For almost a month now, Netflix’s The Crown has been a major headline, not just in entertainment news but even outside of the entertainment section of coverage because of all the angsting over it from royal supporters, politicians, and the British royal family themselves – even though they won’t go on the record about it, obviously, and instead have relied on their usual leaking by palace insiders to the UK papers. Basically after three seasons, now they have an issue with Peter Morgan and the way their family has been depicted in the series. And last week the big story was the call for Netflix to add a disclaimer to make sure that viewers understand that not every single second of the show is real. Because the fact that actors are in it, on constructed sets, isn’t enough of a reminder.
For Netflix and The Crown, particularly Peter Morgan, I wonder if this has been a compliment. That they’ve done such good work they’ve upset the people who have infamously never explained and never complained to the point where they’re worried viewers will take it to be 100% the truth. Or is it because it’s that close to the truth? If it was totally outlandish, would they be so bothered?
After days of this back and forth, Netflix has finally answered the disclaimer question.
“We have always presented ‘The Crown’ as a drama – and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events,” a Netflix spokesperson tells Variety. “As a result we have no plans — and see no need — to add a disclaimer.”
In short: No. Next?
As if Netflix has to accommodate the British royal family. What can the British royal family possibly do to them? Are hundreds of millions of subscribers going to obey the command of Her Majesty to cancel their accounts? Also, what if oh say six months from now when the pandemic, hopefully, has receded, there’s some kind of weird legislation limiting Netflix’s independence in the UK? THAT, to me, would be the more sinister consequence. And also, if they have all this energy to go at Netlflix for, I dunno, trolling or misinformation or whatever it is that they’re accusing them of, where is the Queen and the senior royals’ criticism of Facebook and all the online agents that have eroded democracy?
That’s actually what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing right now – pushing back against online abuse and engaging advertising companies and other organisations to stop hateful behaviour but also targeted disinformation campaigns. Has the British royal family taken a position on that or, you know, is their concern just limited to Netflix and The Crown?
Here are Prince William and Kate on their mini Royal Train Tour, spreading royal cheer and thanks to frontline and essential workers who’ve done so much this year – and, obviously, though they’ll never admit it, trying to put a pretty face back on the brand, reminding people how important they are to the national spirit. Royal fans love this idea. Others are more skeptical about the value of travelling comfortably on their royal train when no one should be travelling right now and people are being encouraged to stay the f-ck home until the vaccine can be properly distributed.
You know what would have been a way for them to connect with people while sticking to the messaging? What’s the Anmer Hall Christmas tree looking like these days? Or the Kensington Palace Christmas tree? How about a video of Kate and the kids decorating it? And showing how they’re passing the time STAYING AT HOME.
Is Kate baking? Is William? How’s his sourdough starter coming along? Even a video of the two of them wrapping presents would work. They could be teaching the kids Christmas carols, making cookies in the kitchen with all three of them, that’s the kind of modern, relevant content that might go a lot farther than a trip on the royal train.
