Talking Dirty on Sex and the City

First broadcast on HBO in 1998, Sex and the City quickly became a mainstream success. Following four women who navigate the promise and perils of social, political, and sexual relationships in New York, Sex and the City caused a stir not only in the popular media, but also in academia, which responded with a remarkable body of criticism for such an apparently trivial program. But more than ten years after the show ended, there is still much more to say about this cultural phenomenon that spawned two film sequels. In Talking Dirty on Sex and the City: Romance, Intimacy, Friendship, Beatriz Oria explores the discourses put forward by the series from a sociological point of view. Specifically, the book focuses on the conventions of the romantic comedy genre and how its familiar fictional world articulates issues of intimacy, gender identity, and interpersonal relationships. Oria considers how a number of generic conventions employed by the show affect the discourses on intimacy, throwing light on how interpersonal relationships at the turn of the century have not only been represented but also fashioned through a relevant popular culture text. The book also explores such elements as romantic vs. democratic love, the representation of female sexuality, and new family models. With its interdisciplinary approach, this book touches on many different areas, including sociology, psychology, gender studies, and media studies. Aimed at a broad academic audience, Talking Dirty on Sex and the City will also appeal to long-time fans who are no doubt still gossiping about the show.