten”: Nat Geo 9p.m. Season finale Season 1 of host Rob Lowe’s Top 10 countdown series related to various 1980s subjects concludes with two back-to-back hourlong installments tonight

First, in “Gadgets, Lowe explores the 10 best gadgets of the decade including iconic inventions like Apple’s Macintosh, Sony’s Walkman, Nintendo’s Game Boy, the mobile phone and the camcorder, and how they shaped the trajectory of the modern world Then, in “Toys,” Lowe counts down the top 10 toys of the ’80s revealing the surprising origin stories behind He-Man, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids and more.

“That’s My Jam”: NBC, 9 p.m. New series. Jimmy Fallon hosts this hourlong variety game show featuring two teams of two celebrities going against each other for the charity of their choice in a series of music, dance and trivia-based games. The series moves into its regular time slot beginning tonight following its sneak preview near the end of last year Tonight’s new episode features celebrity guests

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chance the Rapper, Alessia Cara and Josh Groban competing.

“Ordinary Joe”: NBC, 10 p.m. New episodes. The hit freshman drama returns with new episodes to close out its first season ahead of NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage in early February. In tonight’s new episode, “Snow Globe,” when Gwen’s (Anne Ramsay) school chorus honors her with a tribute concert, she reconnects with an old flame; Cop Joe (James Wolk) and Amy (Natalie Martinez) push each other to confront some hard truths; Music Joe’s (Wolk) world is rocked when Amy discloses a big secret; and Nurse Joe (Wolk) and Jenny (Elizabeth Lail) readjust to being long distance after spending the holidays as a family.

Tuesday

“Judge Steve Harvey”: ABC, 8 p.m. New series Steve Harvey serves as the judge, jury and star of this one-hour unscripted courtroom comedy series. Real-life people with real-life conflicts will present their cases in his courtroom, ranging from family disputes, unpaid bets, sour friendships and everything in between With the help of Nancy, his trusted bailiff by trade, Steve plays by his own rules basing his courtroom on his own life experiences and some good old common sense.

“Gordon Ramsay’s Road

Trip”: Fox, 8 p.m Opa! Chef Gordon Ramsay and pals Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix take a trip through Greece to eat, drink and laugh all the way from the ancient ruins of Athens to the party island of Mykonos

“Grand Crew”: NBC, 8:30 p.m New series. This new comedy that previewed last month begins in its regular time slot starting tonight. It comes from “Brooklyn NineNine’s” Phil Augusta Jackson and Dan Goor, and follows a group of young professionals trying to navigate the ups and downs of life and love in Los Angeles who always find time to gather at their favorite bar to “wine down” and unpack it all. In the new episode “Wine & Fire, the crew spends the night at Wyatt (Justin Cunningham) and Kristen’s (Maya Lynne Robinson) house after being displaced by a local wildfire.

Thinking it’s Ben’s day off, Darlene brings Nick to the hardware store, only to run smack into Ben, who invites Nick to join him at The Lunch Box to watch a Bears game Meanwhile Dan tries to spruce up the bedroom while Louise is out on the road and Jackie meets Logan’s mom.

“Worst Cooks in America”: Food Network, 9 p.m. Season premiere. Chef Anne Burrell is joined for the first time by chef Cliff Crooks to lead the newest batch of 12 culinary nightmares through a rigorous boot camp in their quest to become kitchen masters.

Thursday

“Women of the Movement”: ABC, 8 p.m New series. Tonywinning actress Adrienne Warren portrays Mamie TillMobley in this six-episode historical drama The limited series chronicles the true story of how, in 1955, Mamie risked her life to find justice after her son Emmett (Cedric Joe) was brutally murdered in the Jim Crow South. Unwilling to let Emmett’s murder disappear from the headlines, Mamie chose to bear her pain on the world’s stage, emerging as an activist for justice and igniting the civil rights movement as we know it today The series will continue over the next two Thursdays.

“BattleBots”: Discovery Channel, 8 p.m. Season Premiere. The robot-fighting competition is back, with more than 60 teams traveling to Las Vegas for a chance to take home the Giant Nut prize. Each night, a vicious lineup of bots battle for their lives in the BattleBox, but only the toughest will see the next round New Zealand’s End Game currently has the trophy, but teams from the United States are determined to bring it back home Will they succeed, or will the trophy find a new home in Europe, Asia or South America?

“Flip or Flop”: HGTV 9 p.m. Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack find a house in Anaheim, with some strange additions that could cause problems down the line They team up with contractor Izzy Battres to make the most of this house without blowing their budget.

Creek Schitt’s Creek

KPBS Father Brown Flambeau enlists Father Brown’shelp Around the World in 80 Days on Masterpiece (N) Movie: “Downton Abbey” ››› (2019) Hugh Bonneville TheCrawleys and their servantspreparefor aroyal visit MaryBerry’sCountry House Secrets (11:06) (CC)

KUSI TheBig Bang Theory (CC) TheBig Bang Theory (CC) LastMan Standing LastMan Standing Storm of Suspicion Aman’s body is found in aRiver KUSI News at Ten (N) KUSI News at 11:00PM (N) Pawn Stars (CC)

UCSD Tools forCoping with ClimateChange

TheHistory of Brainwashing Franci’sWar Mexico Clean Energy Study TheBrick People

AZTC Pelicula: “La AmargurademiRaza” (1972)Andrés García. Un hombredecoloryuna mujer blancaseenamoran. (NR) Pelicula: “Reventón en Acapulco” (1982)AlejandroSuárez Cuatrofamiliasvan de vacaciones aAcapulco. (NR) Lo que la gentecuenta

