I am working on a case study about Meghan and I am so confused about the idea that she's a perfectionist. I don't get that at all. I feel like she IS careful/measured in some ways because of the constant critique and criticism. I DO think that her show is like every lifestyle show warm, welcoming and easy. This type of show is inherently safe. If it was a cooking show I would expect it to be a little more of an aggressive style of storytelling (Anthony Bourdain 🥰😭😍) I also think the Californian aesthetic is not for everyone. Living close to the state there's a certain style that they have that IS NOT for everyone. I enjoyed the show (and have ranked the episodes) however I expect that in Season 2 she may take a few more risks.
Wow, a case study all about Meghan, so cool! I agree with everything you shared, and perhaps I think all lifestyle shows are sprinkled with perfectionism (Ina, Martha etc.) because that's the escapist vibe people want to watch (apparently lol) And to be fair, I lose interest in those shows as well! 🫣
I like Ina's "Be My Guest" because it mixes cooking with chatting, and I enjoy the convos she has with her guests. I will for sure be watching With Love, Meghan season 2 (and I'm excited for her upcoming podcast!) and I hope she takes a few more risks as well. I'm rooting for her! 🤍
One thing that I noticed about the guests on Meghan's show was that they were all founders....like the guests of her podcast. So, I'm interested to see if there's a broader conversation with the same guests/similar guests on that platform.
1. She breaks bread with them, makes them cozy at her house
2. Has deeper conversations on the podcast???
I'm a podcaster (heading to Podcast Movement Evolutions tomorrow) so I'm very intrigued by her brand eco-system.
Oooo yes, I would love that! As someone who also dreams about growing my own personal lifestyle brand, I’m so here for it 😍 And ahhh have the best time at your event! I’ll have to check out your content and podcast 🤍
Helloooo. You remind me of 20 something years ago "me" before I lost myself in lawyering and parenting. I love your content--and that you know what you like/love and are exploring these topics. Keep going!
I can't stand the Meghan hate. It's disturbing. I'm only halfway through the series (I MADE THE PASTA), but I consider it calm background TV. I'm not really paying attention but it's soothing (the aesthetics, oh my).
THIS: "maybe I should give myself permission to just do the thing that sounds joyful and exciting. I’ve been stifling it all year. " Permission granted! To you AND me. Lovely essay.
Nina aaahhh! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and kind words with me, they truly mean so much 🥹 The Meghan hate is so dumb, and yes, it's the perfect background tv!
And thank you so much for that permission slip—I really had to take a step back and be like, what am I *actually* feeling/thinking? Then I realized the truth was that I was only ooooing and aahhhing at the fancy desserts at the back of every Ina cookbook 😂 My birthday is at the end of May—I'm thinking it might be fun to recipe test birthday cakes because why not? Here's to more joy! 🥂
My birthday is at the end of April and I have NEVER made a real live birthday cake. You’re inspiring this mid-life person. :o) Keep doing what you’re doing, I think you’re building something great.
I had mixed feelings about this show but I’d watch a second season. I feel like when she’s being the “expert” it’s really boring but when she’s learning along with the viewer, it’s much more engaging. And there was no chemistry between her and some of her friends with was awkward to watch.
Oh goodness, you wrote down my thoughts word for word. I really wanted to love her show too! I didn't want to be yet another criticizing her and I can relate to the narrative of her wanting to get back to her 'before' and the things she used to do. But my feelings about the show are fairly similar to yours. I didn't hate it, but didn't love it either.
And then I stumbled upon Pamela Anderson's cooking show and found someone who uploaded episodes to YouTube and y'all... I heard chatter of Meghan copying Pamela but... it's fairly similar indeed (the set up, the garden, things like making candles etc). It could be because there's a standard recipe for these kinda shows but it's not helping Meghan right now. I agree with you that I like Ina's "be my guest" because of the conversations she has with her guests and her story, most of her recipes aren't for me either haha.
But what I do love about all these shows is just that it can spark inspiration to host, add simple touches to elevate something simple, spend time with loved ones, share your food or produce or something else thoughtful with them... So I'll be watching all of them (worst case as my background thing when I'm folding laundry, lol), no matter how bland they get.
Ohh I didn't know about the Pamela Anderson show! But tbh, aren't all these shows basically the same formula? I really hate the narrative that Meghan shouldn't have done this show because it's already been done. So silly and dumb!
And I so agree with you—I'm so deeply inspired by hosting my friends this year and being a little extra just because. We need it now more than ever! And if Meghan is doing it, I feel good about doing it too, even if her show made me want just a little bit more 🤍
I thought something similar. I like Meghan and think she has become an unfortunate victim of a modern witch hunt, but the show was a little bland. Her interactions with her friends felt very unnatural to me. The amount of preserves she consumed was also a little unnatural lol. I think the show is mostly just a precursor for her product line. Thanks for sharing your work. 🫶
Omg, and her products sold out in an hour! Tbh I was eyeing her crepe mix and her now famous raspberry preserves, but I'll just have to wait for a restock I guess 😂 Thank you so much for reading and sharing! 🤍
I am working on a case study about Meghan and I am so confused about the idea that she's a perfectionist. I don't get that at all. I feel like she IS careful/measured in some ways because of the constant critique and criticism. I DO think that her show is like every lifestyle show warm, welcoming and easy. This type of show is inherently safe. If it was a cooking show I would expect it to be a little more of an aggressive style of storytelling (Anthony Bourdain 🥰😭😍) I also think the Californian aesthetic is not for everyone. Living close to the state there's a certain style that they have that IS NOT for everyone. I enjoyed the show (and have ranked the episodes) however I expect that in Season 2 she may take a few more risks.
