Lucia Plata

I have absolutely no problem with controversial and edgy shows. However, The Idol lacks any self-awareness to make itself even vaguely enjoyable. In a show about the continuous and sometimes systematic exploitation of women in the music industry, the show manages to become precisely what it strives to critique. The female characters in The Idol liking 'rapey' and violent vibes from men comes across as wish fulfillment from both Tesfaye and Levinson. Similarly, the fact that Tesfaye was so concerned with the 'female perspective' in a show that centers a female character going through uniquely female experiences is slightly concerning. However, all of these gross implications are coupled with the simple fact that the show is awful. The dialogue frequently comes across and cringy, and it's disappointing to see that in a show with such a star-studded cast, very few deliver even moderately enjoyable performances. I could easily see how this show could have been an interesting exploration into the dark side of the music industry, however, it falls extremely short. I would not recommend this show and will not be watching any new episdoes.