Um, the Rotten Tomatoes rating for The Idol is out and it’s scored a dismal nine per cent

The Idol, the new show by the created by and starring Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye and also starring Lily-Rose Depp, has finally premiered – which means the reviews are in, the consensus has arrived and the verdict has been made on whether this show has been worth the endless controversy that’s surrounded Abel and Sam Levinson (Co-creator and creator of Euphoria) since *that* Rolling Stone article. And it’s not looking good, bruv, it’s not looking good. The Idol has debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a woeful score of 9 per cent. Certified rotten. But how did it all go so wrong?

‘Every bit as sleazy as the industry it seeks to satirise’

The synopsis of The Idol is that Lily-Rose Depp plays an aspiring pop star called Jocelyn, whose paths cross with Tedros – a nightclub owner played by The Weeknd who is also a self-help guru and cult leader.

The Rotten Tomatoes verdict for season one of The Idol damningly reads “Every bit as florid and sleazy as the industry it seeks to satirize, The Idol places itself on a pedestal with unbridled style but wilts under the spotlight.” Yikes.

Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, has faced huge backlash after 13 sources from the set of the show told Rolling Stone how The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp starring The Idol has become a “shitshow” full of “torture porn” and female objectification. The show was initially meant to be about female sexuality and satirising and condemning the dark nature of Hollywood, but after rewrites and walkouts from crew the show has allegedly morphed into something more sinister entirely.

The Idol is set to premiere on HBO on June 4th 2023. 

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