Wow, a case study all about Meghan, so cool! I agree with everything you shared, and perhaps I think all lifestyle shows are sprinkled with perfectionism (Ina, Martha etc.) because that's the escapist vibe people want to watch (apparently lol) And to be fair, I lose interest in those shows as well! 🫣
I like Ina's "Be My Guest" because it mixes cooking with chatting, and I enjoy the convos she has with her guests. I will for sure be watching With Love, Meghan season 2 (and I'm excited for her upcoming podcast!) and I hope she takes a few more risks as well. I'm rooting for her! 🤍
One thing that I noticed about the guests on Meghan's show was that they were all founders....like the guests of her podcast. So, I'm interested to see if there's a broader conversation with the same guests/similar guests on that platform.
1. She breaks bread with them, makes them cozy at her house
2. Has deeper conversations on the podcast???
I'm a podcaster (heading to Podcast Movement Evolutions tomorrow) so I'm very intrigued by her brand eco-system.
Oooo yes, I would love that! As someone who also dreams about growing my own personal lifestyle brand, I’m so here for it 😍 And ahhh have the best time at your event! I’ll have to check out your content and podcast 🤍
Helloooo. You remind me of 20 something years ago "me" before I lost myself in lawyering and parenting. I love your content--and that you know what you like/love and are exploring these topics. Keep going!
I can't stand the Meghan hate. It's disturbing. I'm only halfway through the series (I MADE THE PASTA), but I consider it calm background TV. I'm not really paying attention but it's soothing (the aesthetics, oh my).
THIS: "maybe I should give myself permission to just do the thing that sounds joyful and exciting. I’ve been stifling it all year. " Permission granted! To you AND me. Lovely essay.
Nina aaahhh! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and kind words with me, they truly mean so much 🥹 The Meghan hate is so dumb, and yes, it's the perfect background tv!
And thank you so much for that permission slip—I really had to take a step back and be like, what am I *actually* feeling/thinking? Then I realized the truth was that I was only ooooing and aahhhing at the fancy desserts at the back of every Ina cookbook 😂 My birthday is at the end of May—I'm thinking it might be fun to recipe test birthday cakes because why not? Here's to more joy! 🥂
My birthday is at the end of April and I have NEVER made a real live birthday cake. You’re inspiring this mid-life person. :o) Keep doing what you’re doing, I think you’re building something great.
This means so so much to me Nina, thank you! 😭 So thrilled for you and your bday cake omg!! 🎂
I had mixed feelings about this show but I’d watch a second season. I feel like when she’s being the “expert” it’s really boring but when she’s learning along with the viewer, it’s much more engaging. And there was no chemistry between her and some of her friends with was awkward to watch.
I will watch her second season for sure!! I truly am a fan and am rooting for her always 🫶🏼 I agree, it was more fun watching her learn!
Oh goodness, you wrote down my thoughts word for word. I really wanted to love her show too! I didn't want to be yet another criticizing her and I can relate to the narrative of her wanting to get back to her 'before' and the things she used to do. But my feelings about the show are fairly similar to yours. I didn't hate it, but didn't love it either.
And then I stumbled upon Pamela Anderson's cooking show and found someone who uploaded episodes to YouTube and y'all... I heard chatter of Meghan copying Pamela but... it's fairly similar indeed (the set up, the garden, things like making candles etc). It could be because there's a standard recipe for these kinda shows but it's not helping Meghan right now. I agree with you that I like Ina's "be my guest" because of the conversations she has with her guests and her story, most of her recipes aren't for me either haha.
But what I do love about all these shows is just that it can spark inspiration to host, add simple touches to elevate something simple, spend time with loved ones, share your food or produce or something else thoughtful with them... So I'll be watching all of them (worst case as my background thing when I'm folding laundry, lol), no matter how bland they get.
Ohh I didn't know about the Pamela Anderson show! But tbh, aren't all these shows basically the same formula? I really hate the narrative that Meghan shouldn't have done this show because it's already been done. So silly and dumb!
And I so agree with you—I'm so deeply inspired by hosting my friends this year and being a little extra just because. We need it now more than ever! And if Meghan is doing it, I feel good about doing it too, even if her show made me want just a little bit more 🤍
I thought something similar. I like Meghan and think she has become an unfortunate victim of a modern witch hunt, but the show was a little bland. Her interactions with her friends felt very unnatural to me. The amount of preserves she consumed was also a little unnatural lol. I think the show is mostly just a precursor for her product line. Thanks for sharing your work. 🫶
Omg, and her products sold out in an hour! Tbh I was eyeing her crepe mix and her now famous raspberry preserves, but I'll just have to wait for a restock I guess 😂 Thank you so much for reading and sharing! 🤍
I had my eye on that crepe mix too girl!! LOL. Next drop it’s ours
Yes!! Manifestingggg 🥞✨