Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Witless TV show with lots of adult content lacks charm.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Idol
What's the Story?
Created by Sam Levinson (Euphoria), THE IDOL stars Lily Rose-Depp as Jocelyn, a Britney Spears-like pop star staging a comeback after a few rough years. She doesn't trust her management, she doesn't like her new single, and she doesn't hold much hope for the direction her life and career is going. And then she meets Tedros (The Weeknd). Now she has someone new to live for…but is this relationship a positive move, or hastening her slide?
Is It Any Good?
This series is clearly reaching for Euphoria's attention-grabbing hot-mess levels, but the characters aren't finely drawn enough to make them interesting. Or possibly The Idol's actors aren't skilled enough to put the nuances their characters should have across. Because though Lily Rose-Depp is gorgeous to look at, she's also blank; we don't know what demons drive her into the treacherous arms of Tedros. We're meant to understand all we need to know through dialogue like "When you're famous, everyone lies to you," but the train isn't going all the way to the station.
Similarly, The Weeknd doesn't show enough charisma on-screen to make him a viable candidate for "irresistible guru," nor do we feel the chemistry with Jocelyn that might explain her attraction. So the more showy elements of the show -- drinking, drugs, sex, and betrayal -- all wind up feeling empty. The Idol is trying too hard to impress us with its coolness, when what it could really use is a shot of sincerity. Despite the buzzy cast and connections to hits, The Idol fails to win fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether it's OK to show sex, drinking, and drug use on television. Do shows like The Idol present a realistic view of life, or is anything exaggerated for entertainment? What would the real-life consequences of the characters' behavior be?
The Idol contains sexual images, as well as nudity. How often is the nudity related to sex and how often is it nonsexual -- e.g., people bathing or changing? Does it matter?
Do you know anyone struggling with drug abuse or addiction? What are the challenges they might face? What are some resources you know of that could be helpful?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 5, 2023
- Cast : Lily Rose-Depp , The Weeknd , Hank Azaria
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Concert , Dance , Hip-Hop , Music and Sing-Along )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 4, 2025
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