HBO’s ‘The Idol’ Didn’t Hit Like They Thought It Would

HBO‘s highly anticipated series, “The Idol,” co-written by and starring Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, debuted on Sunday, and judging by the reactions on Twitter…it didn’t give what they thought it would.

The six-episode series follows Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), whose nervous breakdown derailed her last tour.

She’s now determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America.

Her passions are reignited by Tedros (“The Weeknd”), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past.

But, it’s unclear if her romantic awakening will take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?

Watch the trailer for “The Idol” below.

I fell asleep while watching “The Idol,” and when I went back to finish the episode, I quickly realized I didn’t miss anything while I was getting some beauty rest.

Lily-Rose Depp is a great actress, but they are going to have to start the engine real quick on this series to keep viewers engaged.

Read a few Twitter reactions from viewers below.

I lost 50 min of my life
Some people should not be actors (The Weekend)
Bro just stick in music hhh#TheIdolHBO pic.twitter.com/ck0sAWFySv

— Dr. Strangelove 𒌐 (@DrStran33) June 5, 2023

Big props to Lily Rose-Depp for that opening scene in #TheIdolHBO
Our girl showed the range of all human emotion in 3 minutes and I appreciate that
Aside from that, Abel’s first appearance was a literal jump scare

— lady love (@Allyssa_Love) June 5, 2023

The show #TheIdolHBO was trash idk where the story was going but 10 dance practice scene was sooo dumb that’s when I knew this show is not for me

— Clarisse (@cocoluv2smile) June 5, 2023

I watched The Idol Episode 1 to catch a glimpse of my love and this episode is so boring, dry as fuck, horrible acting. The plot is same old, mentally fucked-up protagonists , same old. I’m just gonna drop it.#TheIdolHBO

— WM (@winmyamyakyaw98) June 5, 2023

Definetly hope the show gives a little more to offer other than tit shots and smoking cigarettes XD #TheIdolHBO

— Griff (@driffingavis) June 5, 2023

Watched The Idol last night out of curiosity given the terrible reviews. I found it quite boring. Pro tip: it doesn't matter if you're talking about cum on someone's face or paint drying, if it goes on for 30 minutes, it's going to put your audience to sleep. #THEIDOL #TheIdolHBO

— Cuff It (they/them) (@tiffany104) June 5, 2023

justin timberlake, the rock and adam sandler are safe. the weeknd seems to be the worst actor of all time. #TheIdolHBO

— gent. (@polloshkagent) June 5, 2023

Why is #TheIdolHBO so cringe?I mean it does look great but I feel second hand embarrassment.Hear me out: keep everything as it is but replace the actors.The scene with a knife was fun though. And the scene where she came home after that club. It’s the acting that ruins it for me.

— 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓼 (@marinagrisxoxo) June 5, 2023

Thought I would give #TheIdolHBO a try. Appreciate the exit music of Darling Nikki 😝

I am holding my opinion until I see more…though some of it made me feel a tad uncomfortable, but perhaps that's because I'm getting old 😅

— Inimitable Neuro (@InimitableNeuro) June 5, 2023

#TheIdolHBO is hilarious because it’s the first time I’ve seen someone accurately react to doing cocaine on tv. That boy Abel really bout that sniff life.

— Street Scientist 👨🏾‍🔬🔬⚗️ (@MalcolmMiddleX) June 5, 2023

#TheIdolHBO somehow feels like I’m watching Dracula

— GREEN HOUSE EP OUT NOW 🪴🏠 (@RODFLY92) June 5, 2023

Yesterday I watched HBO's newest series "The Idol" for approximately ten or fifteen minutes until I reached desperately for the remote. Good god. How do you go from "Succession" to this? #TheIdolHBO

— Iris Dorbian (@IrisDorbian) June 5, 2023

To be fair…all of the reviews of the show weren’t bad. 

Peep a few more tweets.

As far as a pilot episode goes, I enjoyed it. I can see where people might be turned off from it and trust me, this show will probably be the most controversial show of the year no doubt. I’ll give it a chance though. For Abel. #TheIdolHBO

— MORTAL CUNTBAT (@noelreivax) June 5, 2023

I'm sorry but I'm hooked just from the first episode… plot, cinematography, production design and score all ate #TheIdolHBO pic.twitter.com/CwICvtDnWm

— 𝔠𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔢 (@cinematicunts) June 5, 2023

Sorry but I’m enjoying #TheIdolHBO

— alexis belon (@alexisbelon) June 5, 2023

Did you check out the premiere of “The Idol” on HBO last night?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)