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Harry and Megan dubbed "fucking grifters" Part Deux

1000 replies

Qbish · 27/06/2023 12:06

Harry and Meghan slammed by Spotify executive after podcast deal ends | The Independent

The old thread got closed, just as I was trying to quote tweet someone! So I've started this one, because this shitshow is still rumbling on

Spotify executive hits out at Harry and Meghan after podcast deal ends

Sussexes inked three-year $25m deal with audio company but produced just one series of content

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/harry-meghan-spotify-deal-grifters-b2360608.html

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AutumnCrow · 28/06/2023 08:35

Thing is, the negative pieces about Harry and Meghan are appearing now in all sorts of newspapers.

They are also in the Telegraph, the Independent, the Guardian … it would be naive not to recognise that there is a shift happening and that (a) it’s happening inside the US, and (b) the US and UK press are widely reporting and commenting on it in a way and with a scope that hasn’t been seen before. Is residual royal protection slipping away? This feels different now - as though the Sussexes have been left exposed, to face the music.

Original poster
Qbish · 28/06/2023 08:40

The problem with Suits is that it reminds everyone that MM was a c-list actress in one mediumly successful series. Aside from being a briefcase girl in Deal Or No Deal. Neither of which really play to her "massively successful international activist and philanthropist" schtick.

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Original poster
Qbish · 28/06/2023 08:41

AutumnCrow · 28/06/2023 08:35

Thing is, the negative pieces about Harry and Meghan are appearing now in all sorts of newspapers.

They are also in the Telegraph, the Independent, the Guardian … it would be naive not to recognise that there is a shift happening and that (a) it’s happening inside the US, and (b) the US and UK press are widely reporting and commenting on it in a way and with a scope that hasn’t been seen before. Is residual royal protection slipping away? This feels different now - as though the Sussexes have been left exposed, to face the music.

I think South Park's Worldwide Privacy Tour episode opened the floodgates. People were laughing at them, not worshipping them.

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Gracewithoutend · 28/06/2023 08:43

Qbish · 28/06/2023 08:40

The problem with Suits is that it reminds everyone that MM was a c-list actress in one mediumly successful series. Aside from being a briefcase girl in Deal Or No Deal. Neither of which really play to her "massively successful international activist and philanthropist" schtick.

Oooo, yes. Netflix should play repeats of Deal or No Deal. That's always a popular show.

potniatheron · 28/06/2023 08:48

Littlethingsmeanalot · 27/06/2023 12:21

I noticed on his book cover he is referred to as prince harry , Meghan always signs things duchess. Harry was in court a couple of weeks ago he wished to be referred to as prince harry. I find it astounding that they are so focused on using their titles when deriding the very institution that provides Them. I guess they never fully wanted to leave though. They wanted to monetise, maybe their titles are still part of that.

The court thing was weird because properly speaking he should not be addressed as Prince Harry. The proper etiquette is Your Royal Highness the first time and then Sir thereafter. But I expect he was pandering towards an American audience.

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 08:49

This is just a PR push, She’s not going to make millions, it’s not Seinfeld - It’s Suits.

Littlethingsmeanalot · 28/06/2023 08:59

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 08:49

This is just a PR push, She’s not going to make millions, it’s not Seinfeld - It’s Suits.

Actually globally it’s very popular, she was making about 40 grand an episode, but the real money is in the reruns across the world. She will be making a lot from it.

Wheresthebeach · 28/06/2023 08:59

Whether she makes money on the reruns will be down to her contract...it may not be worth very much at all. She was a regular character, but not one of the main players.

Her PR firm is earning their keep though with all the pieces.

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 09:04

Her residuals will only cover her PR bill at this rate

Original poster
Qbish · 28/06/2023 09:05

RoundandRounnnd · 27/06/2023 23:25

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix deal remains strong amid false reports

It seems that H&M (and I quote) ‘continue to shine brighter than ever’. Despite the rumours (and dare I say, the hopes of some), Netflix has reiterated the strength of its ongoing collaboration with the Sussexes' production company.

"The bond with Archewell Productions is one we deeply value. Harry & Meghan launched as Netflix’s most spectacular documentary debut to date. Our exciting journey with them isn't ending anytime soon. We're currently collaborating on numerous projects, including the much-anticipated documentary series Heart of Invictus [a project not related to the RF in case anyone was wondering]."

If their Netflix deal alone is worth a cool US$100 million, as reported in multiple publications, then it doesn’t seem like this royal couple will be running out of change anytime soon.

This follows Harry’s book breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling non-fiction title of all time. I don’t know how much more this couple can achieve before some accept that they are not unhappy, lost, and inept as some would like us to believe.

But, of course, one can always dismiss first-party sources for third party sources who happen to have... err... sources.

The problem is that both the Netflix documentary, and Harry's book, were all about fleeing the RF and complaining about them. But they've done that now, there's no value in them repeating it ad nauseum. So what do they have now? The Invictus docu, which won't be anything like as popular as their first docu. And then - what?

