Why ‘The Idol’ on HBO fails as an imitation of ‘Euphoria’

Frustration Over HBO’s The Idol

As a recent report from Forbes points out, the new HBO series, The Idol, has not been well received by critics. The show, which is from the creator of Euphoria, feels like a poor imitation of that show, with a much wider critical difference in viewership.

What is The Idol?

The Idol follows Joss, a megapop star who is attempting a comeback after a public mental breakdown. The show follows her journey, which includes a photo of her circulating the internet with a certain bodily fluid on her face.

The series features constant nudity from its star, Lily-Rose Depp, and mocks the concept of an “intimacy coordinator” in its opening scene. Furthermore, the show is not only potentially mimicking the abuse of Britney Spears as a young pop star, but also referencing Kim Kardashian’s post-sex tape fame.

A Gross and Bad Show

While audience members may have different opinions of The Idol, its critical reception proves the vast majority find it to be a bad show. The series is bizarre, cringe-worthy, and deeply frustrating at best. To make matters worse, it also includes some level of misogyny, like the 50 Shades of Grey reference where the club owner ties Joss’ robe over her face to sexually liberate her, cutting a hole in it with a knife so she can breathe.

Don’t Waste Your Time

While some may try and watch The Idol out of curiosity or as a form of entertainment, it is not worth the time or energy. The creator of Euphoria should have done better, and the shallow nature of the series is proof. Simply put, do not bother.

In the end, HBO’s The Idol has failed to deliver and falls well short of its potential. Viewers looking for quality content should look elsewhere and avoid this latest attempt at pushing the boundaries of media. Instead, we should demand better storytelling and meaningful conversations for our streaming services.