HBO’s ‘The Idol’ gets canceled

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HBO’s “The Idol” Takes Its Final Bow After One Season

In a not-so-surprising twist of fate, HBO has confirmed that the sensational television show “The Idol” will not be gracing our screens for a second season. The decision was announced via a statement from an HBO spokesperson to CNN on Tuesday, and boy, oh boy, what a rollercoaster it was!

“The Idol” burst onto the scene with all the flair of a Britney-styled pop star, following the captivating Lily-Rose Depp as she navigated the murky waters of the music industry while falling head over heels for a charismatic cult leader and nightclub owner portrayed by none other than the enigmatic Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye.

But this show wasn’t all glitz and glamour. “The Idol” quickly found itself in the crosshairs of controversy, earning labels like “abusive” and “pornographic” following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. Critics weren’t shy about expressing their concerns, with Variety dubbing it a “sordid male fantasy.”

Sam Levinson, the genius behind HBO’s “Euphoria,” was at the helm, but even his creative prowess couldn’t save the day. The production of “The Idol” was as chaotic as it was compelling, with the first director making a swift exit when the show was 80% complete, as reported by Rolling Stone.

#TheIdol has been canceled after one season on HBO #THRNews pic.twitter.com/mS4e60qiQy

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 29, 2023

Despite all the anticipation and hype, “The Idol” struggled to hit the right notes with audiences. One review described it as “From the sublime to the ridiculous,” comparing it to a modern-day “Showgirls.” Ouch!

In the end, it seemed like “The Idol” was more of an experiment in creative freedom that didn’t quite hit the high notes, as Brian Lowry from CNN aptly put it. HBO, known for its stellar dramatic successes, may have stumbled with this one, but hey, it happens to the best of them.

So, while we bid adieu to “The Idol,” rest assured, HBO isn’t about to stop churning out captivating content any time soon. With hits like “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us” in their repertoire, they’re bound to keep us entertained and glued to our screens!