Despite all the conversation around The Weeknd's HBO show "The Idol," much of that isn't positive. Now, a new Page Six report brought forth some serious accusations reportedly from sources close to the show in two important areas. The first is when it comes to the show's renewal for a second season, which is reportedly not happening. However, it's a limited six-episode series in the first place, so such news is neither surprising nor all that scandalous in the grander scheme of things- despite it probably not being the outcome the network or cast and crew members wanted, especially when compared to other successful limited series. The other element to this report concerns Abel Tesfaye's on-set behavior, which was allegedly difficult for collaborators to handle.
Firstly, the show's co-creator and co-star is reportedly not planning a series renewal for a second run amid thematic controversy and dwindling viewership. "This was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always … a limited series," a source allegedly told Page Six. "The door is definitely still open- it’s definitely not a decision [yet]," someone from HBO told the publication in its report. "At this point, this is normal in our process… we’re only two episodes in. The only person who makes the decision [about a second season] is the head of HBO, Casey Bloys, and he is optimistic."
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Furthermore, the sources in the article claim that HBO knew that the show would garner this reaction from the jump. "It’s a Sam Levinson show, and you know what you’re getting with a Sam Levinson show," the HBO source said of the Euphoria head creative that co-created and directed "The Idol." "It was a big, big show for them with big talent and a lot of buzz,” an insider said of the series, which was meant to be one of HBO's first big ones on their new Max streaming service. “But from what I heard, HBO knew it was a bit of a turkey as soon as they saw it. But [now] you have all the headlines- and that kind of makes up for it." "No one is consistently tuning in [for] television," another source added. "For better or worse, we’re all talking about ‘The Idol.'"
Meanwhile, sources allegedly called working with The Weeknd "not an ideal experience. Not one I am eager to repeat," one source alleged, while another reportedly labeled him as "egomaniacal." Still, others sources cited called him "beloved." "He literally opened up his home for the cast and crew," a production source said. [We shot] almost the entire show... inside his home." The article also spoke on the show's original director leaving, and alleged that Tesfaye and Levinson rewrote huge chunks of already produced material to cut "feminist-leaning storylines." The Canadian superstar stood by the criticized scenes as intentionally disturbing. In addition, costars and other viewers alike defended his performance and the show. Given that these are all alleged and unconfirmed sources, take these reports with a grain of salt. For more updates and news on "The Idol," come back to HNHH.