The Idol

Will There Be Season 2 Of ‘The Idol?’

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Getty Image / HBO

The Idol sparked plenty of controversy leading up to and following the Cannes premiere, which essentially ended up being a glitzy premiere for an intentionally shocking series. At least, that’s the indication still present following the show’s first two episodes, which appears to be the maximum screened for both critics and at-home audience alike.

The show hasn’t been a ghost town for viewership, although one scene racked up more YouTube views than the entire relevant episode did on HBO and Max. So, will we be seeing any more confusing and straight-up bad sex scenes in a second season from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye?

That remains unclear, although HBO PR has spoken, as noted below. This week, however, a Page Six report claimed that a second season will probably not be in the cards although “[t]he door is definitely still open — it’s definitely not a decision [yet].” This appeared to be based upon second-week viewing figures being noticeably lower than the debut episode. Yet perhaps people have since felt compelled to catch up with what GQ called “the worst sex scene in history,” which add up to several minutes that I wouldn’t mind scrubbing from memory.

So, we may or may not see more of Tedros’ unsexy directives to his cult members because HBO subsequently responded on Twitter. “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” the premium cable channel wrote through their PR handle. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

Well, at least Blackpink fans seem to be happy with more Jennie? Silver linings.

HBO’s The Idol airs on Sunday nights and streams on Max.

HBO Says “The Idol” Season 2 Is Not Yet Confirmed

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According to HBO, it has not yet been confirmed whether or not The Idol will be returning for a second season. Rumors that the show will be canceled after it’s first season have been circulating as of late. The network took to social media today to clear things up. “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” they wrote on Twitter. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

Page Six recently reported that an unnamed source made claims about the series. “This was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always … a limited series,” the source reportedly claimed. “The door is definitely still open — it’s definitely not a decision [yet]. At this point, this is normal in our process … we’re only two episodes in.” They say the source also added, “It’s a Sam Levinson show, and you know what you’re getting with a Sam Levinson show.“

Read More: Episode 2 Of The Weeknd’s “The Idol” Leaves Social Media Shook With Self-Harm & NSFW Scenes

The Idol Season 2 Is Undetermined

The Weeknd’s series, co-created by Sam Levinson, has received it’s fair share of criticism since it’s pilot episode aired. Critics have called out the show for its abundant on-screen nudity and dark themes. After episode 2 of The Idol aired earlier this week, the show received mixed reviews for it’s shocking depictions of self-harm. Viewers claim that The Weeknd’s character, Tedros, “gets creepier by the minute.” Other fans can’t wait to see another episode.

The Weeknd responded to backlash for the show in a recent interview with GQ Magazine. He told the outlet, “I’m loving it. It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure [laughs].” “We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say,” The Weeknd also explained, “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation. That’s important for anything I do, especially this new medium that I’m in.”

Read More: “The Idol”: Sources Allegedly Call The Weeknd “Egomaniacal,” Not Renewing

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HBO Said A Decision ‘Has Not’ Been Made Regarding ‘The Idol’s’ Return For A Second Season

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the idol 2023
Eddy Chen/HBO

Despite a few reports to the contrary today, it looks like The Idol hasn’t officially been canceled. However, that doesn’t mean it’s coming back after this season.

Following numerous reports claiming that The Idol, which is the brainchild of Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, would not return for a second season, HBO shared a statement from their official PR social accounts noting that several outlets reported this news incorrectly.

“It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” read a tweet. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

At the time of writing, only two episodes of The Idol have aired, however, the reception hasn’t fared well.

A British GQ review called a sex scene in the second episode “the worst sex scene in history.”

In an interview with American GQ, The Weeknd noted that this particular scene was supposed to be unsexy.

“How ever you’re feeling watching that scene, whether it’s discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters,” he said. “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 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. Episodes are also available for streaming on Max.

