Back in June, ‘The Idol’ premiered worldwide on HBO Max. The new tv show by Sam Levinson, creator of ‘Euphoria’, starred The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp.
The series generated plenty of controversy due to its sexual content and plot from the moment it debuted. As a result, the platform has decided to cancel the show.
“After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season,” a HBO spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response.”
The Idol received plenty of criticism
The five-part series saw Lily-Rose Depp play a Britney-styled pop star. After falling in love with a cult leader and nightclub owner played by The Weekend, the show delves into the under belly of the music industry.
Although the show was highly anticipated, the show received pushback after its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
Dubbed by some as abusive and pornographic, controversy seemed to follow the show. The first director left when around 80% of it was completed according to Rolling Stone, with a source saying the production environment was chaotic.
As for the show itself, Variety’s review criticized its use of degradation and suffering: “It shouldn’t take degradation and suffering to make Jocelyn stronger. ‘Euphoria’ audiences won’t be too surprised by the shameful way (Levinson) treats Depp’s character, as both she and the show appear trapped under The Weeknd’s thumb.”
CNN’s Brian Lowry stated that HBO “wound up with a laughably bad ‘Showgirls’ for our times, bringing its run of sterling dramatic successes (see ‘Succession,’ ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘The Last of Us’) to a crashing and conspicuous halt.”