Spoiler Alert – if you haven’t watched the first two episodes of Sex and the City’s reboot, this is a SPOILER ALERT…
The Sex and the City reboot called, And Just Like That… premiered last week and fans were shocked when a scene featured a man who rode a Peloton exercise bike and had a heart attack and died. The character turns out to be Mr Big (played by Chris Noth) who’s married to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker). They’ve been together ever since the last episode of the SATC series when he turned up in Paris, professing his love to her.
Stationary exercise bike company Peloton experienced a huge stock drop after the latest episode was streamed but the company has responded quickly with a new ad that features – yes – it’s ‘Mr Big’ – and yes, he seems to be “alive.”
Of course, Ryan Reynolds narrates the ad and the 30-second commercial is being aired on Twitter with an “Unspoiler Alert” warning. The video has Chris Noth talking with his favorite trainer Allegra, played by real life Peloton instructor Jess King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgEHT_m8Qf4&t=37s
The ad shows that Noth or Mr Big is not only alive, he’s enjoying a romantic getaway with King (or Allegra?). “To new beginnings,” he tells her before shifting his glance towards the couple’s Pelotons. “Should we take another ride? Life’s too short not to.”
Reynolds’ voiceover then takes over to poke fun at And Just Like That… episode that sent Peloton’s stocks spiraling.
“And just like that…,” says Reynold, “the world is reminded that regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, resting pulse and reduces blood-fat levels.”
Then he quips: “He’s alive.”
The fallout has been massive
Peloton’s shares dropped from a high of USD$45.21 on December 9 when the episode to USD$37.83 on Friday afternoon.
Peloton also issued a statement with Dr Suzanne Steinbaum is the cardiologist and member of Peloton’s health and wellness advisory council explaining how the likely scenario for this scene happening: “Mr. Big lived what many would call an extravagant lifestyle — including cocktails, cigars, and big steaks — and was at serious risk as he had a previous cardiac event in Season 6,” she said.
“These lifestyle choices and perhaps even his family history, which often is a significant factor, were the likely cause of his death. Riding his Peloton bike may have even helped delay his cardiac event.”
Others have chimed into the debate including those here in Australia. Monash University expert – Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of the Monash Victorian Heart Institute – has said: “Exercise is a key component of a ‘heart healthy’ lifestyle. It’s important to remember that if you’re just starting out, you don’t run out and do a marathon on day one. Have a plan and talk to your doctor or personal trainer about a regime that is tailored to your level of cardiovascular fitness. This is particularly crucial as we age.”
Professor Nicholls gave a list of the benefits of regular exercise on cardiovascular risk factors and these include:
- Increase in exercise tolerance
- Reduction in body weight
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Reduction in bad (LDL and total) cholesterol
- Increase in good (HDL) cholesterol
- Increase in insulin sensitivity
And Just Like That… is streaming weekly on Thursdays on Binge.
For more from Women Love Tech on the SATC reboot, And Just Like That… visit here.
