@lcap that episode helped explain away some of the Carrie budget ridiculousness for me. I so wanted to see her bank statements!
In all seriousness, many of the early retirement forums have dissected this topic too and pointed out how the fabulous lives depicted on TV help drive consumer behaviors. I love being entertained with my favorite shows but would love a "look into their budget" type blog, zomg.
There is some unexplained excess, yes, but it does not bother me near as much as basically every TV show set in NYC in the last 20 years.
Chandler made enough to pay for a large 2 bedroom apartment in NYC and support himself and an unemployed actor while working as a transpondster? Carrie Bradshaw wrote one column a week yet had a great apartment and $40,000 worth of shoes? I will buy an inn keeper in rural CT eating at a diner too often over that.
I've watched way TOO much SATC but Carrie's apartment was a rent controlled gem for $750/month ! (also Monica and Rachel's pad on Friends) when the building went co-op she had to buy in and thankfully (for her !) Charlotte was there w/ the downpayment and then Carrie's book deals happened and it seemed she never had to worry about money again !