It’s Reportedly Unclear If The Weeknd’s HBO Series ‘The Idol’ Will Return For A Second Season After Its Controversial First

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The Idol Soundtrack abel tesfaye (the weeknd) lily rose depp
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The Weeknd and Sam Levinson’s HBO show The Idol has aired a few episodes now and the reception has not exactly been glowing. It has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score ever for an HBO show, some choice scenes have proven to be controversial, and the ratings have been a bit of a mixed bag. So, will there be a second season? According to one report, that’s not really clear at the moment.

Today (June 15), Page Six reported that a source suggested there will not be a second season, adding, “This was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always […] a limited series.” They also noted that HBO was not surprised by the reaction to the show, saying, “It’s a Sam Levinson show, and you know what you’re getting with a Sam Levinson show.”

A “source inside HBO” did reportedly say, though, “The door is definitely still open — it’s definitely not a decision [yet]. At this point, this is normal in our process. […] We’re only two episodes in.”

Meanwhile, the publication is also reporting that some found the experience of working with The Weeknd in character as Tedros to be difficult. One source said it was “not an ideal experience […] and not one I am eager to repeat,” while another source described him as “egomaniacal.” Another source, though, described him as “beloved,” saying, “He literally opened up his home for the cast and crew. Almost the entire show was shot inside his home.”

The Weeknd Speaks On Controversial Sex Scene In “The Idol”

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People have been talking about The Idol for months before its actual release date. But now that two episodes are out the buzz has continued. One scene in episode two in particular has generated quite a bit of attention. Many fans and critics have dubbed it the worst sex scene of all time. Series star and co-creator The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye) takes part in the scene and dealt with a good bit of backlash from it. In a new interview with GQ, Tesfaye defended some of the scene’s artistic choices.

“There’s nothing sexy about it,” Tesfaye explained. “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.” Even though the viewership reportedly dropped by 12% from episode one to episode two, plenty of fans still saw the scene. The Weeknd was trending on Twitter afterward as fans discussed the specific scene and the writing of the show in general.

The Weeknd’s Viral Sex Scene

This isn’t the first time Tesfaye has had to defend himself from fans watching “The Idol.” He defended his acting chops and the show’s controversial themes after negative reactions from critics. “We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say,” Tesfaye explains. He seemed mainly interested in starting a conversation, regardless of what that conversation is. “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation.”

On top of new episodes of the show every week, fans are also getting new music. Tesfaye has been dropping collaborative songs with various members of the cast alongside each new episode drop. Episode 3 of the 5-part series is set to air this Sunday on HBO. What do you think of the controversial sex scene in The Idol? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: The Weeknd Has No Issue With MF DOOM Comparison

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The Weeknd Is ‘Loving’ The (Not-So-Great) Response To ‘The Idol,’ His Controversial New HBO Show

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the weeknd the idol
Eddy Chen/HBO

The Weeknd and Sam Levinson’s new HBO series The Idol is here, and so far, the response has been… not great: It has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score for any HBO show ever, currently at 26 percent (with a 58 percent audience score). The Weeknd doesn’t seem fazed by this, though. In fact, it looks like he’s happy with how things are going, as he indicated in a new GQ interview.

At the top of the conversation, he was asked how he’s feeling about the response to the show after the first two episodes, and he responded, “I’m loving it. It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure [laughs]. We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say.” When asked if he thinks “the audience is engaging with it in the way” he intended, he replied, “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation. That’s important for anything I do, especially this new medium that I’m in.”

Meanwhile, The Weeknd continues busting out new music as new episodes premiere. The fresh tracks that followed this past weekend’s episode were “Family” by The Weeknd with Suzanna Son and “Devil’s Paradise” by Mike Dean.

The Weeknd Responds To “The Idol” Criticism

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The Weeknd is one of the biggest global superstars in the entire world. Overall, he has sold tens of millions of records and continues to be at the top of his game. However, he is currently garnering a lot of criticism for his acting chops in The Idol. The new HBO show has been streaming fairly well, although the critics absolutely hate it. Moreover, the dialogue and sexual themes in the show are already rubbing people the wrong way. Needless to say, the show is gaining a lot of attention, a lot of it bad.

