Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends and Neighbors

Big Returns
And Just Like That, us Sex and the City fangirls and fanboys will get a little taste of deliciousness in the form of the one and only Samantha Jones, who is coming back, albeit briefly, to the SATC world.

Played by former East Hampton resident Kim Cattrall, the spicy Miss Jones will only appear in one scene of AJLT, to be streamed in August. But that’s better than nothing. According to reports, her character will have a phone conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, during the season two finale. 

The popular HBO series, a spinoff from the original HBO juggernaut Sex and the City, is currently streaming on the Max platform. No word yet on if there will be a season three. 

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the East End imprint on the show, which featured memorable episodes here, stars Amagansett’s SJP and Montauk’s Cynthia Nixon, was originated in column form by Sag Harbor resident Candace Bushnell and brought to television by East Hampton’s Darren Star. Lest we forget, there are other notable local cast members from the groundbreaking series, which include Bridget Moynahan, former East Hampton homeowner Candice Bergen, and Hamptons habitué Kyle MacLachlan, to name a few. The series also stars Kristin Davis and Jon Corbett, who own homes in Los Angeles. And Just Like That season one new hires Sara Ramírez, Nicole Ari Parker, Sarita Choudry and Karen Pittman return for the fireworks again this season. 

Local Glow Ups
It’s with bittersweet pride that we report a few of our favorite East End spots have made the news lately. Yes, it’s true that where we live is great — but it’s nice to have a few secrets too. 

Amagansett, which was named one of 11 Top US Small Towns by Condé Nast, is the latest to shine in the international spotlight. Recently, Southampton’s Coopers Beach was again named One of the Top Five Beaches in the United States by Dr. Beach. Earlier this year, Riverhead was listed as one of the Best Places to Travel by Forbes magazine. 

A Lovely View
Emmy Award-winning television host, lawyer, journalist, and author, Sunny Hostin, who has rented in Sag Harbor for the past 20 years, has a new book out. The second in her Summer series, it’s called Summer on Sag Harbor. 

The View co-host since 2016, who admits to loving a good beach read, sets this one in the “hidden enclave in Sag Harbor, affectionately known as SANS — Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Nineveh” within a “close-knit community of African American elites who escape the city and enjoy the beautiful warm weather and beaches at their vacation homes.” 

A celebration of the place and the people who make it special, the book also mirrors a few real-life conflicts between longtime residents and real estate developers. 

“Since the 1930s, very few have known about this Historically Black Beachfront Community in this part of the Hamptons on Long Island, and the residents like it that way,” she writes. “That is, until real estate developers discover the hidden gem. And now, the residents must fight for the soul of this HBBC.” This one is sure to be juicy. Can’t wait to read it!

He’s Movin’ Out 
Billy Joel is finally saying goodbye to Madison Square Garden next year. The Sag Harbor resident, who fittingly first played MSG back in 1978 in support of his 52nd Street album, will be ending his 10-year residency in July 2024. The final concert will mark his 150th at the legendary arena. 

Marvelously Mary
Our mouths are watering over the news that Mary Schoenlein is prepping a cookbook. The owner of the former Mary’s Marvelous bakeries in East Hampton and Amagansett has been compiling recipes and is ready to share them with the world. 

No word yet on a release date but readers will be pleased to see that they will soon be able to make Mary’s famous scones, coffee cakes, muffins, soups, and more in their home kitchens. The anxiously anticipated book will feature drool-worthy photography by Doug Young. In the meantime, we can all settle for some tasty tidbits on Mary’s Substack. Yum!