February 18, 2004
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
It's
easy to be overlooked when you're the (in)significant other of Carrie,
Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte.
But
let's face it -- there were some intriguing male characters on "Sex and
the City." Never mind that their shelf lives tended to be shorter than
Carrie's fuzzy pink Christian Louboutin mules (remember when Miranda's
water broke?). These men helped define who these women are -- or wanted
to be.
From
Big, who made Carrie's heart go "zsa zsa zou'' more often than not, to
Richard, Samantha's noncommittal "manthrax,'' here's the scoop on the men
behind the women.
THE MAN: BIG
The actor: Chris Noth; the former "Law & Order'' star will be seen this summer opposite Bernie Mac in the baseball flick "Mr. 3000."
The drama: Big, Carrie's on-again, off-again older lover, is the man that every woman falls for and every father dreads. Carrie kept going back to him, even after he was married and she was engaged. Still, we can't get enough of him. Sure, he swaggers and is cocksure about everything. But, oh, that man!
What we learned from Big: In real life, commitment phobes aren't worth the wait, no matter how good the dream seems like it could be.
THE MAN: ALEKSANDR PETROVSKY
The actor: Legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov.
The drama: A few awkward moments on their first date would've had her running for a cab five seasons ago. But this kinda-sorta mature Carrie is giving this romance a go. The million-dollar question is, is the 5-foot-6 Misha magnetic enough to replace Big?
What we learned from Aleksandr: A charming accent always helps land the babe. Always.
THE MAN: SMITH JERROD
The actor: Jason Lewis, a relative newcomer.
The drama: After Richard Wright, the last thing Samantha was looking for was another complicated relationship. Enter Smith Jerrod, who at first came across like a himbo. But he proved to be her rock. When she lost her hair to chemo, he shaved his head, too. When she cheated on him with Richard, he not only forgave her, but also escorted her back home.
What we learned from Smith: Beauty isn't always just skin-deep.
THE MAN: STEVE BRADY
The actor: The adorably nerdy David Eigenberg; he voices the character of Nermal in the upcoming flick "Garfield: The Movie."
The drama: It's not easy dating a poor bartender when you're as status-conscious as legal eagle Miranda. Steve genuinely loves her, and we get the impression she actually loves him, too. But she fought her attraction for a long time -- even after a one-night stand produced their baby, Brady.
What we learned from Steve: That maybe looking at your best friend as a potential mate isn't such a bad idea after all. And that what you lack in sexual attraction might be more than compensated by companionship, adoration and a general sense of well-being.
THE MAN: HARRY GOLDENBLATT
The actor: Evan Handler, who wrote Time on Fire: My Comedy of Terrors (Little, Brown, $12.95), an autobiographical account of his experience as a leukemia patient.
The drama: When Charlotte hired Harry to be her divorce attorney, she had no idea she had met her future husband. He's loud, brash and hairy -- everywhere except for his head, that is. Though she tried to rationalize her relationship with him as purely sexual, Charlotte found herself falling in love with him -- and encouraging him to wax his back hair. Then Harry dropped the big one on her -- he would only marry a Jewish girl.
What we learned from Harry: That Charlotte truly is crazy.
THE MAN: AIDAN SHAW
The actor: Hunky John Corbett; he celebrated a big fat Greek wedding before getting a co-starring role opposite Kim Basinger in "Elvis Has Left the Building." He'll also star in "Heart of Summer" with teen queen Hilary Duff. The actor, who first found fame on "Northern Exposure," currently is working on "The Untitled John Corbett Project" for ABC.
The drama: Creative, dependable, loving. Yup, the kiss of relationship death was there before Aidan ever popped the big question. Carrie fooled no one -- least of all herself -- when she pretended that wearing an engagement ring on a chain around her neck meant more than displaying it on her ring finger.
What we learned from Aidan: Nice guys don't finish last. They just move on to someone who actually deserves them.
THE MAN: DR. TREY MACDOUGAL
The actor: Kyle MacLachlan; he'll portray Cary Grant in the upcoming film, "Touch of Pink."
The drama: All righty then! Here's a handsome, rich doctor who has a gorgeous apartment, impeccable taste in clothes and treats Charlotte like the princess she was born to be. Unfortunately, he's also a wishy-washy mama's boy who has, um, performance issues. Not a good thing for eager-to-get pregnant Charlotte.
What we learned from Trey:Even "the perfect man'' has flaws. He just hides them better under designer suits.
THE MAN: RICHARD WRIGHT
The actor: James Remar; he gives Wesley Snipes a run for the money in the upcoming "Blade: Trinity." He also stars in the upcoming TV miniseries "The Grid."
The drama: Samantha finally decides monogamy's worth a shot when she meets this smooth businessman. But she soon finds herself questioning whether he is capable of being faithful to her. (He isn't.) And for the first time, we see that a fling isn't what she's looking for anymore, no matter what she says.
What we learned from Richard: A man actually can enjoy performing oral sex just a little too much -- when it's on other women.
THE MAN: JACK BERGER
The actor: Ron Livingston, who just wrapped the film "Little Black Book" with Brittany Murphy.
The drama: Like Carrie, Jack was an author. Unfortunately, he flirted with her while he still had a girlfriend. But that didn't stop our Carrie from harboring a crush. After he broke up with his girlfriend, the two dated for a nanosecond. The flighty guy broke up with Carrie the best way he knew how -- he wrote it on a Post-It note and snuck out of her apartment while she was asleep.
What we learned from Jack:That guys-with-girlfriends who flirt with other women are jackasses. Always.
THE MAN: STANFORD BLATCH
The actor: Willie Garson, who will star opposite Scott Glenn in the police thriller "Murder on the Hudson."
The drama: As Carrie's loyal lady-sitter, poor Stanford has lived through the ladies' dramas ad nauseum.
What we learned from Stanford:Average Joes do win. After being dateless for seemingly decades, he's got hot young Marcus catering to his every need.
THE MAN: DR. ROBERT LEEDS
The actor: The talented Blair Underwood, who will take a role on NBC's new series "HUB," about a big and busy airport in the United States.
The drama:After an affair with Dr. Leeds, Miranda goes back to Steve. Instead of quietly whimpering away like Aidan did when Carrie dumped him (again), the good doctor gave Miranda a piece of his mind that rendered the usually garrulous attorney speechless.
What we learned from Robert:That when you've got a real gem, you're a fool to throw him away. This one won't be coming back to her.
***
AND WHO CAN FORGET ...
... Carrie's former high school boyfriend Jeremy (David Duchovny), who now resides at a mental instituation.
... Dr. Mark Raskin (Billy Wirth), the Viagra-popping doc who became Samantha's "connection.''
... Mr. Cocky (John Enos), a lover who was too much for even Samantha to handle. Apparently, he was the real Mr. Big.
... Seth Robinson (Jon Bon Jovi), the cute guy Carrie met in her therapist's waiting room. There's a reason he was in therapy.
... John McFadden (Dean Winters), Carrie's buddy of the sleepover kind.
... the limber wrestling coach (Peter Onorati) who Samantha hopes will be the perfect sex partner.
... that twentysomething guy Sam (Timothy Olyphant) who makes Carrie realize that dating younger only makes her feel older.
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