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Harry and Meghan sign a deal with Netflix

 According to the New York Times, Harry and Meghan have signed a contract with Netflix to make documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows and children's programming.  

In a statement quoted in the Times, the couple say, "Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us."  

Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer and co-chief exec, added, "We're incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere."

What do you make of this development?

Comments

Nutty Flavor said…
To answer my own question, it sounds to me like Netflix has too much money on its hands.

Also, Meghan is generally a curse to everything and everyone she touches. Short Netflix stock.
I've just seen it! You beat me to it Nutty!

Here's R Taylor's version:

Celebrity
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sign mega deal with Netflix
Rebecca TaylorRoyal Correspondent
2 September 2020, 4:32 pm BST

Harry and Meghan, here in the UK in March, have signed a deal with Netflix, according to reports.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have signed a multiyear deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, feature films and children’s programming.

The couple has set up a production company, which is yet to be named, and signed a multiyear deal with the streaming giant.

Yahoo UK understands the report, first made by the New York Times is true.
The paper reported the couple may appear on screen themselves, but Meghan will not be returning to acting.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement: “Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection.

“Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.

“As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens.”

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, said: “We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere.”

Prince Harry made his Netflix debut in August when he appeared on a documentary called Rising Phoenix, which told the story of the Paralympic Games. He is the founder of the Invictus Games, an event which brings together injured former military personnel through sport.

One of Meghan’s first post-royal pieces of work was a voiceover for Disney+, a competitor of Netflix.

However, while the film she narrated, Elephant, was released after she and Harry left their roles as senior royals, the work was completed while she was still a working royal.
The duchess is understood not to have been paid, but did the work in exchange for a charity donation.

A Netflix spokesman did not comment to New York Times about how or if the couple would be paid.

Harry and Meghan moved to California in March, after their shock exit from their roles as working royals, which was announced in January.

They have confirmed plans to launch a non-profit called Archewell, and any new production company is understood to be separate from this.

They have been winding up their former UK charity, which was called Sussex Royal, and filed to change its name to MWX Foundation in July as it goes through liquidation.
Nutty Flavor said…
Top comment on the Daily Mail:

"Netflix, the money-laundering funnel."

That's what Enty has been saying for a while, at least.

Also the "undisclosed amount" of the deal is interesting. I'm sure if it were a big amount, we'd be hearing the number far and wide.
Nutty Flavor said…
But, just to sum up, this has to be driven by something other than demand. There's almost no demand for Harry and Meghan. Something else is going on.
Nutty Flavor said…
The DM comments and Twitter comments are almost uniformly negative towards both the Sussexes and Netflix. This is totally bizarre.
Maneki Neko said…

I posted a comment about 30 minutes ago re. this as I got an alert. The DM says:

The couple have founded a yet-to-be-named production company and signed a multiyear deal with Netflix, which will pay them to make documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming, according to The New York Times.

How well thought out is this going to be? They don't have a name yet. What does 'multiyear deal' mean? Twice/4/5 times a year? The range is far too vague, as usual they try to have a finger in every pie: "documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming". Will the documentaries be about the usual, i.e. racism/female empowerment/injustice/elections etc? As for children's programming, will we see a film version not duck rabbit?

This doesn't bode well.

Agreed. Their fee must be smallish at least in her eyes. Regardless, it is still £8.99 per month of my money that I'd rather spend elsewhere. Note to self, arrange a direct debit cancellation tomorrow. I have heard money laundering allegations about NF too.
Catlady1649 said…
I've just seen this as well and thought it couldn't be true. Here we are confirmed.

What on earth can these 2 bring in terms of expertise. I read up thread.....Money laundering.
lucy said…
I wouldn't mind H&M creating their own money source and it may even be successful with medley of topics that do not include themselves. It will be interesting to see how long M restraims herself, if at all

I however do predict eminent crash. At this point they just cannot help themselves. I also hope to heavens she abstains any and all narration. She is really bad at it
Nutty Flavor said…
@Lucy, yes, I agree about the narration.
SwampWoman said…
Well, everybody knows that the Obama deal was a payoff for net neutrality. I wonder what the Harkles are being paid off for. Resilient, my butt.
CookieShark said…
Well, after the initial shock has worn off, these are my thoughts.

She's more like her father than she wants to admit.
If they behave badly, people won't cover for them like they did in the UK. They can't ask everyone to sign NDAs. Her pathology will really be on display.
Ziggy said…
If I see them say "shine a light" one more time I might shoot my monitor.
Maneki Neko said…
The whole thing smacks of desperation.
brown-eyed said…
As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens.” Maybe they can feature Mr Markle and members of the Royal Family—since they are so close and family-oriented.
Maneki Neko said…
I re-read the DM article and realised I'd missed this little gem:

'Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.'

"inspirational family programming"? They are certainly not inspirational, neither are they family oriented. Anything on family relationships? Child rearing? What a joke!
lizzie said…
Maybe M envisions herself in a kiddie program acting as a glam Linda Ellerbee "shining a light" on Mini-Mes who are "making a difference." She's not at all original and does seem to have defined her life by that stupid dish soap letter.

Why NF did it, I don't know. But NF takes up next to no space in my life so I wouldn't have a clue.

I do think there's not all that much money upfront given that the amount is "undisclosed" and NF wouldn't even verify they were getting paid.
As a DM poster said...if there ever was a reason to cancel ones Netflix subscription, this is it.

Netflix have clearly too much air time (to fill) and money to throw away on these two wastrels.
Hikari said…
Well, as they say in the South 'Shut my mouth!' Indeed, what IS going on? Why would Netflix want to associate itself with the Duke-n-Duchess of Good-for-Nowt (aka 'Sh*tter & Quitter)? Truly mystifying.

The couple has set up a production company, which is yet to be named, and signed a multiyear deal with the streaming giant.

Inventing names for their various companies and 'charities' is turning into a full-time gig. Meg spends more time naming her phantom companies than they ever spend doing business. The chief product of any Sussex-generated company or charity seems to consist solely of registration paperwork and legal filings. Then a month or two later, they undo everything. More paperwork. More fees directed to lawyers and agents. No actual output. Just frantic wheel-spinning. Let's hope this latest venture will be more of same.

Yahoo UK understands the report, first made by the New York Times is true.

Never before in my life when reading about celebrity activities, have I encountered so much gauzy obfuscation about what they have actually done. Yahoo UK is covering its arse in case its source was wrong. This vague statement has all the hallmarks of "The Queen and the Palace are delighted at the news that a baby was born today." Both are hedges without stating boldly "We know this to be verifiable fact. This is only our *understanding", as told to us by second, third, fourth parties but we do not actually *know* for sure. So if it turns out to be a lie, don't blame us, blame the NY Times."


Hikari said…
One of Meghan’s first post-royal PIECES OF WORK was a voiceover for Disney+, a competitor of Netflix. Emphasis mine.

Am I sensing some subtle shade-throwing here? Wouldn't it have been customary to say 'Projects' instead? She is a piece of work all right.

However, while the film she narrated, Elephant, was released after she and Harry left their roles as senior royals, the work was completed while she was still a working royal.
The duchess is understood not to have been paid, but did the work in exchange for a charity donation.


Gauziness again. We UNDERSTAND that she herself didn't profit from this PIECE of WORK (because they told us so). 'Charity Donation' to the now-defunct Sussex Royal/present MWX, no doubt. Have any Botswana elephant charities sent their thanks for the $3 million from Bob Iger that would come in handy to do their work? Meg LOVES to publish letters and emails telling how great she is, so where is it? Oh, yeah. May I just say that 'The duchess is understood not to have been paid' is mangled syntax and painful to read. The question is not what Meg understands but what the third party agency understands. 'It is understood' or 'Yahoo UK understands that Disney donated $3 million to charity in exchange for the Duchess's work.' What is 'understood' vs. what is 'true' can be two different things.


A NETFLIX spokesman DID NOT COMMENT to New York Times about HOW or IF the couple WOULD BE PAID.

Netflix has allegedly inked this deal with them but has declined to confirm whether they will actually be paid. Quite interesting. Is it customary to not pay their big celebs? Is this more Sussex 'charity'? No comment from Netflix. That sounds to me like this Netflix deal isn't exactly firm in stone.
MEGHAN: HER FANS HAVE TURNED ON HARRY:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0OII_Kuewk

How does this stack up against the Netflix deal?

It's from Princess Tiffany, I believe, and argues strongly that M is setting H up for a fall, under the proverbial bus. She bases it on Aubrey's (sorry, forgotten her surname) aryicle but I think it's interesting that she thinks the sugars are piling in as well.
Hikari said, Netflix has allegedly inked this deal with them but has declined to confirm whether they will actually be paid. Quite interesting. Is it customary to not pay their big celebs? Is this more Sussex 'charity'? No comment from Netflix. That sounds to me like this Netflix deal isn't exactly firm in stone.

The article is all so vague on actual facts. I hope it’s another non story.
Miggy said…
Almost every other post in the DM comment section mentions that they will be binning Netflix! :)

OT - there's also a new HARRYMARKLE

Well someone powerful is definitely backing MM. Nutty has mentioned Ron Burkle but I wonder if he is just one of many?

Netflix and money laundering has been talked about for quite some time. Netflix's output has caused a lot of controversy the last couple of years and the latest being the Cuties outrage. A lot of their content is just rubbish now and very much agenda driven and just really odd. The quality has nose dived and long gone are the days of House of cards or Orange is the New Black.

MM and her content won't make much difference to a fading streaming service. There are now so many other streaming services like Disney and Amazon Prime.
CookieShark said…
Interesting comment on Twitter. It's not a deal but they are included in a list of producers who can create content Netflix might buy, so maybe this is why there's no sum being quoted. According to this comment they will have to pay to shop their content. If this is the case then it's typical MM hyping the situation.
My husband said they have done a calculation in which Netflix should come out net positive.

So Netflix is now their PR $$$. They will be promoting all the projects for M and H.

That solves their Charles problem next year.

Interestingly, my husband said the reason Netflix would do this is they started 'free access' programming this year, which means they are struggling as a business against the strong competition with Disney, HBO and the like. So Netflix is doing a massive programming grab right now, to aid in their offering.

Another important note, is that we don't know the $$ involved in the deal. It might not be much, and might rely on the success numbers of the programs to get into a tiered 'this does well, continue' contract.

Netflix takes large gambles, but I don't think this is an enormous contract. It will keep the lights on for 24 months, though. And open doors where Meghan can boss around directors and producers. Unfortunately, though, those people will have to actually like her.

