When I checked my email from as ever this morning (yes I am a subscriber I love mess) and tried to buy a product only to be told it was coming this spring… I howled. Meghan and her teams inability to do a damn thing to schedule will never cease to amaze!!! I did love the correction of the last name as a) she’s branded herself as “Meghan” on insta b) it alienated and demonstrated immediately that Mindy was not actually her close friend c) showed Meghan’s hackles were up. I LOVE the moments we get to see Meghan’s guard slip and her truer colors come out. She’s a lifestyle guru with no attainable lifestyle! it’s delicious. I want seven more seasons (we’ll get none). As always I’m less interested to see what Meghan is up to but rather how Kate responds. The girls are FIGHTING!
same!! i wish the whole show were her gentle corrections. i’m much more attracted to a control freak (ie gwenyth and even nicki minaj) than i am someone who keeps pretending they’re relatable (taylor swift)
I completely agree that she should play the straight woman and lean into that more. Meghan and Mindy together had a very enjoyable contrast. I watched the first two episodes today while home sick and they are absolutely perfect background shows, although being the nosy person I am, I would also like to see her real kitchen and house. (As for Ina Garten, her early shows were shot in her real home but that became too disruptive, so they built a kitchen next door for her to test recipes and film in.)
And I also could not believe she was cooking pasta! With tomatoes! In white, billowy linen! Reminded me of that Taffy Brodesser-Akner profile of Gwyneth when she describes her grilling clams or something with nary a spot on her clothes.
And I also really appreciate Hunter's point about not judging her more harshly than other lifestyle hosts. Yes, 100% this. I get it if Meghan isn't someone's cup of tea, but the amount of hatred she's received is staggering and so insanely outsized, especially when Prince Andrew is sitting right there in that same extended family.
** I'll note here that my husband is English and I was a recent divorcée when we met, and my MIL is a Daily Mail-subscribing, small-minded person who never lets a visit pass without reminding me that I'm American, so I have a lot of empathy for Meghan and want to see her succeed.
i have a lot of empathy for meghan and the racism she has to suffer at the hands of british tabloid. but she is still ineffectually performing her role as lifestyle host in a way that drives me nuts. i want a real emotion, not “decanting brings me so much happiness” and “kids love garden parties”
No but as a traumatized DC resident, this premiering on the same night as that address I had THE perfect thing to dissociate to. My cortisol levels dropped, my blood pressure dropped, for a brief moment I was like maybe I will drink that Beyoncé lemon honey cayenne brew.
Just finished the last episode! I found it really relaxing after a hard few days. It really made me miss my grandmother, who was the consummate host, gardener, craftswoman, and cook. I was always the only kid at a home & garden show lol.
The vibe reminded me of the late B. Smith who was often unfairly called the Black Martha Stewart, but her show’s tag line was “whatever you do, do it with style!”
To me it’s strongest when Meghan is showcased as the gold star student - her teachers’ pet energy with Roy Choi & Alice Waters was relatable and endearing.
I think the show could also continue to zero in on common hosting pitfalls - the best takeaways from kids party episode are the little tips like “don’t forget about the adults”! And, as a society, I think we do need to bring back a few Emily Post-like norms for hosting
Re the Sussex name: I’m embarrassed I know so much about this - “Mountbatten Windsor” is the dynastic name. Some family members use it if they don’t have another title. Harry & Will used Wales for most of their lives (when charles was prince of wales). Will, Kate, and their kids previously used Cambridge and now use Wales. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie use York.
I’m guessing Meghan is still estranged from her father and half-siblings? I understand why she has no desire to be a Markle.
Martha, Ina and Alison Roman all shoot in their own kitchens for what it’s worth. So does Jennifer Garner in her “pretend cooking show” that feels a thousand times more enjoyable than this slog. Part of it is I don’t think she has the natural authority or knowledge to “teach” these things. The best episodes were when she let real experts guide her (Alice Waters, Roy Choi etc).
“I’m cautious of judging her more harshly than other food-lifestyle hosts.” I appreciate this perspective.
She made a nice cooking show that’s beautiful and thoughtful and she’s sharing an aspect of herself with viewers. That’s all it ever needs to be right?
i think allie and i share the pov that the standard to hold her to is that of any other cooking show. but it’s impossible for anyone to be normal about MM. the show is bad by almost every standard (if nothing else it’s a successful ad for products that .. aren’t out yet somehow). but i wish it had some boldness or creativity! this is even more neutered than selena and chef. she should just make asmr. there are too many crafts in each episode, it is overwhelming to watch!
I hear you. I always love to hear your takes even when I have a different experience. I’m enjoying the show and am glad she’s putting herself out there even though she knows she will be judged harshly no matter what she does.
I have not watched yet (canceled Netflix, gotta bootleg it, and yes I will), but I WILL because I am #sussexsquad4life lol. Speaking of her name, I am pretty sure the family's "official" last name is Mountbatten-Windsor (like that is what is on the kids birth certificates) but they all go by "Sussex" colloquially (like names on lunchboxes lol), but like her mean stepsister, no one will ever stop calling her Meghan Markle.
