Meghan’s show IS something new and different.

[AtIusvue]

So we have it wrong. THIS IS an entirely new format for a cookery/lifestyle show. Because it isn’t a cookery/lifestyle show. This is Netflix first foray into the world of informercials and they are doing it in NF style; meaning a big budget and a slight twist.

So With Love, Meghan is a 5hr advert for As ever and Meghan Sussex. But what makes it different; is it has been disguised as a lifestyle show and there’s no direct sales. It’s the soft sell…..very beige and subtle.

So every recipe and story Meghan shares, is designed around an As ever product. Even conversations with friends are designed to either sell Meghan or a product.

For example. In Ep 8, she makes shortbread with edible flowers. A packet mix of shortbread with edible flowers is now on the As ever website. Now on the show, we don’t see her open the box. But what we do see, is her giving a very quick run through of a basic dough recipe and then tell the viewer they can just use shop bought. The majority of the time isn’t spent in the baking, it’s spent on the decorating with edible flowers.
This is by design. All the baked goods she’s shows you on the programme, she says things like ‘I don’t enjoy baking’, ‘I’ve never made doughnuts before’, ‘ I only learned last week to make focaccia’ ‘I don’t like measuring’
So while viewers who are expecting to watch a cookery show, are flummoxed by someone with such little baking skills teaching us- it’s because it’s an advert and she’s selling the idea that the baking part isn’t important. So when the As ever baked goods mixes appear after the advert goes out, people will want to buy. Because they know that even Meghan doesn’t like baking. That it’s ok to skip that part, and focus on the decorating and gifting part.

This is soft selling infomercials. It’s a Netflix/QVC hybrid. She is directly selling you the idea and lifestyle, but softly selling you the products. You find out what these products are, after the show.

More examples-
Ep 1 where she makes an Epsom salt bath mix (As ever TM pending). The honey and ginger tea she shares with her friend Daniel is on the As ever website. Teapots are also intended to be sold. The raspberry jam that she uses in the cake she bakes (which again, is a very basic mix and she runs through quickly- because we know she wants to sell packets of the stuff) is now available in the website. As is the honey she used for the cake syrup.

So Ep 2, where we see Meghan make kids party bags. Included are kids gardening tools (which is under the As ever TM application) a honey stick (TM application ) and plant pots (TM application)

Everything is for sale. When in Ep. 7 Meghan puts shop bought croissants in a basket and decants jam into little ramekins, a quick look at the TM application confirms that these are all items she intends to sell under As ever.

How does the soft sell look?

Take for example the jam on the show. The label isn’t on the jar, so it’s not directly selling the brand, As ever. But it’s the same jar shape and we know that it’s raspberry because the cake is decorated with fresh raspberries on top, indicating the jam used. Or the crepe are served with the jam and fresh raspberry’s. It’s all very subtle. The raspeberry jam product then drops straight after the show.

The stories she shares are designed to sell too. For example; her memory of her gran making apple butter- she has fruit butters under her TM application.

Even conversations with friends are designed to sell not only Meghan (how wonderful she is) but they are designed to introduce products in the As ever line. So in Ep 5 we see Meghan’s friends Kelly and Abby discuss Meghans love of spicy condiments - these are under the As ever TM application. We also see Abby discuss Meghans love of flowers and how she helped her in her floral business. From the TM application, you can see it is As Ever’s intention to sell fresh flowers and plants. It’s also why we are given floral demonstrations with ‘supermarket’ flowers.

Conversations with her friend Vicky too in Ep 7, about how Meghan loves a polished skin look, while making face masks- again, we see As ever intends to sell non medicated skin products from the TM application.

The show is a practical demonstration of how to use her products, but the products are released after the advert. When you cross ref the TM application items with what was seen on screen, you see clearly that everything is designed for a sale. Crockery, candles,baskets, wrapping paper, jam etc.

