It comes as no surprise that their endeavors have met with failure. From Prince Harry's ill-advised intention to interview Putin, to Meghan Markle's podcast that offended Taylor Swift to the point of refusal to participate, the reasons for their downfall are evident.
Podcasts, in general, are something the world could do without. Despite the messy and highly publicized nature of their podcasting misadventures, the termination of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex's Spotify contract has reportedly robbed us of a potential gem.
Bloomberg recently revealed that Harry had contemplated creating a full audio series on childhood trauma, not limited to his own experiences but encompassing the formative years of controversial figures such as Vladimir Putin, Mark Zuckerberg, and Donald Trump.
The idea was to gather a group of powerful and controversial individuals, putting aside their motivations for power, to have candid conversations with Prince Harry about their lack of paternal affection. However, this intriguing concept met its demise, likely because Vladimir Putin had more pressing matters, such as nuclear threats, to attend to rather than discussing his school torment.
Predictably, news of Harry's terrible ideas eventually reached the public after Spotify CEO Bill Simmons offered a preview of them on a broadcast. Simmons referred to Harry and Meghan as "grifters" and mentioned his attempt to help Harry develop a podcast concept during a Zoom call. Although these remarks were shared, the true irony lies in the fact that amidst the criticism of their union, the news of these ill-conceived notions went largely unnoticed.
Jeremy Zimmer, CEO of the United Talent Agency, discussed the demise of the Spotify deal during an advertising conference in Cannes. Zimmer noted that Meghan Markle lacked audio talent and any discernible skill, emphasizing that fame alone does not guarantee excellence. Furthermore, Taylor Swift reportedly declined to participate in Meghan's podcast due to her dissatisfaction with the concept.
To compound their troubles, rumors suggest that Netflix is on the verge of severing ties with Harry and Meghan unless they can deliver another hit akin to their recent six-part documentary. However, considering that the documentary largely revolved around their personal lives, it is doubtful they can replicate its success.
In addition, other proposed concepts, such as a remake of "Great Expectations," fail to generate much interest. It appears that Harry and Meghan's podcast careers have indeed been ruined by their lack of talent, leaving them facing an uncertain future.
The current problems faced by Harry and Meghan seem to stem from prematurely relinquishing the positive aspects of their relationship. Primarily concerned about the instability within the monarchy, their Oprah interview and subsequent ventures served to exacerbate the situation. However, their efforts, including films and archetypal podcasts, proved lackluster and unexciting, much like a conversation overheard in a yoga studio's locker room. It has become increasingly evident that their endeavors are running on empty.
Perhaps it's time for Harry and Meghan to take a step back and reassess their aspirations, determining who they truly want to become. Nonetheless, this does not imply that we should completely disregard them. The Duchess of Sussex has joined a talent agency and, depending on whom you ask, is either planning to revive her blog as a Goop-style wellness center or even run for the presidency of the United States. These endeavors may potentially increase their family's wealth, granting Harry more leeway to pursue an interview with Putin.
In a recent radio review by Charlotte Renssey in The Telegraph, Megan, the granddaughter of a former Archbishop of Canterbury, fails to grasp the true art of interviewing. It appears that the podcast interview bubble, once booming, may now be on the decline. Initially emerging during the pandemic when people substituted their conversations with friends for strangers' discussions about their lives, interview podcasts saturated the airwaves. These shows often featured celebrities interviewing their celebrity pals on various themes, such as parenting, marriage, or happiness.
However, signs indicate that the trend is waning. Meghan's partnership with Spotify, for instance, came to an end after just one season of her podcast, "Archewell Audio," where she interviewed guests like Serena Williams and Mariah Carey. While the theme centered on labels that hinder women's progress, the conversations themselves felt like intellectual dead ends. Instead of being inspiring or thought-provoking, Megan relied on platitudes, lacking genuine engagement with her guests.
Critically, "Archewell Audio" did not achieve great success, and Jeremy Zimmer, CEO of United Talent Agency, didn't mince words when he stated that Meghan Markle wasn't a great audio talent. Being famous doesn't automatically make someone great at something. Meghan is not the only podcaster to make this mistake, fortunately. Those lacking the necessary skills may gradually lose interest and fade away, leaving the truly talented ones behind.
On a different note, Louis Theroux recently made headlines by moving his podcast to Spotify, joining the ranks of high-profile BBC deserters. Known as one of the world's best interviewers, Theroux's podcast is a testament to his genius. He skillfully selects captivating guests, poses insightful questions, and navigates the peculiar nature of artificial conversation, seeking moments of tension or instability.
His recent episode with fellow interviewer Amelia Dimzio-Volkenberg, the comedic journalist behind the YouTube series "Chicken Shop Date," showcased their witty and sharp exchanges, poignant moments, and a genuine conversation between equals who playfully referred to their relationship as something between best friends and professional respect.
Ultimately, an interview podcast can only succeed when it blends a well-crafted format with genuine interaction between responsive individuals who are willing to take risks. Any podcast host, regardless of their A-list status, who fails to understand this fundamental aspect should perhaps consider giving up.
