Alright pop culture lovers you know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have a big deal with Netflix right? Well Meghan's latest project just dropped and it's... a lifestyle show! Yep get ready for cooking crafting and celebrity guests in "With Love Meghan." But is it binge-worthy brilliance or just another celeb vanity project? Let's spill the tea on what everyone is saying.
'With Love Meghan' Reaches Netflix Top 10 But Critics Are Serving Up Some Harsh Reviews: What's the Dish?
So Meghan is definitely celebrating some early wins. She hopped on social media right after "With Love Meghan" premiered to brag that it hit Netflix's Top 10 list within 24 hours. Not bad right? She thanked fans all over the world for tuning in and seemed pretty excited about the show's initial popularity.
However it's not all sunshine and roses because the critics? They are not exactly loving it. Reviews have been pretty brutal to be honest. IMDB ratings are sitting super low and some big publications are really dragging the show. One critic even called it "pointless" and suggested it should be Meghan and Harry's "last TV show." Ouch. Others are calling it narcissistic an ego boost and basically a waste of Netflix's money. Double ouch.
But hey Top 10 is Top 10 right? Maybe audiences are disagreeing with the critics or maybe everyone is just curious to see what Meghan's been cooking up literally and figuratively.
Inside 'With Love Meghan': Frittatas Friends and Fancy Living - What's Actually on the Show?
Okay so what exactly is "With Love Meghan" even about? It's an eight-episode series where Meghan shares hosting tips and tricks. Think cooking crafting flower arranging and all things lifestyle guru-ish. She invites celeb pals like Mindy Kaling and other friends to join her. It's all very California chic and aspirational.
Episodes show Meghan making things like frittatas cakes and candles. She harvests honey from her beehives (with help of course because she admits she can't do it alone). She makes bath salts and whips up fancy snacks. The show is visually beautiful for sure. Everything looks professionally shot the music is on point and Meghan's hair makeup and outfits are always flawless. No surprise there right?
But some are saying it all feels a bit...inauthentic. Critics point out she's not really a pro chef or crafter. She admits to not even liking baking that much. And while the show is supposed to be about home hosting it's filmed on a rented multi-million dollar estate not Meghan's actual house. Hmm.
Relatable Duchess or Royal Rich Lady? Is Meghan's Netflix Show Missing the Mark?
The big question swirling around "With Love Meghan" is whether it actually connects with viewers. Some critics argue it completely misses the mark. They say it is not relatable to average folks because it is all about wealthy lifestyle stuff that most people can't afford or replicate. Think expensive ingredients fancy sets and "simple" tips that are actually only simple if you have staff and resources.
There are jokes about Meghan making "easy" microwave popcorn but using a whole dried corn cob instead of a bag of microwave popcorn. Or labeling Trader Joe's pretzels in fancy glass jars. It's all a bit over-the-top for "relatable." Some viewers online are calling it "boring" and "desperate" saying it is more of an "infomercial for her ego" than a helpful lifestyle show.
One critic even pointed out that other successful lifestyle gurus like Ina Garten or Martha Stewart are either relatable (Ina's "store-bought is fine" vibe) or aspirational in a way that feels earned (Martha's perfectionism). Meghan's show according to some falls somewhere in the middle and ends up not quite working. It's pretty but is it actually engaging or helpful? That's the debate.
Meghan's "Sussex" Title and Brand Building: More Than Just a Cooking Show?
Interestingly Meghan herself brings up her "Sussex" title in the show. In one episode with Mindy Kaling she corrects Mindy for calling her "Meghan Markle" saying "You know I’m Sussex now?". She explains it's important to her to share the "Sussex" name with her children Archie and Lilibet calling it "our family name".
This title talk comes after years of debate about Meghan and Harry using their royal titles after stepping back from royal duties. While they are still officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex they are not supposed to be using the titles for commercial gain. But let's be real being "Meghan Duchess of Sussex" definitely adds a certain brand recognition doesn't it?
Some see "With Love Meghan" as part of a larger effort by Meghan and Harry to build their own brand and identity outside of the royal family. After leaving royal duties they had to figure out "what is their job now?". Maybe this Netflix show and Meghan's upcoming lifestyle product line "As Ever" are all part of answering that question and forging a new path.
'With Love Meghan' - Hit or Miss? Here's a Quick List of Criticisms and Fan Reactions:
- Critics say: Unrelatable inauthentic pointless narcissistic ego-driven.
- Fans say (mixed): Some are enjoying it some find it boring some are critical.
- Show is: Visually appealing well-produced features celebrity guests cooking crafting hosting tips.
- Main complaint: Lacks authenticity and relatability feels like a vanity project for the wealthy.
- Unexpected twist: Despite mixed reviews show reached Netflix Top 10 quickly.
The Royal Recipe: Will 'With Love Meghan' Find Its Audience or Is It Just a Passing Fad?
So is "With Love Meghan" a royal flop or a streaming success in the making? It is definitely getting people talking even if much of the talk is not super positive. While critics are not impressed the show did hit Netflix's Top 10 which suggests there is some audience curiosity at least.
Whether "With Love Meghan" will have staying power or if it's just a flash in the pan remains to be seen. Maybe some viewers will find it to be a calming aesthetically pleasing watch despite its flaws. Maybe others will tune in just for the celeb cameos or out of general Meghan Markle curiosity. Either way it is another chapter in the ongoing Meghan and Harry media saga and people are definitely watching even if they are also side-eyeing a bit.