TV fans can't stop watching controversial show's new season despite 'hating it'

Fans of a controversial reboot of one of the biggest shows of the Y2K era can't stop watching its new season despite it driving them mad.
And Just Like That – which is available on Sky, NOW and Apple TV Plus in the UK and has just returned for season 3 – is a continuation of the iconic 90s series Sex and the City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker.
Revolutionary for its time and inspired by a real-life relationship column, the groundbreaking show followed the love lives of four women living in New York City.
As well as starring Sarah as Carrie Bradshaw, it also made TV legends of Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, and Kristin Davis, who played main characters Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte respectively.
Sex and the City came to an end in 2004 after six seasons, but two films (in 2008 and 2010) provided what fans thought would be the final chapter.
However, in 2021, And Just Like That gave fans more of the Sex and the City content they'd been craving – but maybe not always in the way they'd hoped for.
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Since its first episode, And Just Like That has received a mixed reception from fans and critics, with some slamming the writing and plot decisions along the way.
Two popular characters from Sex and the City – Chris Noth's John 'Big' Preston and the late Willie Garson's Stanford Blatch – were written off instantly in ways that upset fans.
And the big kicker for fans of the HBO series was that Kim wouldn't reprise her role as Samantha, only appearing as a guest star in a single episode of season two.
However, the new series has developed a reputation for its serious and unwavering commitment to camp, and for really leaning into its melodramatic elements, which some fans can't get enough of.
And Just Like That returned with season three on Thursday night, picking up after Carrie and Aidan (John Corbett) agree to put their relationship on hold for five years .
On X, @CaseyLeeMoore summed up fans' irrational attachment to the show by jokingly recalling an interaction they'd had with their roommate earlier that night.
'[My roommate asked] 'I thought you hated this show – why do you keep watching it?' [and I said] 'You just don't get it…'' using a clip of Carrie from the show to explain why they couldn't tear themselves away.
@DramaBananna commented: 'Carrie is the friend that got completely annoying and you can't stand anymore, but you keep meeting her because you used to love and will always love her.' Though she's insufferable and sadly, nothing attaches you to her no more.'
@Key9481 complained, 'Poor Charlotte and Miranda, their storyline keep getting worse and worse,' after asking earlier, 'Why is everybody singing? What is going on?'
However, some Sex and the City fans are happily along for the zany ride, with @CanIScreamNow saying: 'I've just watched the first episode of series 3 and didn't want it to end! From SATC to AJLT, it never ever disappoints.'
@RankedReal was excited too, despite being unable to love the show: 'Unbelievably excited that my favourite hate watch is back, hello lover!'
On Reddit, user Cityofooo said that watching a scene that depicted Miranda kissing another character while Carrie sat nearby was 'like being held hostage'.
Viewers are also addicted to dissecting the fashion disasters some of the characters are put through, with last night's episode providing a comically large hat and a necklace made entirely of large wicker balls.
Upon seeing the necklace in question, @D1g1cxlt asked: 'What the hell is that woman wearing? Like girl, this is the one thing Anna Wintour told you to take off!' More Trending
And Just Like That also features actors who made their names in Sex and the City and have reprised their roles years later to remain a part of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda's stories.
Evan Handler has returned as Charlotte's husband Harry Goldenblatt, while David Eigenberg has returned as Steve Brady, Miranda's love interest during parts of Sex and the City.
In terms of new members of the main cast, Sarita Choudhury plays Seema Patel, a realtor who becomes friends with Carrie after she sells Carrie's old apartment.
View More »
And Just Like That is available to watch on Sky, NOW and Apple TV Plus in the UK.
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