The Idol has already created controversy, and now HBO has been forced to reply to claims that it may be cancelled.
The show has lived up to its billing, “the sleaziest love tale in all of Hollywood,” with several scandalous scenes including choking, masturbation, and bodily fluids.
The five-part series, which chronicles the narrative of self-help guru and modern-day cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd) and his tumultuous connection with rising pop singer Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), has received a lot of controversy.
There have been rumours that the programme may be cancelled after only one season – with only two episodes shown so far – but HBO has said that no decision has been made on its future.
‘It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been made,’ HBO stated in a statement. It hasn’t, and we’re excited to share the next episode with you on Sunday night.’
The first two episodes were blasted by critics, who labelled it “torture porn” and several fans slammed the obscene scenes.
One person seethed: ‘Someone put the entire sex scene from the idol and.. let’s just say I lost respect for the weeknd I’m sorry I don’t care what you do but doing it on TV especially GRAPHICALLY is weird.’
The second episode, Double Fantasy, amps things up by having a fully dressed Tedros command a nude and blindfolded Jocelyn to complete his sexual dreams.
‘F*****g’ stretch that tiny, little p****,’ he says, and The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, has since responded to the controversy.
The series’ co-creator and co-writer, a singer and actor, has stated that it was never intended to be sensual.
‘There’s nothing sexy about it,’ he told GQ.
The protagonists are shown watching Basic Instinct during the event, and Abel noted how the film was an influence for the programme since, while it contains’sexy’ moments, it is also ‘cheesy and amusing’.
He added: ‘How ever you’re feeling watching that scene, whether it’s discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters. It’s all those emotions adding up to – this guy is in way over his head, this situation is one where he is not supposed to be here.’
The Idol continues on Sunday on HBO for US viewers and Sky for UK viewers.
Source My Celebrity Life.
