Vice President JD Vance recently praised the Netflix romantic comedy Emily in Paris, calling it a "masterwork of American television" and even dubbing showrunner Darren Star as "the Shakespeare of our time." The series, which stars Lily Collins as a young American marketing executive who moves to Paris for work, has been a popular but polarizing show. Its sixth and final season is set to air on Christmas Eve. Vance made his comments in a video posted to TikTok and Instagram, where he defended the show after a friend criticized it. In the video, Vance explained that the show is not just about love and fashion, but also serves as a "cultural criticism of millennial decision-making." He noted that the protagonist, Emily, is clearly meant to end up with a French chef, Gabriel, played by Lucas Bravo. However, instead of following that path, she makes a series of seemingly foolish romantic and professional choices. Vance argued that these decisions reflect a broader critique of the millennial generation, calling the show's storytelling "the best bit of cultural commentary" on that generation. Some analysts have speculated that Vance’s praise for Emily in Paris could be politically motivated. The Daily Telegraph suggested he might be trying to connect with younger, female voters ahead of the 2028 U.S. presidential election, in which he is expected to run for the Republican nomination. However, not everyone agrees with Vance’s interpretation of the show. In an editorial for MS NOW, commentator Brian Moylan argued that Vance, like many men, misunderstood the show’s message. He pointed out that romantic comedies rely on conflict and missteps for drama, comparing Emily in Paris to Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which also features romantic complications. While Emily in Paris has been a commercial success, it has drawn criticism from some reviewers for its light, frothy tone and its portrayal of French culture, which some say relies too heavily on clichés like baguettes and berets. Despite the mixed reception, the show remains a cultural phenomenon, and Vance’s comments have only added to its ongoing conversation in both entertainment and political circles.