Meghan Markle’s "With Love" Sparks Copycat Claims, But Pamela Anderson’s Camp Seems Unfazed
Meghan Markle’s new Netflix lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan," has ignited a flurry of comparisons to Pamela Anderson’s "Pamela’s Cooking with Love," with some critics accusing the Duchess of Sussex of blatant imitation. The timing of the releases – Anderson’s show debuting in February and Markle’s following on March 4 – further fueled the allegations, with some observers claiming Markle’s show mirrored Anderson’s work almost "frame-for-frame."
However, despite the accusations circulating online, Pamela Anderson’s team appears to be taking the comparisons in stride. Jesse Fawcett, Anderson’s producer and co-creator of "Pamela’s Cooking with Love," offered a surprisingly gracious response, framing the supposed similarities as a compliment to their original work.
"We take pride in planting the first seeds – creating original, distinctive programming that audiences love – and it’s a compliment to see our work with Ms. Anderson resonate so strongly," Fawcett told the Daily Mail, suggesting that the impact of Anderson’s show had reverberated and influenced Markle’s creative direction.
Anderson herself played an active role in the production of "Cooking with Love," serving as a producer in addition to being the show’s star. Filmed during the summer of 2023, the show’s trailer was released in October to coincide with the release of Anderson’s cookbook, "I Love You: Recipes from the Heart." While initially intended for an earlier premiere, "Cooking with Love" faced delays due to network restructuring, eventually finding its home and audience in February.
Anderson expressed her gratitude and affection for the project on Instagram, writing, "Cooking with Love… our little show that’s everything I could ask for – my garden, a little farm on Vancouver Island, and chefs from all over the world. I’m so happy that so many of you have loved it – It’s been a dream come true. … and fun, fun, fun."
Adding fuel to the fire of the copycat accusations was royal expert Neil Sean, who presented a video on his YouTube channel highlighting what he perceived as striking similarities between the two shows. Sean pointed to instances of visual parallels, such as a shot of Markle high-fiving a guest on set alongside a similar shot of Anderson doing the same.
"As you can see, Meghan has been inspired by her [Anderson’s] cookery show, right?" Sean said, before acknowledging the inherent challenges in originality within the culinary genre. "There’s very little new in the world of cookery. It’s difficult to reinvent it, but Meghan didn’t even bother with that. Clearly, she just got inspired," he stated.
Despite his critical observations, Sean also claimed, citing a "very well-placed source," that Anderson was, in fact, "actually delighted with Meghan Markle." Sean clarified that "maybe that’s stretching it a bit," but suggested Anderson was "kind of happy" because the controversy had ultimately elevated her own show’s profile.
According to Sean, "this has elevated Pamela’s show. You know, the sort of publicity she could have only dreamt about. Not only that, this is going to be very successful for Pamela Anderson in effect, Meghan being inspired by Pamela’s show. It’s literally been an injection back into Pamela’s brand."
While the perceived similarities have undeniably drawn attention to "Pamela’s Cooking with Love," "With Love, Meghan" has faced its own share of criticism, with many viewers finding the Duchess of Sussex’s latest venture to be underwhelming. Some have even branded the show as "cringey" and lacking genuine appeal.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard, for example, shared her candid assessment with Fox News Digital, stating that the show "appears mundane and lacks wow factor." Chard further criticized Markle’s on-screen persona, claiming that "Meghan seems eager to play the altruistic, kind soul, but it is a tad smarmy. My toes are curling… This is so cringey and not fun at all. It feels too staged, and the tips and tricks are far too basic… Meghan comes across as a modern Stepford Wife."
Despite the criticisms, Netflix has demonstrated its confidence in "With Love, Meghan" by renewing the show for a second season. Markle herself announced the renewal on Instagram, expressing her excitement with the caption, "Lettuce romaine calm…or not(!) because I’m thrilled to share that Season 2 of With Love, Meghan is coming!" alongside a video of herself dancing.
Netflix has confirmed that filming for the second season has already concluded and that fans can anticipate the premiere in the fall. This quick turnaround suggests a strong commitment from the streaming giant and a belief in the show’s potential, despite the initial mixed reactions.
In conclusion, while "With Love, Meghan" has been met with accusations of copying "Pamela’s Cooking with Love" and has faced criticism regarding its overall appeal, the show’s renewal for a second season indicates a continued investment from Netflix. Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson’s team has adopted a gracious and even appreciative stance regarding the comparisons, suggesting that the controversy has inadvertently boosted Anderson’s brand and brought renewed attention to her own culinary endeavor. Whether the similarities between the shows are intentional or coincidental remains a matter of debate, but the resulting publicity has undoubtedly created a fascinating narrative surrounding both projects.
