In that brief, halcyon period for Harry and Meghan shortly after their quasi-abdication, when everything they did seemed to turn to gold, they signed a $20 million deal with the streaming company. And for what? A dozen episodes of a mediocre podcast series, conducted by a host more interested in talking about herself than in engaging with her guests.

Even the most indulgent companies, once so desperate to ally themselves with the duo, have tired of their repetitive schtick

It was not wildly surprising, then, that Spotify has decided to pull the plug. The company is hardly known for handing out millions of dollars to already wealthy people for little return on their investment.

[It’s a grift, and Spotify got suckered. There’s not much more to this than that. This couple wants a royal lifestyle while refusing to do any actual work, even of the play-acting kind. – Ed]