Well, that’s it for “The Idol,” the most hate-watched show of the summer.
“‘The Idol’ was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response,” a spokesperson for HBO wrote in a statement to the L.A. Times on Monday.
“After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”
The HBO series starring Lily-Rose Depp and the show’s co-creator, Abel Tesfaye (the Weeknd), seemed to be doomed before it even premiered. The cast and creators of “The Idol” attempted to use its Cannes Film Festival premiere to change the narrative a Rolling Stone expose had painted of the show, which called it “torture porn” and a “rape fantasy” rooted in toxic masculinity. But the show couldn’t shake the bad rap, especially as it became social media’s favorite hate-watch.
“When my wife read me the article,” said Sam Levinson, the show’s co-creator and director, “I looked at her and said, ‘I think we’re about to have the biggest show of the summer.’