Whatever we want to say about Meghan, one thing is that she seems to really understand the power game and holds her cards each time she tries to lurch forward. Will it all result in the respect, cash, and reputation she desires? TBD. Sociopaths tend to get very very far, being as ruthless as she seems to be.

CookieShark said…
They're also not new parents.
Arch is over a year old.
They are always pushing the young newlywed, young parents vibe. Why?
Martha said…
If I hadn’t already cancelled my subscription, I would do so now. This streaming service has devolved, IMO, appealing to a younger set, I think.
Miggy said…
I hope this isn't true...

Jonathan Shalit OBE (Hon Prof)

"Friends @netflix tell me most exciting deal Netflix ever done. Estimate Harry & Meghan will have signing fee of between $50 & $100 million. With participation they could earn $250 Million plus. This is a massive unparalleled historical deal @InterTalent"

https://twitter.com/jonathanshalit/status/1301206161023070210
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
@Martha

Same here! I feel fortunate that we cancelled NF a couple of months ago. Nothing worth watching (at any price). As to it being appealing to the younger set, not really. Many are cancelling and moving over to Hulu, Disney plus, etc.

If the money laundering rumour is true, well how interesting that they've hitched their cart to that!
KC said…
MustySyphone said, "IF the money laundering rumour is true, well how interesting that they've hitched their cart to that!"

Agreed!
luxem said…
When I first read this, I thought "I give up. How can Netflix not see how hypocritical (and not very popular) they are about everything they do!" However, Disney simply had her do a voice-over and had no interest in pursing anything else, so maybe Netflix will get burned. It's not like anyone has glowing things to say about working with her.

I am curious about one thing - can they use footage of Diana or her likeness in their projects or do they need special permission for that? I can see an "inspirational" program for young girls based on Diana's work.
Unknown said…
Jonathan Shalit is a complete self obsessed hermit.....don't worry ...nothing he ever comes out with even reaches the level of drivel......however I do think they have been winning the PR battle of late even if what comes out is all piffle but the RF, especially W & K do themselves no favours for disappearing for weeks on end and appearing to do about 4 hours work a month....recently all that has come out is them taking George out to blast wildlife out of the air....meanwhile the all you need to do is snag a dim Duke, aided by her plastic faced mouthpiece get to plant daisies for the dead sanctified one who he can't remember and she never met..... TQ needs to get a grip....her son shovelling money out of a nation on its financial knees to install a pair of wasters in a huge, ostentatious mansion is not a good look....never known so many people thinking perhaps the Monarchy isn't really worth a fig....
Unknown said…
Not hermit..... should have read eeejit....slightly different but interesting auto adjust!
Girl with a Hat said…
What happened to the Spotify announcement we were supposed to hear about today?
Christine said…
Hello,

Well. This is a huge win for H&M. Mostly for Meghan. She's got to be gloating immensely.
As others said above, why, why, WHY would Netflix enter into this sort of arrangement with them?! They are highly inflammatory and unpopular. It beggars belief. I am not a conspiratorial person at all, but something is up here. Maybe Netflix is treading water and they want to just throw something out there that is super over the top.

I can't help but thinking, how utterly insulting to people like Wills and Kate. They do their charity work diligently, and they are wealthy, but cannot and will not try to jump through the stratosphere of wealth like Harry and Meghan are trying to do.

Oh well, have fun with your 'inspirational programming'. Harry's writing screenplays now, eh? Can't wait to see what those gems will entail.

Meg, if you do read this blog........congrats. Us Nutties will bake you a cake LOL
Christine said…
Magatha, please cheer us up with a Netflix poem! :)
Blithe Spirit said…
On the face of it, this does look like an important deal. But....I don't know. Something is off. There is the usual vague intentions huddling under the umbrella of humanitarian values, the usual tom-momming about their exclusive coup. Remember how the Disney voice-over was touted? It was the dawn of the new age of Markle's talent being unleashed. And then what happened? Fizzled out like yesterday's embers. Same with FF, supposed to have been the publishing phenomenon of the century. They gloat and hype far too early and then when it falls well below expectations, they move on to the next shiny mirage.
Girl with a Hat said…
nothing is going to happen here. The two will pitch something and Netflix will keep turning them down. Maybe a little documentary about preschool children, if Meghan's voice isn't used. But that's it. It's just PR
KC said…
"The paper reported the couple may appear on screen themselves, but Meghan will not be returning to acting."

Sooooo......i guess she figured out she was NOT EVER going to get the big roles she craved even by marriage. Time to move to the small screen...
jessica said…
The statement is missing a few things:

If it was a $100m deal, Meghan would have let us know. So, it's not.

Development deals happen all the time. Doesn't mean a budget will ever get greenlit.

Dev deals also fall apart, just ask t-Swift.

Netflix would be making the majority of the income if/when anything succeeds.

This deal is for Harry. Doubt Netflix gives a toss about Meghan. She's still a nobody.

Netflix end game? Throw Harry a financial bone, because Megs probably sold access to Will and Kate, which is why Netflix would involve them.

Low-cost entry to a potential Royal contract and the best family influencers on the planet: Kate and Will.

We can't blame Netflix for trying. lol.
Portcitygirl said…
All that is left is to congratulate the HAMS. They have indeed been successful in setting up a rival court in the USA. We have plenty here to support them who are woke globalists themselves: The media, all of it, Hollywood, DC elite, all other corporations, sports teams, etc., and I would say over half of the US population seemingly, citizens and non citizens. The next step for them will be to gain a political seat or some political position when Kamala is President. When Charles ascends the throne, in the next few years, they will have even more power, plus his politics aligns nicely with theirs. For the rest of us, well, we can enjoy the saga being played out on the world stage while we eat cake and we might even be allowed this place to speak about our displeasure of all the Harkle's antics. Looks to me as if the political class global elite has beaten the Monarchy, that racist colonial outdated institution. I feel bad for HM and for Great Britain.
WildKnitter said…
You know your upcoming venture is circling the drain when the Hallmark Channel (which would be tailor-made for this sort of family-type programming) isn’t interested... I really don’t get who their audience is going to be.
Essexgirl said…
It’ll all be wonderful until they have to do some actual work! Has Harry ever done a proper days work in his life? Even his supposed stint in Afghanistan was just for show. Megs has of course but has she got anything to offer here? This whole thing is totally weird. Why would Netflix give them a single penny? They are not worth it. What experience do they have as “producers” besides producing a crock of shite for the papers every day. Bloody hell. What a total joke. Cancelling Netflix tomorrow first thing.
lizzie said…
@Unknown wrote:

"...the RF, especially W & K do themselves no favours for disappearing for weeks on end and appearing to do about 4 hours work a month....recently all that has come out is them taking George out to blast wildlife out of the air...."

I've also said W&K need to be more visible and think they could easily be without endangering their children psychologically or damaging their own status as "hands on parents" (& if they can't, the rest of the world's children are doomed.) I've also gotten alot of pushback on that view here!

However, it is the "royal summer" now. Unless a world event demands it, we never see British royals in Aug or early Sept except for occasional shots of them going and coming from vacations and pre-COVID, going to church with TQ. So I don't think W&K doing nothing public is a big deal at all right now.

I also expect that's one reason H&M have been so active. They know the rest of the family won't be so they have the stage to themselves.
KC said…
Christine said, "As others said above, why, why, WHY would Netflix enter into this sort of arrangement with them?!"

There have been rumors that Netflix is money laundering..... canceling successful shows that make money because they need to show a big loss....also Netflix is getting publicity, and a lot of people will sample the show to see what it is, some will watch ironically to yell at the screen every time H or M shows up. Maybe Netflix are hoping to get something so bad people can't look away from it! "So bad it's good!" Something insomniacs will watch, bleary eyed and too exhausted to click away, at 2:30 am.
jessica said…
No money changed hands.

It's a development deal.

"If you pitch us something great, we'll run the numbers and we might put money behind it. Let's see how it goes."

They could be getting a few hundred grand per year for merely 'first access' to their ideas.

Very common.
Gia said…
I can't stand Woke & Joke. That said, this is a big win for them. Unless the tens of thousands who also can't stand them and their empty preaching (as evidenced by negative comments on articles re them, blogs, etc.) put their money where their mouth is and cancel Netflix - and inform Netflix why they cancelled. This sadly won't happen, because people don't much stand on principle anymore, so this news can safely be interpreted as a big plu$ sign in Smerkle and Ginge's column, as it were.
Hikari said…
I was a Netflix-by-mail subscriber for nearly 10 years. In the beginning, the service was fantastic. I don't subscribe to cable, not willing to pay the prices for the amount of time I'm actually able to be home watching TV. I might watch one movie or a couple of TV episodes in an evening and a couple more on the weekends. I used to look forward to those red envelopes arriving in my mailbox a couple of times a week.

Then chinks started to appear after several years. Turnaround time got slower . . a week or more. After that wait, I'd get the wrong item or discs would arrive broken or too scratched to play. At any one time, half my Queue would be 'Very Long Wait' (aka unavailable.) Either lost/not replaced or else there was one copy of what I wanted in the country. Then the Netflix CEO announced his plan to eventually go to all-streaming, jacking up prices across the board. They are transparently trying to drive DVD customers to the streaming platform to erase that overhead and increase profits. With no DVD base, no need for warehouses, mailing labels, postage, warehouse workers or investment in inventory, utilities, etc. As a business model, it makes sense . . but it also alienates a large base of loyal customers who prefer DVDs. Not everyone is interested in streaming, or able to.

I could stream now but I choose not to. I use Hulu and Prime, and am considering cancelling Prime. If Netflix really goes through with this deal, I will boycott all their programs forever. If they have Markled themselves, it's going to be deserved karma. Anybody check Netflix stock? Is it tanking yet?
HappyDays said…
QUESTION: Does anyone with knowledge of the entertainment biz know how long this type of contract usually runs, especially for two people with absolutely NO track record to prove they are a profitable investment? Two years? Four or five years? Do the Sussexes have a certain number of productions they must complete? How do these deals usually work?

The DM article says “The couple have founded a yet-to-be-named production company and signed a multiyear deal with Netflix, which will pay them to make documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children's programming, according to The New York Times.”

The content, including “documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children's programming,” is quite wide-ranging, which to me sounds rather nebulous.

I wonder how long before Meghan casts herself as a lead in a feature film or scripted series, since nobody else will do it.

