Peloton just responded to ‘Sex and the City’ storyline that sent stock price off a cliff

WARNING THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS

After 17 years, the premiere of And Just Like That... was greeted with millions of adoring Sex and the City fans excitedly planning watch parties or channeling their inner Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, or Charlotte to commemorate the occasion.

Needless to say, it was a big deal for many and one we’ve been particularly eager to enjoy since first looks and teasers were dropped by HBO and the cast.

So when a beloved character died in the first 10 minutes of the premiere episode, you can imagine how shocking it was to longtime fans (not to mention, utter heartbreak).

Yes, Mr. Big, died by Peloton—you know, the exercise bike people got super obsessed with during Covid-19 lockdown.

Mr. Big, whose real name is John James Preston, had a history of heart problems, so the way he died wasn’t entirely out of the left-field but still, I’d be lying if I said a few tears didn’t escape my eyes watching Carrie cling onto his lifeless body.

Truly the whole thing felt as though fans’ hearts had been painfully stabbed by one of Carrie’s Manolo Blahnik’s.

And it certainly can’t be a good feeling for Peloton knowing their bike just killed off one of the most iconic TV characters in history. As a result, the share price took a hit, dropping by 11% in the wake of the show’s premiere.

Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Peloton has since made a statement to The Times about their bike offing Mr. Big, with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a preventative cardiologist and member of Peloton’s health and wellness advisory council, sharing that the character’s death was a result of his ‘extravagant lifestyle’.

“I’m sure ‘SATC’ fans, like me, are saddened by the news that Mr. Big dies of a heart attack,” said Dr. Steinbaum said.

“Mr. Big lived what many would call an extravagant lifestyle – including cocktails, cigars, and big steaks – and was at serious risk as he had a previous cardiac event in season six,” she said.

She added that it was his “lifestyle choices and perhaps even his family history” that were likely to blame for his death, and that “riding his Peloton Bike may have even helped delay his cardiac event.”

“More than 80% of all cardiac-related deaths are preventable through lifestyle, diet and exercise modifications. And while 25% of heart attacks each year are in patients who already had one (like Mr. Big), even then they are very, very treatable,” she continued.

The statement concluded: “The lesson here is, KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! It’s always important to talk to your doctor, get tested, and have a healthy prevention strategy. The good news is Peloton helps you track heart rate while you ride, so you can do it safely.”