Candace Bushnell's New Dating Show Is Bringing Sex Back To The City

Candace Bushnell's new dating show

Anyone who's still reeling from The Golden Bachelor can start getting excited again because we're officially in for a new reality dating show! But, get this — the show comes from the genius mind of Candace Bushnell. Yes, the author who breathed life into the Sex and the City universe, giving us classic characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones.

Because I can barely contain my excitement about this news, here's all the juicy details about Bushnell's upcoming reality dating show!

What's the name of Candace Bushnell's dating show?

As reported by Variety — and in true Candace Bushnell form — the show is aptly called Is There Still Sex in The City?I love that she's expanding the SATC brand, taking on new territories alongside And Just Like That.

Who's developing "Is There Still Sex In The City?" with Candace Bushnell?

While Is There Still Sex in The City is her idea, Candace Bushnell is partnering with Bunim/Murray Productions to bring the reality dating show to life!

What's the synopsis of "Is There Still Sex in The City?"

This new dating show is taking a page from The Golden Bachelor's book, centering the dating lives of middle-aged women, rather than the typical twenty-somethings we see so often. Varietygot a deeper look at the synopsis, reporting, "They’ll try the boy toys, sample a senior age player, be romanced by the rich guys and even get to flirt with their fantasy man."

This comes as no surprise, given that Sex and the City began with women in their 30s, followed by And Just Like That in the 50+ era. I can't wait to watch this all unfold!

What has Candace Bushnell said about focusing on the love lives of older women?

In a statement obtained by Variety, Bushnell shared her confidence about the intrigue of older women who date. She said, "Fifty-something women (and above) are the hottest new dating demographic...I’m so excited to be working on a show that combines my passion for relationships with the chance to help women, like me, navigate a love do-over.”

Have executives from Bunim/Murray Productions chimed in with their thoughts?

Julie Pizzi — President of Bunim/Murray Productions — is equally excited about Is There Still Sex in The City. She told Variety, "We feel that Candace’s brand has grown with her audience and her expertise in the dating space is an incredible entry point for an immersive dating experiment.”

I couldn't agree more!

When will "Is There Still Sex in The City" premiere?

The show is still in the beginning stages of being developed, so a premiere date hasn't been released yet. But, you'll be the first to know once we have more information! Here's to hoping it'll premiere in 2024!

How do you feel about Candace Bushnell developing a new reality dating show? Let us know in the comments and follow the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

And just like that, Kim Cattrall revealed whether she'll return to the Max sequel series. The actress starred as Samantha Jones in Sex and The City from 1998-2004, and revived the role in two post-finale movies. While she made an appearance in And Just Like That... season 2, fans have been hoping we'll see her again in season 3, which will stream on Max in 2025.

When a fan shared an article from Elle claiming Samantha Jones (and Kim Cattrall) would return for And Just Like That... season 3, Kim responded to the post saying "Aw that's so kind but I'm not 💋." With the straightforward delivery (and the kiss emoji), this tweet is exactly the kind of thing Samantha herself would say — and it didn't take long for fans to respond.

"Kim, you were the whole reason I watched SATC to begin with," one user tweets. "Love your work! Miss you!"

"Our QUEEEEEEEEN!!!!" another user says.

Max

Kim Cattrall explained her reasons for not joining And Just Like That... in 2022, revealing she was never asked to join the reboot after expressing her disinterest in a potential third movie. (The third movie in question featured Samantha receiving unwanted photos from Miranda's 14-year-old son.) "It’s heartbreaking," she tells Variety, adding it's an "understatement" to say the third movie didn't allow Samantha to progress.

"Can you imagine going back to a job you did 25 years ago?" she continues. And with the story's added complexity and struggles, the job only got more complicated. "When the series ended, I thought that’s smart. We’re not repeating ourselves. And then the movie to end all the loose ends. And then there’s another movie. And then there’s another movie?"

"It’s a great wisdom to know when enough is enough,” she says. “I also didn’t want to compromise what [Sex and the City] was to me. The way forward seemed clear.”

How do you feel about Kim Cattrall & Samantha Jones not returning to And Just Like That...season 3? Let us know in the comments, and read up on 15 Things We NEED to Happen In And Just Like That...Season 3.

