Does Entertainment Have to be Educational?

The biggest criticism I’ve heard about the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, is that they’re doing too much.

Too many deep issues. The alcoholism, the white savior complex, gender identity, death, etc. The most common complaint I hear is “this show was supposed to be my escape.”

I honestly can’t decide how much I agree.

On one hand, yes, these shows are supposed to be light. This isn’t The Wire. It’s a fun fantasy land that we want to escape to.

On the other hand, does mainstream pop culture hold some social responsibility to be educational?

Especially a show like Sex and the City— a progressive, sex positive show, set in a metropolitan city…doesn’t it need to show people of different racial, gender, and sexual backgrounds? In 2022, how could a show about sex and relationships not have characters that don’t fit into the heteronormative standard? How could the characters not have friends who are not white? I feel like they have to.

I feel like there is a way to make commentary on our current society, while also staying light and fun. The Sex Lives of College Girls is a good example of that. The show tackles issues like sexual abuse, harassment, and sexual identity; all while staying light and funny.

I think that show should be the model for our entertainment. There’s a way to tackle these issues in a thorough and well rounded way, while also staying true to their light and escapist identities.

To hear more on the topic, listen to episode 60 on iTunes and Spotify.

For a full list of TV recs, check this out.