{"id":588983,"date":"2023-08-29T03:21:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T00:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/why-hbo-axed-the-weeknds-controversial-show-after-just-1-season\/"},"modified":"2023-08-29T03:21:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T00:21:02","slug":"why-hbo-axed-the-weeknds-controversial-show-after-just-1-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-hbo-axed-the-weeknds-controversial-show-after-just-1-season\/","title":{"rendered":"#Why HBO axed the Weeknd&#8217;s controversial show after just 1 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4e30dbe8957\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4e30dbe8957\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-hbo-axed-the-weeknds-controversial-show-after-just-1-season\/#What_was_behind_the_decision\" >What was behind the decision?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-hbo-axed-the-weeknds-controversial-show-after-just-1-season\/#Controversy_from_the_start\" >Controversy from the start<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 695px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container\" style=\"padding-bottom:56%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img has-preview\" alt=\"Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd starred in The Idol. (HBO)\" bad-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/3eOqicgbiZRb58.Vo2b2_w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTU-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_yahoo_tv_711\/c1d8ae181d7b27d57140cf2af69ed3f8\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/3eOqicgbiZRb58.Vo2b2_w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTU-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_yahoo_tv_711\/c1d8ae181d7b27d57140cf2af69ed3f8\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd starred in <em>The Idol<\/em>. (HBO)<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/tagged\/the-idol\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Idol;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\"><em>The Idol<\/em><\/a> has fallen.<\/p>\n<p>Masterminded by Abel &#8220;The Weeknd&#8221; Tesfaye and slotted into HBO&#8217;s prime Sunday lineup, the drama, about a young pop star (played by Lily-Rose Depp) entangled with a secret cult (headed by Tesfaye&#8217;s character) seemed poised to become the network&#8217;s next prestige play, following the likes of <em>Euphoria<\/em>, <em>Succession <\/em>and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Game<\/a> of Thrones<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, beset by controversy and behind-the-scenes intrigue, the show didn&#8217;t make it to a second season. HBO dropped the hammer on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<em>The Idol<\/em> was one of HBO&#8217;s most provocative original programs, and we&#8217;re pleased by the strong audience response,&#8221; the network said in a statement. &#8220;After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season. We&#8217;re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social media<\/a> reaction was swift and decidedly against the drama.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_was_behind_the_decision\"><\/span>What was behind the decision?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:2;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/idol-finished-one-season-hbo-230000354.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Hollywood Reporter;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp yahoo-link\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>, while there was no overarching plan for multiple seasons m<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ed out, producers of <em>The Idol<\/em> had ideas for where to take the show following the conclusion of its five-episode season, and it was only recently that the network decided not to move forward. In the July 2 finale, it was revealed that Depp&#8217;s character was secretly playing Tesfaye&#8217;s cult leader, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:3;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/the-idol-finale-the-weeknd-controversial-hbo-show-finale-twist-201952974.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:a twist that reversed the power dynamics;cpos:3;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp yahoo-link\">a twist that reversed the power dynamics<\/a> that had played out over the first four episodes.<\/p>\n<p>As recently as June 15, HBO refuted a report that the drama wouldn&#8217;t see a Season 2, noting that a decision had not been made on that front.<\/p>\n<p>HBO even referred to episode 5 as the <em>season<\/em> finale.<\/p>\n<p>However, there were signs that the show&#8217;s future was in doubt when co-creator and showrunner Sam Levinson wound up making five episodes instead of the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:4;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/decider.com\/2023\/07\/03\/the-idol-season-2-on-hbo\/\" data-ylk=\"slk:six that had been originally ordered;cpos:4;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">six that had been originally ordered<\/a>. A source close to the production told Decider<em>\u00a0<\/em>that that&#8217;s all Levinson needed to &#8220;<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:5;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/decider.com\/2023\/07\/03\/the-idol-season-2-on-hbo\/\" data-ylk=\"slk:capture his vision;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">capture his vision<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Controversy_from_the_start\"><\/span>Controversy from the start<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:6;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/idol-torture-porn-allegations-sleazy-150011740.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Scandal plagued the show;cpos:6;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp yahoo-link\">Scandal plagued the show <\/a>even before it debuted on June 4.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, <em>The Idol<\/em>&#8216;s original, female director and an actress departed the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a> early on, reportedly because Tesfaye thought the show was &#8220;leaning too much into the female perspective.&#8221; He denied that was the reason.<\/p>\n<p>Then, in March, Rolling Stone published a report in which 13 unnamed members of the cast and crew said the second version of the series had &#8220;gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails&#8221; and had become &#8220;sexual torture porn.&#8221; One crew member said <em>The Idol <\/em>had gone from a story of a woman falling prey to a toxic figure in the industry to &#8220;like any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have in the show \u2014 and then the woman comes back because it makes her music better.&#8221; There was<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-i13n=\"cpos:7;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/idol-torture-porn-allegations-sleazy-150011740.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:a lot more;cpos:7;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp yahoo-link\"> a lot more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The network defended the show. &#8220;The creators and producers of <em>The Idol<\/em> have been working hard to create one of HBO&#8217;s most exciting and provocative original programs,&#8221; officials told Yahoo.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change. Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew. We look forward to sharing <em>The Idol <\/em>with audiences soon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/entertainment\/idol-canceled-why-hbo-axed-002102985.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd starred in The Idol. (HBO) The Idol has fallen. Masterminded by Abel &#8220;The Weeknd&#8221; Tesfaye and slotted into HBO&#8217;s prime Sunday lineup, the drama, about a young pop star (played by Lily-Rose Depp) entangled with a secret cult (headed by Tesfaye&#8217;s character) seemed poised to become the network&#8217;s next prestige&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":588984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/vVu3HJzaJVMyREKkuGKEpg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD02NzI-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_yahoo_tv_711\/c1d8ae181d7b27d57140cf2af69ed3f8","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-588983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/588984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}