The daily gossip: HBO cancels controversial show 'The Idol,' 'Bachelorette' contestant Josh Seiter is alive after statement announced his death, and more

Abel &#039;The Weeknd&#039; Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp and Sam Levinson

An HBO spokesperson said the network was "pleased by the strong audience response" to the show.

(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images)

Jump to category:

1. HBO cancels controversial show 'The Idol'
2. Former 'Bachelorette' contestant Josh Seiter is 'alive and well' after statement announced his death
3. Eminem demands Vivek Ramaswamy stop rapping his music
4. Late-night hosts team up for a podcast about the Hollywood strikes
5. Martha Stewart faces backlash for using a small iceberg to chill her cocktail

By Brendan Morrow

published 29 August 2023

1. HBO cancels controversial show 'The Idol'

Tedros, we hardly knew ye. HBO has canceled Sam Levinson's controversial drama series "The Idol" after one season. "'The Idol' was one of HBO's most provocative original programs, and we're pleased by the strong audience response," an HBO spokesperson insisted to Deadline. "After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers, have decided not to move forward with a second season." This is despite the fact that star Da'Vine Joy Randolph previously told Vulture that "it's everyone's desire and intention to do a season two." But the graphic, at times shocking show starring Lily-Rose Depp as a pop singer was slammed as "sexual torture porn," and critics weren't exactly impressed with The Weeknd's acting, either. Levinson can now get back to his previous job: enraging "Euphoria" fans.

Reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. Former "Bachelorette" contestant Josh Seiter has revealed he's still alive after a statement was released on his official Instagram page announcing his death. "As you can see, I am alive and well," he shared in an Instagram video Tuesday. On Monday, a statement on his account supposedly from his family shared news of his "unexpected passing," adding that "we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace." But a still-alive Seiter now claims his Instagram account was hacked. "Somebody was playing a cruel joke and mocking my mental illness and the struggles I've gone through with depression and suicide attempts," he said, "and I'm sorry for all the pain they caused when they made that post." He also pledged to find out "who is behind this."

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Will the real Vivek Ramaswamy please sit down? Eminem has sent a cease and desist letter demanding the Republican presidential candidate stop rapping his music during his 2024 campaign, the Daily Mail reports. The rapper's demand came after Ramaswamy recently performed Eminem's "Lose Yourself" at the Iowa State Fair. Ramaswamy initially seemed unfazed by the cease and desist, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Will The REAL Slim Shady Please Stand Up? He didn't just say what I think he did, did he?" Still, a spokesperson for the campaign told the Daily Mail that "Vivek just got on the stage and cut loose," and "to the American people's chagrin, we will have to leave the rapping to the real Slim Shady." Ramaswamy also told MSNBC he will "respect" Eminem's "wishes." Snap back to reality.

What late-night wars? Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver are all joining forces for a new Spotify podcast as their shows remain off the air due to the writers strike. The podcast, titled "Strike Force Five," will be about the Hollywood strikes themselves. "This past May, the hosts of five major late-night talk shows had an idea: to meet every week to discuss the complexities behind the ongoing Hollywood strikes," Spotify said. "What ensued was a series of hilarious and compelling conversations." Fans can now listen to these "once-private chats" via this podcast, which will run "at least" twelve episodes beginning Aug. 30, and the hosts' proceeds will go to the staff of their shows who are out of work. Get ready for plenty of confusion whenever someone tries to get "Jimmy's" attention.

She probably should have put this idea on ice. Martha Stewart is facing backlash after revealing she used a small iceberg to chill her cocktail. On Instagram, Stewart marked the end of her cruise "into a very beautiful fjord on the east coast of Greenland," revealing she "actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight." She shared photos of herself holding up a drink apparently with a piece of the iceberg in it, as well as a picture showing ice chunks on a black cart. As you might expect, followers were none too pleased. "Martha the ice caps are melting don't put them in your drink," one person commented. "Wealthy white people drinking their iceberg cocktails while the planet is in flames is a bit tone deaf," another said. Not cool!

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.