The release of HBO’s new TV series ‘The Idol’ is fast approaching but it has received mixed responses online, particularly due to the sensitive subjects in the show and some of the behind-the-scenes drama. So, why has The Idol stirred up so much controversy before a single episode has even been released, and will it still be popular amongst viewers?
The screenwriter and creator of HBO’s smash hit Euphoria, Sam Levinson, has been tasked with delivering yet another TV series for the major streaming platform. Since his rise in the industry, Levinson’s projects have been the center of many fan debates for daring to broach sensitive topics and include mature scenes in his content.
His latest series, titled ‘The Idol,’ will feature the likes of The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp as the main characters, and it is expected to be even raunchier than Euphoria in some aspects, satirizing what takes place in the lives of pop idols breaking into the music industry. But some still take issue with how the production of the show was approached.
What makes The Idol so controversial?
The controversy for the upcoming series stemmed from director Amy Seimitz’s early departure from the project and also from an article that was published by Rolling Stone in early March. The report claimed that there were thirteen anonymous cast and crew members who spoke out against what happening behind the scenes.
After Seimitz’s departure, it was reported that Abel Tesfaye, also known as the Weeknd, who is a co-creator of the show, was unhappy with the creative direction and that it had been leaning too much into the “female perspective.” This resulted in the show’s narrative seemingly being overhauled, which has caused some delays in production and concern for some viewers.
Sam Levinson took over as series director and claims in the Rolling Stone report suggested that The Idol became “the thing it was satirizing” and that it was “Levinson chipping away at the show’s original messaging.” But, there were also many who remained on the show that argued against these claims, including The Weeknd who criticized RollingStone Tweeting, “Did we upset you?” with a clip from the show of his and Depp’s characters mocking the popular magazine.
It is worth noting that Lily-Rose Depp, along with other cast and crew members, has stood with the project throughout and claimed that Sam Levinson was “the best director” she worked with and that she never “felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input, and opinions more valued.”
How will viewers respond to The Idol?
From the small sample of early critic reviews, The Idol currently stands at a lowly 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes. But, that may still change once it becomes widely available, and the audience score, which can vary dramatically from the critical reviews, has still yet to be revealed. As of now, it is up in the air just how viewers might respond.
On one hand, the want for mature content and such topics to be addressed in television format was made apparent with the demand for each season of Euphoria. But, every time new characters and a completely different environment are introduced, there is always a risk that it does not connect the same way with the audience.
According to rumors, The Idol will also delve into topics that may be uncomfortable for some which will make it even more difficult to please everyone. Whether it resonates as a relatable and intriguing story, only time will tell. However, we won’t have too much longer to wait, as the release date for HBO’s new series has been confirmed, with The Idol arriving on June 4.