The series joins other nominees such as "Prehistoric Planet 2," "Rayne Wilson and the Geography of Bullis," "The 1619 Project," "The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy," and "Renovations."
It has come to light that HCA TV award nominations can be purchased for a range of $100 to $300, with personal publicists even able to transfer the funds directly to the HCA.
This pay-per-play award system has been revealed through the HCA's own website, which currently has a pending application for federal 501c3 status in the United States.
The HCA organization has faced allegations of fraud and financial impropriety, as reported by the Los Angeles Times in January. They have been accused of selling award tables and sponsorships to utilize tax-exempt funds for personal expenses and parties within Hollywood. Following these revelations, the HCA president resigned a month later.
Originally scheduled for August 12th to 13th, the ceremony date for the HCA Awards has been postponed due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. The new date is yet to be determined. The third annual TV awards ceremony is still expected to take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Royal author Christopher Anderson commented on the HCA award, stating that it serves as recognition not only for the Sussexes but also for the filmmaker, Garbus. Anderson highlighted Meghan's emphasis on the fact that the end result of the documentary was not exactly how they would have told their story, effectively distancing themselves from potential criticism. Anderson acknowledged that Harry and Meghan have a knack for capturing attention and acknowledged their success within the Hollywood community.
Kinsey Schofield, a royal expert, mentioned that "Harry and Meghan" scored Netflix its biggest documentary debut to date. While acknowledging that the series might have initially attracted viewers out of morbid curiosity, Schofield considered it a success for all parties involved.
Despite this, the series faced a snub in nominations for the Primetime Emmys. Schofield expressed doubt about Harry and Meghan rubbing shoulders with Hollywood's elite, suggesting that their work lacked the consistency, talent, and hard work demonstrated by their fellow filmmakers.
In summary, the HCA president's revelation about Meghan buying a nomination for $300 comes amidst discussions surrounding the controversial nature of these awards and the alleged financial improprieties within the HCA organization. While "Harry and Meghan" achieved popularity, it has faced criticisms for being one-sided and lacking the qualities that industry insiders look for in award-worthy productions.
