The Shattering Truth Behind SATC's Peloton Controversy: Unveiling the Shocking Fallout

Summary

The SATC Peloton controversy had real-world consequences for And Just Like That... season 2, making brands cautious about appearing in the show.

Despite facing criticism from critics, the triumph of Season 1 of And Just Like That... resulted in the show being renewed for additional episodes.

The inclusion of Peloton in both And Just Like That... and Billions generated controversy and unforeseen repercussions for the associated brands.

The fictional SATC Peloton controversy had real-world repercussions for the And Just Like That... series. Premiering in 2021, this series serves as a continuation of HBO's Sex and the City, following the characters as they navigate life in their 50s. Remaining true to the original series' beloved themes, And Just Like That... brought back most of the iconic cast, but with notable exceptions. Initially planned as a one-season miniseries, it was eventually approved for a second season on HBO's streaming service, Max.

Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics (as per Rotten Tomatoes), the series achieved sufficient success for HBO to renew it for more episodes soon after the conclusion of season 1. While the return of Kim Cattrall as Samantha in a brief cameo appearance was a highlight of And Just Like That... season 2, it was the first season that garnered attention for a different reason. The SATC Peloton incident made headlines and brought extra focus to the already popular series, but the unforeseen consequences of Mr. Big's (Chris Noth) death had a detrimental impact on the show itself.

Peloton Stock Drops After SATC Spinoff Character Death & The Company Released A Statement

The unexpected and dramatic death of long-standing character Mr. Big on Sex and the City was a clever way to start the series. However, this storytelling choice had unintended consequences. The issue arose because Big's demise was shown immediately after his workout on a Peloton bike, which prominently displayed the company's branding. This connection between Big's death and the brand was a poor decision and had negative effects on the company. Following Mr. Big's death, Peloton's stock plummeted, impacting the financial standing of the high-end exercise equipment brand that was established in 2012.

In response, Peloton moved into defensive mode and sent a representative from their health and wellness advisory team to release a statement addressing the controversy. Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum clarified that Mr. Big's death was not caused by Peloton's equipment. She specifically highlighted his unhealthy lifestyle choices as contributing factors to his cardiac event, mentioning that he had a previous cardiac event in season 6. Dr. Steinbaum even suggested that riding his Peloton Bike may have helped to delay his cardiac event. While the intention was not to harm the company, the damage had already been done.

Shortly after the brand made their official statements concerning the SATC Peloton scene, they swiftly created an ad aimed at preempting the controversy and addressing any potential damage. The brief promotional video highlighted the advantages of cycling and even showcased Chris Noth as the narrator, with Ryan Reynolds humorously clarifying that he was not truly deceased. Peloton's strategy appeared to be effective until Chris Noth faced accusations of sexual assault from two women who bravely shared their stories. This distressing revelation led the company to promptly withdraw the advertisement shortly after its release.

Billions Features Similar SATC Peloton Storyline

Shortly after the premiere of And Just Like That..., the Showtime series Billions mirrored a similar storyline. The ongoing show, which launched in 2016, centers around U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and his relentless pursuit to take down hedge-fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) using any means possible. Much like And Just Like That..., the sixth season of Billions begins with the character Mike "Wags" Wagner (David Costabile) experiencing a minor heart attack after a workout on his Peloton exercise bike. Interestingly, the series even includes a clever reference to the Sex and the City follow-up.

Peloton faced a similar situation with Billions when it featured a heart attack scene involving Wags, who had previously suffered a heart attack in the series. However, unlike the unauthorized use of the brand in an earlier incident with SATC, Peloton clarified through its official Twitter account that they had not authorized the use of their brand in Billions. Although Peloton had granted permission for its products to be used in And Just Like That..., the circumstances surrounding their usage were not discussed. In contrast, Billions had never received any form of permission and the scene attracted accusations of plagiarism against the show.

Despite previous accusations of plagiarism against Billions, the timeline did not align with how TV show productions actually work. The season 6 premiere of Billions aired just two months after the premiere of And Just Like That..., and according to Screen Rant, the scene had already been filmed long before the initial SATC Peloton controversy arose. However, the show cleverly took advantage of the similarities by incorporating Wags' snarky line about Mr. Big into the final product at the last possible moment.

Brands Were Cautious About Appearances In SATC Spinoff Season 2

The controversy surrounding the SATC Peloton incident not only impacted the exercise company, but it also had unforeseen consequences for the production of season 2 of And Just Like That.... Mr. Big's death made brands reluctant to be associated with the show, greatly hindering the production process. Brand partnerships are crucial for shows like And Just Like That..., however, many were unsettled by the inappropriate portrayal of Peloton's product in the final product. This unexpected turn of events led to difficulties for show creator Michael Patrick King in securing brand deals for the series. The Peloton incident resulted in an unusual level of concern from brands, who questioned the safety of their products being featured. In response, King expressed frustration, emphasizing that the use of Peloton in the show was merely a story element and unintentional in causing any harm.