Lead image via Max

Emily in Paris season 4 was the buzziest season yet, and for good reason. Emily's in Rome, Camille was never pregnant, and Gabriel's hair went from très hot to tragique. In addition to the viral response to Gabriel's new hair, season 4 left me pretty sad because after four years of waiting for Emily and Gabriel to get together, they almost immediately break up — and actor Lucas Bravo is just as confused as we are.

Carole Bethuel/Netflix

“The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in Season 1 and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take,” Lucas Bravo told IndieWire while promoting Mélanie Laurent’s Freedom. “As they made him kind of unaware of his surroundings, of the dynamic, always victimizing and always being completely lost in translation and oblivious to anything that is happening around him and being manipulated by everyone, it kind of became not fun for me to shoot or to see a character I love so much and brought me so much, being slowly turned into guacamole. I really grew apart from him.”

Honestly it makes me really sad that a character we all love so much is becoming unrecognizable. But at the same time, it makes me feel a little bit better, because we're not the only ones who feel like Gabriel has changed. And while Lucas has done what he can to bring those early-series aspects of Gabriel back, he says "there is only so much I can do in the limits of a script.”

Netflix

“I tried for seasons to bring nuances but we don’t have much liberty on set," he continues. “It makes me question if I want to be part of Season 5…because my contract ends at Season 4. I really want to see if Gabriel gets back to his fun, cheeky, playful, alive self. Because three seasons playing melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost is not fun anymore. It’s a comedy, everybody is having fun around me, everybody is jumping around, and I’m just slowly sinking into god knows what.”

Say what now?! If Lucas Bravo leaves Emily in Paris, I truly don't know what I'd do. Gabriel is my favorite character on the show! (Or at least, early Gabriel was.) Seeing him move from 30, flirty, and thriving to someone who's consistently in the middle of an existential crisis doesn't make sense within the world of the show. And even though Lucas thinks the show has a "lack of risk," he still loves everyone involved.

“I love the show. It started everything for me. I love the show and the people in it," he says. "With saying that, I feel like I am not being nice or grateful, but when you love something you want it to be…you want the best version of it. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been frustrated with the direction by character is taking. But we’ll see where it goes. The show is not over.”

Just like the show's iconic costumes are all about expression and fun, here's hoping Emily in Paris is able to bring some life back into our favorite chef. Because if not, it sounds like we could be nearing the end of the show's most popular would-they-won't-they relationship. Fix this Netflix, I beg you!

What do you think of Lucas Bravo's dilemma? Do you miss season 1 Gabriel? Let us know in the comments and check out the latest Emily in Paris season 5 news.

While Sex and the City was a highly entertaining show, it was more so a statement on modern dating and city living than anything else. Carrie describes herself as a "sexual anthropologist" in episode 1, and while "newspaper columnist" or "writer" would have been a more succinct description, her choice of words shed light on the intricate world of NYC dating that we were about to see.

If there's one overarching theme of Sex and the City, it's that the dating scene is brutal — especially in New York, and especially as a woman. Along the way, Carrie and her friends make countless mistakes, but the important part is that they pick themselves up and keep going. Throughout the six seasons, each woman falls in and out of love, and eventually finds their person.

Luckily, hindsight is 20/20 — and Sex and the City is now on Netflix — so we can relive the highs and lows of '90s dating from the comfort of our homes. Keep reading for the best things I've learned about dating and finding love from Sex and the City.

1. Just because he’s good on paper, he still might not be right for you!

HBO

The writers played with this idea a few times throughout the series: a guy who seems perfect (AKA, good on paper) but isn’t quite the right fit, for some reason or another.

First there was Sean, the "marrying" guy, who was everything that every woman could theoretically want. Carrie passed and so did Charlotte, who was very eager to get married herself. They both had a gut feeling that he wasn't the right one.

Next came Dr. Bradley Meego, who was actually described as the "good on paper" guy and succinctly dismissed by Samantha as, “good on paper, bad in bed.” But he didn't stick around long enough for Carrie to get that far.

The gist here is, remember to judge the person as a whole, not according to an arbitrary laundry list of the qualities and accomplishments your "dream" partner should have.

​2. The right person will love you for your quirks, not in spite of them.