I am admittedly so charmed by her earnestness and corniness--it feels so genuine to me which makes it both very endearing and so fucking funny. It is both so wild and so believable that she was built to be a "working royal" and they were so threatened by that they literally ran her out of the country. And she has bills to pay!!!! They have to pay for their security!
I gotta be honest… all the activities also stressed me out and made me feel bad about myself for like, having to do things like work to pay the bills and barely having enough energy to microwave Trader Joe’s enchiladas for dinners. Who the hell has time to make bath salts? 😂
That’s ok tho. This show isn’t for me but not everything has to be for me!
The non-expert host and tinkerer take is so spot on! The only episodes I found remotely endearing were with Chef Roy Choi and Vicky (of Tatcha). Their authentic-ness forced her to code-switch a bit, even for just a few seconds here and there.
The moment where Roy called out the racism after the “what was that all about” MSG question!! 😮💨
I am actively rooting for Meghan, but this show both soothed me and stressed me out. There were so many tasks each episode which made the type A in me start spiraling.
I almost wish that instead of her decorating a cake, making candles, making pasta, making bath salts, making blooms for the bedside, making popcorn, (oh my gosh she did all of that in episode one), she focused on a piece of the hosting experience each episode. Or even a couple pieces of it like floral arranging for the table and cooking in one ep. Then at the end of the season tie in the pieces you didn’t see also went into the experience like the goodie bags, bath salts, those lavender towels, etc.
I haven’t finished it yet but I wish she would talk more about the booze because she has a drink each ep and I need to know what kind of champagne and beer she’s drinking.
Yes! tbh whole season could’ve been her preparing for the As Ever celebration, each episode focusing on a different element. I think this could maybe help with the out of touch criticism (which I think is silly) — most people probably host a small group of friends at least once a year. There’d still be room for the “every day moments of joy” framing too, like I really enjoyed seeing her making quick snacks before guests arrived.
It’s clear her loved ones regard her as a great host/entertainer (overlapping circles, but different from being a technically great cook) —and the art of hosting is so lost right now, lean into that!
Pretty sure the knives are Shun - Japanese cutlery. I have a set; they’re amazing. You don’t have to wait for her website to drop. You can find them online and Williams-Sonoma.
When I checked my email from as ever this morning (yes I am a subscriber I love mess) and tried to buy a product only to be told it was coming this spring… I howled. Meghan and her teams inability to do a damn thing to schedule will never cease to amaze!!! I did love the correction of the last name as a) she’s branded herself as “Meghan” on insta b) it alienated and demonstrated immediately that Mindy was not actually her close friend c) showed Meghan’s hackles were up. I LOVE the moments we get to see Meghan’s guard slip and her truer colors come out. She’s a lifestyle guru with no attainable lifestyle! it’s delicious. I want seven more seasons (we’ll get none). As always I’m less interested to see what Meghan is up to but rather how Kate responds. The girls are FIGHTING!
same!! i wish the whole show were her gentle corrections. i’m much more attracted to a control freak (ie gwenyth and even nicki minaj) than i am someone who keeps pretending they’re relatable (taylor swift)
I completely agree that she should play the straight woman and lean into that more. Meghan and Mindy together had a very enjoyable contrast. I watched the first two episodes today while home sick and they are absolutely perfect background shows, although being the nosy person I am, I would also like to see her real kitchen and house. (As for Ina Garten, her early shows were shot in her real home but that became too disruptive, so they built a kitchen next door for her to test recipes and film in.)
And I also could not believe she was cooking pasta! With tomatoes! In white, billowy linen! Reminded me of that Taffy Brodesser-Akner profile of Gwyneth when she describes her grilling clams or something with nary a spot on her clothes.
And I also really appreciate Hunter's point about not judging her more harshly than other lifestyle hosts. Yes, 100% this. I get it if Meghan isn't someone's cup of tea, but the amount of hatred she's received is staggering and so insanely outsized, especially when Prince Andrew is sitting right there in that same extended family.
** I'll note here that my husband is English and I was a recent divorcée when we met, and my MIL is a Daily Mail-subscribing, small-minded person who never lets a visit pass without reminding me that I'm American, so I have a lot of empathy for Meghan and want to see her succeed.
i have a lot of empathy for meghan and the racism she has to suffer at the hands of british tabloid. but she is still ineffectually performing her role as lifestyle host in a way that drives me nuts. i want a real emotion, not “decanting brings me so much happiness” and “kids love garden parties”
This is all fair and I would like to see the same from her
No but as a traumatized DC resident, this premiering on the same night as that address I had THE perfect thing to dissociate to. My cortisol levels dropped, my blood pressure dropped, for a brief moment I was like maybe I will drink that Beyoncé lemon honey cayenne brew.
THIS!!!! My whole damn life everyday feels like the world is on bath salts! This show is a balm!
Just finished the last episode! I found it really relaxing after a hard few days. It really made me miss my grandmother, who was the consummate host, gardener, craftswoman, and cook. I was always the only kid at a home & garden show lol.
The vibe reminded me of the late B. Smith who was often unfairly called the Black Martha Stewart, but her show’s tag line was “whatever you do, do it with style!”
