It’s 1984 and Carrie Bradshaw is 16.

January 14, 2013

Nobody I knew in the 80s wore this, so I’m having a little Gen X cynicism at the onset regarding The Carrie Diaries. Also, AnnaSophia Robb looks like Lindsay Lohan.

The Carrie Diaries premiers tonight at 8/7c on the CW Network. It’s a prequel to Sex and the City and features a young Carrie Bradshaw as a senior in high school. The teen drama will pay homage to a myriad of issues that impacted the coming-of-age of Generation X. These include AIDS, promiscuity and homosexuality.

The show, which is based on the book series by Candace Bushnell, is set  in 1984. Carrie, played by AnnaSophia Robb, is 16.

I can’t recall if there has been a TV show about Generation X during the teen years that did not unfold in real-time. If there has been a retrospect it must be so obvious I can’t remember it. The 90s hit, My So Called Life took place in present day as did the 90s time capsule of Daria.

When The Los Angeles Times reviewed The Carries Diaries in 2010, they said it was “nostalgic look back on the wild life before helicopter parents took flight.” Maybe Gen Y and Generation Z will gain some insight into why Gen Xers became those hovering parents, but I doubt it.

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I’m a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I’m a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years…

–From the Living Years and Mike and the Mechanics

2 Responses to “It’s 1984 and Carrie Bradshaw is 16.”

1. Andi Fisher January 18, 2013

   You know I am a big fan of SATC. I watched it, but probably won’t watch again. Love Carrie Bradshaw, but watching the show made me feel old. Although I will say the actress nails what i think Carrie would be as a teen!

   Reply
2. Brett January 16, 2013

   I dunno…considering what a vapid airhead she was as an adult, I don’t know how Carrie as a teenager will offer much insight into anything.

   Reply