Would appreciate any answers from nutties who have any knowledge of this business and how these deals work.

Also: Joe Rogan just signed a deal with Spotify for $100 million. I would think that if Harry and Meghan’s deal was anywhere near the Rogan deal, numbers would be quickly leaked by Meghan via Omid or other sycophants.
Christine said…
Girl with a Hat- I hope your right. Now if I re-read the piece, it does smell a bit like Meghan's over the top brand of PR. Maybe they've agreed to look at their offerings but not much beyond. I guarantee they've asked Netflix for a shit ton of money

In any case, game set point Meghan Markle.
Is she getting her ducks in a row prior to dumping H?

With luck, there's enough in this deal for her to `let him go', on the assumption that she can make bigger bucks still and not have to share the proceeds with him. Has he served his purpose?

It could be similar to what I initially expected, just substitute other deals for being a box-office superstar.
xxxxx said…
I doubt they are getting any kind of high signing bonus. I can see Netflix setting up a 2 million dollar account that M/H can use to pay expenses for their TV shows. M/H get two shots at this. After the two TV shows get dismal rating they are dropped.
Christine said…
Did that Elephant documentary do that well? My guy and I watch animal docs all the time and we haven't even ran across it.
The marriage may be 2 years and several months old now but what are the chances of her jumping ship before 3 years are up?

We never said she stuck things for 2 yrs exactly, just that she seldom makes it three.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Port City Girl, whatever you're smoking, put down the pipe.

The BRF isn't racist.

Americans hate Harry and Meghan just as much as the UK.

They haven't set up a rival court. They are a laughing stock. They make announcements that never pan out. What happened to Spotify? And I sincerely doubt we will ever see anything of theirs on Netflix. And if there is something, thousands of people will stop their subscriptions, both in the UK and the US.
HappyDays said…
The Sussexes will not likely have time to participate in any meaningful way with their patronages in the UK. I think this is adds ammunition to justify for HMTQ removing their titles at the one-year review.
Christine said…
HappyDays- The Queen really has to remove their titles and just leave Harry with his birth title. H&M are almost backing her into a corner to do it
Girl with a Hat said…
So what did happen to the Spotify announcement?

Will they be able to do a podcast on Spotify when they have an exclusive agreement with NetFlix?

Or is one or both of these announcements not what they seem? Smoke and mirrors?

If Netflix is a money laundering operation, imagine their embarassment when Harry and Meghan are associated with a criminal entreprise!
Portcitygirl said…
Girl with a hat

You and all of us are going to need a pipe to get through this never
ending nightmare saga. And I thought it would be pretty clear that I was being sarcastic about the BRF. Guess I should have included /s.

We will see who is right. My guess is you and I, and all of us will be hearing from the hams daily for many years to come. Although I don't smoke pot, if they legalize it here in NC I may take it up.

luxem said…
From Harper’s Bazaar. “There are already several projects in the works including an innovative nature docuseries and an animated series that celebrates inspiring women.”

She is def going for impressionable girls and he is copying his Sir David Attenborough.
Crumpet said…
Hello Nutties,

The term Hollywood accounting or "creative bookkeeping" is really a good synonym for these two. Hollywood from Joseph Kennedy into the 21st century (The Wolf of Wall Street producer charged with laundering) has always been awash with dirty money--whether A list films or forgettable D list films--it does not matter.

Well, I am happy re this news. Maybe. Now the Prince and Princess of Montecito have a mortgage, jobs and a mother-in-law house with a sometimes mother-in-law nanny, well, that is it then. They are independent 'grown up' adults now, sort of.

They do not need funding from the bank of the Royal House of Windsor any longer. So, this means the titles, the cash, the umbilical cord can be cut, finally.
Nutty Flavor said…
@Theonethatgotaway said...
No money changed hands.

It's a development deal.

"If you pitch us something great, we'll run the numbers and we might put money behind it. Let's see how it goes."

They could be getting a few hundred grand per year for merely 'first access' to their ideas.

Very common.


Interesting. This sounds plausible.

Nutty Flavor said…
@Happy Days
Also: Joe Rogan just signed a deal with Spotify for $100 million. I would think that if Harry and Meghan’s deal was anywhere near the Rogan deal, numbers would be quickly leaked by Meghan via Omid or other sycophants.

Rogan, of course, has an established podcast and a huge following, so Spotify is paying him for exclusivity.

Actually, getting a podcast "on Spotify" isn't difficult. You just submit your podcast for listing, the same as you do for iTunes, Stitcher, etc.

Maybe that's what the Sussexes were planning to do.

You can make a podcast with some basic sound equipment, edit it on your computer, and upload it.

Sounds like something Meg would be into, a sort of audio extension of her PhotoShop fetish. Then she could say it was "on Spotify."
Nutty Flavor said…
@luxem

From Harper’s Bazaar. “There are already several projects in the works including an innovative nature docuseries and an animated series that celebrates inspiring women.”

She is def going for impressionable girls and he is copying his Sir David Attenborough.


Actually, I think nature series are a good fit for Harry. He can go out and interact with the animals, and his voiceover isn't too bad.

I'm not sure impressionable girls have any interest in Meg. She's not their age, doesn't have any great style or insights, and doesn't have many accomplishments to point to. Who would want to be her?
Nutty Flavor said…
@luxem

I am curious about one thing - can they use footage of Diana or her likeness in their projects or do they need special permission for that? I can see an "inspirational" program for young girls based on Diana's work.

Could be, but in my experience people born after 2000 have almost no interest in Diana.

Even Diana's finest moment - holding hands with an AIDS patient when AIDS was a death sentence and sufferers were stigmatized - is hard to explain to someone for whom HIV has always been a controllable condition.
Well after I finish watching the Korean drama Sky Castle on Netflix (which is excellent and much better than any Hollyweird) I will not renew my Netflix subscription.

I will have a small satisfaction of not paying to somebody who pays Harry and his wife to promote themselves.

Girl with a Hat said…
@Port City, sorry, didn't get the snark.
Unknown said…
The Sussex deal is a part of a regular pattern of desperation in Netflix. Netflix is fighting to not be completely wiped out by the owners of premium content like Disney, HBO, etc... Their mission is to build a catalogue of content that puts them on the map before it's too late and that entails huge risks because the point is differentiation from MSM.

If the Sussexes have been shut out of MSM media deals, that plays into Netflix's hands. Netflix would have never been at the table if MSM media was interested in the Sussexes. Will the Sussexes pan out for Netflix? I doubt it.

Big Media didn't care about streaming services before. Now they do and it's because Netflix showed demand for it. Movie-watching and TV-watching patterns have been evolving over the decades and it's been cutting into the bottom-line of Big Media. Providing streaming services is a loss-leader right now but what Big Media is trying to do is leverage their catalogues to get customers hooked and receptive to money-making ventures. Think Amazon's roots with book-selling and even their own current streaming service.

Big Media has the resources to maintain streaming as a loss-leader indefinitely. Netflix does not. They know that and are fighting against the clock before they are gone forever. Their desperation is at a fever-pitch so mistakes like the Sussex deal are inevitable.
Nutty Flavor said…
Very interesting analysis, Charade.
Regarding the animated series celebrating inspiring women... I am sure NF already offers something like this. It sounds like she is just going to read Goodnight stories for rebel girls and steal all the authors' ideas. I seem to remember hearing that Hillary and Chelsea copied these books too, but their offering certainly didn't eclipse the originals. When most young girls are asked about women who inspire them, they often mention grannies, mums and older sisters. Possibly not something she can relate to as easily.
Ziggy said…
They used to rub elbows with future kings... now they're on tier with the Tiger King.
Lol
jessica said…
What Charade Said ^^

Netflix is in trouble.

Sussexes are in trouble.

Sort of like Meghan, losing Suits, and Harry losing his place in line ala 2016/2017.

Everyone panics and starts grasping for straws.

They all find each other.

I was just telling a friend, about how it was kind of stupid for Meghan and Harry to take this deal. Easy, no loss gamble for netflix. But for M&H, now Netflix owns them in terms of media AND broadcast.

Whatever. They've made their bed. Netflix knows Harry is a trust fund kid that can always take his ball and go home.
Mary Anne said…
Netflix has been bleeding for awhile, so I would expect this will not pan out in the end. Netflix has been trying to throw money at everything, but nothing is sticking. They are trying to compete with Disney and other big players while losing their content on a regular basis. I agree with Charade. Also, look at how quickly Netflix cancels their shows. There is no rhyme or reason to it.
Tiger King parallel might give her ideas. Didn't Carol Baskin allegedly kill her husband, whacked him... as Joe Exotic sings on TikTok.
If they get an upfront amount for "expenses," to produce these docs, its all going to go to air travel and hotel accommodations for The Harkles. Their own points of view on various matters end up to be just word salad, so how will they be able to produce a decent doc on any subject? The Harkles have little to nothing to offer the documentary world that hasn't already been done.

Harry frolicking with the animals just isn't going to cut it because you know that anything he says will be scripted by MM, and MM's docs will be just her discussing herself. Both will be telling the world just how we should think and act.

Can you sign a deal with an as yet unnamed production company? Are the funds dispersed to the Harkles or to the production company, which they have yet to create? Anybody know how this works?


Now that they are financially settled, it's time for the BRF to cut the cord. Finally and completely.
jessica said…
Interestingly..

Who the hell jumps ship from Disney and the genius of Bob Iger for, Netflix? Only a couple who HAS to, to save face.

...Maybe keep Daddy money flowing 'hey look smoke and mirrors, Netflix loves us! Give us 2021 funding, then you'll see how great we are Dad!'

The whole Netflix PR crap from Meghan is more of the same. She did this to force someone else's hand.

Was it Charles for more money or another brand partnership that was on the fence? There is definitely some idiot she's trying to play into her hand and I'm wondering what/who it is. She's as manipulative as it comes, so let's wait and see what transpires over the next couple of weeks. It will be interesting to find out!

Maneki Neko said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
Thanks @Nutty :) Nice to see you around.

I find it interesting that Nutties think Netflix is money-laundering. Maybe.

The weird business decisions I see in Netflix and in a lot of Silicon Valley are mistakes made from not studying the industries they want to "disrupt." They keep trying to re-invent the wheel when they would be better off reading up on some case studies.

This Sussex deal seems like it will fail. Maybe they think people will guilty-watch Sussex content. If it's Rache and Harry writing and producing content, that will fall flat fast.
Maneki Neko said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
luxem said…
Nutty - I see your point, but why focus on something that has already been done so well by others? Why not focus on sustainable travel or whatever he is trying to achieve with Travalyst? Zac Efron's Netflix Down to Earth about sustainable living was interesting.

