Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being ridiculed so much in Hollywood that their renaming could be in trouble, culture and royal experts told Web today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were once again the butt of jokes on Sunday night as Golden Globes host Jo Koy roasted them in front of an audience of A-listers.
The US comedian said the couple were paying “millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing – and that's just from Netflix”. The comment sparked laughter in the room, including from Netflix boss Ted Sarandos.
Koy also sparked laughter when he joked that Imelda Staunton's portrayal of the queen in “The Crown” was “so good that Prince Harry called her and asked for money.”
Netflix is one of the couple's main sources of income after they signed a multi-year deal worth $100 million (£78 million) with the streaming network in September 2020.
Her podcast deal with Spotify was canceled after just one season of Meghan's series Archetypes, with the company's CEO Bill Simmons later calling her a “gribber.”
Sunday saw the latest joke on US television at the couple's expense in the past year, including a South Park episode last February called “The Worldwide Privacy Tour” in which the couple appeared on an advertising campaign promoting Harry's book “Waaagh” could be seen.
Golden Globes presenter Jo Koy is pictured at the ceremony in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday
Netflix boss Ted Sarandos is pictured at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday, where he laughed during a joke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from host Jo Koy
“If you become a ridiculous figure, you’re in trouble.”
ANALYSIS BY PHIL DAMPIER
A few years ago, Harry and Meghan wouldn't have been humiliated in this way, but now they're the butt of jokes, even among Hollywood's brightest luvvies.
If you become a ridiculous figure, you're in trouble.
They were a popular couple when they first moved to America, but people have seen through them and are fed up with their constant whining.
This is the latest in a growing list of Mickey movies that tie in with South Park and other series.
They lost their Spotify deal, ran out of ideas at Netflix, and now they're a source of amusement even to the kind of left-leaning audience that would once have sympathized with them.
In 2024 they desperately need a new direction or they could crash.
They have to pay for their security and have huge ongoing costs, so they need money, but the sources of income are drying up.
They expect criticism from the press and social media, but attacks from the showbiz world show how far they have sunk.
They were also the target of a cut-out sketch in Family Guy last October, when a butler gave Harry his “millions from Netflix for…nobody knows what” – before Meghan said: “Babe, it's time for our daily sponsored Instagram post worth.” of $250,000.” Del Taco.” Harry replies, “I shouldn't have left that made-up nonsense up.”
At the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday, Koy said: “Succession has nine nominations.” Just a great show about a rich, white, dysfunctional and scheming family – oh wait, that's The Crown. I'm sorry.
“How great was Imelda Staunton in The Crown, wasn't she great?” Her portrayal of the Queen was so good that Prince Harry called her and asked for money.
“Like I said, I didn’t write all of them. That is not mine.
“It turns out that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still getting paid millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing, and that's just from Netflix.”
The comment about asking for money comes after Harry told Oprah Winfrey during the couple's bombshell interview in 2021 that his father, then Prince Charles and now King Charles III, “literally cut me off financially” when they were a year old previously resigned as senior royals.
And the latest joke comes as some believe former Suits actress Meghan is currently weighing up a possible second phase of her Hollywood career – although this time it's related to producing rather than acting.
Royal author Phil Dampier said today that regular ridicule in the US is making life difficult for the California-based Sussexes – as Americans are now “tired of their constant whining”.
He told Web: “A few years ago Harry and Meghan would not have been humiliated in this way, but now they are the butt of jokes, even among Hollywood's bright luvvies. “When you become a ridiculous figure you are in trouble.
“They were a popular couple when they first moved to America, but people have seen through them and are tired of their constant whining.” “This is the latest in a growing list of Mickey moments reminiscent of South Park and other series connect.”
Prince Harry and Meghan were the target of a cutout sketch on Family Guy last October
The couple appeared in an episode of South Park called “The Worldwide Privacy Tour” last February.
He told how the pair had “lost” their Spotify contract and were “out of ideas at Netflix”, saying they were “a source of amusement, even for the kind of left-leaning audience that would have once sympathized with them” .
“Now Netflix is no longer producing The Crown, they could be seen as expendable”
ANALYSIS BY RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS
The Sussexes began writing Harry's autobiography, Spare, last year, in which he unwisely attacked the royal family.
However, the inclusion of his problems with frostbite on his penis and how he lost his virginity in a field sparked much hilarity.
The corpse of satirist and actor Gyles Brandreth on British television as he discussed it.
The satirical animated series South Park made headlines in the United States by mocking their hypocritical stance on privacy with the Worldwide Privacy Tour, which was hilarious.
It compromised their entitled stance, which had allowed them to repeatedly denigrate the royal family without consequence, or so it seemed.