Craig Blankenhorn/Max

During my formative years, I thought Aidan was an absolute catch. Cute, kind, and wants to marry her? I’d ask myself what more could Carrie want? But after a few [dozen] more rewatches, plus some much-needed life experience, I realized that there was a lot of truth to the The Way We Were homage in season three.

Carrie is c-c-c-curly, and pretty c-c-c-complicated as well. And as a fellow complicated girlie, I have my fair share of quirks, and being with a guy who simply tolerates them just isn’t it. While Aiden did love Carrie, he always seemed eager to change her into his ideal outdoorsy, minimalistic, pie-baking, greasy-chicken eating woman. Although there’s nothing wrong with being that girl, it just wasn’t Carrie — and it's wild that her serious boyfriend-turned-fiancé somehow failed to understand her on such a basic level. She needed to be with someone who appreciated her love of shoes, superior style, and zest for NYC nightlife — rather than just tolerating it as a necessary evil.

​3. Mr. Right may not be Mr. Right Now.

HBO

In the OG series, Carrie and Aidan make a few go’s at their relationship. It doesn’t work out for a many reasons — namely, Carrie’s cheating, Aidan’s jealousy, and a fundamental difference in values.

But in And Just Like That, they get another chance, and it looks like the third time might be the charm. We change a lot as we get older, and it looks like Carrie and Aidan’s life experiences helped them each grow into more understanding and flexible people than they were decades prior. While he wasn’t endgame back then, Aidan 2.0 has definite OTP potential.

​4. Dating can be fun if you let it, so don’t take it too seriously.

HBO

Carrie is someone who is looking for love, real love — as the infamous quote goes — which means she’s not going to settle on someone just for the plot. Until she finds that person, Carrie is enjoying dating, going out, meeting new people, and figuring out what she wants.

One of my favorite tidbits about SATC is that at one point they started running out of male actors to cast, because the girls went through them so quickly, which is a pretty awesome gender switch on the status quo of the 90s.

Dating in NYC often catches a bad rap, but I’ve always thought Carrie made it look like so much fun! And sure enough, when I was single in the city, I took the Carrie approach: Meet new people, figure out what you’re looking for, “try on” different options to see how they fit, and don’t take any of it too seriously (until, of course, there’s someone worth taking seriously).

By taking the Carrie Bradshaw approach (AKA having fun with it and not taking it too seriously), I was able to remove the stress, emerge unscathed, and ultimately meet my husband.

5. Keep an open mind when it comes to love.

HBO

When we first meet the girls in season one, we quickly start to understand their interests, viewpoints, hopes, and dreams. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha are all highly different from each other, with their own taste in men — and a long list of relationship deal breakers. Other than Carrie, each of her friends has a very specific idea of the type of relationship they want to end up in: for Charlotte, a preppy finance guy; for Miranda, an equally successful partner who she can have an intellectual conversation with; and for Samantha, a carousel of attractive suitors rather than any one man in particular.

As the series progresses, each of our ladies goes on dozens of dates, with varying degrees of success. Samantha is thrilled with the non-monogamous lifestyle, until she meets Smith, a struggling actor who thinks she’s the greatest woman in the world. Miranda encounters a depressing amount of sexism and ultimately finds love with Steve, a blue collar bloke from Queens, who’s perfectly content being a bartender. He treats her well and makes her happy (in this case, movies and spinoff are not canon!), which is enough.

Charlotte takes it a step further and marries her supposedly perfect match. She finds that Trey’s idyllic world, which she so longed to be a part of, isn’t enough to fulfill her if she’s not with the right person. Charlotte then falls for Harry, her divorce lawyer, a character so unpreppy that it’s actually comical. He’s the last person Charlotte ever imagined herself with, but she ends up making her own set of sacrifices in order for their relationship to work out.

While it’s important to have standards (including your own list of hard no’s), it’s even more crucial to avoid boxing yourself out of the love of your life, or what could otherwise be a happy & healthy relationship.

​6. Healthy competition is nice, but not when it’s toxic.

HBO

In the first half of season six, Carrie’s book publicist introduces her to Berger, a fellow author who’s charmingly self-deprecating and relatively attractive, and they quickly hit it off. At first, it seems like a perfect fit, but their flirty competition turns toxic when Berger’s second book option is dropped while Carrie’s star continues to rise. It’s normal for careers to go through ebbs and flows, but healthy adults will be rooting for their partner no matter what — even if their own success is temporarily eclipsed.