I watched the Girls Up summit with my daughter. The hosts were in awe of Meghan. Talking her up was probably part of the job, but "American, biracial woman who became a duchess" is a very compelling story to the woke teens who aren't looking past the title. If she continues to appear in calls with high profile POC, like Michelle and Kamala, I think teens will think she has something to offer in the way of inspiration, but she will need to eventually do something big to keep their interest.
lizzie said…
@Nutty wrote:

"I'm not sure impressionable girls have any interest in Meg. She's not their age, doesn't have any great style or insights, and doesn't have many accomplishments to point to. Who would want to be her?"

I agree. But many of M's "fans" act like teenagers. I don't think they are that young, but they act as if they are. That, combined with the handpicked young audiences and flower bouquet presenters she encountered during her brief period of royal events may have led her to think she has a great appeal to that age group. She certainly seemed to think students at Immaculate Heart High School wanted to hear from her.
Deb said…
Hey there. I was just reading the comment section on the New York Times which I have a subscription to. The comments are always moderated and out of the 84 posted so far, I would say about 90% are negative. I have an IPad and I am sorry I can post them for you to see. Let me get on my laptop later and see if I can posted some for your reading pleasure.
Portcitygirl said…

Blogger Girl with a Hat said...
@Port City, sorry, didn't get the snark

That's ok. Apparently, you weren't the only one. Lol. I still adore HM and love the Cambridges and I guess some of the other Nutties know how much I support the BRF. God save the Queen.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandie said…
Does Netflix fund the production of content and would it commit to taking content that does not get exist in any form?

Rumours has it that the Harkles have been trying to sell themselves all over town. Netflix got them because no one else wanted them?

Do the Harkles have the same abilities as the Obamas, who have experience in working at an executive level and getting along with people, the intelligence, experience and academic qualifications to recognize great talent, and the reputations to attract funding and talent?

Personally, I think, if you take away the woke word salad from their statement via SS, their aims of developing family content is great. I just think that just being who they are is going to be their biggest stumbling block. Once again, as well, huge hyperbole about the hundreds of millions they are going to make. They do have the tendency to count the money and then chase after it.

Trevor must be laughing. He knows her well! But maybe she is going to rope him in to produce content for them?
KC said…
This was my source too for the money laundering rumor I mentioned.

 Nutty Flavor said...

Top comment on the Daily Mail:

"Netflix, the money-laundering funnel."

That's what Enty has been saying for a while, at least.

Also the "undisclosed amount" of the deal is interesting. I'm sure if it were a big amount, we'd be hearing the number far and wide.

lizzie said…
@Deb mentioned the NYT comments. I agree most are negative. But here are some that aren't that are sickening (& often flat wrong)

Wonderful that Harry and Meghan and Archie escaped from the royal family and the nasty racist courtiers and aides who leaked/lied to the tabs.

I admire them for using their privilege for good.

The world’s media, in one form or another, murdered this young man’s mother in the prime of her life. If anyone has a right to wring the media out for all he can get, he does.

Harry and Meghan are inspiring and I bet you they left personally on good terms with their relatives in the UK.

I really hope he talks about his incredible mom too. Forever Princess Diana!

So they are settled in and working. If they stayed in England, they’d just pose and suffer.

I read somewhere that they have paid the 2.4 million back to the Sovereign Grant(taxpayers money?) The information I read also said that they have become financially independent recently.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the royal family. Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey could care less what the royal family has to say about Meghan. Oprah knew Meghan before she ever met Harry. Oprah really knew Meghan and what she’s about and they saw the root of all of the things that were being said about her and where a lot of it was coming from.
jessica said…
Woah

Has everyone read the NYTimes piece? Announcing the deal?

It is incredibly, uh factual lol, and I'd say mean?

They also found out that Meghan and Harry have not been taking income from Charles' Duchy of Cornwall funds!

Here's some juicy quotes,

"It is unclear how much Harry and Meghan will be paid, given their lack of producing experience. A Netflix spokeswoman declined to comment."

" In recent months, Harry and Meghan have quietly talked with Disney and Apple. Two executives involved in those discussions said representatives for the couple at one point were seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $100 million. Variety reported last month that the couple had also met with NBCUniversal."

This is the same number -100m- Meghan tried to get the BRF to 'buy them out with' and had in her PR last year, right nutties??

" They soon filed an invasion of privacy lawsuit against tabloid photographers, saying that paparazzi had flown drones overhead to capture images of their son, Archie, who turned 1 in May."

"Netflix is under pressure to keep its pipelines flowing as it competes for viewers with Disney+, Amazon Prime...."

"Meghan and Harry, the second son of Prince Charles, abruptly announced in January that they planned to step back from their royal duties.... It triggered the most serious crisis for the British royal family since the death of Harry’s mother,"

"The couple also agreed to give up public funding — setting off a tabloid guessing game about how they would finance their lifestyle..."

Goes on to detail how they had any money at all (lol how embarrassing)

Ends with Lion King carpet- "As with seemingly everything related to Meghan, the video created a stir online."

LOL this is not a nice/kind piece announcing a Megawatt Netflix deal by Whip-Smart Meghan. The press will not let their history die hahaha. Doubt this is what Meghan wanted.

Doesn't even mention her crazy lawsuit with the 5 Friends, how will that pan out with wholesome family programming, and Meghan on stand pretending to care about her father and lying about her friends? You cannot make this up!




Hikari said…
Ziggy wins today's Latte for this gem:

They used to rub elbows with future kings... now they're on tier with the Tiger King.

I'm thinking this is more PR guff from Meghan. She was very publicly dissed by Disney as being 'too controversial'. Notice that she has not been offered any more work for Disney. If family-friendly Disney rejected her, why would she be hireable as a producer of family fare for Netflix. A series on child development? Seriously, Meg--what family? Show us Archie as the guest star for your first segment of family programming, why don't you? Show him playing at home, you doing normal family things. The young man you had on your lap recently doesn't know who you are. I work with tons of babies . . that baby is not autistic. He did not know this pushy lady who was forcing him to listen to a boring book. Zero familiarity in the body language between them.

So, ghosted by Disney . . AND if it's true the Bank of Dad is running dry, hence the hasty papp lawsuits & the hazy deals with Russian financiers. They must be near broke.

Remains to be seen if Netflix is going to play this game. 'A multi-year deal' may mean as little as one special a year over three years, not necessarily a regular series.

I'm still not going to be a Netflix customer. They've already been Markled.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Portcitygirl said…
@ Unknown said

@Portcitygirl
I too feel bad for HM and the UK.
I'm praying that Charles does not approve of H&M's antics and there are other reasons for his lack of action with them. But what that would be I don't know???

Unknown, prayer is all we can do at this point. It is past time for PC to step up. If he doesn't it will forever be a blight on his very long awaited reign and his subjects will not forget or forgive this. HM's reign has been much without blemish and she is respected worldwide. It is up to Charles to set his wayward jealous son and shallow greedy power hungry dil straight. Remember, the insults lobbed at the RF from the duo have been towards HM and the Cambridges, with Charles largely escaping their hypocritical drivel. Is this because he is padding their greedy pockets? Time for him to act like the King he is set to be and take a stand for the RF and all of Great Britain before it is too late.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Unknown, I don't respond to people who don't create a profile.

Bennie said…
Good Afternoon Nutties!! For what's it's worth I just called & cancelled my subscription to Netflix. The operator asked me why I was canceling my subscription & I told her actually how I felt about MeGain & JH... She then tried to give me a discount off my subscription if I wouldn't cancel & I told her absolutely no way do I want to have any part with Netflix if they're supporting MeGain & JH after they disrespected HMTQ & the people of the UK. The operator said I see you're from the US why do you care?!? Well I really lost it & told her to go read Harry Markle's blog from beginning to end & Lady Campbell's recent book then she might have a better understanding! I also told her MeGain is nothing but a user & was a paid escort when she met JH & I will not have anything to do with them! She said she doesn't even know who they are!!! Hahahaha.... Sure made me feel better! I think I'm about to go open up a bottle of wine! It's five o'clock somewhere! Have a nice evening Nutties & everyone stay safe!
Deb said…
This is Deb again from my laptop. The NYT article now has 158 comments. I got the the article on my laptop without logging in Here is the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/business/media/harry-meghan-netflix.html?smid=tw-share#commentsContainer

Here is one commment: Let me know if anyone has issues getting on the NYT website.

I thought they were going to live in Canada. Why did they have to come here? Aren't there other Commonwealth countries, or former Imperial territories they might have selected to impose themselves upon? Why us? And since they chose us, why choose glitz-city rather than some quiet, obscure place so the two of them could live "normal" lives with their son -- which is what they said they wanted to do? I'm thinking of places in northern Idaho or Montana. Otherwise there are a multitude of benighted places around the globe where they could share their fame and largesse. Let's not cry crocodile tears for these two -- a pair of publicity hounds whining about publicity.



Port City Girl Said:

Time for him to act like the King he is set to be and take a stand for the RF and all of Great Britain before it is too late.

I heartily agree.

As one rarely-sung verse of the National Anthem, originally aimed at Jacobite rebels as they marched south in 1745, says, (despite the sugars having dedicated it to `Queen Meghan')


`O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all!
This comment has been removed by the author.
The deletion was a double post, that's all
Portcitygirl said…
WBBM said

"God save us all!"

To that I heartily agree!
Button said…
I do have to wonder whether Charles will do a full gainer onto the pavement from a stroke or panic attack caused by these two. I think this ' deal 'is mostly comprised of smoke and mirrors. Sure, Netflix can rattle on about how great it is to have Megatron and Hazzard, but at the end of the day they too will be Markled. And to name a price tag of 100 million quid? Unbloody believable. If some corp or entity wants to pay this odious pair 100 million quid then they deserve to be Markled.
Girl with a Hat said…
@Deb, thank you. I can read the comments without logging in
OKay said…
Interesting...can't wait to read everyone else's comments on this! I just had to jump on to add my voice to what I'm sure is a chorus of "They're going to screw it up."
Good for you, Bennie.

