We’ve weighed in before on Emily in Paris (you can read my original season 1 letter to Emily here), but she is causing such a stir again, it must be time to take another look. Season 3 of the show that people love to hate but watch anyway has arrived. So, fellow Francophiles, what do you think?
Is it a great show or what? True, it does depict Paris as a sort of perfect fairy tale kingdom. And yes, Emily SHOULD be speaking French by now. Bien sûr, it tosses around every French stereotype and cliché that ever existed, some true and some awful. For sure it makes American expats look bad. And no, if you worked in Paris at an entry level marketing job, you could NOT afford clothes like Emily’s. Unless, like Emily, you could conquer complex French luxury branding in little puffs of instant inspiration, without even speaking the language.
My take is, it’s all much ado about nothing. The show is a silly, sugary bit of Franco-American fluff that, for all its faults, is great fun to watch. I do have great sympathy, however, for Parisian residents who’ve had their favorite haunts overrun by the new Emily tourist crowds, desperate to replicate some of her experiences.
But let’s talk about those clothes! Even my husband, who has zero interest in fashion, tunes in for the fashion parade alone. A zebra get-up with giant wings! A hot pink confection that seems to be raining flowers! Plunging black cut-out dresses that seem to be held together by air and a prayer! And that’s before we get to the French scenery porn. It’s a French feast for the eyeballs.
Below: Emily as a flying zebra, frothy in feathers, wrapped in ruffles, and bow-tied. Plus Mindy and Camille, in the (very) Little Black Dress.
My favorite deliciously cynical take on the show comes from sassy French academic Arthur Asseraf, a Parisian who watches while doing a live twitter feed commentary—“I suffer so you don’t have to,” he quips. He settles down to watch the show with this tweet: “I’ve poured myself two glasses: one is full of wine and the other is full of righteous judgment, and I’m double-fisting hard.”
He also proposes an Emily drinking game: every time there is a gratuitous shot of the Eiffel tower or a person wearing a béret, you take a sip. Having tried it ourselves, we can tell you that you are going to need a very large glass of wine. His favorite scene is a double hit, a shot of the Eiffel tower with a guy walking by in a béret. “Take two sips and kiss your dog!”, says Arthur exuberantly.
So how about you, dear readers? Is Emily your favorite show, or is it your French nightmare? Or maybe a little of both?
In the COMMENTS: Natalia, a French teacher once told me that the subjonctif tense is going away slowly because the young people don't use it. Problem solved, I'm declaring myself young! Holly, the cookie cutters came from Amazon, they have every shape you can imagine. Colleen, hope you feel better and best of luck with your new children's book, It's a Rainforest, which we featured in the last post. Chris, looking forward to trying that oatmeal bread. Anne, be sure to send photos of those cookies.
Favorite READS: Next up on my reading list is The Billionaire's Vinegar, which my husband is currently reading, about the most expensive and famous bottle of wine ever made. And while we're on a Paris theme this week: Like Natalia, I've read Ann Mah's Jaqueline in Paris, which she is loving. Chris recommends Paris by the Book, by Liam Callanan, a mystery novel about love and loss.
39 thoughts on “Much Ado about Emily”
Love your comment about fluff.
I can think of lots of movies and TV shows where my head says,”This is just trivial, stupid rubbish” but my heart says, “Take a walk head. I want to settle down and enjoy this”.
Love your comment about fluff.
I can think of lots of movies and TV shows where my head says,”This is just trivial, stupid rubbish” but my heart says, “Take a walk head. I want to settle down and enjoy this”.
Love your comment about fluff.
I can think of lots of movies and TV shows where my head says,”This is just trivial, stupid rubbish” but my heart says, “Take a walk head. I want to settle down and enjoy this”.
Dear Lynn,
How are you? I’m delighted to read this piece about Emily and I almost 100% am in accord with you, especially as two things perplex me about the third series – that she still can’t speak French and where does she get the money for the clothes? Or are they all samples from her clients? Yet it is captivating. I can’t wait to watch another episode, with a glass of wine! But ‘Emily’ doesn’t come close to ‘Call My Agent’ (10%) which must be one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Have you seen ‘Lupin’? Also mostly in Paris, and also on Netflix. It’s quite astonishing, especially since Lupin is a famous character in French (Children’s) literature, of which I had no idea.
