Emily In Paris fans aren't impressed with the product placement in new series

An ode to McDonald's? That certainly appears to be the premise of the opening episode of Netflix's Emily in Paris season three, and some fans are not impressed.

Earlier this week (21st December) Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, returned to Netflix screens for the third season of Emily in Paris. As always the chaotic plot lines, OTT outfits and iconic cast members we've come to love have returned. Only this time the series has been accompanied with a heavy dash of product placement.

In the first episode "I Have Two Lovers" Emily is seen balancing her relationship with Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) whilst juggling working for both Sylvie and Madeline. Her solution? To pitch McDonald's to Sylvie as one of her new clients. Perhaps unsurprisingly Sylvie, who is a big fan of luxury brands, is not impressed with a fast food restaurant. And so, much of the 30 minute episode is taken up by Emily and her colleagues Julien and Luc convincing Sylvie (and the audience) to see McDonald's as a cool brand.

Later in the episode Gabriel is seen taking Emily to a McDonald's in Paris where she raves about how "chic" it is. And tbf it does look very vibey.

However, some Netflix viewers have been confused with the inclusion of the heavy product placement. One fan said: "Emily in Paris new season feels like a series long @mcdonalds advertisement."

And another said: "So Emily in Paris season 3 episode 1 is an advertisement for McDonald's. Cool."

And it appears the product placement has extended beyond the screen and into the real world. Viewers of the show are able to purchase an Emily In Paris meal in French McDonald's, as part of promotion for the show. The meal consists of the infamous McBaguette mentioned in Emily In Paris, as well as fries, a medium drink and two macaroons.

McDonald's isn't the only brand to get a feature in the new episodes. In the fifth episode Emily is featured on the cover of the French magazine Le Monde's weekly magazine "M" as an influential person in Paris.

And the dog food brand in episode three? Yep that's real too. As well as the Samsung Galaxy flip phones and the McLaren Artura car which are featured throughout various points in the series.

Whilst some fans may be keen to see a variety of different products, some fans aren't as impressed, with one viewer writing on Twitter: "Emily in Paris season 3 is just one awkward product placement after the other."

And another said: "The product placement in Emily in Paris is so cringe."

And then there are of course the countless designer bags seen on the cast throughout the show. One bag in particular has gone viral on TikTok for the rather, um, interesting way Madeline (Kate Walsh) is holding it.

In two clips from episode one Madeline holds a designer bag right up by her chest, facing the camera, rather than by her side, which has made TikTok users suspect it was a product placement ad.

TikToker "Sassyinscrubs" shared a clip of the scene and captioned it: "I mean who actually holds a handbag like this?"

Now, of course Madeline could just be holding it up there as it's comfortable for her during her pregnancy.

But even if the bag and the other products are part of a promotional paid advertisements, this is nothing new for TV shows. Over the years there have been plenty of shows who include obvious product placement in their series, remember the Vitaminwater promo in Gossip Girl?

And Netflix always includes a disclaimer at the beginning of an episode or film that includes product placement.

Most importantly perhaps, let's not forget Emily In Paris is literally about a woman who works in marketing and advertising. So maybe it’s all a cheeky satirical nod to the world of marketing and influencing Emily is part of?

Now, the only thing I don't understand is why a massive company like McDonald's doesn't already have a marketing department in France? But I'm willing to suspend my belief in reality for a little while to enjoy the show.

That is the joy of Emily in Paris after-all.

Netflix and Paramount have been contacted for comment.

Emily In Paris season three is available on Netflix now.

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