Harry and Meghan Miss the Mark—Their ‘Polo’ Misstep Says It All
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to celebrate the holidays with a touch of virtue signaling.
This week, the couple released their public Christmas card, showcasing a collage of images that prominently feature them affectionately interacting with the lovely individuals of Nigeria during their “faux” royal tour from earlier this year.
They present themselves as humanitarians ready to save the world, regardless of whether the world actually seeks their assistance.
The card’s message radiated the warmth of an artificial intelligence, stating: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.”
Despite the seemingly joyous images (and a reportedly more personal version sent to friends), the Sussex enterprise suffers from troubling failures. With a staggering $100 million deal from Netflix — often viewed as the ultimate trophy for nepotism — the couple still fails to grasp the sentiments of their audience.
Their recent project, the docu-series “Polo,” has been met with dismal reception.
“This series provides an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the passion and tenacity that drive some of the world’s top polo players, unveiling the perseverance behind the glamour,” Prince Harry has remarked.
Sounds intriguing, Harry! I adore sports. I enjoy sports documentaries. I appreciate Argentinians.
So, in spite of the harsh criticism the series has faced, I approached it with an open mindset. However, about 10 minutes into the first episode, lulled into a trance, I found myself examining the inside of my eyelids.
Nonetheless, I persisted. I rewound and kept watching. But soon, “Polo” faded into the background as I cooked (at least dinner turned out well).
Marketed by Netflix as “high stakes,” the five-part “Polo” feels as insignificant as a $2 scratch-off ticket.
It fails to immerse the audience in this exclusive realm or encourage them to emotionally connect with the players’ journeys. The series lacks compelling footage of on-field action, exciting highlight compilations, and thrilling training montages — after all, as “Rocky” taught us, training sequences are essential!
It’s a snooze-fest filled with attractive individuals but devoid of substance.
Which, frankly, is expected since reports suggest both Harry and Meghan were heavily involved in the editing process.
Recall when Spotify’s Bill Simmons referred to them as “f–king grifters”? Yes.
These two excel at one thing: exploiting their royal ties. Let’s not forget their breakout moments, such as that infamous interview with Oprah and Harry’s tell-all memoir, “Spare.”
However, neither of those experiences qualifies them as seasoned television producers (sorry, Netflix). Nor as podcast hosts (sorry, Spotify). Or, I predict, as lifestyle entrepreneurs.
While the Invictus Games, an initiative started by Harry, is genuinely commendable, “Heart of Invictus,” the 2023 Netflix documentary about it, didn’t capture an audience.
There was also “Live to Lead,” which showcased activists like Greta Thunberg. Exciting material indeed. Meghan’s animated series “Pearl” was canceled before ever airing, and her recent podcast with Lemonada seems as elusive as her pricey homemade jam.
Recent reports indicate that the underperforming “Polo” may jeopardize Meghan’s Netflix cooking show — intended as a tie-in to her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard — and could lead to the couple’s $100 million streaming deal not being renewed.
“There won’t be another agreement. There might be standalone projects, but that’s all,” a source revealed.
However, Harry and Meghan are unlikely to recognize any lessons. Their vision of their positive contributions blinds them to the reality that they are oblivious to what they’re doing.