Sadly, I don't have a Netflix subscription I can cancel but my view is similar to yours.
Button said…
I almost snorted my tea through my nose at this little tidbit:

.
" The fact is Meghan is just a nice, American girl who has had some extraordinary opportunities "
.
Quite a number of comments are positive, which just goes to show what other Nutties mentioned above that their PR is indeed working in the United States, and most Americans do not follow the BRF. Indeed, why would they.
Bennie said…
@Girl with a Hat ..... Thank -you!!! :-)
Deb said…
Yea Girl With the Hat. I am so glad. I was just reading them and laughing my ass off. The comments are growing and most are not kind to these two. And the NYT moderates every comment before it shows up.
abbyh said…

Wow, just wow.

The comment about not being wanted by the others - harsh but they have really painted themselves into quite the corner with the trial demand balloons.

I think Netflix may live to regret some of it but, on the other hand, if no real (substantial) amount of money has changed hands, then I think will just be a lot more spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks (just like all the other projects like the racism, general charity that they have begun but not finished).

We have Netflix. We probably won't leave unless there is nothing we want to watch anymore (not happy when Midsomer Murders went away). We have Prime and Hulu and what ever else is on the Roku plus a chest of DVD which very few have been watched.

I would like to get a free Spotify (just found out there is a free level) but will wait a month, two or three so no one thinks I joined because I heard MM was coming on - don't want to raise those numbers.
Maneki Neko said…
@Deb

Thanks for the NYT link. I had a quick look at the comments and while there are quite a few negative ones, there are also very positive ones. Not the silly, sycophantic types but much worse, comments from people who really have no idea of the situation and do not see H&M for what they are. I don't blame them, they haven't followed all the Markles shenanigans and only see the PR that's being pushed by MM.

I don't understand the vitriolic comments. I admire the guts that Harry had to realize their lives in England were being brutalized by the press that didn't like a 'black woman' in the position of being regal.

"Brutalised"? Pur-lease! And MM is 'race-fluid', Caucasian or bi-racial when it suits her.

As I said, not the commenters's fault (not completely) but I despair...🙄
Bennie said…
@WBBM... The operator at Netflix might not have known who they were, however she sure does now!!! LOL
JHanoi said…
netflix is desperate for content, much like Amazon. and they currently have deep pockets of money to produce their own content but Netflix will run out of $$ much sooner than Amazon. I wonder why MM didnt show her wares to Bezos?

but Netflis, for all the evils everyone has pointed out, is where the Obamas got their 100 million deal.
O’s deal stated $ amount and I think thats the big difference.
There’s no amount of money mentioned in this deal, so it’s either lower than they want t admit, or all on spec, production costs to be approved later. plus how could anything be actually signed without a firm company name?
JHanoi said…
forget that , MM didnt show her wares to Bezos YET, because Amazon12 is requiring all their prodution deals to have no rsiduals and Amazon owns all the content. so basically, the producers , actors, writers, directors, wont be millionaires if they have a hit because Amazon doesn’t do the back -end deals.
Maneki Neko said…
Now the DM article had been updated:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new deal with Netflix to provide 'hope and inspiration' could be worth as much as $150 million, industry insiders say.
"Could" being the operative word.

There is a comment from an American poster which said there is a toll free number you can call for Netflix. The commenter said they called the number and that an agent said they would notify management that s/he and six friends will all be cancelling if true (sorry, can't copy & paste this one). Let's hope Netflix get the message loud and clear.
499lake said…
Mr. No Skills and Ms. No Talent cut a dubious deal with Netflix. That would be my headline for any article written about this so called deal.
AnyaAmasova said…
It is all spin and gobbledygook. Are they being paid? How much and for how long? Who will pay for the actual production of anything? Netflix? Is Netflix going to hand over a few million to the two for an elephant documentary? Will Netflix provide a "minder" for the two nit-wits? Whatever, if they do produce something, which is doubtful because people can not work for Megs for more than a nanosecond, will anyone watch? But clearly, Netflix and two book publishers, were planned conduits to provide money to the Obama's. Ironically, BO still has not finished his book, for which he was paid an advance.

I am just hoping that the H$rkles apparent gainful employment will provide the impetus to stop the flow of funds from The Bank of Dad and force their resignation of the Duke and Duchess titles they are most likely using in their negotiations.
Martha said…
@Maneki...I despair also! But most people are simply not aware..
I think it’s important to keep in mind just why Meghag targeted Harry. I thought it was for the pomp and circumstance that would accompany the lifestyle. But it wasn’t that. I thought it was for the money. And it is. But I guess it’s not as freely flowing? It was certainly for fame...riding on Harry’s coattails. But she is the more important person, so it wasn’t that. It wasn’t even the association with the royal family because she’s trashed that. So what was, or what IS it? My brain is fried to a crisp. Most assuredly, she cares for Harry not one iota, nor has she ever! And I doubt she cares for their offspring, since she cares only for herself. But she will use him for personal gain when opportunity strikes. Insofar as merchandising him goes, I think she’s lost the plot. Had she “served him up on a silver platter”, interest would have been piqued, people would have been interested in his development, his changes...just as the Cambridge kids. Which makes me think she must be slightly embarrassed by him? There’s a reason he’s being withheld.
A little late but did anyone else notice that MeMe was wearing a disposable paper mask at the daycare but a cloth (merching) mask at baby2baby? So no money no cloth mask--just a disposable. Handbag had two different cloth masks but at least he is wearing a mask now not just a bandana (fulfilling his cowboy fantasies I suppose).

Girl with a Hat said…
here is an interesting comment from the DM:

Nothing put nonsense put out by their PR. Truth is the do NOT get any money up front-thats not how it works. The duo HAVE to produce the show themselves. And if Netflix doesn't like the show, they won't buy it. Remember, Apple and Disney passed on the working with them. And the word is that Netflix only met with them due to pressure from Sunshine-Saks. There is NO money up front.
JHanoi said…
dm comments are great

- makes sense, both are glowing examples of how to treat family

- family content? nasty meghan doesn’t do family

Enbrethiliel said…
My very first thought:

Is having the Sussexes on board for "inspirational family programming" damage control after the fracas over the show about little girls twerking?
AnyaAmasova said…
@Girl with a Hat

Actually that makes complete sense. "Go produce something and we will take a look at it and determine if we (Netflix) want anything to do with it and what we will pay for it." Thus, the two nit-wits have to go out and raise money for their monthly expenditures, I mean "production company." Here is hoping that the UK taxpayer will not be fronting their "production company."

I am wondering if Reed Hastings knows that Harry is a moron. And I use that word as a medical term. And the Mrs. is a cheap grifter. Well, he is about to find out.

And, when will they be sued, along with the photographer, the school and their management for using photos of children without their parent's consent. God, I hope some lawyer in LA is up late tonight readying the court filing.

Also, what about the ANL lawsuit? How is that going. Is Thomas Markle working on his suit against some of the five friends and People magazine. Let's not forget People magazine who never asked Mr. Markle if he would like to defend himself against their slanderous article.

And lastly, where the h*ll is "Archie?" I think we are inching closer to the day when he/she or its "origin" story will be exposed.
Deb said…
@Maneki, you are very welcome. The comments are up to 354 and growing. Yes there are supporters but a lot of haters. Many saying they will cancel Netflix. I’m going to check out DM.
JHanoi said…
DM- prents aren’t happy about the HArkle school photo op.

why are strangers allowed into the school when the parents have to drop the kids at the door? they can’t even bring their. kids a pen?
the harkles and their photographer got free reign t mingle with other peoples kids. it is distrubing.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8690195/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markles-visit-LA-preschool-questioned-parents.html#newcomment
makescakes said…
Netflix is full of trash. I sign up every 18 months or so in order to watch "Outlander" and then I cancel as fast as I can.
Enbrethiliel said…
@Bennie
Great story! The customer service agent not even knowing who they are is hilarious.
SwampWoman said…
Enbrethiliel said...
My very first thought:

Is having the Sussexes on board for "inspirational family programming" damage control after the fracas over the show about little girls twerking?


I'm wondering why somebody seeking to produce "inspirational family programming" would want to put it on Netflix which is not known for such. That show you referenced sounds pedo oriented, not family oriented.
luxem said…
I wonder if Harry has looked like "death warmed over" in his last few videos because he and MeMe have actually had to WORK together on these two offerings for Netflix and he now realizes that work is hard. And not always fun. And MeMe yells at him a lot. And this may be all for naught if Netflix doesn't like what they give them and then what?
SwampWoman said…
Wouldn't H & M getting a multimillion $$ deal from Netflix be a good thing for the United Kingdom? The taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook for any support. The PoW and HM could breathe a sigh of relief that they are well and truly gone.

Medusa and JCMH could just go on with their lives in California where they would probably OD in short order with all that money for drugs. They'll probably sue everybody in the vicinity of wherever they live on various pretexts which would probably go over well on a reality venue.

The rest of us could just cancel the Netflix subscription if we have it; I agree that Netflix is circling the drain.
YankeeDoodle said…
Please, my two cents about “$100 million or more” stuff that is spreading in the news faster than mange on a dog:

I live in a very nice neighborhood in an affluent town. Nobody is showy, as it is seen as tacky. There are townhomes and up to 2 acre “estates.” We have Marriotts as neighbors, plus other low-key rich people, who live like the dentists and doctors who are their neighbors.

One day, years ago, I received my Forbes magazine, and upon reading the richest 400 people in either America or the world, I saw my next door neighbor’s name. I went knocking and said are you this guy in Forbes? He laughed, and said Forbes is so wacko, they just throw numbers and names in the air, and his name stuck that year. He is well to do, but not even in the Forbes top 100,000 richest people. I have billionaire family relatives, I worked for a billionaire family, and I have a good friend who is a billionaire. Nobody knows who these people are, because they choose to be private. When my husband and I sold our company, somehow word went around that we were paid $500 million dollars. My dentist told me he heard this, and I literally spit at him (pre-Covid plastic medical masks.), I laughed so hard. He said ‘everybody” knew this fact. Everybody but me and my husband I said.

All these $100, $150, $200 million deals are like Forbes and “everybody knows” - pure crap. It makes for crap reporting. Nobody receives this money. It is also a con job. And yes, there is a bad sniff of money laundering going on. The IRS is putting the heat on people who brag, themselves or their lackeys, about all the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars they are receiving either through kickbacks or pr people who try to build up their clients. The worse thing anybody with a brain would ever do or say is brag about all their money, true or false. Auditing every year, and the HAMs have no diplomatic immunity anymore. They will not be HAMs but scrambled eggs.
SwampWoman said…
Blogger JHanoi said...
DM- parents aren’t happy about the HArkle school photo op.

why are strangers allowed into the school when the parents have to drop the kids at the door? they can’t even bring their. kids a pen?
the harkles and their photographer got free reign t mingle with other peoples kids. it is disturbing.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8690195/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markles-visit-LA-preschool-questioned-parents.html#newcomment


I would be *extremely* angry were I a parent with small children. Parents were not able to walk their kindergarten students to their classes on the first day of school here.

