"Sex and the City" lays it all out

Sex and the City is not just about sex.

The show centers on the lives of four women--the girl who "knows it all" Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte York (Kristen Davis) who is always on the look out for Mr. Right; man-eater Samantha (Kim Cattrall); and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon). Together these four women experience life, love, heartbreak, and of course, sex. Although the show's sexually saturated content might make it a surprising favorite on a Mennonite campus, Sex and the City does have a popular following at EMU, especially among women. Bits and pieces of "Sex and the City" conversations can be found in just about every different nook and cranny.

The overall feeling regarding the show seems to be positive, despite the sexually saturated content. Junior Elizabeth Clemmer sums it up: "There's definitely more promiscuity than I would encourage, but the deep-seeded feelings of how girls experience life and why is more interesting than the sex part."

So what is it about this show that has people constantly talking, especially women? The power of independence seems to be one of the most appealing perks of the show, as junior Amanda Maust stated: "The show brings up independence, and living alone, which is something that I think a lot of single women have on their minds."

Another theme that seems to be common with faithful watchers is that the show unashamedly lays it all out on the table--real life, that is. Junior Sex and the City fan Niki Zahour said, "The women on the show go through real problems and situations that we can relate to. The show is about four friends, and it takes us through their love lives, positive and negative times, marriage, break ups, babies, and of course the stress of being single."

This ability to relate to characters is a major attraction for the show. "I think it appeals to me because in a way Carrie Bradshaw is the epitome of sophistication, and I probably identify most with her...a single girl trying her best," said Clemmer. "I also like Charlotte and I resonate more sometimes with her naivete and her love for the best of what life offers. I think it has a good mix of humor and heartfelt emotion."

Although many viewers resonate with aspects of the characters, EMU watchers' perspectives are different than those of the show's characters. Sophomore Liza Heavener said, "While I enjoy the show and find it highly amusing, it also makes me realize how different my perspectives and morals on certain issues discussed in the show are."

Maust agreed. "The four main characters are so completely different that they show a lot of different perspectives on issues. None of them are exactly from my point-of-view as a spiritual person, and they are a whole lot older as well," she said.

Despite these differences, Maust continues to find a sense of solidarity with characters in the show. "I always turn it off after it's over feeling mildly inspired that I'm not alone in being single," she said.

While the show targets a female audience, there are the occasional men who get hooked, or at least curious. For some it's the combination of the appealing female leads and the way in which the show was written. Junior Michael Stauffer watches it because "I think it's well written. I think the script is funny and realistic and the same time. The characters are so real and believable, yet entertaining all at once."

Junior Matt Ruth occasionally watches Sex and the City because of the incessant chatter regarding the show. "I occasionally watch the show because I heard that it was all the rage and I wanted to see what the hype was all about. I do enjoy it when I watch it, though it definitely has the typical female moments that I roll my eyes at," he said.

The show's content has stirred much discussion. Last week's issue of the Weather Vane featured an opinion piece on He's Just Not That Into You, a book inspired by one of the sixth season episodes.