Comedian Bobby Lee, known for his work on MADtv and as a stand-up comedian, has theorized that he was cut from the ‘Sex and the City’ spinoff, ‘And Just Like That…’, due to the show’s move away from ‘woke’ themes. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Lee stated that he believes the producers removed some of the more progressive elements of the series, including his character, as part of a broader effort to streamline the show. He noted that co-stars like Sara Ramirez also didn’t return for the third season, suggesting a collective shift in the show’s direction.
Lee played Jackie Nee, the co-host of Carrie Bradshaw’s podcast, for the first two seasons of the series. At the end of the second season, Bradshaw left her podcast to focus on her novel, which led to the departure of her team of coworkers. HBO’s director of media relations, Erin Tresco, refuted Lee’s claim, explaining that the reason for his character’s exit was the conclusion of the storyline rather than a shift in the show’s thematic direction.
Critics have also weighed in on the show’s evolution. The Guardian critic Lucy Mangan pointed out that the show’s ‘onslaught of woke teachings’ gave it a ‘smugly self-congratulatory’ tone, which detracted from its original charm. The New York Times similarly criticized the series for its ‘pandering’ nature, noting that the diverse newcomers didn’t pass the racial Bechdel test and seemed to exist solely in relation to the central trio. These criticisms suggest that the show’s attempt to modernize its narrative was not universally well-received.
Despite the controversy, Lee expressed positive sentiments about his time on the show, praising Sarah Jessica Parker and his former castmates. He described the experience as ‘fun’ and noted that he never had any conflicts with his colleagues. However, Lee remains puzzled about why he was cast in the first place, stating, ‘I don’t even know why they asked,’ and that he was initially ‘super scared’ to take the role. The debate over the show’s direction and Lee’s exit continues to spark discussions about the intersection of modern values and traditional storytelling in television.