I give the Netflix deal six months, tops.

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Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 09:07

Netflix must be looking at the Emmys and deciding which shows to push for nominations and wins, so her PR are giving a few nudges from different direction.

I’m sure the other documentaries don’t have the power of a huge PR agency behind them which seems a little unfair.

But the Queen of Hertz wants an Emmy

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 09:09

Netflix will squeeze another rubbishing the royal family documentary out of them. The Sussex’s have nothing left

The US do like a winner, and at this point the Sussex look like losers (which is death to their after dinner speaking jobs) so they’d better find a way to turn it around very quick

LadyMuckingabout · 28/06/2023 09:12

I think the previous poster was quite right in that the Netflix deal was conceived as an “in” for Netflix for royal occasions. I recall H&M having Netflix in tow for the jubilee and being told no. I expect H&M readily agreed that they could get access all areas/personnel but naturally the RF said no way.

Rhondaa · 28/06/2023 09:29

'The US do like a winner, and at this point the Sussex look like losers (which is death to their after dinner speaking jobs) so they’d better find a way to turn it around very quick'

Yes Harry needs to say sorry. Gush publicly about how his damaged childhood made him act like a grabby moaner for a few years but now he has seen the light. They might fall for it in the US you never know. If he ever reaches out to his UK family I think he'll find chat will be restricted to the weather for evermore.

AutumnCrow · 28/06/2023 09:32

I suppose Harry could do some sort of 'Reflections on Two Royal Funerals and a Coronation' and moan on about how unfair all that was, with Meghan chipping in. 'I didn't get on the plane!', etc. I imagine they video-diaried everything as the Queen was dying at Balmoral.

People will actually watch that sort of trash, even while disparaging the creators and participants. There's a grim fascination of sorts, with the 'how far will they go?' element. It's just more reality TV.

Maybe that's been a source of tension with Netflix - cynical executives have been egging H&M to spill trash on the royals, H&M want to offer their own rather impractical or derivative ideas that are being (understandably) rejected. Where's the compromise position? There isn't one.

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 09:36

Harry and Meghan were able to blame the RF for leaving but they can only blame their own hubris for their downfall in the US.

Can they pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start again. We will just have to wait and see

Littlethingsmeanalot · 28/06/2023 09:37

Yes Netflix have the popular series the royals, so would be a boost to that to have harry

there are multiple conflicting statements being leaked, from Netflix are sick of them to the spin they are delighted. I really doubt the latter is true.

They were rumoured to be very difficult to work with during the docu series, the invictus games is just making money out of what he did as a working royal, and other than their continual leaks about a prequel to great expectations, there seems to be nothing else going on there. Dior was also fake news intended to boost them up.

im really getting to the stage if it’s positive I assume it’s bullshit spin from their camp, if it’s negative or even balanced it’s likely true.

Original poster
Qbish · 28/06/2023 09:38

AutumnCrow · 28/06/2023 09:32

I suppose Harry could do some sort of 'Reflections on Two Royal Funerals and a Coronation' and moan on about how unfair all that was, with Meghan chipping in. 'I didn't get on the plane!', etc. I imagine they video-diaried everything as the Queen was dying at Balmoral.

People will actually watch that sort of trash, even while disparaging the creators and participants. There's a grim fascination of sorts, with the 'how far will they go?' element. It's just more reality TV.

Maybe that's been a source of tension with Netflix - cynical executives have been egging H&M to spill trash on the royals, H&M want to offer their own rather impractical or derivative ideas that are being (understandably) rejected. Where's the compromise position? There isn't one.

Exactly. H&M are not TV producers, which is a very hard creative job. You can't just call someone up and go "Monkey tennis!" and have them create a hit series.

As you say, Netflix might squeeze another tell-our-truth out of them, but that's it. That's why I give the Netflix partnership 6 months tops. The well is drying up.

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potniatheron · 28/06/2023 09:55

Littlethingsmeanalot · 27/06/2023 15:35

Penguin aren’t his parents or a counsellor. They aren’t there to advise. And in his interviews harry defended that, he wanted to put some crap in about his penis as he thought it was funny. He’s a grown man. He had choices. He’s not a small child who his partners should be giving guidance to

Show quote history

That tells you everything you need to know about his immature public school boy humour tbh

potniatheron · 28/06/2023 10:04

Howsimplywonderful · 27/06/2023 17:42

Usually this is when you call in Sunshine Sachs, brand recovery experts but they’ve already had a bite of that cherry

I've worked with Sunshine Sachs before. On a deal my client was on the other side of. They're very Megan-esque ime, very Californian, sunny, big picture. But also very details oriented and process-driven which obviously you have to be in that sort of PR. Every Teams called minuted, every tiny little point raised has an action assigned to it and then a deadline for follow up etc. Disciplined. My understand is that SS parted company with H&M not the other way around.