There should be no such thing as surprise visitors; they should all be cleared in advance and parents notified.
JHanoi said…
and unauthorized pictures of the kids should not be publlicized especially by the privacy obsessed Harkles!
Sarah said…
Eh, they’ll do one project with Harry and that will be it. There’s no demand for them and it will bomb
Enbrethiliel said…
@SwampWoman
If I remember correctly, that show is called Cuties. I didn't even bother to see the trailer. I just know about it because of the uproar on Twitter over a promotional image -- which, you are right, seemed to target twisted adults rather than children.

But I did catch a few episodes of Netflix's new Baby-sitters Club series, out of nostalgia for my childhood. It seemed all right at first. There was the expected Netflix push for "diversity" in the recasting of two BSC members as black and Latina, and the rewriting of one nuclear family so it had two mommies; but this is nothing Millennial producers haven't done before. I had to quit abruptly, however, in the middle of episode 4 when it was revealed that one of the little girls being baby-sat was actually a little boy whose parents were raising him trans. That's just heavier propaganda than I can take from a series aimed at preteens.

But I must confess that I still find Netflix halfway useful. A friend and I practically high-fived the other night when we saw it had acquired Cobra Kai. I'm not too optimistic about what they'll do for the third season, but I'm glad that I can finally watch the series with ease.
Mango said…
Friends @netflix tell me most exciting deal Netflix ever done. Estimate Harry & Meghan will have signing fee of between $50 & $100 million.

But thats not money in their pockets, correct? I’m thinking it would be for production costs, not to stock Meg’s cellar with Tig. Although Harry could use a new shirt... As for producing children’s content, maybe Megs will read another book while wrangling a disinterested Archie on her lap.

_________

I believe that there are some people, too many people, who just don’t know how greedy and self-serving Miss Thing is and just how dim Hapless Harry is. They vaguely know that a pretty actress married Prince Harry, there was a Royal wedding, his grandmama is the QoE and they left the royal family and England due to reasons. I wish that everyone associated with Dumb and Dumber would do their due diligence and just do a flippin’ google search—they would be stunned at what they would find. Baby2Baby, Netflix, Disney, et. al., don’t any of them have a legal team or PR company capable of doing just a little bit of research on these two entitled grifters? Jeez, most employers do a background check on new hires as a matter of course; why would these companies fail to do a cursory check on The Harkles? Are they blinded by titles? The Harkles will end up producing cutesy “inspirational” upbeat tripe that will make Disney look like soft-porn purveyors.


As for Spotify, I would’ve loved these boneheads to have their own podcast. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping, and I’m sure their woke speak word salad and endless catch phrases would have me nodding off in minutes. “If you’re complacent, you’re compli—“ Zzzzzzzzz 🥱😴
Enbrethiliel said…
Do we know if The Crown is going to feature Prince William and Just Harry as significant characters? What if the Harkles don't want to produce original content, but latch on as new producers to series that are already successful, in order to, uh, modernize them or something?

Okay, it's probably not likely. But it would be the height of irony if Meghan were to try getting The Crown to bend to her version of events. And she has been a barnacle on other people's success before.
Hikari said…
Embre,

I’m sure Meg would salivate to play herself on The Crown, but it won’r Get that far. Show creator Peter Morgan says he has no interest in the recent history of the Windsors, and that only the passage of 20 years Will show if Meg will Indore as a historically relevant figure.

The upcoming season four will focus on the early years of the Charles-Diana relationship. So far each season has covered approximately five years of the Queen’s reign. I suppose William and Harry will be introduced as babies and young children. Season 5 will finish out the 1980s and I would predict the final season to begin with Annus Horribilus 1992 and end with the events of 1997. We will see Diana’s boys as young teenagers, But to go any further would be to intrude too much on events of the present day.

The fact is, Contemporary royal life is just not very captivating as the historical events of Elizabeth’s reign recede into the past. I think that is why the saga of the HAMS has captivated our attention. William and Kate are a lovely young couple who had a beautiful wedding, and they are stylishly representing the next generation, but their wholesomeness is not inherently dramatic. Villains are always more interesting to watch. What we are witnessing now is a royal version of the 1980s American hit show “Dynasty”, With Catherine in the role of virtuous wife Krystal, And Markle as scheming Uber Bad Girl Alexis. Not Crown worthy Because we are still way too close to it.

https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/08/the-crown-meghan-markle-prince-harry/



.
HappyDays said…
Funny comment on DM Netflix story made me chuckle:

DS234, Melbourne
Bet they start off with a children's animated story - Archy, The Little Red Private Jet.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Wow. Jeeze. Walk away for a day or so, and the Harkles "do a deal." Or so it seems.

ALL is smoke and mirrors, where these two are concerned. I don't believe any of it. Who is going to throw money at the Harkles? Money laundering makes sense.

On the plus side, I received a very kind Tweet from Earl Spencer. I sent condolences on the anniversary of Diana's death, and he thanked me.
KC said…
Maneki Neko said...

Now the DM article had been updated:

"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new deal with Netflix to provide 'hope and inspiration' could be worth as much as $150 million, industry insiders say.
"'Could' being the operative word."
----------------------
Wait a minute. Isnt this the exact same guff industry insiders said when they made that first speech in Florida? Same huge number, same "could be worth..."
KC said…
Lt. Nyota Uhura said:
"On the plus side, I received a very kind Tweet from Earl Spencer. I sent condolences on the anniversary of Diana's death, and he thanked me."

So sweet. Thanks for sharing. Diana, too, was always very quick with her thank you notes. And it's good to know Twitter is also used for civil interchanges.
Elsbeth1847 said…
I was thinking about the release of the pictures of the kids. For any pictures, the parents would need to sign a release but that isn't mentioned in the DM article. Just that the parents are upset by the duo and photographer allowed access when they are not.

Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
@KC --

I am happy to share a chance encounter with a famous person. It makes me very happy, for just a moment or two. Especially if I care about him.

As for the late Princess of Wales, I hope she is resting in peace.
Hikari said…
Here’s an idea for an animated series fir kids: The Adventures of Archie, the Invisible Boy.

Teaching tolerance and respect for differently abled kids. Just because a boy is invisible, it doesn’t mean he can’t do everything he’s visible peers can do... he can do Even more! Watch Archie go to the pub with mommy and daddy! Watch him attend a mommy and me yoga class! Watch him make friends at playgroup with other red haired kids! Even though no one can see him, that does not stop him from having preferences. Watch as he gets private cuddle sessions from Mommy’s friends Uncle Elton, Auntie Ellen, Auntie Bey and more! Watch him enjoy outings with his very famous mother...Trips to Whole Foods, hikes in the woods with the puppies and bike rides to the beach with Daddy. Driveway Greeting the Sun poses with Grammie Doria and his Zoom meetings with other tots to discuss the importance of early literacy! Watch Arch master the potty in one day at 16 months because he is advanced. We may get to even see him enroll in Pepperdine University at the age of 5.

I predict a boffo ratings head for Netflix!
Crumpet said…
@Bennie,

Kudos to you and your Netflix cancellation story. Made my day!
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Hikari said...
Here’s an idea for an animated series fir kids: The Adventures of Archie, the Invisible Boy.

Teaching tolerance and respect for differently abled kids. Just because a boy is invisible, it doesn’t mean he can’t do everything he’s visible peers can do... he can do Even more! Watch Archie go to the pub with mommy and daddy! Watch him attend a mommy and me yoga class! Watch him make friends at playgroup with other red haired kids! Even though no one can see him, that does not stop him from having preferences. Watch as he gets private cuddle sessions from Mommy’s friends Uncle Elton, Auntie Ellen, Auntie Bey and more! Watch him enjoy outings with his very famous mother...Trips to Whole Foods, hikes in the woods with the puppies and bike rides to the beach with Daddy. Driveway Greeting the Sun poses with Grammie Doria and his Zoom meetings with other tots to discuss the importance of early literacy! Watch Arch master the potty in one day at 16 months because he is advanced. We may get to even see him enroll in Pepperdine University at the age of 5.

I predict a boffo ratings head for Netflix!

________________________________________

Mmmmmm. Yep.

We will be there to watch The Markle swan around. We will be there to watch her *pretend* her way around the world.

And we will be GLAD to watch her fall. GLAD.

(apologies)

xxxxx said…
Girl with a Hat said...

Nothing put nonsense put out by their PR. Truth is the do NOT get any money up front-thats not how it works. The duo HAVE to produce the show themselves. And if Netflix doesn't like the show, they won't buy it. Remember, Apple and Disney passed on the working with them. And the word is that Netflix only met with them due to pressure from Sunshine-Saks. There is NO money up front.

I go along with this account but with Netflix paying some of the production expenses, perhaps 30-50%, in installments as the Harkel project progresses. And definitely not paid upfront to these two birds.

Contrast this with the Obamas signing on board with Netflix. The Obamas know so many accomplished people, they are rain makers. The week after they signed, Barack Obama had Denzel Washington sign up for some Netflix production. The Obamas are super connected while the Harkles are the opposite.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
@xxxxx ...

How do you think the former president makes so many zillions of dollars?
KC said…
Found on Skippy--
Anonymous asked:
The Netflix deal is you produce content. Show it to us. If we like it well buy it. It's not much but it gives them legitimacy to get partners who'll invest in producing content with them. Which Netflix then might buy. There first show out will be a finding freedom doc I bet. That's what these stupid fake charity visits are about. their new life.

Also found on Skippy, from mobile.twitter.com/sage14
Fun fact Ron Burkle from SoHo has ties to Ted Sarandos of Netflix and the two go back years.

Good night (from where I am, anyway)
xxxxx said…
Lt. Nyota Uhura said...
How do you think the former president makes so many zillions of dollars?

Michelle has been making the big money so far with her book and book tours. Barack Obama has not finished his book but got a large advance. He must have gotten a large sign-up bonus from Netflix. Barack Obama earned millions while he was President, from the two autobiographies he wrote before he became President.
____________________

https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/obama-biden-donation/
It's not as if they can't afford it. The power couple received a joint book advance worth as much as $65 million for their post-White House memoirs. (Barack still hasn't finished writing.) They also inked a deal with Netflix worth more than $50 million.
_________________

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/how-much-is-barack-obama-worth
In the four years since he’s left the White House, former President Barack Obama has secured lucrative book deals, signed a massive production agreement with Netflix and delivered speeches around the world.

