If it feels like we’ve been hearing about The Weeknd‘s wild new HBO series, “The Idol,” for a while now, it’s because we have. A few months back, the show hit the headlines when Rolling Stone proclaimed that production on the show had gone “gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails.” What was meant to be the network’s “next ‘Euphoria'” had somehow turned into “torture porn” before a single episode had ever aired. However, the show must go on, as they say. Now, the first trailer for “The Idol” is here, and it looks like it’s going to be an intense ride.
What is “The Idol” about?
Hello Angels … June 4th #THEIDOL pic.twitter.com/V1PWe4d5RN
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) April 18, 2023
The concept of the show is pretty simple. Lily-Rose Depp plays a woman named Jocelyn who’s desperate to make it in the entertainment world. Of course, it’s not long before she meets Tedros, played by Abel “The Weekend” Tesfaye, a cult leader who’s addicted to sex and power and wants to change Jocelyn’s life (though not necessarily for the better).
In addition to Depp and Tesfaye, “The Idol” also stars some other big names including Dan Levy, Troye Sivan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hank Azaria, Mike Dean, Jane Adams, Harry Net, Jennie Ruby Jane, Moses Sumner, Ramsey, Suzanna Son, and Rachel Sennott. Pretty impressive lineup!
“The Idol” was created by Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim, and The Weeknd. According to Variety, director Amy Seimetz bowed out of the project in April 2022 “due to change in creative directions.” Given all the reports that things had gotten “disturbing” on set, this may or may not have contributed to her decision.
The first trailer for “The Idol” was released this week
At the beginning of the trailer, an important question is posed: “When was the last truly f*cking nasty, nasty, bad pop girl?” That’s when Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” kicks in and party scenes galore are shown. Jocelyn and Tedros’ sexually charged and clearly dysfunctional relationship is also teased, interspersed with scenes of Jocelyn actually trying to “make it.”
It’s clear that “The Idol” wants to display the extremes of fame, and the lengths wannabe stars will go to in order to become and stay relevant. The entertainment value is high, but it’s also a bit sad to watch, especially since you know stuff like this happens pretty much every day in Hollywood. Young girls want to make it and there are plenty of older men there to take advantage of them under the guise of “helping” them.
It remains to be seen whether or not “The Idol” will make a splash, but given the response to the trailer, we’ll all be talking about this show for a while to come.
“The Idol” premieres Sunday, June 4, at 9 p.m.
