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The Polarizing Phenomenon of ‘Emily in Paris’
Emily in Paris, launched on Netflix in 2020, has become a cultural touchstone that elicits divergent responses from audiences. Some fans eagerly embraced this new series from the creator of Sex and the City, Darren Star, while others criticize it as a cliché-loaded representation that doesn’t merit its rankings among the platform’s popular offerings.
A Case Study in ‘Hate-Watching’
This romantic comedic series about fashion has consistently been referenced as a key example of the phenomenon known as ‘hate-watching.’ This cultural behavior can be succinctly described as an engaging contradiction: “I detest it, yet I can’t stop watching.” Regardless of mixed reviews, Emily in Paris continues to achieve remarkable success on Netflix, maintaining a presence in the streaming platform’s top-viewed content for over eight weeks.
Political Figures Debate the Series’ Importance
One unexpected twist in the narrative surrounding this series is its influence on political discourse. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the show’s success during an interview with Variety, expressing pride in the cameo appearance of his wife, Brigitte Macron, in the fourth season. When he was questioned about Emily’s potential move to Rome in upcoming episodes, Macron seemed insistent that the character must remain in Paris.
“We will fight hard for her to stay in Paris! The idea of ‘Emily in Paris’ moving to Rome makes no sense,” Macron stated.
The Response from Rome
Following Macron’s remarks, Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, responded on social media, reassuring Macron: “Don’t worry. Emily is thriving in Rome. And you cannot dictate to the heart; let her choose.” However, Gualtieri later clarified in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that matters of state should take precedence over such cultural phenomena.
“Is President Macron facing more pressing issues?” Gualtieri mused. “For instance, we have ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, significant natural disasters in the U.S. related to climate change, and various other pressing matters in Europe that arguably warrant more attention than Emily.” He emphasized that the potential shift of Emily to Rome is indicative of the city’s growing significance, noting, “We are confident in Netflix’s production choices. They know what they are doing. To be frank, we believe President Macron should take it easy.”
The dialogue sparked by Emily in Paris highlights not only the series’ popularity but also its cultural impact, stirring discussions that transcend the realm of entertainment and entering the domain of political relevance.