Omid Scobie Endgame PART 4

[Mymilkshakebringsallthepapstomycar]

Continuing an enjoyable and civilised discussion of Endgame, and all things relating to its contents.

Previous thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_royal_family/4954329-omid-scobie-endgame-part-3?page=1

Interesting last sentence in the section on Harry and Meghan:

"Still, all the scorn and mockery beats otherwise having to attend 200-plus official royal family engagements a year, which sounds hellish."

I don't think they were wrong to leave, I just wish they had had some really good advisors to help them make the transition from a very managed existence to making every decision themselves.

I think the problem is now their entire brand is based on negativity. It’s not something people are going to latch onto for a long time. Their ‘brand’ is hating the RF.
They should have left and kept on good terms with the RF, made it as positive thing they had left and they would be in a much better position than they are now.
I see lots of people online talking about them ‘living their best lives’ now, that’s not what I’m seeing.

And right at bottom of list
won - Britain
lost - LA

not directly related to Hand M obviously but entertainment production more generally. So indirectly.

Goodness, yes, I would hate to be a 'working royal'!

"Still, all the scorn and mockery beats otherwise having to attend 200-plus official royal family engagements a year, which sounds hellish."

Yes that's the deal they didn't want:
Do a job which involves a whole lot of boring unglamorous engagements in exchange for very pleasant accommodation, full security, inclusion in the family business, the goodwill of the public, & opportunity to promote your pet cause.

They wanted 'freedom' from the drudgery of the job but seem outraged they don't get all the perks that went with that job.

@MrsLeonFarrell I agree. Everything they publicly discuss about the RF seems like payback for not getting things the way they wanted. Also an attempt at wielding power that they really do not possess.

The current silence about the racism claims in Scobie’s book seems like revenge for not issuing their version of events around the “Meghan made Kate cry” incident and others.

If they had not issued the rebuttal of the DW wedding exclusion, you might think they had finally gotten on board with “Never explain”, but alas.

That’s a very astute statement, you’re right, Their brand is negativity, at best the victimisation , at worst the hate, it’s what they are known for.

no one who is living their best life is constantly complaining and attacking, but then they were miserable as royals too. However they at least were popular and people in the main supported them. Now they get the shit ripped out them regularly in the media. From South Park to the holly wood reporter. Even celebs taking rhe piss.

the next thing that beckons clearly is obscurity, people are already sick of hearing about it, and I really doubt obscurity and social isolation will make them any happier.

Goodness, yes, I would hate to be a 'working royal'!

And me. I think it's a job suited to particular people only.

You probably need to be quite extrovert or high energy, able to 'perform', have a sense of duty and stocism, believe in the institution, & have a thick skin.

I think I would just quickly run out of energy to get spruced up to perform again and again.

Catherine seems perfectly suited to the job. She gets the brief and excels at it.

Meghan didn't get the brief, partly because I think Harry didn't get the brief. I think he's so dim he thought the brief was: be amazing and universally loved like my mum.
But even Diana understood the brief and was also amazing at the job.

It was not a job suited to Meghan . She doesn't have the duty, stoicism, thick skin or commitment to the institution to stick with all those dull visits.
That should have been clear to everyone early on
In fact it probably was.

What they need to do now is produce good content - assuming that's the direction they still want to go in. Get known for interesting and watchable content that doesn't involve the RF.

Over time that will become their current brand, and the negativity will gradually be forgotten.

Just wondering about options available to previously relevant celebrities who are now on the slide.. (UK ones, but I'm sure there are equivalents in the US)

I don't think Strictly would go there, but IACGMOOH would, and the ice skating one

Popping up on panel shows or celeb versions of eg bake off / masterchef / pointless etc

Adverts

Turning on Christmas lights

Panto

Cameos in soaps

Children's books tried that one

@MalagaNights I complain enough about having to get dressed up to go into the office these days! And we're not talking groomed to perfection, just smart casual, flat shoes, no make up 😂

What they need to do now is produce good content - assuming that's the direction they still want to go in. Get known for interesting and watchable content that doesn't involve the RF.

The trouble is though, they have no experience and have shown no talent in this area. Maybe if the podcast had been good and a roaring success, but it wasn't.

Catherine also took her time to understand what she was getting into. The papparazzi were pretty intrusive at times when she was William's girlfriend, the tabloid nicknames, her appearance being pulled apart.

