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Life and Art from FT Weekend

Culture chat: Watching ‘Emily in Paris’ despite ourselves

Aug 30, 2024
Adrienne Klasa, The FT’s Paris reporter on luxury and media, brings her unique perspective to the conversation about 'Emily in Paris'. They dig into why millions continue to love-hate this sitcom, exploring its clichéd portrayal of Parisian life. The discussion shifts to comfort television and our emotional connections to it, even amid critiques of its shallow storytelling. They also reflect on passive media consumption and its implications, concluding with a playful critique of contemporary literary trends and the nostalgia for original storytelling.
23:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 'Emily in Paris' captivates viewers with its escapist charm, despite criticisms of its unrealistic portrayal of Parisian life and culture.
  • The show's excessive product placement highlights a disconnect from genuine storytelling, turning luxury brands into the central narrative rather than meaningful character development.

Deep dives

The Love-Hate Relationship with 'Emily in Paris'

Viewers grapple with a complex love-hate relationship with 'Emily in Paris', often describing it as a train wreck they cannot resist watching. Despite criticisms about its depiction of Paris and its stereotypical characters, the show remains wildly popular, becoming Netflix's most-watched series in 2022. Many audience members express that they watch it not out of genuine adoration but due to its addictiveness, feeling guilty yet compelled to continue. The discussion reveals that as new seasons are released, viewers may become increasingly frustrated with its lack of substance while simultaneously continuing to engage with the series.

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