Meghan Markle's lifestyle and cooking series "With Love, Meghan" on Netflix faced severe scrutiny upon its release, yet it surprisingly secured a renewal for a second season.
According to Breitbart, the series, criticized for its content and hefty production costs, still managed to garner enough viewers to justify its continuation.
The show debuted amid high expectations but quickly fell under harsh criticism from both viewers and media critics. Descriptions like "vain," "narcissistic," and "pointless" flooded social media platforms and entertainment columns, painting a bleak picture of the series' relevance and impact.
Despite mixed reviews, “With Love, Meghan” reached the sixth spot on Netflix's most-watched list shortly after its release. The show attracted significant attention, which included a substantial number of viewers reportedly engaging in 'hate-watching,' where content is viewed primarily for criticism or ridicule.
All episodes of "With Love, Meghan" were released simultaneously, a strategy that denied critics the usual pre-release access for review, potentially impacting the initial wave of public opinion formed solely by viewers' reactions.
Reports from industry insiders highlighted the high costs associated with producing the show. One insider described the series as "extremely expensive," suggesting that these financial investments have yet to yield proportional returns. Furthermore, comments from a Hollywood insider hinted at a larger financial debacle: "They’ve lost so much money on her."
This narrative paints a complex picture of Netflix's strategy, weighing the show's popularity against its financial efficacy. Continued investment in the series, despite financial losses, indicates a complicated equation of viewer metrics and brand positioning.
Chatters on social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) offered unsparing assessments of the show's content, with users pointing out mundane activities such as moving pretzels from one bag to another as emblematic of the show's uninspired approach. "This is literally the most basic, uninspired content I’ve ever seen," noted one user.
An intriguing moment in the series involved Meghan correcting a guest star, Mindy Kaling, who referred to her as "Meghan Markle." Meghan's insistence on being called "Sussex" was met with confusion and humor online, as users quickly commented on the appropriateness of names and titles, with reminders about her actual surname being Mountbatten Windsor.
This incident not only highlighted the ongoing public interest in Meghan's persona but also underscored the blend of personal branding and celebrity culture that the show navigates. Reactions ranged from amusement to criticism, reflecting the polarized perceptions of Meghan's public figure.
Furthermore, harsh criticisms continued to emerge across social media, with comments about her personality and the quality of her interactions with children and guests, characterizing her as not relatable and too focused on self-portrayal as the main character of her narrative.
The decision to renew “With Love, Meghan” for another season came as a surprise to many, given the widespread criticism and reported financial losses. This move suggests Netflix sees value in the series, perhaps in metrics beyond direct profitability such as drawing viewers to the platform, regardless of the viewers' motivations.
This ongoing commitment to Meghan Markle's series underlines an important aspect of modern streaming wars where content is king, and viewer attention, even if critical, translates into relevance in a crowded media landscape.
Netflix's strategy with "With Love, Meghan" offers valuable insights into the complexities of content production, celebrity involvement, and viewer engagement in the digital age, where every show is subject to immediate and widespread public scrutiny.