HBO’s latest series, “The Idol,” directed by Sam Levinson, the creator of “Euphoria,” has seen a significant drop in viewership since its debut. According to a report by Variety, the show lost over 100,000 viewers from its initial episode, with 800,000 people tuning in for the second episode, a 12% decrease from the 913,000 viewers who watched the premiere on June 4.
The drama stars Lily-Rose Depp as a pop star and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye as a greasy nightclub owner. The series has been under fire for its “rape fantasy” accusations and negative reviews from critics. The most recent episode featured a sex scene that has been dubbed by British GQ as “the worst sex scene in history.”
‘The Idol’ Episode 2 loses more than 100K viewers
Fans have taken to social media to criticize The Weeknd’s character, Tedros, for his vulgar dialogue. Rolling Stone reported earlier this year that the series had gone “wildly, disgustingly off the rails” behind the scenes. Despite the controversy, Depp has stood by the show’s creators, even after being criticized for showing too much of her body at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
HBO’s “comically bad” new show “The Idol” has lost more than 100,000 viewers since its premiere.
The controversial series directed by “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson saw a 12 percent drop in viewership with its second episode, which 800,000 people tuned in to Sunday versus the 913,000 who watched its June 4 debut, Variety reported Monday.
The drama, which has been marred by “rape fantasy” accusations and trashed by critics, stars Lily-Rose Depp as a pop star who meets a greasy nightclub owner played by Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye.
Most recently, fans were left horrified when this week’s episode ended with what British GQ dubbed “the worst sex scene in history.”
“It’s hard to imagine anything as unsexy as what we’re told to believe is the most radical, boundary-pushing TV sex ever,” writer Lucy Ford wrote in a review published Monday.
“The dialogue and choreography feel like they’re plucked from the brain of a horned-up teenager who just found out they could google ‘boobs’ on Google Images,” she went on.
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In the X-rated scene, The Weeknd’s character, Tedros, told Depp’s Jocelyn to “f–kin’ stretch that tiny little p—y” while she stuck her fingers in her mouth.
Fans were quick to slam the “Blinding Lights” singer, 33, who co-created the show with Levinson, 38, and Reza Fahim.
“I will never see the weeknd the same after this #theidol,” one viewer tweeted.
“I really need Abel to get dragged for this nasty scene in The Idol,” a second person agreed.
“The Idol” was dogged by controversy months before it even hit the small screen, with Rolling Stone reporting in March that the series had gone “wildly, disgustingly off the rails” behind the scenes.
However, Depp, 24, has stuck by the show’s co-creators — even after she was criticized at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for showing too much of her breasts and butt.
“I love Abel so much,” Depp said during a breakdown of Episode 1 that aired after the premiere.
“He was able to melt into this role in a way that is really difficult for anybody to do.”
