Meghan Markle seems to be caught in yet another whirlwind of controversy—or perhaps, more aptly, lawsuits.
The latest buzz involves Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath, who is reportedly considering legal action against Meghan's forthcoming (and now mysteriously delayed) Netflix cooking show. According to a blind item, Emma held a crucial meeting with her legal team on January 15th. The topic? Suing a streaming giant over an allegedly derivative program. It doesn’t take a detective to deduce which platform might be in the hot seat—Netflix, of course, a company with a well-documented history of controversial decisions.
First, Netflix’s choice to partner with Meghan Markle, often criticized for her public missteps, was bold. Pairing her with Prince Harry, whose recent media ventures have been divisive, only added fuel to the fire. But giving Meghan the reins of a cooking show? That decision left many scratching their heads. Critics have mercilessly mocked the idea, with some likening it to hiring clowns who neither entertain nor charm their audience. At least professional clowns, they argue, bring a sense of expertise and originality to their craft.
The trailer for Meghan’s show faced an immediate and scathing backlash. Who would have guessed the public wasn’t eager for a royally themed cooking show? Oh, wait—everyone but Netflix. Officially, the delays are being attributed to California wildfires, but skeptics see this as a convenient smokescreen to mask deeper issues, including the tepid response to the initial teaser.
Now, let’s turn the spotlight to Emma Thynn, a billionaire marchioness with her own successful cooking show. If the allegations of Meghan’s "copycat" behavior hold water, Emma has every right to be upset. Imagine pouring your creativity into a project, only to see its essence seemingly borrowed by another. It’s like competing on The Great British Bake Off, only to have your perfect Victoria sponge replaced with a poorly executed knockoff. However, proving such a claim in court could be a challenge. After all, how many unique ways are there to host a tea party on television? Without evidence of Meghan copying Emma’s recipes or signature style, the case might lack substantial legal footing.
That said, Emma might not need to win in court to make her point. With her elite connections and influence, she could apply quiet but effective pressure on Meghan. Sometimes, a word to the right people can do more damage than a publicized legal battle. Or, Emma might simply let the court of public opinion do the heavy lifting—ignoring Meghan altogether, as many others seem to be doing.
Speaking of Netflix, it’s puzzling why the company hasn’t learned from its previous missteps with Harry and Meghan. Their controversial documentary received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with an estimated 90% dislike ratio and thousands of sarcastic comments. While many watched it out of morbid curiosity, is cultivating a hate-watch audience really the kind of legacy Netflix is aiming for? Apparently, yes—since they’ve doubled down by supporting another project already mired in legal controversy before even airing.
If Netflix wants to salvage its reputation, they might consider shelving Meghan’s show altogether and investing in Emma’s brand instead. Imagine a program titled The Real Thing, featuring Emma’s genuine charm and culinary expertise. Add a few guest stars who truly know their way around a kitchen, and they’d have a surefire hit.
As for Meghan, perhaps it’s time for some introspection. Rather than continuing to court controversy, she might benefit from taking a step back to reassess her approach. Meanwhile, this entire debacle could inadvertently boost Emma’s profile, granting her invaluable publicity without her lifting a finger.
In the end, this saga feels more like a recipe for disaster for Netflix and Meghan than a promising project. For Emma, however, it could be the perfect opportunity to cement her place in the spotlight—with her reputation intact and her brand elevated.