Those ventures, on top of a six-figure pension that all presidents receive once they depart from the Oval Office, have boosted Obama’s net worth to a staggering $40 million, according to GoBankingRates.

In fact, from the time he joined the U.S. Senate in 2005 as a former 43-year-old law professor (then making $85,000 per year) to the end of his presidency, Obama earned $20 million alone, Forbes reported. About three-fourths of that money stemmed from book deals, with Obama earning $15.6 million as an author.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
What do you mean @Lt. Nyota Uhura? Any technical issues?
HappyDays said…
@KC and Maneki Neko: You are both absolutely right. I recall late last year or early this year reading articles in the DM and other publications by so-called experts who were predicting Hollywood and businesses would be beating down their door to throw massive amounts of money at the Harkles.

It’s as if these “experts” are totally disregarding the fact that heretofore, savvy business people with the money to invest and finance these projects aren’t going to throw away tens of millions of dollars on a pair of people who have absolutely no track record of being able to produce a winner?

At this point, the Sussexes are at best a novelty and a curiosity. But without any talent, the shine will become dull and fade.

I also think that Meghan, being such a narcissistic control freak, won’t listen to anyone she hires, including writers and anyone else who is stupid or naive enough to work with her.

I think Meghan will attempt to financially shaft anyone who works with her while throwing tantrums and abusing them such that word about her will spread like a canyon wildfire through the entertainment business. And she won’t get away with antics such as throwing a pot of hot tea at someone without getting sued or reported to police for assault.

I also think Meghan will spend money faster than they can make it. My prediction is Harry and Meghan will initially make some money based purely on being a novelty.
But they will quickly end up deeply in debt and other possible financial trouble, such as tax problems.

Meghan’s narcissism is too profound to stay out of her own way. Yes, it got her this far, but now when she will actually have to manage a business and answer to investors, she will feel that as a duchess, she is above having to be accountable to others. But she will have to answer to others, especially investors.

When she doesn’t get her way, she will revert to hurling false charges of racism or sexism to enable her to portray herself as a victim.
jessica said…
Totally wild about the preschool.

I couldn't believe we were seeing 'humanitarians' barge in on small children for a photoop of do-gooding in the middle of COVID. And then to have those same children PLASTERED all over the media from the pictures!

I'm sure the daycare release the parents signed for class photos didn't include publishing via 3rd parties in the DAILYMAIL lol.

Hope the parents sue the school and the couple/photographer. Totally gross and unacceptable behavior.



Sandie said…
@Hikari The Adventures of Archie The Invisible Boy is sheer brilliance!

Folk here know the Harkles well. They will sabotage this opportunity because that is who they are. Harvey Weinstein got away with being a pig for a long time because he produced great movies and discovered great talent (and, of course, cultural issues around wealth and gender). Does HW have the appetite for appalling behaviour today? Do the Harkles have the talent and skills to produce brilliant shows and discover and nurture and debut great talent? We know they are going to mess up this deal. Remember the endless propaganda about Megsy being a global fashion icon when the opposite was clearly true? If she was any kind of fashion or style icon, the offers should have been piling up for her.

They shopped themselves to everyone before Netflix took them on! Netflix is either being financially reckless or has given them a deal that won't cost the company money but will make it money if the Harkles stumble into something that is actually good.
lucy said…
LOL Hikari at your adventures of Invisible Boy!! So funny!

They could also do spinoff of The Crown? Basically picking up when Meg joined the family "The Frown". I picture Absolutely Fabulous-like characters..

Could you imagine if they did things right? Stayed in the family and fulfilled their obligations and couple years later decided to come to US? They would have had all of Hollywood clamoring for them. Instead now they have clan of irate preschool moms and dads chastising them. Ugh. I think this Netflix deal, if it exists, is seriously overblown. Also feeling they do not own or reside in new $14 million dollar home or they could/would have planted garden at their own house. So much more relevant and meaningful
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Sorry @charade, my mistake.
They had a piece about the Harkles' Netflix story on BBC breakfast earlier, the budgies quacked loudly and "tutted" the entire way through it which amused me no end. It seems even the birds are fed up with them lol
Enbrethiliel said…
I agree with Lucy that a peek at their own garden would have actually been lovely. Look at Prince Harry putting down roots in his new home with his wife, but still remembering his first home with his mother. I don't think anyone would have anything bad to say about something like that.

But Meghan just had to do the predictable basic thing instead . . .
@Lucy said:
I picture Absolutely Fabulous-like characters..

Yes! Megsy is like Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone rolled up into one, certainly where dress is concerned.

She was channelling Edina in the toile de Jouy table cloth and bog-roll titfer, swamped by the bell-tent bivouac, and tied up like a sack of potatoes in any of the bathrobes - `Mrs Pepperpot'.

As the Hungry Caterpillar, she was Pure Patsy in the green tube.

`Bolly-wood' could have a new meaning.
A welcome `surprise' this morning - Yahoo News had only one item about MM - yesterday it was more than usual.

Has the tide begun to turn?

--------------

O/T Lt.Nyota-
As you said earlier, `Hmm...'
SarcasticBimbo said…
All I can think of (and the idea absolutely horrifies me), when the articles mention children's programming, is a live action version of Caillou: Starring, you guessed it...Woke, Joke, and Is-He-A-Doll-Or-Is-He-A-Real-Boy?-Arch!

What a nightmare that would be.
SarcasticBimbo said…
I've been inspired to try my hand at a poem:

A couple that we shall call HaMs,
Got into a bit of a jam.
They spent all their money,
And then they got chummy,
With Russians that no one can stand.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
Wild Boar Battle-maid said --

Yes, hmm.
Mango said…

lucy said...
Also feeling they do not own or reside in new $14 million dollar home or they could/would have planted garden at their own house. So much more relevant and meaningfulI,,relevant and meaningful,

________

Yes, but for Megs planting a garden at her own house is boooorrrrrrring. . Megs and Harry have to spread their love and light in the community (with accompanying photos for sale) So, a ten minute photo op at a school it is!

Also, Megs loves kids! She loves them so much that we very rarely see her “son” who is probably delegated to a revolving door of nannies, with Doria filling in the gap when one is fired before another is hired.

Sadly, it doesn’t appear that the school was able to spring for a private jet for the Duke and Duchess of Merching, so they had to undertake an exhausting, two-hour (chauffeured) car trIp to the school and back. I’m wondering how Megs is finagling the gas and mileage as a tax write off. Every penny counts when you’re a grifter!
Maneki Neko said…
Netflix

One industry expert called the project 'incredibly dangerous and overhyped' and added: 'they have got no chance to fail, they have got to succeed. If they lose they have got a lot of egg on their face.' 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚Let's hope.

In their own words:

Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection,' they said.

?? Meaning? When have they experienced any of it? As for "the need for connection", what about a phone call or visit to your father, Megs?
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
AliceFrance said…
So as I understand it, Harry and Meghan are going to be producers. But I think their job will be to validate projects initiated by other people. Projects that will correspond to the couple's "awakened" ideas. Then Netflix will just have to accept the projects, and Harry and Meghan will become rich, and will only know the work in words. They will be able to become really rich, which has been their goal since they got married.
I believe that can happen. Maybe we'll even watch documentaries, TV series or whatever without knowing that the couple will be the producer.
Imagine that you are a young documentary filmmaker making documentaries on subjects that might be what H and M are looking for, but nobody wants to sign a contract with you. If H and M are interested in your film, they can propose it to Netflix, and maybe, I mean maybe your film will be the subject of a financially interesting contract. What would you do? Would you accept?
This scenario could happen many times for many people.
Teams will work for the couple and it could work.
In the end, H and M seem to have won.
They have nothing royal, they only want the good life, fame and money. They are just empty shells, without their connection to the British royal family they would be just people without much interest.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
KC said…
 Hikari said...

"One of Meghan’s first post-royal PIECES OF WORK was a voiceover for Disney+, a competitor of Netflix. Emphasis mine."

Yeah...usually when you say "he's a piece of work, all right" it is not a true compliment.

Let us consider the source...

Shakespeare Quick Quotes

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

- Hamlet (2.2.295-302), Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

So great....and yet, a quintessence of dust...so, not much after all. Delights not me.
Lt. Nyota Uhura said…
What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

- Hamlet (2.2.295-302), Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
________________________

Yes. I give thanks for this share.
HappyDays said…
Maneki Neko said…
Netflix

One industry expert called the project 'incredibly dangerous and overhyped' and added: 'they have got no chance to fail, they have got to succeed. If they lose they have got a lot of egg on their face.' 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚Let's hope.

@Maneki Neko: Where was this paragraph? I’d like to read the entire article. Thanks.
CatEyes said…
@Sarcsstic Bimbo

Your poem is a delightful respite from the nauseating news!

@Wild Boar Battle maid

Thank you for your reply on September 1, 2020 at 6:46 AM; I took a lot of time to write a thoughtful response but after I got back 8-9 hrs later found the computer ate it and unfortunately the big Netflix news hit.

@Nutties

Don't know if anyone posted this, so sorry in advance if so, but maybe Harkles did get some big money from Netflix up front and that is why they could buy the 'Frogmore-West Castle' in Montecito. They gave some spending change but I can't imagine Netflix betting on a' dark horse in the run for the roses' as surely the couple is not a proven winner but then again I see what awful movies and series come out of Hollyweird and can see it happening.

Maybe the money spent on the Harkles was just done to get PR for a struggling media provider from a uniqueness standpoint. Afterall how many media outlets can say they have Royalty on speed dial. Netflix has captured the attention of the viewing public for good or ill, and as they say "any PR is good PR". I am in the camp no big money ($150 mil??) hs been spent yet and probably won't be as the Harkles will not have any good vo tent to offer.