Howsimplywonderful · 28/06/2023 10:07

I think they thought they could throw out ideas and say ‘make it so’ 🤣

potniatheron · 28/06/2023 10:16

User34352515 · 27/06/2023 22:57

Saw a Tiktok by a creator who allegedly has "sources" at Netflix but it's a very credible theory even if it's just speculation. Netflix basically offered H&M the massive deal because they wanted access to the Royal Family. They are experts in entertainment and knew that getting exclusive content on the RF is the ultimate jackpot. Nobody actually gives a shit about their other projects and it's all smoke and mirrors to make H&M think they're the next Obamas.

Netflix probably even took into account that Prince Philipp and the Queen may well pass away sometime during the 5 years of Harry & Meghan's contract which means that there would be huge historical events like funerals and a coronation. Even though they "left" the RF, it's clear that one or both would still be obliged to go and Netflix could be the fly on the wall. Maybe they banked on the fact that H&M would travel to the UK with their children so the Queen could meet them or spend time with their cousins. They were envisioning an old money version of the Kardashians which would, of course, be worth every penny of the 120M deal.

However they didn't foresee the pandemic which greatly restricted travel and group gatherings (PP's funeral). The RF probably suspected what Harry was up to and did everything they could to grant him zero access to family members on his brief trips to the UK. Meghan and the kids weren't part of it at all. Netflix execs also didn't plan for the recession, Ukraine war and overall hit on the entertainment industry within such a few years. It's clear H&M will never deliver the content they promised and the prospect of them reconciling or travelling back to the UK before 2025 are effectively zero. The coronation has come and went and Netflix never got the "scoop" they hoped for with any of those major events.

They are reluctant to terminate the contract as there are various grey areas that could lead to a counter lawsuit from H&M (who are obviously very happy to sue anyone who crosses them). What they're doing instead is withholding the remaining 60M and just sitting it out. They are basically pressuring H&M to come up with more content as agreed upon but simultaneously rejecting all their ideas. This leads to a stalemate that will run into 2025 whereupon their contract will not be renewed.

The greatest proof of this is that there doesn't seem to be any more projects in the pipeline. No trailers, no marketing, no hype. The Invictus documentary is the last thing they will put out with Netflix and everyone knows it's too niche to be remotely interesting or globally successful. The spate of bad press surrounding how bad their ideas are is the final nail in the coffin. Considering that both are busy with other things all the time, Meghan chasing after two small kids, Harry rumoured to have been hospitalised from stress and generally not looking in great health, there are slim chances that Netflix will get whatever they paid for.

I don't understand these rumours about Harry being hospitalised. I haven't seen anything in the news. Also he looks perfectly healthy to me and actually very good for a man pushing 40...having said that I'm very bad at telling whether someone is well / young / old looking, people always look the same all the time to me!

Wheresthebeach · 28/06/2023 10:21

I think the expectation of access to Royal events was behind the Netflix deal. That would make sense - rather than expecting two people with no experience to create original content and bring it to life. It answers the question of 'what were these big companies thinking about when giving such big contracts to utterly inexperienced people'. They were thinking access to grand formal occasions, reality style access to previously private events.

It would also explain the strained relationship with Netflix...H&M expected to take camera crews with them to events and that's been hit on the head so Netflix feels a tad misled. Harry complains about being 'cut off' financially which makes no sense when you've a) got millions and millions and b)are a grown man not a teenager complaining about pocket money being stopped because it's time to earn some cash. More fuel for the sense of injustice.

Now Netflix are stuck saying 'no' to various concepts, and waiting it out.

Wheresthebeach · 28/06/2023 10:24

I'm assuming the hospitalisation story isn't true. If it was it would have been picked up by the likes of the Fail without hesitation.

potniatheron · 28/06/2023 10:29

Wheresthebeach · 28/06/2023 10:21

I think the expectation of access to Royal events was behind the Netflix deal. That would make sense - rather than expecting two people with no experience to create original content and bring it to life. It answers the question of 'what were these big companies thinking about when giving such big contracts to utterly inexperienced people'. They were thinking access to grand formal occasions, reality style access to previously private events.

It would also explain the strained relationship with Netflix...H&M expected to take camera crews with them to events and that's been hit on the head so Netflix feels a tad misled. Harry complains about being 'cut off' financially which makes no sense when you've a) got millions and millions and b)are a grown man not a teenager complaining about pocket money being stopped because it's time to earn some cash. More fuel for the sense of injustice.

Now Netflix are stuck saying 'no' to various concepts, and waiting it out.

I fully agree with this and I also think it helps explain the strange kerfuffle on the day that HMTQ passed away, whereby Harry was late getting there because at the last minute he wasn't allowed to bring Megan and missed the flight the rest of the family were on. I can well imagine a family row because there was a concern that Megan's presence might end up opening the door a crack for Netflix.

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