The HBO show The Idol has stirred quite a bit of controversy online.
The Weeknd and Euphoria writer-director Sam Levinson are the creators of the controversial television series, which is drawing criticism for its sexually explicit content that some say denigrates its lead female character and overly relies on shock value. The series follows an aspiring pop idol, Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, and her complex and tumultuous relationship with a self-help guru and cult leader, Tedros, played by none other than The Weeknd.
According to 13 unnamed cast and crew personnel who were interviewed for a March Rolling Stone piece, the program contains scenes of physical and sexual violence. Due to delays, reshoots, and the conflicting artistic views of Amy Seimetz, Sam Levinson, and The Weeknd, one source compared the production to “torture porn” and said that the working environment was chaotic.
According to a source who spoke to Rolling Stone, the show was initially pitched as a dark satire on the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry, but after the creative direction of the show changed, they claimed it turned into “the thing it was satirising.”
The show’s initial director, Amy Seimetz, left the show behind the scenes due to strong creative differences. Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, has been accused of trying to create a more misogynist vision for the series and dumping Amy’s female-led story arc. It was further reported that The Weeknd wanted the original show to change as it had too much of a “female focus.”
The show has been heavily criticised for its lazy and sleazy approach to sexual content. In their review, Variety refers to the show as a “sordid male fantasy,” calling Sam’s depiction of Lily-Rose’s character “shameful” and marked by “degradation and suffering.” Other critics and fans alike have further criticised the show as unnecessary, claiming that a show like this does not need to exist.
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