In her review of the new Netflix series With Love, Meghan, Anita Singh paints a picture of a show that “elevates the everyday” to absurd extremes—even if that means transforming a raw turnip into an object of wistful desire. The series follows Meghan Markle as she invites guests into her carefully curated, albeit contrived, domestic world.

The Format: A High-Pressure Home Show

Meghan’s new lifestyle series is shot in an $8 million farmhouse (a stone’s throw from her own $14 million home) and centers on the art of hostessing. Over eight episodes, viewers witness her elaborate rituals: from preparing a pink Himalayan sea salt bath soak and truffle popcorn to transferring peanut butter pretzels between aesthetically pleasing plastic bags—all while handcrafting calligraphy labels. The guest experience is key; once her make-up artist Daniel Martin arrives, he’s immediately roped into a marathon of chopping tomatoes, making beeswax candles, and helping decorate a three-tier lemon and honey cake.

A Joyless Display of Domesticity

Singh’s tone is wry as she questions the sustainability of Meghan’s “hostess with the mostest” act. Despite her cheerful proclamations—like calling pancakes “next level” with her homemade jam—the series feels over-staged. Meghan’s insistence on being endlessly welcoming is so overdone that one might wonder if the very act of hosting is as exhausting for her as it is for the audience watching from home. The brunch scene in the final episode, laden with unspoken tension and forced cheer, almost hints at an impending breakdown reminiscent of a sitcom moment gone awry.

Culinary (Mis)Adventures and Unspoken Narcissism

The show attempts to blend elements of a cooking series (think Gwyneth Paltrow meets Saturday Kitchen) with lifestyle and self-promotion. However, Singh points out that Meghan’s culinary efforts often come off as more decorative than genuinely appetizing. For example, her “skillet spaghetti”—where all ingredients are boiled together—raises questions about her true skill (or lack thereof) in the kitchen. Even as she admits, “baking is not my favourite thing,” the cake she produces is imbued with a curious subtext of self-admiration.

A Subtle Plug for a Business Venture

True to form, Meghan slips in plugs for her business ventures throughout the series. Her homemade jam, destined for retail shelves, becomes a recurring symbol of the show’s overarching message: the celebration of even the most trivial domestic pursuits. At one point during a toast at a family brunch—where Prince Harry makes a brief appearance—Meghan’s gratitude for being loved almost seems like an elaborate exercise in narcissism.

In Summary, as per Anita, Meghan is contrived

With Love, Meghan offers a meticulously styled glimpse into a domestic world that’s as charming as it is contrived. While the series attempts to transform everyday moments into aspirational experiences, Anita Singh’s review suggests that the effort comes off as both exhausting and overly self-indulgent. For viewers seeking authentic, unscripted moments, the show may feel more like a high-pressure display of curated cheer than the relaxed, genuine lifestyle content one might hope for.

Contrast this with reality: Anita Singh is unhinged

Here’s a friendly critique of Anita Singh’s take on With Love, Meghan, informed by the show’s performance in the international top 10 rankings:

1. Overlooking Global Popularity
   One of the most obvious oversights in Anita Singh’s review is her failure to address—or even acknowledge—the show’s popularity in multiple international markets. Based on the rankings you shared, With Love, Meghan has secured a top 10 spot in numerous countries. Singh frames the series as a flop, yet clearly a significant number of viewers worldwide find it engaging enough to place it among their most-watched programs. This discrepancy calls into question how balanced her assessment is when a large, global audience appears to be enjoying it.
2. Focusing on Personal Annoyances Over Broader Appeal
   Singh’s review leans heavily on her personal frustration with Meghan’s hostessing style and curated domestic aesthetic. While that perspective may resonate with viewers who dislike “perfect” or highly stylized lifestyle content, it can come across as dismissive of audiences who enjoy exactly that kind of aspirational show. In other words, a critic’s personal irritation shouldn’t overshadow the fact that there is clearly a market for precisely this brand of lifestyle programming.
3. Treating Lighthearted Content Too Seriously
   The tone of Singh’s piece suggests she expected something more serious or revealing from Meghan’s show, but With Love, Meghan is billed as lifestyle/entertaining content. Criticizing it for not delivering high-stakes revelations about the royal family or other drama is akin to faulting a baking show for not exploring world politics. The show’s global success—seen in top 10 lists—suggests that many viewers tune in for light, feel-good entertainment rather than exposés or bombshell revelations.
4. Ignoring the Broader Context of Viewership Trends
   In a streaming landscape full of varied genres, lifestyle programming can be a big draw. Shows focused on cooking, decorating, and everyday inspiration regularly land on “most-watched” lists around the world. Singh’s review gives short shrift to the reality that lifestyle and domestic content often resonates with a wide demographic—people looking for tips, positivity, or just a pleasant escape. Her single-minded focus on perceived “vacuousness” risks missing the broader reasons these shows succeed.
5. Downplaying the Power of Personality-Driven Programming
   Like many lifestyle brands or shows anchored by a well-known figure (think Martha Stewart or Joanna Gaines), With Love, Meghan relies on its host’s personality as a major draw. Even viewers who aren’t necessarily fans of Meghan Markle’s public persona may tune in out of curiosity. That curiosity—and Meghan’s global recognition—clearly helped propel the show to top 10 rankings. Singh’s review underestimates how star power alone can fuel initial viewership, and how a warm, upbeat tone can keep audiences coming back.