​7. Don’t lose yourself in a relationship.

HBO

Later in season six, Carrie is head over heels in love with Aleksandr (or, at least trying to convince herself that she is). She’s so focused on fitting into his glamorous life that she gives up on everything that’s important to her: NYC, which she leaves for Paris; her column, which was a huge part of her life; and her friends, who were her chosen family. Eventually, Carrie comes to her senses, and I’m glad she did this on her own (before seeing Mr. Big).

8. ​If he hits you, get TF out.

HBO

In the series finale, Carrie is unhappily living in Paris with Aleksandr. She’s given up so much of herself for her relationship, and now feels empty and alone, but the final straw is when Aleksandr slaps her. It was the slap heard ‘round the world, and while many dismissed it as a ‘mistake’ or ‘not a big deal,’ I’m so happy that Carrie saw through this and got out of that toxic mess. There’s no way it would have been the last time, and if she stayed, it almost certainly would have gotten worse.

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Header image via Max

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie created reality TV gold when The Simple Life debuted in 2003. Their antics were outlandish, but we couldn't help repeating their iconic phrases like "That's hot" or "Sanasa" during random moments in our own lives.

It's no secret the two didn't really act that way, but their 'characters' left a huge mark on a generation of millennials. "I knew what I was doing but the whole world didn’t, so it was kind of frustrating to me to be perceived in that way because it’s not who I am at all," Paris told People.

Even though she may have felt judged, it seems that Paris Hilton realizes how many people actually loved The Simple Life because she and Nicole Richie are teaming up to film a reunion special that'll debut on Peacock as we speak! Here's everything we know so far!

When did speculations about 'The Simple Life' reboot begin?

NBCUniversal Media

Peacock first shared a video clip on Instagram that hinted something special involving Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie is coming in May. A nostalgic TV set with a black and white screen can be seen while our favorite duo's voices can be hearing saying, "Sanasa, Sanasa."

Peacock captioned the post, "New Era. Same Besties. Coming soon to Peacock," and fans could barely contain their excitement. Even celebs like Naomi Campbell and Katy Perry commented on these hot vibes.

Bravo

Then Paris Hilton took to her own Instagram to share more about what fans could expect. She said, "As some of you may know, we are doing a reunion special to celebrate 20 years of our show The Simple Life and it's been so much fun."

Actress Selma Blair shared how much she's looking forward to this by commenting that she's "living for this."

So are we!

What was 'The Simple Life' about?

The Simple Life/20th Century Fox

The Simple Life showed Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they basically traded their wealthy lifestyles for 'everyday' living. Cameras followed them from fast food jobs to dealing with getting out of sticky situations they'd supposedly never experienced. Needless to say, it was hilarious, iconic, and instant reality TV gold.

How long was 'The Simple Life' on air?

Peter Kramer/Getty Images

The Simple Life was on air from 2003 to 2007 with five successful seasons. It seemed like it wasn't going to be hit at first, but it defied expectations. By how much you ask?

According to reporting from The Cut, somewhere around 13 million viewers tuned in to watch Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's oddball take on daily life. That's a pretty huge deal if you ask us!

When will 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore' debut?

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Paris & Nicole: The Encore will premiere on Peacock December 12! The two were previously seen at a Sonic drive-thru yesterday so it can be assumed filming is underway (via People)!

Sporting partial Sonic uniforms, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie added accent pieces that match their signature flairs. Paris wore a pair of reflective sunglasses, silver sequin heels, and added a pink flip phone to front of her blue apron. Nicole wore gold hoops and a pair of slingback pumps alongside her hotdog mascot costume. That's hot (dog).

How does Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie feel about reuniting for a reunion special?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Paris Hilton has expressed how much she loves to be sharing the screen with Nicole Richie again. "I'm so excited to be doing this with Nicole on Peacock. Nicole has been my best friend since we're 2 years old, every memory that I have is with her," (via E! News).

Nicole also posted a few throwback moments from The Simple Life on her Instagram, but the most notable one is the video mashup of them singing "Sanasa, Sanasa" over and over. "20 years ago, not only did we become television stars… we became song writers. Happy Anniversary Sill @parishilton#TheSimpleLife#sannnasaaaaa" she wrote in the caption.