Another tell that this is an infomercial hybrid, is the fact that they have said more As ever items will be released seasonally. Why? What’s seasonal about honey and ginger tea and crepe mix that it’s to come out in spring? These are store cupboard items, not seasonal products.
What they actually mean is, when a new advert comes out, new products will be introduced and added to the collection.

This is why all the press reviews for the show mean nothing. NF won’t care that’s it’s ridiculed. We have all just watched the advert they wanted us to watch. What they want is for it to translate into sales for As ever. It really doesn’t matter how much critical acclaim the show gets, as it’s just a vehicle for the products.
Additionally, we know from the TM application that As ever wants to enter the podcast world. So her new podcast will be in furtherance to the brand and selling the products. But again, it will be a soft sell, not direct.

So it IS a completely new style of cooking show. It goes beyond product placement but isn’t direct selling. I think meghan and NF think they have been very clever. At some point everyone will figure out these are just adverts and work out that every recipe, conversation and story, is linked to an item that you can buy on the As ever website straight after the show.

She’s not trying to be Martha Stewart, she wants to be the new Kathy Ireland ……Meghan Sussex. That’s why there’s been a name rebrand. It’s trying to copy the Kathys mega brand (huge in the US, unknown here) but direct selling her own products….but in a 2025 Netflix kinda way.

So the purpose of the informercial was to

1- introduce the name Meghan Sussex. That’s why they’ve included the car crash ticking off Mindy got- because at least it got her new brand name in. It’s the new Kathy Ireland.

2- To sell the new Meghan Sussex image. So throughout each episode, her friends fawn over her and tell her how amazing she is at everything- cooking, hosting, flower arrange etc.

3- To soft sell the lifestyle wirh generic, no label products first, then find out what the As ever products are after. I’m sure this is a way to get around not having to list the show as an advertisement. That’s also why the name of the show and her product line are different. So it’s not seen as traditional advertisement.

With her appearance on Drew Barrymore, she’s confirming the new brand name, confirming that she’s this super nice, working mom and that she has products to sell you.

Absolutely shameless and so underhand in my opinion……but it might work.

Do you think all those friends fawning over her in the show got paid appearance money? Why else would they appear to help plug her new venture?

I am confused about what’s in the warehouse - how many products, when available, where produced etc etc etc.

Unless this show is a resounding success, the demand to recreate the Meghan Sussex life at home will be low. Sure, Fans will buy the spread etc (which will “sell out” ) but they won’t be buying in volume at premium prices. Lots of celebrities give their name to lines (I have a pair of Kylie Minogue petite glasses 🤓) but nine times out of ten they end up in Home Bargains (I get Hairy Bikers cookware from there: v good quality).

I see the Netflix infomercial thing, but unless you can order there and then, I think the average viewer would forget about the product as the impetus to sprinkle some flowers would disappear once you’d flicked to a different channel.

This is the reason why people find their show so boring. Look at the products that she needs to shift in the episodes. I mean what can you make with them?

Take for example, the jam.

Now if this was Nigella, or anyone else really- the jam would be an ingredient that got no more than a few secs of airtime as a listed ingredient. Unless it was something really special/indulgent.

But because Meghan needs to sell this jam, it has to be used multiple times, at length over the 8 episodes.

So we get:

Ep1- Using the jam to fill the cake- demonstration how to pipe it

Ep2- yoghurt parfait - Which was just jam and yoghurt
Ep5- The Jam served with ice cream and ideas how to serve (use a big bowl!)

Ep7- Croissants served with the jam and advice how to decant jam into little serving dishes (also for sale)
Ep8- Crepes (for sale) served with the jam, we also see it served with english muffins on the buffet table at the end and as a general condiment.

Of course it’s boring! I think NF have thrown a tonne of money at it to make an advert look beautiful and try and pad out to 30mins, to give the appearance of a cooking show…..but it’s still just a vehicle to sell the As ever products. There’s only so much you can do. It’s why it looks beautiful but there’s zero content.

I’ve thought that too.

