Oh boy, when Ryan Reynolds drops a punchline, you “know” it’s going to have a bite—and this time, the target was none other than Meghan Markle and her polarizing new lifestyle brand, “As Ever”.
During an appearance on “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend”, Reynolds—ever the master of the dry, deadpan zinger—linked his late father’s “jam broker” job to the Duchess of Montecito’s latest entrepreneurial twist. And from there, things just spiraled into a royal roast.
The moment was subtle, sly, and scorching. Reynolds was recounting how he misunderstood his father’s job as a “food broker,” thinking it was spy work, before learning it just meant… moving jars of jam. Conan, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, cut in with the now-viral quip: ““What? He works for Meghan Markle?””—delivered in that villainous whisper: ““Tiny jams. Harvestable jams. Made from the oils of Montecito.””
Reynolds couldn’t resist piling on: ““If Jimbo Reynolds wasn’t dead, I’d say he is Meghan Markle.”” Then, with a wink of mercy (or legal awareness), he backpedaled slightly: ““Well, adjacent.”” Conan doubled down with a laugh, “Many people have likened the two.”
Sure, it’s funny on the surface. But underneath the jam jars and chuckles is a deeper tone that’s been surfacing all across American pop culture: Meghan and Harry aren’t untouchable anymore. In fact, they’ve become—dare we say—punchlines.
From “South Park’s” “Worldwide Privacy Tour” to “SNL’s” deadpan visual gag about America sending them back to the UK, the once-reverent tone around the Sussexes has shifted. Even “Vanity Fair”, long considered a friendly outlet, ran a scathing profile calling them “entitled,” “disingenuous,” and difficult to work with—highlighting behind-the-scenes meltdowns and Meghan’s alleged “warm-then-cold” treatment of staff.
And while Meghan’s “As Ever” brand was meant to signal a new chapter—fresh, thoughtful, minimalist—it’s become the butt of late-night and podcast jokes before even fully launching. The “tiny jams” narrative? It’s sticking. Whether or not it’s fair, it’s effective.
Despite the media pile-on, the Sussexes remain firmly united. Insiders say the marriage is rock solid, the passion’s still there, and their public displays—from Beyoncé concerts to coastal strolls—reflect a couple that’s still “into it”. But that hasn’t stopped the critics.
Just this month, Harry reignited tensions with the royal family, giving a raw interview with the BBC after losing a court battle over UK security. His claim that King Charles “won’t speak to me” despite his health struggles drew widespread backlash.
So here we are: one of Hollywood’s biggest names roasting royalty, podcast banter turning into headlines, and Meghan’s brand—before it’s even fully born—already navigating a media storm of shade. And if you were wondering, no, the jam hasn’t dropped yet. But apparently, the jokes already have.
