Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Distance Themselves From 'Horse S---' Netflix Polo Disaster
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest show, simply titled POLO, has found the duo reportedly trying to distance themselves from the "horse s--- they served Netflix execs... again," in the words of one Tinseltown insider.
Marketing expert Tony Case told The Daily Beast, "The critics have universally slammed the show. Harry and Meghan are box office poison. Of course everyone is running away from it, in every direction, so as to not pick up the stench of this colossal bomb. From a brand perspective, I’m not really sure anything can be done at this point to reverse consumers’ obvious apathy toward the Sussexes. They set out to conquer America, but nobody here, it turned out, found them or what they’re peddling to be particularly compelling."
A Sussex source tried to save face by sharing, "[It was] pretty much out of their control" since "the bosses wanted the series to appeal to the masses and push this reality TV angle."
The five-episode doc is the fourth content offering the Duke and Duchess gave the streamer as part of their five-year content deal signed in the fall of 2020. All four programs have been documentaries, with only Harry & Meghan, filled with salacious takes on the monarchy, becoming a hit. POLO was released on Tuesday, December 10, and failed to crack the streamer's top 10 shows of the week.
Showrunner Miloš Bala? praised Harry and Meghan for their active involvement, calling them "wonderful to work with" and highlighting their commitment to reshaping perceptions of polo. "Harry’s expertise and Meghan’s fresh perspective combined to tell a story that’s both authentic and engaging," he shared.
The series features players like Nacho Figueras and Adolfo Cambiaso, showcasing the dedication and familial bonds within the sport.
While the series captures the beauty and complexity of polo, the criticism seems to be outweighing the praise. One commenter on X wrote, "How out of touch can they be? A series about polo during a cost-of-living crisis feels tone-deaf" while another said, "It’s glossy, but who is this for? Most people can’t relate to this world."
Mainstream critics echoed these sentiments, with The Telegraph dismissing the show as a "dull indulgence" and The Guardian labeling it "unintentionally comedic."
Despite its criticisms, POLO has moments of emotional resonance for some fans, but one viewer felt "it is just manufactured garbage from an ex-actress who seems to think people can't tell how fake she is."
The final episode, set at a charity match benefiting Sentebale, captures Meghan passionately cheering for Harry. Their affectionate post-match exchange, including Meghan presenting Harry with a trophy, offers a glimpse into their personal lives that left one fan on X "feeling all warm and tingly."
Next up is reportedly Meghan's long-awaited cooking show, which some analysts are saying could yield the pair their second hit on the streamer.
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