HBO Announces 'The Idol' Is Ending One Episode Early

HBO has officially confirmed that The Idol starring The Weeknd and Lily Rose Depp, will be ending its first season with five episodes, as opposed to the originally reported six. The announcement of ending one episode early comes after a series of backlash HBO and the show has faced since its launch.

TVLine reported that now the finale, titled “Jocelyn Forever” is set to air this Sunday. While HBO’s reps have declined to comment on why, a source tells the publication, “The season ended up being five episodes when it was all said and done after Sam [Levinson] took over and made significant changes. The story only ended up requiring 5.” The controversial series follows Lily-Rose Depp as a pop starlet who falls under the spell of a club promoter played by The Weeknd. Rumors of the series’ cancellation were in the mix before it released, however, HBO has since pushed back. Earlier this month, HBO tweeted the denial stating, “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.” As of the tweet, a second season has not been confirmed.

It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined. It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.

— HBO PR (@HBOPR) June 15, 2023

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