What have Paris and Nicole said about their reunion special?

Peacock

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie sat down with W Magazine to let the world know the Paris & Nicole: The Encore show is on its way! Not only that, but fans can expect to see an Opera version of the show they fell in love with two decades ago. Paris said, "The idea of the opera was unexpected" while Nicole chimed in with, "What people need, even though they don't know it yet, is for 'Sanasa' to be an opera.'"

The two besties came up with the idea via a series of texts that started off as ideas between them. Nicole said everything "came up organically" for the two and we can only imagine the memories this brought up for them. OG influencer Paris even talked about how The Simple Life was an "important show in pop culture history" and we couldn't agree more!

Nicole truly wants people to enjoy themselves while watching Paris & Nicole: The Encore and "find the same joy" she had while filming it. According to Paris, she feels what they have is "magic" because "there's just so much history behind it."

It's not every day that you can get to have fun with your best friend while coming up with long-lasting memories that contribute to pop culture, but Paris and Nicole have always danced to the beat of their own drums. Now we'll get to see them in action again!

Watch The Trailer For 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore'

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This post has been updated.

Friendsgiving season is coming folks! And if you have one on the books, but have no idea what to cook, we have you covered. From deliciously cheesy veggies to a healthy take on everyone's favorite spuds, we're rounding-up easy recipes to make that won't weigh heavy on your pocketbook. Take a look through to see the yummy ensembles you should be whipping up!

Brit + Co

Drop Biscuits

Because everyone needs a carb to soup all those juicy drippings on your plate. This 'The Final Table' winning recipe does the job.

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Smashed Brussel Sprouts

Not crazy about veggies? These greens will change your mind. Topped with cheese, chives, and a nice crisp topping, they're extra yummy (and keto-friendly!)

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Cacio e Pepe Chickpeas

Sure this one is a bit non-traditional, but your vegetarian friends will love it. Plus they make the perfect topping to nearly any dish (who needs croutons when you have these anyways?!).

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Roasted Broccoli

Puts some greens on your plate with this holy-grail recipe. Trust us: It's sooo easy!

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Polenta

Dust off the ole' Instant Pot will this delectable fall polenta. Filled with butternut squash and lots of parmesan you (and your besties!) will quickly fall in *love*.

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Roasted Sweet Potato

Just when you thought you knew how to roast sweet potatoes, this recipe came along. And boy are we taking notes!

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Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Be the friend that brings the booze. This autumn-themed mulled wine drink will warm everyone's spirits.

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Fall Quinoa Salad

If you're designated salad duty, take a twist on it by packing it full-on quinia, pomegranate, and a tangy dressing. Yum!

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Cheesy Pasta Bake

When the temperatures drop, your friends will be extra thankful for this soul-warming, cheesy pasta.

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Spinach + Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

No time? No worries! This freezer-friendly pasta bake complete with pillowy gnocchi, creamy mushrooms and spinach is super easy to create ahead of time, without taking away from any day-of deliciousness.

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Cheddar, Jalapeno, and Chive Biscuits

Upgrade your biscuits with "addicting" flavors of cheddar, chives, and jalapeños. Pro tip: Double the batch to ensure you have more than one for everyone!

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Keto Cheese Ball

Your hostess will thank you extra for showing up with an app to tide guests over until the main meal is served. Packed with yummy baked potato fixings, it's got an extra "kick" to make it comparable to store bought options. Plus it's keto-friendly... you can't go wrong with that!

Brit + Co

Cheesy Keto Asparagus

Keep the keto ideas coming, am I right?! Make this popular Pinterest vegetable dish loaded with garlic and extra cheese. Yes please!

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Yogurt Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Pack a 'lil extra protein into your mashed spuds (with the bonus of making them extra creamy!). Who knew yogurt would soon become your go-to secret ingredient?

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Pumpkin Spice Toffee

And let's not forget about the sweets! Make a batch of this pumpkin spice-flavored treat as a great take-home option for overstuffed guests! (Just be sure to save some extra for yourself!)

Follow us on Pinterest for more tasty Thanksgiving recipes!

This post has been updated.