Another Emily point – where do she and Mindy keep all their jaw-dropping clothes in that tiny apartment?
In complete contrast, another Paris-set novel is ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ – have you read that? And have you seen the beautiful film, also with astonishing frocks, ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’? One of the actors is also in ‘Emily’… Maggie x
Dear Lynn,
How are you? I’m delighted to read this piece about Emily and I almost 100% am in accord with you, especially as two things perplex me about the third series – that she still can’t speak French and where does she get the money for the clothes? Or are they all samples from her clients? Yet it is captivating. I can’t wait to watch another episode, with a glass of wine! But ‘Emily’ doesn’t come close to ‘Call My Agent’ (10%) which must be one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Have you seen ‘Lupin’? Also mostly in Paris, and also on Netflix. It’s quite astonishing, especially since Lupin is a famous character in French (Children’s) literature, of which I had no idea.
Another Emily point – where do she and Mindy keep all their jaw-dropping clothes in that tiny apartment?
In complete contrast, another Paris-set novel is ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ – have you read that? And have you seen the beautiful film, also with astonishing frocks, ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’? One of the actors is also in ‘Emily’… Maggie x
Dear Lynn,
How are you? I’m delighted to read this piece about Emily and I almost 100% am in accord with you, especially as two things perplex me about the third series – that she still can’t speak French and where does she get the money for the clothes? Or are they all samples from her clients? Yet it is captivating. I can’t wait to watch another episode, with a glass of wine! But ‘Emily’ doesn’t come close to ‘Call My Agent’ (10%) which must be one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Have you seen ‘Lupin’? Also mostly in Paris, and also on Netflix. It’s quite astonishing, especially since Lupin is a famous character in French (Children’s) literature, of which I had no idea.
Another Emily point – where do she and Mindy keep all their jaw-dropping clothes in that tiny apartment?
In complete contrast, another Paris-set novel is ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ – have you read that? And have you seen the beautiful film, also with astonishing frocks, ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’? One of the actors is also in ‘Emily’… Maggie x
I’ve watched all of it, and just don’t understand why they don’t film at the edge of the 18th near the Porte de Clignancourt (irony). That’s a slice of Paris they aren’t serving. I have lived in the south of France for almost 14 years, and spent quite a bit of time in Paris (6+ months) and was just there for 3 weeks. Emily’s Paris isn’t so much unreal as carefully edited, those places exist but you need to erase all of the badly dressed people. She hasn’t ridden the bus or the metro yet, would not be possible to clean them up sufficiently for her couture. Its fun to watch, but its too bad if watchers outside of France think it resembles reality.
bonnie in provence
I’ve watched all of it, and just don’t understand why they don’t film at the edge of the 18th near the Porte de Clignancourt (irony). That’s a slice of Paris they aren’t serving. I have lived in the south of France for almost 14 years, and spent quite a bit of time in Paris (6+ months) and was just there for 3 weeks. Emily’s Paris isn’t so much unreal as carefully edited, those places exist but you need to erase all of the badly dressed people. She hasn’t ridden the bus or the metro yet, would not be possible to clean them up sufficiently for her couture. Its fun to watch, but its too bad if watchers outside of France think it resembles reality.
bonnie in provence
I’ve watched all of it, and just don’t understand why they don’t film at the edge of the 18th near the Porte de Clignancourt (irony). That’s a slice of Paris they aren’t serving. I have lived in the south of France for almost 14 years, and spent quite a bit of time in Paris (6+ months) and was just there for 3 weeks. Emily’s Paris isn’t so much unreal as carefully edited, those places exist but you need to erase all of the badly dressed people. She hasn’t ridden the bus or the metro yet, would not be possible to clean them up sufficiently for her couture. Its fun to watch, but its too bad if watchers outside of France think it resembles reality.
bonnie in provence
arrgggh – I too succumbed to the eye candy of this not real world. Love the extravagant vision of France and the french. Some great laughs at the subtle truths, or should I say digs, at both French and American ticks. So happy to be able to watch a show that doesn’t scare me!
The Billionaire’s Vinegar was a fun peak into another extravagant world….
