HBO chief defends 'True Detective' amid criticism, says viewers should 'watch the entirety of it'

Jethro Nededog

Jul 31, 2015, 22:03 IST

HBO

Rachel McAdams and Colin Firth star on the second season of HBO's "True Detective."

HBO's programming president, Michael Lombardo, addressed the harsh criticism of the second season of "True Detective."

Business Insider's Joshua Rivera, for example, wrote "True Detective" is simply not a good show" in a recent review of the series. The Hollywood Reporter's critic, Tim Goodman, said "the show was terrible on almost all fronts."

But, Lombardo said that he is pleased with the season, which stars Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, and Taylor Kitsch.

"I think you need to watch the entirety of it," he suggested on Thursday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills, California.

James Bridges/HBO

Both Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey were nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for the first season of HBO's "True Detective."

"I think the season's ending is as satisfying as any series we've done," he offered.

In fact, the pay channel's top programming executive said that he would definitely order a third season.

"If ['True Detective' creator Nic Pizzolatto] wants to do another season, I said the door is open, we'd like to do another season of it," the exec said.

Season 2 has big shoes to fill. The first season of "True Detective" starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. It was celebrated by critics and earned a total of 12 nominations, including noms for both McConaughey and Harrelson for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series.