The Idol Gets Canceled Following a Single Season

HBO's decision to cancel the television show "The Idol" after just one season has been officially confirmed. In a statement to CNN, an HBO spokesperson shared, "After much thought and consideration, HBO, along with the creators and producers, have opted not to proceed with a second season of 'The Idol.' This show, although one of HBO's most daring original productions, garnered a significant and positive response from the audience."

This five-part series revolved around Lily-Rose Depp portraying a Britney Spears-inspired pop star entangled in a complicated romance with a cult leader and nightclub owner, portrayed by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye. The series aimed to expose the darker aspects of the music industry.

However, "The Idol" faced considerable criticism, with some critics branding it as abusive and pornographic following its initial screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Comparable to HBO's popular series "Euphoria," "The Idol" was under the direction of Sam Levinson. (It's worth noting that HBO, like CNN, is under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Discovery).

Variety labeled it a "sordid male fantasy," with the publication stating, "It shouldn't require degradation and suffering to empower Jocelyn. 'Euphoria' viewers might not be overly surprised by the questionable treatment of Depp's character, as both she and the show seemed to be ensnared by The Weeknd's influence."

Controversy had already swirled around the production for several months before its release. According to Rolling Stone, the initial director departed the show with roughly 80% of it completed, citing sources who described a tumultuous production environment.

Upon its premiere, the negative reviews continued to pour in. CNN's Brian Lowry remarked in June, "The expression 'From the sublime to the ridiculous' has seldom felt more fitting than in watching 'The Idol,' HBO's new attempt at a provocative drama." He later added that HBO had "ended up with a laughably poor 'Showgirls' for our era, abruptly ending its streak of outstanding dramatic successes (such as 'Succession,' 'The White Lotus,' and 'The Last of Us')."

Lowry went on to state, "HBO can view 'The Idol' as an experiment in creative freedom that didn't pan out, a risk that doesn't always pay off, which is a common occurrence in the industry."

In summary, HBO's decision to discontinue "The Idol" comes after a season marked by controversy and mixed reviews. While it aimed to push boundaries and challenge norms, the show ultimately failed to captivate audiences and critics alike, resulting in its cancellation after just one season.