They must know what it is.Abby Spencer for a mention for her flower business. Her friend Vicky got her beauty line mentioned

I don’t think Mindy got anything out of this, except humiliation. Mindy is an extremely successful writer and producer. She doesn’t really act anymore. She wasn’t promoting anything.

I think the actual chefs who were there, would have got a fee. They were professional and did their jobs well.

but...

Why weren't the products ready?

Why would NF choose such a divisive presenter? I haven't had a subscription for a couple of years, but don't they have other lifestyle presenters with far less bagage?

Unless this was Meghan's idea and NF just shrugged and said 'worth a try' without really getting involved.

I think the poster who said Meghan has never actually had any shortbread, is right. Why rolled so thin?!

Probably.

Shortbread should not be so thin. It shouldn't be interfered with in any way - not even chocolate chips. 😂

Maybe it's new to TV - but it's not a new thing it's been a thing with some youtube channels for years.

It's different to flogging merch which is up front. Somtimes with cooking books or art kits or cooking equipemnets where they've used an opportunity to create a decent product and are upfront about that it's can be a postive for us the viewer.

Some are more disingenuous.

I got caught oh about 8-9 years ago we'd watch this channel for a while baking. They sold kits - which were bloody expensive - but assumed you could do it from the channel and buy. DD1 wanted to try one recipy - I should have checked other recipies out - so bought these expensive ingredients - it didn't work hard to see how it ever could have - since learnt there are much easier striaght forward recipies. So later watching with more cynical eye - it became clear whole channel was more to promote a coffee shop chain and on-line shop - it got very clear when they changed presenters and frankly they were clueless with baking and less skilled at hiding it.

Since had it with a maker/sewer who suddenly discoved a craft - and after quite few episodes suddenly had these really expensive kits to sell in conjunction with a world leader in craft. Like that hadn't been in works for months or more likly over a year. Plus quick google found there were existing kits for this from other leading companies for a third of the price and they'd had those for years so that company was later to the market and with hindsight the you tube episodes had been just a sales pitch.

I don't mind being sold to - they need to make money and sometimes I am interested. I know product placement has been a thing for decacades. However I did like this style of selling - it tries to be sneaky and treats it's audience with contempt.

Maybe it's yet another reaons why some many think this product is more you tube than TV and very much not a netflix watch. Maybe she'll pivot to selling via shorter sections on-line after netflix contract is done.

Because there's a big difference between, "Meghan used her show to cackhandedly pitch her products that will also appear in Netflix's stores" and "Netflix have an advanced strategy that hinges on Meghan Markle's ability to coordinate a retail business".

I am astonished that people think that Netflix were the losers or were mugged off my H&M.

One party to the content is a global production megahouse with great experience in production, marketing etc. The other is a former TV actress and an ex-squaddie.

It's comical to think that the latter hoodwinked and steers the former. Cock up before conspiracy every time.

OP I think your theory would work if everything was ready to go.

Because then the order would be: Netflix along with Meghan decided on a range of products, they worked out scripts /show plans based around the planned product list, then filmed it in a way that didn’t show her using them (and in many cases, not even mentioning using them but not showing the packaging). Put the show available to watch and open the online store with tie ins products ready to order.

Yet even with the unscheduled release delay due to the local fires, they still didn’t have everything ready to sell the same week the show came out.

Thats just not how a company like NF would operate. Even if they had production issues and had annoying delays in getting the products saleable, then they’d have used the “gift” of the fire delay to delay the show until everything was ready to go.

Only true Meghan fans will be buying her stuff in a couple of months time, but someone who’s stumbled over the show this week after seeing all the fuss, fancied a go at making her stuff might have clicked on her website to order some bits and try.

More likely is they filmed the show, and she had a half idea of doing her shop, NF got involved and are now playing catch up to get stuff on sale.

If there’s a series 2 (and that will depend on viewing figures plus shop sales, so well done everyone who’s hate-watched it), that might be more organised and infomercial style. I bet then you’ll get to see the jam pot label.

Oh and ditto to the "Netflix needs to find a reason to ditch the Sussexes".

