It is no news that critics are often targeted for their reviews. If it is negative then the reason is obvious, if it is positive then the haters of that particular title will post negative complaints.
In a startling exposé, Rolling Stone has uncovered a disconcerting truth about the inner workings of HBO, the network known for producing some of the most acclaimed shows in the industry. The revelation, based on text messages exposed during a wrongful termination lawsuit, paints a disturbing picture of how HBO’s top brass, including HBO programming chief Casey Bloys, respond to negative reviews and criticism.
According to the report, Casey Bloys, the executive responsible for overseeing HBO’s content, appears to be exceptionally sensitive to criticism of the network’s productions. To counteract unfavorable reviews and comments on social media, Bloys and HBO’s senior vice president of drama programming, Kathleen McCaffrey, allegedly unleashed hateful comments. This so-called “secret army” of burner accounts was deployed between June 2020 and April 2021.
One particularly irksome criticism that caught Bloys’ attention was Rolling Stone’s review of Joss Whedon’s short-lived series, “The Nevers.” McCaffrey, in an astonishing text message, discussed getting a “secret operative” to respond to this review with the intention of discrediting the critic, Alan Sepinwall. The text messages reportedly confirm that this plan was carried out, resulting in a new Twitter account, “Kelly Shepherd,” responding to Sepinwall’s review with eerily similar language.
But the disturbing revelations don’t end there. Bloys also reportedly reacted strongly to comments in the anonymous section of entertainment news outlets. When a commenter on Deadline Hollywood criticized the show “Run,” Bloys seemed incensed. He texted McCaffrey, expressing his desire to respond and belittle the commenter for their opinion, seemingly disregarding the idea of professionalism in his reaction.
It’s worth noting that HBO, in response to the exposé, did not dispute the authenticity of the text messages. However, they released a statement indicating they would not “comment on select exchanges between programmers and errant tweets.”
This entire episode paints a troubling picture of a media giant that seems more concerned with protecting its reputation than addressing valid criticism. The revelations are a stark reminder of the power dynamics within the entertainment industry and the lengths to which some will go to manipulate public opinion.
In the world of television and film criticism, it’s a wake-up call for reviewers and the general public alike. When engaging in discussions about entertainment, one might never know who is behind the comments and criticisms, and in this case, the truth is more unsettling than fiction. It is not only our right but also our duty to share our actual opinions about any particular movie or show. This revelation is very very disturbing and must be taken even more seriously. It’s just that such things are not reported in India, otherwise who knows…
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