JoCo vs KimCat
Who are the 2 stand out TV icons of the 80′s, 90′s and early part of this decade? Who else but the amazing Joan Collins and Kim Catrall. They’re both revolutionary bellweathers for the changes that women worldwide were experiencing in these decades.
Their stories are remarkably similiar too: both were born in the UK but went on to Hollywood where they landed movie deals with the big studio’s. Joan arrived in Hollywood during the Golden Age of the movies where she dated Warren Beatty, stole roles from Marilyn Monroe and was driven around by James Dean. Kim’s story is a little less glamorous -- she was one of the last of the contract system the studio’s had where they signed stars to multi-picture deals in the late seventies.
Both had some early successes but Joan dropped out eventually to raise her children and deal with her colourful personal life. Kim starred in a few memorable roles in the eighties but her career wasn’t exactly stellar. What made it for both of them was starring in TV roles, namely Dynasty and Sex and the City.
Once Joan joined Dynasty as the coniving Alexis Carrington the show’s ratings went through the roof. As a chid I remember watching TV with my parents and being mesmerised by this ballsy woman who played dirty. She was the SuperBitch of the eighties. Big hair, shoulder pads, fur coats, red lips and a withering stare with punchy one-liners. Let’s not forget the cat fights she had with Linda Evans which were always entertaining. Dynasty ran for years and Joan Collins was the main attraction. Everyone loved to hate her!
Kim joined the cast of Sex and the City in the late nineties and it was an instant smash. The character of Samatha Jones is so memorable for her voracious man-eater tendencies, frank language and outrageous fashion. Each week people tuned in to be outraged by Samantha’s antics. Women world wide were in awe of this woman who broke all the rules and all the taboos. 14 years later the series has stopped but there’s talk of SATC 3 being filmed soon.
What’s most remarkable about their stories is that both Joan and Kim landed these roles in their forties which is a very difficult time traditionally for women in Hollywood. Not only did they create such memorable characters, they fundametally changed the face of popular culture.
The world is a different place because of these two women and the characters they played. Both of them were strong-willed, independent with just the right amount of sass and bitchiness. Alexis taught women they can be in charge of the boardroom and the bedroom. Samantha taught women they don’t need to have a man to make them happy.
Below are some clips of them in memorable roles and a few interviews.
Alexis takes control of Denver Carrington
Alexis and Krystle catfight
Kim Catrall in Mannequin
Samantha Jones best quotes from Sex and the city
Joan Collins interview on Piers Morgan
Kim Catrall interview on Graham Norton
Joan Collins on Graham Norton
Kim Catrall interview about Sex and the City
