The Idol, a series created by Sam Levinson and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye, has been canceled by HBO after just one season. The decision not to renew the show came as no surprise, considering the overwhelmingly negative reception it received from both critics and audiences. Despite initially announcing six planned episodes, the first season ended abruptly after only five episodes. This led to speculation that the show was canceled early due to hate-watching, although it was later clarified that it was a communication error. HBO’s PR team refuted rumors about a second season cancellation but eventually confirmed that The Idol would not return for another season.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, an HBO spokesperson described The Idol as one of their most provocative original programs and expressed gratitude to the creators, cast, and crew. However, the decision not to move forward with a second season was met with disappointment from some actors who believed the show would continue. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, one of the stars of the series, stated in an interview that HBO was “happy” with how the show turned out and that a second season was always part of the plan. However, HBO stopped releasing viewer data after the first two episodes, prompting questions about the show’s true popularity and viewer engagement.
The Idol premiered to 913,000 viewers across HBO cable and Max (formerly HBO Max), which was 17 percent lower than Levinson’s previous hit series, Euphoria. However, the viewership dropped to 800,000 by the second episode, after which HBO stopped sharing data. The decline in viewership was attributed to linear television viewers, as The Idol caters primarily to a younger demographic that tends to prefer streaming platforms over traditional TV channels. In India, the show was made available on JioCinema, although Viacom18 has not released any viewership metrics for The Idol.
The Idol received a lackluster 19 percent average rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with criticism centered around the overtly graphic sexual scenes and the show’s lack of direction. Some dialogues from the series gained popularity as internet memes, particularly those delivered by The Weeknd’s character, Tedros, who played a cult leader invading the life of Jocelyn, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp. The show’s original director, Amy Seimetz, exited the project when 80 percent of the work was already completed. The series was originally intended to explore the struggles and exploitation of a rising pop star in Los Angeles. However, Levinson took over and rewrote a significant portion of Seimetz’s work, focusing on the toxic relationship between Depp and Tesfaye’s characters. Levinson also assumed the role of director for all episodes. Additionally, Tesfaye expressed concerns that the show leaned too heavily into a female perspective.
The Idol’s cancellation after just one season reflects the poor reception it received from critics and audiences. Despite HBO’s initial statement praising the show’s provocative nature, the decision not to move forward with a second season demonstrates a lack of confidence in its potential. The show’s early cancellation, mixed messages, and declining viewership numbers all played a role in its ultimate demise. The Idol’s controversial content and lack of direction hindered its success, leaving the series with a short-lived run. While The Idol may have garnered some attention for its memes and dialogues, it ultimately failed to resonate with viewers and secure a dedicated fan base.
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