@Nutty
You said Harry might make conservation type videos as he is a natural. Well as much as people dislike Meghan for her voice, I find Harry's voice equally appalling, because he mumbles and stumbles over his lines.
Teasmade said…
@Happy Days:

The quote is here:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8693297/Harry-Meghans-150m-woke-TV-no-chance-fail-couple-pressure-make-hit.html

Or search for the headline:"Is Harry and Meghan's $150m woke TV a sure-fire success or 'dangerously overhyped'? Couple under pressure to make a hit with projects including a 'series on mental health' as experts warn their Netflix deal could backfire" on DM.
JHanoi said…
Netflix deal -

we dont know how the deal is strucued so there’s no way to know if the Harkles will become filthy rich.

if as proposed above, it’s a lot of documentariy producers/ directors, attaching themselves to the Harkles to get their projects greenlit by Netflix, then I find it doubtful any of them will be rolling in it. documentaries typically dont get a huge audience. yes, micheal moore is an exception, but most get lost amongst more entertaining productions, reality, drama, comedy, dramedy, action, etc etc. people generally want to be entertained and don’t watch may documentaries becausethey dont want to be ‘lectured’. inorder to make big money, people need to watch (buy) whatever they produce. or there need to be sponserships, a sponser

if it’s a mix of entertainment with the preaching as subtet, maybe it could work and they could get viewers to watch. viewers means added value to netflix which is paying subscribers or paid advertising.

if it’s structured like an advance with no strings attached and regardless of they produce, they get paid, they could do very well.
CatEyes said…
Sorry for typos, meant to write "...as the Harkles will not have any good content to offer."
@CatEyes,

I'm sorry your reply disappeared goodness knows where, I'd have liked to have read it.

Technology is wonderful when it works but otherwise it's my biggest single source of stress at the moment - it's Amazon Prime scam here at the moment
Girl with a Hat said…
this economics/political website has a story on the alleged Netflix deal with the Harkles

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/not-very-fresh-prince-santa-barbara

I haven't read it yet as I'm supposed to be working. Quick break. LOL
SarcasticBimbo said…
CatEyes said...

@Sarcsstic Bimbo

Your poem is a delightful respite from the nauseating news!


Why, thank you, ma'am. I actually put it on the last post before I realized there was a new post here. Something about the other poems over there just spoke to me. LOL


Maneki Neko said…
@HappyDays

Sorry, I really should have included a link. It's the third paragraph:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8693297/Harry-Meghans-150m-woke-TV-no-chance-fail-couple-pressure-make-hit.html

Should you feel inclined, you can scroll down and read "What to expect from Megflix? Harry and Meghan's film projects in their own words" (warning: usual salad word).
CatEyes said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fifi LaRue said…
According to CDAN Harry has been writing up a storm, and has multiple scripts ready to be made into movies, comedies and dramas. Moving to LA must have unleashed Harry's hidden talents and creativity.

Notice the announcement doesn't mention a dollar amount. My interpretation is that if the Harkles come up with anything, Netflix owns it. Expect a whole lotta nothing.
OKay said…
Girl with a Hat said...
this economics/political website has a story on the alleged Netflix deal with the Harkles

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/not-very-fresh-prince-santa-barbara

I haven't read it yet as I'm supposed to be working. Quick break. LOL
____________
You really want to make the time to read it. It's delightful.
Midge said…
Piers Morgan has an hilarious article on Harry and Meghan's future films with Netflix:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8694287/PIERS-MORGAN-presents-hilarious-sneak-preview-Meghan-Harrys-Netflix-deal.html
Midge said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hikari said…
According to CDAN Harry has been writing up a storm, and has multiple scripts ready to be made into movies, comedies and dramas. Moving to LA must have unleashed Harry's hidden talents and creativity.

Notice the announcement doesn't mention a dollar amount. My interpretation is that if the Harkles come up with anything, Netflix owns it. Expect a whole lotta nothing.


So, they have been in LaLaLand for less than six months and Harry already had 'multiple scripts' shooting-ready across multiple genres.

Right. And the Vatican is getting ready to launch Pope Francis as the first Pontiff to celebrate Mass from Mars. I do not credit Harry with the ability to write much more than his own name, so I do indeed expect a whole lotta nothing. Harry flunked out of Eton, a fact that was brushed under the carpet owing to his being a Royal. He took a spot from a deserving boy just as he did at Sandhurst, where he was admitted with barely-passing scores. They had to make a show of giving the non-starter #2 something to do. Lots of people who dropped out of formal education are creative and intelligent and just did not make a go of the traditional school environment. Former talk show host Craig Ferguson is one such. I'd love to be wrong about Harry's potential to be a creative dynamo despite his complete failure at school, but I don't think I am.

Harry is barely functional without adult supervision, but neither do I think he is one of those childlike savant minds who is outstandingly brilliant in one narrow parameter. This is more of his wife's unrelenting PR bullsh*t. Even if Harry did have unmined layers of brilliance at the screenwriting medium, no one wants to work with either of them. I think there'd be interest in Harry as the genuine Royal, but as the disastrous tours for the RF demonstrate, Harry cannot function without a well-orchestrated support team from the Palace and a forgiving media. Harry used to be popular, because BP and Edward Lane Fox worked tirelessly to support, protect and promote Harry. He could be that genial guy who was a hit with photogs and small children because behind the scenes, everything was managed for him. Minders got him to where he needed to be on time, dressed him, fed him breakfast, carefully selected who would have access to him for pictures and interviews. He hasn't got any of that now--he's got Meg, the wife who is throwing him under the bus.

Until Harry met Meg, the Palace's well-guarded secret was that Harry was a volatile child-man with, charitably, an IQ in the 90th percentile. I believe his executive functioning (aka adulting skills--decision-making, impulse control and organizational ability) is very low. He grew up used to having everything organized for him, and this is why he follows Meg around like a puppy. He is a puppy with an abusive mistress, but he has gotten used to this treatment as well.

Harry is not mentally or personally equipped. What would he write about to make a movie? I could envision a comedy in which an addled party-boy Prince gets flung into an Army unit in Afghanistan and thinks he can fly Apache helicopters. Sort of a Royal male version of "Private Benjamin" . . call it "Captain Wales". But Harry's not capable of laughing at himself like that or acknowledging that he is in fact, a buffoon.

It's all ridiculous lies.
Teasmade said…
@Hikari: "Captain Wails", more like.
SwampWoman said…
There is a new Lady Colin video up: Chatting with Lady C: The Sussexes and lust, ambition, attacks on Cambridges, and politics. Sounds juicy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUopaaZaGtY
Blithe Spirit said…
Very well observed Hikari. Harry always had everything handed on a platter to him. The way the RF covered up his inability to flourish in an educational setting was not to encourage any non-scholarly talent but to build up this brave soldier and environmentalist image. It worked until he met the Schemer. If he had this latent skill why didn't it surface earlier? He goes to LA and boom a few weeks later he is writing up scripts left and right? Harry's only innate skill is to throw tantrums to get what he wants.
Seabee666 said…
Lucy said…
I wouldn't mind H&M creating their own money source and it may even be successful with medley of topics that do not include themselves. It will be interesting to see how long M restraims herself, if at all

I however do predict eminent crash. At this point they just cannot help themselves. I also hope to heavens she abstains any and all narration. She is really bad at it
September 2, 2020 at 7:18 PM

Nutty Flavor said…
@Lucy, yes, I agree about the narration.
September 2, 2020 at 7:19 PM

---------------------------------------------------------------------
And Catherine, shy, reserved and with no experience, nailed the Wimbledon narration.
Hikari said…
Meg's only selling point would be a series following Archie as he grows up in California. Sort of like "Kate Plus 8" . . parental dynamic feels very familiar. She would not be able to use the term 'Royal' in the title, but seeing as Archie is not Royal, I don't see how featuring him would violate any terms of Megxit. After all, Master Archie is a non-titled 'private' American citizen.

The fact that Archie would have been her meal ticket in America across media platforms, and yet he is never seen--the awkward Duck Rabbit video--a PSA--and grainy photo with Doria in the driveway notwithstanding--is proof enough that something is very hinkey about that child. Harry Handbag is not forceful enough to prevent her merching him, so something else is going on.
Miggy said…
I loved this bit at the very end of the DM article...

Tom Harrington, a broadcast industry expert at Enders Analysis said 'The Sussexes may imagine they will dictate the shows they want to make but Netflix will have a firm hand on the tiller.

A senior industry source said that Meghan would 'believe she's getting full creative control' but that the executive producer's credits she was likely to receive were 'thrown around like confetti'.

'TV networks, Netflix included, don't let the lunatics run the asylum,' the source said. 'Meghan will no doubt want to cast herself as Mother Teresa but that's not how it's going to pan out.'
KC said…
Midge said...

Piers Morgan has an hilarious article on Harry and Meghan's future films with Netflix:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8694287/PIERS-MORGAN-presents-hilarious-sneak-preview-Meghan-Harrys-Netflix-deal.html

THIS IS HILARIOUS. Piers is in rare form!
KC said…
Fifi LaRue said...

According to CDAN Harry has been writing up a storm, and has multiple scripts ready to be made into movies, comedies and dramas. Moving to LA must have unleashed Harry's hidden talents and creativity

Does anyone have link or the actual text? I have searched but cannot find it even on the CDAN site. I would just like to read it for myself, enjoy how he phrases it😏☺
jessica said…
Looks like their "$150m" PR stunt worked

Thats the topic today in the papers.

It's not even real and now we have Piers morgan blabbering on about it!

Maybe it's the fact that if Piers and the like exaggerate towards it, it blows up even more spectacularly when it pans out to be moderately nothing, or one of many on Netflix.

Harry can make some cash for sure, doing nature docuseries. People still LIKE Harry. Meghan, she won't really be anywhere to be seen.


As for the BRF, I think they are beyond embarrassed. Why is a Royal now working for netflix? LOL.

Geez.

jessica said…
Here starts Meghan bossing and working Harry to his Max level.

He's going to have an affair, just wait.

There is no chance a generally lazy person can sustain the obligation of a massive workload and deadlines for the investment. He's used to being the guy that shows up, not the guy that runs anything.

I have an incredible lazy friend who is wildly successful using other people's money to hire people and push projects based off the hourly worker's intellectual property, tailored towards my friends' vision.

So Megs, I mean it could work. It's just another version of owning the working class. If she hires the right people to head up her production company and she and Harry are just stakeholders...maybe that's what the netflix deal actually is, investment in their minor studio.
Mel said…
I think the Netflix deal wasn't a done deal yet, but they desperately needed something, anything, to stop people talking about her use of toddlers in her copyrighted photos at the daycare.

And, so, voila! Here's something to talk about. Notice how the toddler uproar completely shut down?
Humor Me said…
KC and Midge - agree Piers Morgan is hilarious.
I don’t believe that Harry has written anything. Meghan is likely submitting her own work under his name because he is a Royal and would therefore have a better shot at getting a script green lighted.
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