Keep having fun – maybe your next post will show you in some of those next to nothing dazzling outfits!!
xxs
arrgggh – I too succumbed to the eye candy of this not real world. Love the extravagant vision of France and the french. Some great laughs at the subtle truths, or should I say digs, at both French and American ticks. So happy to be able to watch a show that doesn’t scare me!
The Billionaire’s Vinegar was a fun peak into another extravagant world….
Keep having fun – maybe your next post will show you in some of those next to nothing dazzling outfits!!
xxs
arrgggh – I too succumbed to the eye candy of this not real world. Love the extravagant vision of France and the french. Some great laughs at the subtle truths, or should I say digs, at both French and American ticks. So happy to be able to watch a show that doesn’t scare me!
The Billionaire’s Vinegar was a fun peak into another extravagant world….
Keep having fun – maybe your next post will show you in some of those next to nothing dazzling outfits!!
xxs
We absolutely adore “Emily in Paris” and binge watched episode 3 as soon as it was released. French fluff, you gotta believe it, and we soaked up every scene. My French husband has gotten a huge laugh as how it portrays everything French. I hope there are more seasons!
We absolutely adore “Emily in Paris” and binge watched episode 3 as soon as it was released. French fluff, you gotta believe it, and we soaked up every scene. My French husband has gotten a huge laugh as how it portrays everything French. I hope there are more seasons!
We absolutely adore “Emily in Paris” and binge watched episode 3 as soon as it was released. French fluff, you gotta believe it, and we soaked up every scene. My French husband has gotten a huge laugh as how it portrays everything French. I hope there are more seasons!
Bonjour Lynn
Emily in Paris annoys me. As you said it is romanticizing Paris and does not represent the true Paris. It is for young people who have never travelled outside of the USA. Disappointing! It can become addictive in a way that you want to know what other absurdities they will come up with in that show!! Watch The elegance of the Hedgehog or Lupin or Call my agent or some of the travel documentaries or even Paul Hollywood travelling to France. All on Netflix!
Emily in Paris us so fake and I do agree she should speak French by now or at least make an effort to say a few words!!
My two cents!
Bonjour Lynn
Emily in Paris annoys me. As you said it is romanticizing Paris and does not represent the true Paris. It is for young people who have never travelled outside of the USA. Disappointing! It can become addictive in a way that you want to know what other absurdities they will come up with in that show!! Watch The elegance of the Hedgehog or Lupin or Call my agent or some of the travel documentaries or even Paul Hollywood travelling to France. All on Netflix!
Emily in Paris us so fake and I do agree she should speak French by now or at least make an effort to say a few words!!
My two cents!
Bonjour Lynn
Emily in Paris annoys me. As you said it is romanticizing Paris and does not represent the true Paris. It is for young people who have never travelled outside of the USA. Disappointing! It can become addictive in a way that you want to know what other absurdities they will come up with in that show!! Watch The elegance of the Hedgehog or Lupin or Call my agent or some of the travel documentaries or even Paul Hollywood travelling to France. All on Netflix!
Emily in Paris us so fake and I do agree she should speak French by now or at least make an effort to say a few words!!
My two cents!
Addendum to my first post: and Emily, please ditch the beret! Only American in Paris are seen with a beret!!
Addendum to my first post: and Emily, please ditch the beret! Only American in Paris are seen with a beret!!
Addendum to my first post: and Emily, please ditch the beret! Only American in Paris are seen with a beret!!
Thank you,Lynn, for another wonderful post,(!) and also for your encouraging words regarding le subjuntif tense.
I am in complete agreement with your brillant idea to declare ourselves young so we can skip using it!As a matter of fact,what would you think of us both standing shoulder to shoulder in line for entry into the Fountain of Youth?
(Alas,my train’s left the station on that one!)
Thank you,too,for telling us about Colleen’s beautiful children’s book.”It’s a Rainforest”. I purchased a copy as a gift for a dear friend who’s a teacher.She read it to her class and got rave reviews!
Thank you,Lynn, for another wonderful post,(!) and also for your encouraging words regarding le subjuntif tense.
I am in complete agreement with your brillant idea to declare ourselves young so we can skip using it!As a matter of fact,what would you think of us both standing shoulder to shoulder in line for entry into the Fountain of Youth?
(Alas,my train’s left the station on that one!)
Thank you,too,for telling us about Colleen’s beautiful children’s book.”It’s a Rainforest”. I purchased a copy as a gift for a dear friend who’s a teacher.She read it to her class and got rave reviews!
