Does sleazy “The Idol" entertain or offend?

Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Jane Adams, Hank Azaria, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dan Levy and Eli Roth. Written by Reza Fahim, Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye. Created by Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye. Reviewed at the Cannes Film Festival; premieres June 4 on HBO. STC

The Idol, Episodes 1 & 2

⭐️⭐️½ (out of 4)

Peter Howell

Movie Critic

Appearances deceive right from the start of “The Idol,” the sleaze-and-stardom TV series starring Lily-Rose Depp and Toronto’s Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye. It screens on HBO starting June 4, after premiering to applause and debate at the Cannes Film Festival.

The first episode opens with a close-up of Depp’s title character, Jocelyn, a pop star several years into her global fame. She mugs various emotions — one of them “vulnerable” — for an encouraging photographer during a photo shoot for her new album.

Jocelyn is dressed in a barely there red robe that shows most of her breasts, but then she decides it’s OK to show more of them. The on-set “intimacy co-ordinator” swoops in and insists she cover her nipples. Jocelyn declares, “It’s my body” and keeps them on display. 🌓

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