To me it’s strongest when Meghan is showcased as the gold star student - her teachers’ pet energy with Roy Choi & Alice Waters was relatable and endearing.
I think the show could also continue to zero in on common hosting pitfalls - the best takeaways from kids party episode are the little tips like “don’t forget about the adults”! And, as a society, I think we do need to bring back a few Emily Post-like norms for hosting
Re the Sussex name: I’m embarrassed I know so much about this - “Mountbatten Windsor” is the dynastic name. Some family members use it if they don’t have another title. Harry & Will used Wales for most of their lives (when charles was prince of wales). Will, Kate, and their kids previously used Cambridge and now use Wales. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie use York.
I’m guessing Meghan is still estranged from her father and half-siblings? I understand why she has no desire to be a Markle.
Parfait par tay literally made me groan at the TV. She’s deeply corny. Maybe that’s the biggest revelation
Martha, Ina and Alison Roman all shoot in their own kitchens for what it’s worth. So does Jennifer Garner in her “pretend cooking show” that feels a thousand times more enjoyable than this slog. Part of it is I don’t think she has the natural authority or knowledge to “teach” these things. The best episodes were when she let real experts guide her (Alice Waters, Roy Choi etc).
Love this recap especially for highlighting the tendency to decant. I don't hate it! Her quirky phrases remind me of Rae Dunn pottery.
“I’m cautious of judging her more harshly than other food-lifestyle hosts.” I appreciate this perspective.
She made a nice cooking show that’s beautiful and thoughtful and she’s sharing an aspect of herself with viewers. That’s all it ever needs to be right?
i think allie and i share the pov that the standard to hold her to is that of any other cooking show. but it’s impossible for anyone to be normal about MM. the show is bad by almost every standard (if nothing else it’s a successful ad for products that .. aren’t out yet somehow). but i wish it had some boldness or creativity! this is even more neutered than selena and chef. she should just make asmr. there are too many crafts in each episode, it is overwhelming to watch!
I hear you. I always love to hear your takes even when I have a different experience. I’m enjoying the show and am glad she’s putting herself out there even though she knows she will be judged harshly no matter what she does.
The white blouses literally kept me up at night, what confidence to wear that cutting fcking cherry tomatoes?!
I have not watched yet (canceled Netflix, gotta bootleg it, and yes I will), but I WILL because I am #sussexsquad4life lol. Speaking of her name, I am pretty sure the family's "official" last name is Mountbatten-Windsor (like that is what is on the kids birth certificates) but they all go by "Sussex" colloquially (like names on lunchboxes lol), but like her mean stepsister, no one will ever stop calling her Meghan Markle.
I am admittedly so charmed by her earnestness and corniness--it feels so genuine to me which makes it both very endearing and so fucking funny. It is both so wild and so believable that she was built to be a "working royal" and they were so threatened by that they literally ran her out of the country. And she has bills to pay!!!! They have to pay for their security!
I gotta be honest… all the activities also stressed me out and made me feel bad about myself for like, having to do things like work to pay the bills and barely having enough energy to microwave Trader Joe’s enchiladas for dinners. Who the hell has time to make bath salts? 😂
That’s ok tho. This show isn’t for me but not everything has to be for me!
The non-expert host and tinkerer take is so spot on! The only episodes I found remotely endearing were with Chef Roy Choi and Vicky (of Tatcha). Their authentic-ness forced her to code-switch a bit, even for just a few seconds here and there.
The moment where Roy called out the racism after the “what was that all about” MSG question!! 😮💨
I am actively rooting for Meghan, but this show both soothed me and stressed me out. There were so many tasks each episode which made the type A in me start spiraling.
I almost wish that instead of her decorating a cake, making candles, making pasta, making bath salts, making blooms for the bedside, making popcorn, (oh my gosh she did all of that in episode one), she focused on a piece of the hosting experience each episode. Or even a couple pieces of it like floral arranging for the table and cooking in one ep. Then at the end of the season tie in the pieces you didn’t see also went into the experience like the goodie bags, bath salts, those lavender towels, etc.
I haven’t finished it yet but I wish she would talk more about the booze because she has a drink each ep and I need to know what kind of champagne and beer she’s drinking.
Yes! tbh whole season could’ve been her preparing for the As Ever celebration, each episode focusing on a different element. I think this could maybe help with the out of touch criticism (which I think is silly) — most people probably host a small group of friends at least once a year. There’d still be room for the “every day moments of joy” framing too, like I really enjoyed seeing her making quick snacks before guests arrived.
It’s clear her loved ones regard her as a great host/entertainer (overlapping circles, but different from being a technically great cook) —and the art of hosting is so lost right now, lean into that!
Did anyone else think the title of this post was referring to the "sharing vessels" line in Severance? No...?
"This is a show essentially about decanting" has me cracking up. Hunter this is one of my favorite things that you have written recently. 🤣❤️
I really want to buy those knives. In fact, I want to buy almost everything I've seen on this show. It is a shame we can't.
Pretty sure the knives are Shun - Japanese cutlery. I have a set; they’re amazing. You don’t have to wait for her website to drop. You can find them online and Williams-Sonoma.