I agree that the casting of different actors as Michael, Mona, Brian (especially Brian), Mrs. Halcyon, Dor'thea, Emma is a jolt. However, it's a done deal, so get over it. All in all, I'd say this second set is as enjoyable as the first, and moves more quickly, with as many over the top surprises. I read the book after I saw the show, so I was howling at the TV in surprise as the big mystery about Burke's amnesia played out with the most hilarious spin on a cult anyone could come up with. I can't think of another TV mini-series that is this fun. And a note for fellow gay men: this is required viewing. People who watch light entertainment and treat it too seriously... well, they have a perspective that I think is misplaced.

When I first saw this sequel a couple of years ago I tried to hate it. So many of the characters had been re-cast with new actors that it was jarring at first. Since then I have watched it a couple more times and I have to admit that I just love More Tales. It has grown on me. The writing is excellent and it is very addictive. My favorite character in this was Anna Madrigal played by Olympia Dukakis. The scenes where she reunites with Mother Mucca are quite touching and brought a tear to my eye. Bravo to Bravo for dusting off these gems every once in a while and making some new fans of Armistead Maupin.

a pale shadow of the original Tales. the replacement actors are really lifeless. its really impossible to feel anything for Michael as he's repugnant. the new Mona is vapid and uninspiring. the new Brian is so uninteresting its almost offensive. and in the original series it was really Mona and Michael who held it all together...they both had energy and vitality. in this round it feels like Nina Siemaszko (Mona) is being forced to do the role...shes totally uninterested and robotic. Paul Hopkins, the new Michael, basically smirks and wiseasses before getting (thankfully) crippled and left speechless for most of the show.beyond the horrible casting, the story is sordid and so over the top that its difficult to get involved. the first Tales series had spunk...it felt fresh and alive. this version is just a pathetic soap opera knockoff. (wow its cable...we can show ass and say bad words, who needs a decent director?) the story line revolving around Brian and his binocular-driven lust affair is weak and frankly gross.pathetic...

More Tales of the City is the 1998 cable-produced sequel to the Tales of the City mini-series, which aired on public television in 1993. Both series are based on respective novels by Armistead Maupin.More Tales' plot and script are substantially shoddier than its predecessor. It focuses mainly on the intrigue and intertwining characters than the development of the personalities or the warmth of their interactions. And where sweet and emotional dialogue exists, the sentiment is marred by three vastly inferior "replacement" actors. The much beloved Michael "Mouse" Tolliver is played by the excessively smirky and over-doing-the-gay-bit Paul Hopkins. His performance is unnatural and devoid of Mouse's innate, lovable charm. Nina Siemaszko's performance is brittle and uneasy, lacking any of the spunk and charisma befitting the quirky Mona Ramsey. Whip Hubley is just plain uninteresting as the (supposedly) handsome, disillusioned Brian Hawkins. I had the opportunity to go back and re-watch the first series and was surprised to discover just how naturally and unaffectedly Marcus D'Amico, Chloe Webb, and Paul Gross inhabited Mouse, Mona and Brian. I had been unaware of just how good they were since I merely considered them as being the characters. Overall, the direction, cinematography and soundtrack are distracting.If you simply like some of Maupin's most bizarre plot twists for the intrigue in itself, you might enjoy More Tales of the City. If you like more quality and substance, check out Tales of the City.