Meghan Markle's latest Netflix venture, With Love, Meghan, has set the internet abuzz, though perhaps not in the way she might have hoped.
The project, described as a mix of cooking and gardening with a mockumentary twist, has drawn sharp criticism from viewers and commentators alike. And who better to dissect the debacle than the ever-candid Ricky Gervais, a comedian renowned for his brutal honesty?
Mike Zeroh, usually focused on Disney and Marvel, couldn’t resist weighing in on the unfolding drama. Gervais, in his trademark fashion, reportedly tore into the concept of Markle’s cooking show, branding it as "nonsense." He questioned why anyone would want to watch the Duchess awkwardly navigate basic cooking and gardening tasks.
"Watching someone burn toast while clumsily narrating isn’t exactly groundbreaking television," Gervais quipped. The criticism didn't stop there; he also called out the show for its apparent lack of authenticity, highlighting the curated settings filmed in a house that reportedly doesn’t even belong to Markle.
The genre itself has left many scratching their heads. Is it The Great British Bake Off meets The Office? No one seems to know—not even Netflix, it appears. Gervais noted the bizarre blend of styles, mocking the attempt to meld cooking and mockumentary vibes into something cohesive. Social media didn’t hold back either. One user described the trailer as "the worst show ever," adding, "Meghan Markle is as fake as they come." Another chimed in, "All they wanted was privacy—and a Netflix deal. Ouch."
The backlash has even drawn in former supporters. Meghan McCain, once a vocal ally of Markle, unleashed her frustration, accusing the Duchess of being tone-deaf. McCain lambasted the project for its frivolity, especially during a time of global unrest marked by terror attacks, wars, and economic hardship. "While people are struggling to afford groceries, Meghan is out here pretending to garden," McCain remarked, suggesting that a better use of Markle’s platform could have been a show focused on bringing fresh food to low-income communities. Instead, McCain concluded, the series reeks of ego, adding, "This is why the world doesn’t like you." Harsh words, but ones that seem to resonate with many critics.
Netflix itself hasn’t escaped scrutiny. Gervais criticized the streaming giant for its apparent disconnect from audience preferences, pointing out that the platform is already losing subscribers. Betting on a show like this, he predicted, would only add to Netflix’s troubles. Reports suggest, however, that the platform is planning more projects with Markle, despite her previous ventures being widely panned. It’s a gamble that many, including Gervais, believe is destined to fail spectacularly.
Netflix promoted the trailer on X (formerly Twitter) with the tagline "Love is in the details," but viewers noticed details of a different kind: overly staged settings, wooden delivery, and an overarching sense of inauthenticity. One scathing comment summed up the sentiment: "She can thank the royal family for this tone-deaf, arrogant, out-of-touch, fake, desperate excuse of a series. Without them, she’d be kicking cans."
Gervais has called for a shift in entertainment values, arguing that projects like With Love, Meghan insult the intelligence of audiences. "If Netflix wants to win viewers back," he suggested, "it should focus on creators who bring real value—not a ‘fake Duchess’ who can’t decide if she wants privacy or the spotlight." His critique highlights a growing sentiment among viewers that substance should trump spectacle, especially in an age where authenticity is increasingly prized.
