Would you believe me if I told you Netflix made a show that validates racism, promotes stereotypes, and basically romanticizes ignorance? This is Emily in Paris. 

Emily in Paris is a Netflix Original show that premiered in 2020. It is about Emily Cooper, a young marketing executive from the United States, who is transferred to Paris by her boss to work for a marketing company. She is intended to provide them with an “American point of view” in order to improve their business. 

The series’ plot doesn’t vary beyond simply following her as she attempts to enter Paris and navigate the cultural barriers there. Technically, this is not a weak plot; it is just poorly constructed. Everything portrayed on the show is either a sloppy lie or an insulting cliché with no real basis. The entire show focuses on Emily’s attempts to blend in with the locals, yet it never really acknowledges the enormous language barrier she should be suffering. 

Emily in Paris is tiresome to watch on so many levels; there were barely any moments of exhilarating and fun intensity because the energy is so monotonous. However, the main reason why many people were upset was the incredibly inappropriate and inaccurate way it depicted French culture. Although it is blatantly dumb, the show is so self-assured in its ignorance that it comes across as arrogant.

Major French media channels have described the show as embarrassing. The show’s creator, Darren Star, responded to the backlash, calling it a “love letter” to French culture. Instead of highlighting France’s beauty, this American pride endeavor paints the French as a bunch of morons. It presents Americans as the heroes and role models that everyone else admires. When Emily’s boss explains that the reason everyone has been so rude and condescending to her is that her American way of thinking is so far ahead of theirs, it actually motivates her French co-workers to work harder, as “Americans” do. 

The protagonist, Emily Cooper, is portrayed by the well-known actress Lilly J. Collins.  Even though she does an amazing job in the role, it doesn’t make up for the problems with Emily’s character. She is so self-absorbed and arrogant; not only that, but she is also a bad friend.

Emily is unable to respect people’s boundaries. She often tries to hook up with other people’s boyfriends. There is even an episode in which she has sex with an underage kid who happens to be her friend’s younger brother. And if that’s not enough, she’s also having a secret affair with the same friend’s boyfriend! The reason everyone is so mean to Emily is because of her obnoxious attitude, and honestly, it is understandable. The only people who aren’t mean to her are men who want to have sex with her. 

Lilly J. Collins has publicly addressed the backlash, acknowledging the mistakes made. She said she believed the criticism gave the show a chance to improve in the future. Shortly after this, Emily in Paris was renewed for a second season. 

That does not change some of the other shortcomings of this program. The dialogue is ruined by the show’s incredibly cringeworthy humor. The timing is usually off; jokes are made at the worst moments with no context. There is no logic whatsoever, not even in the dialogue-heavy scenes. The French characters would engage in lengthy, illogical English dialogues with one another. This simply demonstrates how messy the show’s writing is.

Even though most elements of the series don’t make sense, there is one thing that does, fashion. After all, the show is based in the city of Paris, the fashion capital of the world. Emily dresses exclusively in statement pieces that are anything but basic. In contrast to the true Parisian style of simplicity and elegance, she enjoys wearing bold, colorful clothes that draw attention. The difference in fashion styles sets Emily apart from the rest of the characters, as does the completely different culture she’s getting to know.

In Emily’s defense, we can see the evolution in her clothing style as she slowly adapts to the Parisian style. This demonstrates how comfortable she is with the French lifestyle. Emily has been compared to the character Andy, from the film The Devil Wears Prada,  who always tries to make an impression by dressing remarkably. The qualities of other characters, including Emily’s boss, Sylvie, are reflected in their fashion choices. Sylvie chooses stylish and seductive outfits, which adds to her sense of strength and independence.

In conclusion, it is not hard to understand why this show has received so much backlash online. Emily in Paris romanticizes ignorance; it presents Paris, and French culture in general, as something completely different than it actually is. The plot is basically all about degrading stereotypes and characters without arcs. Despite everything, Hollywood seems to really like it since it was nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards, including the “Best TV Comedy Award.” Blech!