In case you haven’t noticed, The Weeknd is someone who pays attention to social media. Consequently, you will sometimes find him responding to people on Twitter or Instagram. Recently, however, he talked about The Idol and its reception with GQ Magazine. In the interview, Abel made it clear that his character’s depiction is deliberate. He is meant to be a bad person, and they aren’t sugarcoating that. Furthermore, he is just happy to see people talking about the show.

Read More: “The Idol” Episode 2 Loses Tens Of Thousands Of Viewers

The Weeknd Speaks

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye performs live at Etihad Stadium as part of his After Hours til Dawn Tour on June 10, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

“I’m loving it. It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure [laughs]. We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say,” The Weeknd explained. “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation. That’s important for anything I do, especially this new medium that I’m in.” In the eyes of Abel, there is no such thing as bad press.

With Episode 3 set to drop this Sunday, it will be interesting to see where the show goes from here. Ultimately, season 1 will decide whether or not this is a show that deserves to go on any longer. Let us know your thoughts on The Idol, down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the music world.

Read More: “The Idol” TV Channel: How To Watch In The US And Canada

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The post The Weeknd Responds To “The Idol” Criticism appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Weeknd Responds To “The Idol” Criticism

by

The Weeknd is one of the biggest global superstars in the entire world. Overall, he has sold tens of millions of records and continues to be at the top of his game. However, he is currently garnering a lot of criticism for his acting chops in The Idol. The new HBO show has been streaming fairly well, although the critics absolutely hate it. Moreover, the dialogue and sexual themes in the show are already rubbing people the wrong way. Needless to say, the show is gaining a lot of attention, a lot of it bad.

In case you haven’t noticed, The Weeknd is someone who pays attention to social media. Consequently, you will sometimes find him responding to people on Twitter or Instagram. Recently, however, he talked about The Idol and its reception with GQ Magazine. In the interview, Abel made it clear that his character’s depiction is deliberate. He is meant to be a bad person, and they aren’t sugarcoating that. Furthermore, he is just happy to see people talking about the show.

Read More: “The Idol” Episode 2 Loses Tens Of Thousands Of Viewers

The Weeknd Speaks

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye performs live at Etihad Stadium as part of his After Hours til Dawn Tour on June 10, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

“I’m loving it. It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure [laughs]. We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say,” The Weeknd explained. “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation. That’s important for anything I do, especially this new medium that I’m in.” In the eyes of Abel, there is no such thing as bad press.

With Episode 3 set to drop this Sunday, it will be interesting to see where the show goes from here. Ultimately, season 1 will decide whether or not this is a show that deserves to go on any longer. Let us know your thoughts on The Idol, down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the music world.

Read More: “The Idol” TV Channel: How To Watch In The US And Canada

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“The Idol” TV Channel: How To Watch In The US And Canada

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The Idol is a gripping HBO drama television series that is captivating audiences in the US and Canada. Co-created by award-winning musician The Weeknd, Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson, and Reza Fahim, this show takes viewers on a riveting journey through the highs and lows of the music industry​.

The Unique Appeal Of The Idol

What sets this new show apart from other drama series? In addition to its immersive narrative, The Idol boasts an impressive lineup of talent. Starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, who portrays a rising pop icon named Jocelyn, the series features appearances from real-life artists such as Jennie Kim from K-Pop supergroup Blackpink, multi-instrumentalist Moses Sumney, and producer Mike Dean. This fusion of fiction and reality enhances the authenticity of the show, making it a must-watch for music and drama enthusiasts​.