TELE Pelicula: “Cold Pursuit” ›› (2019,Acción)Liam Neeson, TomBateman. Un hombrepretende vengarse de un narcotraficante.(R) (SS) Pelicula: “Stolen” ›› (2012, Acción) Nicolas Cage,DannyHuston. (R)(SS) Noticias Telemundo FDS TYM Zona mixta (N)

UNIV Aquí yahora (N) Pelicula: “The Blind Side ››› (2009,Drama)SandraBullock, TimMcGraw.Una pareja adinerada adoptaa un jovensin hogar.(N) (PG-13) (Adult situations,violence) María de Todos Noticiero Univisión: Fin

A&E Movie: “John Wick:Chapter 2” (5:00) ››› (2017) (R) Movie: “John Wick:Chapter3--Parabellum” ››› (2019,Action)Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry. Hit man John Wick battlesthe world’stop assassins.(R) (CC)

AMC Movie: “Enemy of the State” (6:00) ››› (1998, Suspense) Will Smith, Gene Hackman. (R)(CC) Movie: “Men in Black ››› (1997, Action)TommyLee Jones, Will Smith. (PG-13) (CC)

Movie: “John Wick (11:04) ››› (2014) Keanu Reeves

Movie: “Men in Black II” ›› (2002) (PG-13) (CC)

ANIM Lone Star Law Wardens bust clandestine shrimpers. Lone Star Law: Uncuffed “Wreaking Havoc” (N) Lone Star Law (10:01)“Confessions of aPoacher Lone Star Law (11:01) “Anglers, Alcohol and Owls

BET Movie: “The Equalizer (5:00)

“Abbott Elementary”: ABC, 9 p.m New series. In the timeslot premiere of this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers and a slightly tone-deaf principal are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do even if they don’t love the school district’s lessthan-stellar attitude toward educating children

Wednesday of Salt LakeCity (CC)

CMT Movie: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (5:30) ››› (1986) Yellowstone “Grassonthe Streetsand Weeds on the Rooftops”Jamie’s fateful choiceunder blackmail. (N) (CC) Movie: “Footloose ›› (1984) KevinBacon.Hip teen movestocorn townwherepastortaboosdancing. (PG)

COM TheOffice “The Injury” TheOffice

AnthonyHopkins.The war between Transformersand humans threatens Earth. (PG-13) (CC) “Transformers” HGTV Home Town Acouple looksto be closertoher mom. Home Town Ahome that shows alove of color. (N) Home Town (9:01) “Memory Lane: ANew Beginning” (N) Home Town (10:01) “Country House, CityHouse” (CC) Home Town (11:01) Angie finds her dreamhome.(CC)

HIST TheFoodThatBuilt America (6:00) “Linesinthe Sand”

America “Best Served Cold” Anew breed of innovatorrises up.(Part 2of3)(CC) TheFoodThatBuilt America (10:05) “The Spoils of War” Behind the food titans in America. (CC)

“The Lost Kitchen”: Magnolia Network, 9 p.m. New series. This series follows Erin French and her restaurant, The Lost Kitchen, in Freedom Maine, which attracts travelers from all over the world.

Friday

“The Amazing Race”: CBS, 8 p.m. Season premiere. The 33rd season kicks off with a special two-hour premiere tonight, then moves to its regular time period an hour later next week. Familiar faces this season include “Love Island couple Ray Gantt and Caro Viehweg, Internet personalities Kim and Penn Holderness, and Anthony Sadler and Spencer Stone, who were involved with thwarting a terrorist attack on a train in

2015

“I Can See Your Voice”: Fox, 8p.m Season premiere. The musical guessing game returns for Season 2. Ken Jeong is back as host, along with celebrity detectives Cheryl Hines and Adrienne BailonHoughton. New this season, contestants are given one chance to use the Golden Mic which grants them advice from one mystery celebrity.

“The Wonder Years”: ABC, 8:30 p.m. Bill and Lillian decide to join high society club Lads & Ladies as a way to introduce Kim and Dean to positive influences in the community. Bill Kim and Dean fit right in, but things take a turn when Lillian is treated differently for being a working mom.

“The Conners”: ABC, 9 p.m.

“Undercover Boss”: CBS, 8 p.m Season premiere. “Undercover Boss” is back for its nine-episode 11th season tonight with “College HUNKS,” in which co-founders Omar Soliman and Nick Friedman go incognito on the front lines of their College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving business “RuPaul’s Drag Race”: VH1, 8 p.m. Season premiere. The most-awarded reality competition show in the history of the Emmys returns with a two-part premiere and ushers in 14 new talented queens to compete for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a cash prize of $100,000.

Saturday

“The Johnnyswim Show”: Magnolia Network, 7 p.m. New series Husband-and-wife musicians Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, who comprise the folk/soul/blues/ pop duo Johnnyswim, are the subjects of this series that follows them as they adjust to life and raising their kids at home after years of doing so aboard a tour bus before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled their touring “Wedding Veil 1: Something Old”: Hallmark Channel, 8 p.m. Original film. Tonight is the first installment of an enchanting new trilogy starring three of Hallmark’s most beloved leading ladies as longtime college friends who discover a mysterious antique veil fabled to unite its bearer with her true love After discovering a long-lost painting, museum curator Avery and successful new board member Peter investigate the artwork’s origins as they plan a charity fundraiser to unveil its restoration Stars Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Autumn Reeser and Alison Sweeney