It's a five year contract. They meet the terms during that period. If they both want to renew, they can. If they don't, then they won't.

The idea that they need to contrive a way to exit a contract at its natural end point is ridiculous.

Maybe this is why I am enjoying it so much! I do not enjoy cooking.

They would fall apart if they were thin.

When her jam finally becomes an available for sale, I wouldn’t be surprised if it quickly sells out, with MN posters explaining how they bought it just so they could taste test it against Sainsbury’s /dutchy originals to see how terrible it is.

It’s a bit more than a theory when you see the Netflix article above. It literally says- re create with love, Meghan with As ever products. Netflix stating the are part of the As ever business

It may not be a well oiled machine just yet, but that doesn’t take away from what the business format is.

Well seen as it’s a product to be sold in the US only. I think the chances of that would be pretty slim.

we knew already that Netflix had come on board with her shop. But your theory is the show was designed round selling products, that seems bizarre if they started with the products first then made the show if then they don’t have products to sell. More likely is the show got made first, then they decided to make the products/shop based what was already filmed on the show.

That would explain things like not seeing the jam label, they’ll have edited to avoid showing the label on that jam pot, because they’re putting a different label on her “AsEver” ones. (As in, they didn’t have the label design decided when they filmed it, which they would if it was a planned subtle infomercial as you think.)

Don’t get me wrong, NF are cashing in- just don’t think you’ve got the order right. If there’s a 2nd series, I’d expect As Ever product placement.

It’s US sales only now. If it’s a success, and the show is a success here, NF are likely to do international sales.

How does that seem bizarre? Until you have seen all episodes, you really can’t comment.

The programme was recorded last Spring. The filming format makes sense because, at the time, MM had launched ARO, was merching ARO jam through her friends, and Netflix may well have been convinced that ARO would be up and running and producing by the time of airing the following year.

My theory is that the two month delay was not about the fires. Rather, it was the realisation that the ARO TMs were out of her reach, and that she did not have enough home grown/local produce to create an exclusive shop. So they had to re-group. Editing the programme to take out any reference to ARO, allowing Meghan to pluck one of her existing TMs from her seemingly vast library and come up with a new logo; and buying in some generic, factory made foodstuffs to sell under the new name, using the excuse that ARO was too limiting when there's so much great stuff out there - as per MM's bullshit instagram post - ie, MM's hands will not be the ones making what you buy.

Why is there nothing for immediate sale? Possibly they are waiting to see how the series is fully received (after the initial hoo-hah) and how many people (not bots) do in fact sign up to the newsletter, before committing to buying a consignment of goods and creating expensive packaging. It's quite possible that Netflix has told MM that she needs to stump up the initial outlay from the $100m (or whatever it is) retainer, and that she can have their support through advertising/product placement/shelf space. And, if it succeeds, they will provide additional funding. But to start with, it's on her.

As a model outlined by @AtIusvue , as I said upthread, I think it would work with a genuinely charismatic host and a desirable product line. So WLM could be Netflix's canary in the coal mine.

With regard to PH/MM's contract. and the 5 year end. I would have thought Netflix can still see value in the two of them and will want to keep them. Alec Baldwin has now gone down the reality TV route to try to salvage his reputation and career. Perhaps Netflix sees this path is the Sussexes' future too?

Ham did this great parody of Meghan at the "Netflix Store" with shopper comments about the jam prices:

d

Edited for typo

I can imagine a gripping reality show. Meghan seems to love adulation and media. Harry seems to have a love/hate relationship with the media, he wants it on his terms - maybe because he wants Meghan to have what she wants, while not wanting it himself?

There's loads of conflict, and could be fascinating in a grubby sort of way.

I just never thought Harry would allow Meghan to sell out and look as grabby as this.

She’s no different to when Fergie was flogging stuff on QVC. This is just the ‘elevated’ NF version.

Wouldn't their avid fans love a reality show with them in it - their trips, their everyday life? I don't watch any 💩 like this but I know that people watch this stuff.