And when it did become official, following their engagement, she took on official visits gradually.

It was a sensible approach.

Well, yes, the question is whether they have the talent for it. But I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they have the ability, they need to focus on that and show it.

If not, then the claims of some of their supporters when they left are looking a bit hollow.

Time will tell.

Well, yes, the question is whether they have the talent for it. But I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they have the ability, they need to focus on that and show it.

I think we'd know by now - it's been a while since the Netflix and Spotify deals and no sign of it so far. Plus talent isn't enough. Producing good content is very very hard. You need creativity, ideas, resilience, and a lot of production experience. They have a huge advantage over most in the industry with the Netflix deal and still haven't really done it.

200 plus engagements some what belies the notion of the lazy royal. However, a job is a job and that’s what the firm is all about. It strikes me that Harry (when single) only seemed to do engagements with W&C and/or fairly high profile stuff like Invictus. No care home visit on a wet Wednesday in Grimsby for him, to my recollection (happy to be corrected).

Even if they tried to turn the Sussex brand around, the hatred that has been built in their name will take some time to join the new message. The Sussex squad and famous / recognisable cheerleaders seem oblivious that they are part of the problem, and continue to taint the brand even when Harry and Meghan are silently living their lives.

Also, I'd imagine pretty long and boring. I don't feel they are keen on the grunt work that is required to make everyone a success

Also, I'd imagine pretty long and boring. I don't feel they are keen on the grunt work that is required to make everyone a success

I'm also far from convinced that Meghan WANTS anyone else to be the success. I can see why they want to get into production (less overt criticism), but she sure as hell wants to be the one walking the red carpet, having her photo taken and being interviewed. She's never there to big up someone else.

Let's be honest though - what expertise do they actually have in that field? None. Meghan was an actress. There are many more experienced and insightful people out there. Initially they had the advantage of their titles but that has dissipated with all the negativity.

“Harry and Meghan are viewed as lost, reckless, frivolous, unforgiving, and vengeful,” says Schofield. “We see headlines planted about Meghan wanting to 'lead with love', yet her actions say otherwise. People are very cynical when it comes to Harry and Meghan's pursuits, which seem shallow compared to the Prince and Princess of Wales. William and Kate seem wildly humbler and more relatable, too.”

Now TMZ is reporting that they want to move closer to Los Angeles. Two people highly concerned with privacy dropping right into a paparazzi nightmare. There's an element of desperation in their recent activity.”

Ouch! Those two quotes (from the Standard article) have got to hurt. William and Kate wildly humbler and more relatable? And 'there's an element of desperation to their recent activity'?

Well I'm not sure where the 'humble' and 'relatable' comes from with the Waleses. 😄They come over as approachable and warm and interested in people, though - as does HM. I can't imagine anyone hugging the late queen, the aura of majesty was too strong, despite the smiles.

Also interesting, particularly for an actor, producers etc., is that the list includes Britain as a winner and LA as a loser!

Won — Britain
U.K.-based productions largely kept on working during the strike, plus studios continue to expand their footprint: Warner Bros. is increasing its sprawling Leavesden hub, where Barbie, Wonka and House of the Dragonwere shot, boosting its number of stages from 19 to 29. Marvel has been stepping up filming in the territory, as well, registering two new U.K. production companies this year. And compare that to …

Lost — Los Angeles
While Hollywood keeps making more and more content, the amount of filming in L.A. has remained flat in recent years. Plus, the City of Angels has been getting plenty of bad press due to street homelessness and crime (violent crime is actually down, but theft is up) making it appear like the city is San Francisco’s slightly less postapocalyptic sibling. As a major company’s top production executive recently told THR: “Unless there’s some specific reason to be in Los Angeles, we don’t shoot there anymore.”

Content about what? The Spotify showed there wasn’t an appetite for what they want to say.
People watch the documentaries out of nosiness, not because of what gems they have to share. What expertise do they have. Harry seems to be very wrapped up in the death of his mother still. I wonder how he would feel if she hadn’t died and there were a step father (or fathers) to deal with.

They are 2 adults who left for ‘financial independence’ and yet seem furious they aren’t being funded by PC. It’s not a good look.

Yes, those aren't the words I would use!

But they do seem to have realised that immensely privileged people complaining about their lot in life isn't a good look, and turn up as required with good grace and shake hands.