Thank you,Lynn, for another wonderful post,(!) and also for your encouraging words regarding le subjuntif tense.
I am in complete agreement with your brillant idea to declare ourselves young so we can skip using it!As a matter of fact,what would you think of us both standing shoulder to shoulder in line for entry into the Fountain of Youth?
(Alas,my train’s left the station on that one!)
Thank you,too,for telling us about Colleen’s beautiful children’s book.”It’s a Rainforest”. I purchased a copy as a gift for a dear friend who’s a teacher.She read it to her class and got rave reviews!
I think the show is fun and fluff. It’s satirical and people take it too seriously and complain loudly.
I think the show is fun and fluff. It’s satirical and people take it too seriously and complain loudly.
I think the show is fun and fluff. It’s satirical and people take it too seriously and complain loudly.
My husband and I have visited France 11 times in the past 13 years and we both enjoy watching Emily even though the show is completely unrealistic. It’s a candy-coated romp stuffed with cliché and stereotypes but it’s hard to resist the scenery and the outrageous clothing! Like everyone else, we believe that Emily should be speaking French well by this time! We loved watching Call My Agent. Lupin is a favorite as well. Have you seen Balthazar? It’s really too intense and graphic for my taste, but I watch it anyway!
My husband and I have visited France 11 times in the past 13 years and we both enjoy watching Emily even though the show is completely unrealistic. It’s a candy-coated romp stuffed with cliché and stereotypes but it’s hard to resist the scenery and the outrageous clothing! Like everyone else, we believe that Emily should be speaking French well by this time! We loved watching Call My Agent. Lupin is a favorite as well. Have you seen Balthazar? It’s really too intense and graphic for my taste, but I watch it anyway!
My husband and I have visited France 11 times in the past 13 years and we both enjoy watching Emily even though the show is completely unrealistic. It’s a candy-coated romp stuffed with cliché and stereotypes but it’s hard to resist the scenery and the outrageous clothing! Like everyone else, we believe that Emily should be speaking French well by this time! We loved watching Call My Agent. Lupin is a favorite as well. Have you seen Balthazar? It’s really too intense and graphic for my taste, but I watch it anyway!
Thank you so much Lynn for mentioning our book “It’s A Rainforest!” To see that Natalia purchased it was such a delight to my eyes so thank you Natalia for your purchase and to see that the teacher who read it to her class made my year, Yes my year!!! I love hearing this!
I am feeling much better now Lynn so thank you for your kind wishes.
So onto the Emily movie, we watched it when it started some time ago & decided after a few minutes that was enough! Haven’t watched it since.
We’ve watched 1893 and 1923 on Paramount in addition to Yellowstone series. In my opinion, they are a must to watch!
Thank you so much Lynn for mentioning our book “It’s A Rainforest!” To see that Natalia purchased it was such a delight to my eyes so thank you Natalia for your purchase and to see that the teacher who read it to her class made my year, Yes my year!!! I love hearing this!
I am feeling much better now Lynn so thank you for your kind wishes.
So onto the Emily movie, we watched it when it started some time ago & decided after a few minutes that was enough! Haven’t watched it since.
We’ve watched 1893 and 1923 on Paramount in addition to Yellowstone series. In my opinion, they are a must to watch!
Thank you so much Lynn for mentioning our book “It’s A Rainforest!” To see that Natalia purchased it was such a delight to my eyes so thank you Natalia for your purchase and to see that the teacher who read it to her class made my year, Yes my year!!! I love hearing this!
I am feeling much better now Lynn so thank you for your kind wishes.
So onto the Emily movie, we watched it when it started some time ago & decided after a few minutes that was enough! Haven’t watched it since.
We’ve watched 1893 and 1923 on Paramount in addition to Yellowstone series. In my opinion, they are a must to watch!
The second season is just too silly for moi. Love the outfits, but I’m over it.
The second season is just too silly for moi. Love the outfits, but I’m over it.
The second season is just too silly for moi. Love the outfits, but I’m over it.
You’ve really captured the spirit of the series in this post. It was fun to read!
You’ve really captured the spirit of the series in this post. It was fun to read!
You’ve really captured the spirit of the series in this post. It was fun to read!