'Sex and the City' author to give lecture tonight

Candace Bushnell, the writer of the popular book "Sex and the City" and former sex columnist for the New York Observer, will give a lecture at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the IU Auditorium. Bushnell has been lecturing on several college campuses recently. \nLydia Roll, director of the Lectures Committee for Union Board, which is sponsoring the event, feels students will benefit from Bushnell's lecture. \n"I think her words will be helpful," Roll said. "(The lecture) definitely has potential for being informative, entertaining and helpful."\nThe plot of Bushnell's book is based on Carrie Bradshaw, Bushnell's alter ego. It confronts the trials and tribulations of single women in their mid-30s to 40s.\nThe book "Sex and The City," was turned into a series on HBO, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw. The show follows fictional Bradshaw and three best friends on their romantic escapades through New York City. \nSophomore Briana Rauen plans on attending the lecture. She feels the shows reveals the importance and the strength friendship can provide among singles. \n"It also emphasizes the strong bonds women feel between their friends," Rauen said. \nThe show first aired June 6, 1998, and has become one of the top 20 syndicated television shows nationwide, according to Nielsen media ratings.\nRoll said the show's popularity is one of the main reasons for bringing Bushnell to IU.\n"The reason we want to bring her is because it will provoke an interesting perspective on a pop culture phenomenon," Roll said. "To bring in someone who has spawned something that popular is important."\nSince its premiere, the series has won many awards including a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Costumes and Outstanding Comedy Series. \nRoll credits the show's popularity to its ability to speak to a new generation of singles.\n"She shows an aspect of single life that is new," Roll said. "Men and women are staying single longer."\nRauen said the four women of "Sex and The City" embody the future of many young women.\n"It is so popular among college students because the women exemplify the young and single life that most of us will lead out of college," Rauen said.\nThe show not only mirrors single life, but also influences the relationships and social lives of its viewers. Roll feels "Sex and The City" has made being single look fun and even more acceptable. \n"Through her work, she has brought the issue of being single longer to the forefront, and let people know it's okay to not get married out of college," Roll said. \nRauen said the show has helped many of her peers feel more comfortable with who they are. \n"I think it has also influenced college students in regards to young women not being afraid of being single and not being afraid of their sexuality," Rauen said. \nAlthough "Sex and The City" is in its final season with only eight episodes remaining, Bushnell's influence continues with the premiere of her latest books, "Trading Up" and "Four Blondes." The two books reveal the turbulent lives of the social-climbing Manhattan elite. "Four Blondes" and "Sex and the City" are now on sale at the IU Bookstore. Tom Cardis, buyer for general books at the IU Bookstore, said the books' sales haven't been out of the ordinary yet.\n"(Bushnell's visit) is an exciting event and her book signing should be good for book sales," he said. \n"I am expecting them to sell tomorrow."\nUnion Board will also be selling them at the lecture. After the lecture, Bushnell will hold a Q&A session and sign books.\n-- Contact staff writer Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.