Read More: “The Idol” Episode 1 Recap: Introducing Jocelyn & Tedros

Where To Watch “The Idol” In The US And Canada

HBO Max streaming The Idol
The Idol series poster displayed on a laptop screen and Max logo displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on June 8, 2023. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

For those eager to dive into this provocative drama, The Idol is readily accessible in the US and Canada. The series can be streamed on Max, Max Amazon Channel, DIRECTV, and Spectrum On Demand. This range of streaming options allows viewers to enjoy The Idol on their platform of choice. This ensures a seamless viewing experience​ wherever you can get the available streaming options.

The 4K Experience

To further enhance the viewer’s experience, The Idol is available in 4K. This high-resolution format provides unparalleled image quality, immersing viewers in the intricate world of the music industry. With every frame, viewers can appreciate the meticulous production design and high-quality cinematography that goes into creating The Idol.

Read More: “The Idol” Episode 2 Recap: “Double Fantasy”

Keeping Up With The Idol

The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, and Sam Levinson at the screening of "The Idol."
TOPSHOT – (From L) Canadian singer Abel Makkonen Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, French-US actress Lily-Rose Depp and US director Sam Levinson arrive for the screening of the film “The Idol” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 22, 2023. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

The new show is sure to have a dedicated fanbase, eagerly awaiting every twist and turn in this dynamic narrative. To keep up with the latest streaming news and updates about The Idol, platforms like JustWatch provide comprehensive information. JustWatch gives you streaming options, release dates, and more.

Conclusion/TLDR

“The Idol” is more than just a television series; it’s a journey into the heart of the music industry, filled with compelling characters, emotional depth, and raw talent. Whether you’re in the US or Canada, numerous streaming platforms make it easy to join the journey. With the added bonus of 4K streaming, you can fully immerse yourself in the intense drama and captivating performances that make “The Idol” a standout series. Don’t miss out on this unique viewing experience – tune in to “The Idol” today!

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“The Idol” Reaches Massive Streaming Debut Numbers

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Whether you love it or hate it, odds are that you’re watching HBO’s new series with The Weeknd, “The Idol.” If you’re not, there’s still plenty of time to join the 3.6 million viewers that streamed the series’ premiere episode in its first week on their service. According to HBO, this represents one of the biggest-ever streaming debuts (and viewership debuts, for that matter) in the network’s history within that timeframe. To put things in perspective, “The White Lotus” premiered in 2021 with 3 million viewers in its first week, whereas “Euphoria” (also helmed by Sam Levinson) nabbed 3.3 million in 2019.

The second episode of “The Idol” is already out, and it’s caused no shortage of shocked, outraged, or entranced reactions online. While the show seems to have one foot in controversy and another in critique, it’s definitely caused a stir online that reflects in its commercial success. At least some credit has to go to the show’s cast and crew for that very reason, as it’s always possible that it will age like fine wine for its detractors. With two-thirds of the season to go, it’s still quite early to say whether numbers will keep rising by the finale or dip out eventually.

Read More: The Weeknd’s Biggest Hits: From “Losers” To “Blinding Lights”

“The Idol” Nabs Big Numbers For Its Premiere

Regardless, if you don’t like “The Idol,” The Weeknd is at least releasing a lot of new music- each week, in fact– to accompany it. As such, Abel die-hards can turn to tracks like “Family” and “Popular” to get a taste of the HBO series if they don’t want to see its lewd and provocative subject matter. What’s more is that the show might just open up more avenues for the Canadian superstar external to the show’s success. Recently, he expressed interest in writing and co-producing an album for Madonna after their collaboration for the series’ soundtrack.

Meanwhile, Twitter continues to dish out its hot takes surrounding the show, whether for its story, acting, or otherwise. Social media conversation has been integral to the show’s critical reception thus far, especially considering The Weeknd’s built-in fanbase, fans of “Euphoria,” and the 3.6 million views it got in its first week. It’s a lot of pressure and even more division, but maybe that’s exactly what a show like this aimed for. For the latest news, updates, and recaps concerning HBO’s “The Idol,” stick around on HNHH.

Read More: The Weeknd Net Worth 2023: What Is The Megastar Worth??

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