I guess I should have specified that the context in which they were calling Kim Cattrall a Mae West was the role she was playing, not her body type. The role she plays is very much like Mae West in that she is willing and eager to try anything. She is the first female character on television who seems to have no hang-ups in that regard. I think that was what they meant, that she was ground-breaking in the Mae West tradition, a true "pioneer" in the area of sexuality (no offense to former pioneers; as for current pioneers, if the shoe fits?).
I agree she is adventurous, but slutty is probably not the word to use here. I think the whole point of the show, and her character in particular, is that if she were a man she wouldn't be called slutty. What is interesting about this show is that she does the same thing that men do in other shows, she uses men and then casts them aside like used Kleenex. A female James Bond.
Think about it. How many of the men on that show have a continuous starring role on the show? None. Mostly, they are special guest stars or semi-regular characters, even Steve, who comes and goes when he is needed to take care of the baby. Now think back to episodes of other shows where the man saves the damsel of the week, they have a love scene or two, and then she's gone. This was especially true in the 60's with shows like Maverick, Bonanza (remember how all of the women died at the end), Star Trek, Wild Wild West, etc.
In this sense the show is groundbreaking in it's sexual role reversal.
I was also pleasantly surprised that they chose James Gandolfini for his role as Tony Soprano. Sexy not only because he has twinkling eyes and is a bit cuddly, but also because he is dangerous, dysfunctional, and risky to be around.
What do you think?
Tammy
