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.
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Adrienne's Emily in Paris Journey
- Adrienne Klasa initially rejected "Emily in Paris" but later embraced it after moving to Paris for a stressful job.
- She needed something mindless to watch and found the show ironically mirrored her luxury-focused work.
The World of Emily
- "Emily in Paris" has outrageous product placement, reflecting its focus on marketing and branding.
- It exists in a world without moral dilemmas about luxury, where social media is benign and capitalism prevails.
* Parisian Perspectives on Emily*
- Adrienne Klasa's friends in Paris view "Emily in Paris" as either dumb or dumb but funny, acknowledging its unrealistic portrayal of the city.
- The show ignores Paris's social inequalities, political divisions, and frequent protests, presenting a Disneyland version of the city.
