These 'SATC' Facts Are Surprising

Sex and the City first premiered on HBO 15 years ago, and it's still just as influential as it was back then. With good reason, too: The show changed the way some people think women talk about sex in such a way that it's become legendary, from its fashion to its style of narration to its depiction of female friendship. Even behind-the-scenes facts about Sex and the City have become pretty well known; a lot of people are aware that Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker occasionally clashed on set, and that Carrie Bradshaw is actually based on a real person, Candace Bushnell, who wrote the original Sex and the City column in the New York Observer, as well as the book that was eventually based on it.

Luckily, a lot happened behind the scenes of the series — no surprise, considering it ran for six seasons, plus yielded two movies and a spinoff — so there's really no lack of trivia facts. I know we all have some questions, such as "was Mr. Big a jerk in real life, because he has to be, right?" among other things. Thankfully, there are answers that prove the details of the creation and cultural phenomenon of SATC are almost as interesting as the show itself. Here are some facts you might not have known about the cultural phenomenon of Sex and the City.

It Generated Hype For A Nonexistent Book

Carrie borrowed and quoted from a book called Love Letters of Great Men (of course she did), which was an invention of the show. But so many people wanted it afterward that it was actually published.

Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Warren Beatty Turned Down The Same Role

The role was taken by the always game Matthew McConaughey.

Kim Cattrall Was Not Keen On The Role Of Samantha

She turned it down twice, but eventually came around — thankfully, since I can't imagine anyone else as Samantha.

Candace Bushnell Was Only Paid $60,000 For The Rights To SATC

Despite the show's huge success.

The Main Characters Rarely Repeat Outfits

Though Carrie did wear a fur coat during the last episode that she wore before, for the most part, no outfits are repeated — and even if an item is reused, it's never styled in the same way.

There Is A Real Mr. Big

His name was Ron Galotti, he was a flame of Candace Bushnell's, and he was probably also wrong for Carrie.

Magnolia Bakery Had To Hire A Bouncer

Because it became so popular after it was a location on the show.

The Stars Lobbied For Diversity

Good for SJP: she apparently fought to address critics and make the show more diverse.

It Was The First Cable Show To Win An Emmy For Outstanding Comedy Series

All those puns really paid off.

There! Now you'll have something beside funky spunk to talk about at brunch on Sunday!

Images: Giphy (8)