Their ratings began to decline – it was William who was voted America's most admired public figure on Gallup.
Recently, the Hollywood Reporter called them “losers.”
Now Golden Globes host Jo Koy has mocked the fact that they “still get paid millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing.” And that’s just from Netflix.
Koy didn't excel in the role of host, but highlighted the fact that Meghan, who joined the prestigious Williams Morris Endeavor Agency in April, has done nothing despite rumors of a relaunch.
After the fiasco of Omid Scobie's Endgame, the Sussexes remained very silent.
There were reports of blogs and a romance novel being adapted for Netflix, but nothing came of that.
They lost their contract with Spotify because an executive attacked them as a “gribber.”
Since Netflix no longer produces The Crown, it could be considered expendable if it continues to produce so little.
That would be a crisis since their $100 million contract expires next year. If they are still primarily active in charities that Harry was involved with before his marriage, they will have become even more of a joke.
Mr Dampier said the couple “desperately need a new direction in 2024 or they could crash” as their sources of income dry up given the “huge operating costs” and security burden.
He added: “They expect criticism from the press and social media, but attacks from the showbiz world show how far they have fallen.”
But brand and culture expert Nick Ede pointed out that the joke at the Golden Globes meant the Sussexes were still “news” and the talk of the town.
He told Web: “Jo Koy made another joke at Harry and Meghan's expense at the Golden Globes, suggesting they do nothing and still make millions.”
“He is another in the long list of stars who have attacked the couple, and although they have been quiet and less conspicuous, they are still the talk of the town and their names are used as punchlines.”
“I think Meghan's rebranding shows that they're still 'news' and that if they don't like it, they're a talking point.”
“Whether jokes like this will damage her reputation even more is something we'll have to wait and see over time, but I think she'll make a big splash and attract attention in 2024 and we'll see her use her fame in a much more authentic way.” “Wisely used.” will win over its critics and delight its many fans.”
Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams warned that the Sussexes could be viewed as “expendable” by Netflix as the company no longer produces “The Crown.”
He told Web: “The Sussexes began Harry's autobiography Spare last year, which unwisely attacked the royal family.” However, the inclusion of his problems with frostbite on his penis and how he lost his virginity in a field sparked much hilarity. The corpse of satirist and actor Gyles Brandreth on British television as he discussed it.
“The satirical animated series South Park made headlines in the United States by mocking their hypocritical stance on privacy with the 'Worldwide Privacy Tour,' which was hilarious.”
“It violated their entitled stance, which meant they could repeatedly denigrate the royal family without consequence, or so it seemed.” Their ratings began to decline – it was William who became the most admired figure on Gallup public life in America.
Mr Fitzwilliams pointed out that the couple were also described as “losers” by the Hollywood Reporter last month.
And speaking about Koy, he added: “Koy hasn't excelled in the role of presenter, but he has highlighted the fact that Meghan, who joined the prestigious Williams Morris Endeavor Agency in April, has made it despite rumors of one “Relaunched.” Nothing.
“After the fiasco of Omid Scobie’s Endgame, the Sussexes were very silent. There were reports of blogs and a romance novel being adapted for Netflix, but nothing came of that.
“They lost their contract with Spotify because they were attacked by an executive as a 'grifter.'” Since Netflix no longer produces “The Crown,” it could be seen as expendable if it continues to produce so little.
The cast of the TV show “Suits” met again on Sunday evening at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills – from left: Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht
“That would be a crisis as their $100 million contract expires next year.” “If they are still primarily active in charities that Harry was associated with before his marriage, they will have become even more of a joke.”
Meanwhile, an insider claimed Meghan was unable to attend a “Suits” reunion at the Golden Globes due to a “previous commitment.”
Speaking to Page Six, a source said the duchess had been invited to the event but was “unfortunately” unable to attend due to other plans.
Additionally, Gina Torres – who played Jessica Pearson in the US legal drama – revealed on Sunday that the ex-castmates simply “don't have their number” when asked if anyone had reached out to the former actress.
Prince Harry and Meghan attended the Invictus Games together in Düsseldorf last September
Torres, who attended Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018, was asked by a reporter from Variety: “Who texted Meghan and said, 'You have to come to the Golden Globes, Meghan Markle'?”
And Torres replied, “We don't have her number.” We just don't do that. She will see it. She will watch. She'll be glad we're here.'
Despite the couple's problems, Meghan revealed on the red carpet last November that they have several projects on the horizon.
Speaking at the Variety Women of Power Gala in Los Angeles, she said: “We have so many exciting things coming up.” “I can't wait until we can announce them, but I'm really proud of what we're doing, and my husband loves it too.”