Critics at Large | The New Yorker Episode: Les Américains à Paris Release Date: August 14, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Critics at Large, hosts Vincent Cunningham and Alex Schwartz engage in a deep exploration of the enduring relationship between Americans and Paris. Featuring guest critic Lauren Collins, the conversation delves into the historical and contemporary experiences of Americans living in the City of Light, examining cultural exchanges, stereotypes, and the evolving appeal of Paris to American expatriates.
Guests and Hosts
- Vincent Cunningham: Co-host and contributing writer for The New Yorker.
- Alex Schwartz: Co-host and cultural critic.
- Lauren Collins: Guest critic and The New Yorker’s correspondent in Paris.
Personal Journeys to Paris
Lauren Collins shares her personal journey of relocating to Paris, providing an authentic perspective on the practical and emotional motivations behind living abroad.
- Vincent Cunningham [05:01]: "I became an American in Paris by way of a Frenchman in London..."
Lauren emphasizes that her move to Paris was driven by family considerations and practical choices rather than the romanticized notions often associated with the city.
Historical Context: American Writers in Paris
The discussion transitions to the rich legacy of American writers who have called Paris home, including Edith Wharton, James Baldwin, and Janet Flanner. Lauren Collins reflects on how these figures have shaped the narrative of Americans in Paris and served as inspirations for her own work.
- Lauren Collins [12:53]: "Yeah, I mean, Flanner and Gopnik and Jane Kramer and the occasional Judith Thurman. I'm thrilled and honored to follow in these footsteps."
Cultural Stereotypes and Modern Representations
A significant portion of the conversation addresses how Paris is perceived through an American lens, often laden with stereotypes. The hosts critique contemporary representations, such as the Netflix series Emily in Paris, highlighting the oversimplification and lack of diversity in portraying Parisian life.
- Alex Schwartz [37:40]: "I have a little theory that I would like to propose... Paris really represented, I think, a vision of the future... but my theory for that is that New York really replaces Paris as that place in cultural life in the mid century."
Culinary Culture: French Tacos
Lauren Collins introduces the phenomenon of French tacos, a modern culinary trend that merges American and French food cultures. This segment underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of Parisian gastronomy.
- Vincent Cunningham [15:51]: "It's like a flour tortilla slathered with condiments, bunch of meat and then like other things... and then it's like folded and toasted like a panini."
Diversity and Social Structures
Lauren highlights the significant diversity within contemporary France, challenging the monolithic perceptions often held by Americans. She cites statistics to emphasize the multicultural fabric of French society.
- Lauren Collins [14:58]: "A third of children born in France in 2023 had at least one parent born abroad."
Work-Life Balance and Social Safety Nets
The conversation also touches on the differences in work-life balance and social support systems between France and the United States. Lauren praises the French approach to parenting and education, attributing it to robust social policies rather than inherent cultural traits.
- Lauren Collins [47:56]: "I've just gotten the gift of so much time not having to worry about these things."
Critical Analysis of Parisian Stereotypes
Vincent critiques the stereotypical image of the Parisian woman, advocating for a more nuanced and diverse representation of Parisians in media and popular culture.
- Vincent Cunningham [43:55]: "This Parisian is no more indicative of this nation in all its vibrancy and all its diversity than a group of like really thin, really rich, straight, mostly white residents of the Upper East Side would be of America."
Conclusion and Final Insights
The episode concludes with reflections on the perpetual interplay between American and French cultural identities. The hosts underscore the importance of moving beyond simplistic stereotypes to appreciate the complex and multifaceted nature of life in Paris.
- Alex Schwartz [48:13]: "A life that can accommodate that seems like the greatest luxury."
Notable Quotes
- Vincent Cunningham [05:01]: "I became an American in Paris by way of a Frenchman in London."
- Lauren Collins [12:53]: "I'm thrilled and honored to follow in these footsteps."
- Vincent Cunningham [15:51]: "It's like a flour tortilla slathered with condiments... folded and toasted like a panini."
- Lauren Collins [14:58]: "A third of children born in France in 2023 had at least one parent born abroad."
- Vincent Cunningham [43:55]: "This Parisian is no more indicative of this nation in all its vibrancy and all its diversity than... a group of like really thin, really rich, straight, mostly white residents of the Upper East Side."
Production Credits
This week's episode was produced by Michelle O'Brien, with consulting editor Alex Barish and executive producer Stephen Valentino. The theme music was composed by Alexis Quadrato, and engineering and mixing were handled by James Yost and Mike Kutchman, respectively. Future episodes include Vincent's upcoming interview with Richard Brody about auteurism.
Access
Listeners can find every episode of Critics at Large on The New Yorker platform, with new episodes available weekly.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Les Américains à Paris" episode, providing insights into the cultural dynamics between Americans and Parisians, while highlighting key discussions and notable quotes to engage both regular listeners and new audiences.