HBO's programming boss will not apologize for 'Westworld' being confusing: 'It's not for casual viewers'

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HBO's programming boss will not apologize for 'Westworld' being confusing: 'It's not for casual viewers'

Westworld Season 2

HBO

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  • HBO president of programming Casey Bloys doesn't care about the "Westworld" season two backlash.
  • At the TCA conference in Los Angeles, Bloys said that the show is "not for casual viewers."
  • He also said that he trusted creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, who like to challenge the audience.

Critics, fans, and this very website criticized season two of "Westworld." It got off to a good start, but didn't live up to what the first half of the season promised. By the end of the season, many people had no idea what they had just watched - even people like me who watched the episodes multiple times.

But HBO's programming boss doesn't seem concerned, even though the show's ratings dropped throughout the second season.

At the Television Critics Association conference in Los Angeles, HBO president of programming Casey Bloys responded to questions about the season two backlash. Bloys was also asked whether the writers would take criticism of the show's confusing storytelling into account for season three.

"I wouldn't agree that the backlash was widespread," Bloys said. "The people who love it really love it, even the people who dislike it feel the need to discuss it and talk about it, and let you know they dislike it, and debate. And for a show to arouse that kind of feeling, that's what we want."

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Bloys also said the show is "not for casual viewers, it requires your attention." He added that creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy "like to challenge their viewers and many feel rewarded by that. It's a unique show, and that's what we're looking for."

Reactions to season two of "Westworld" (including my own) were gushing at first. The first five episodes, which HBO made available to the press, promised an expanded world without relying on confusing the audience (or so we thought). But it quickly turned to the same devices it relied on in season one, and only used the new worlds to show them off - none of them had any tangible impact on the story. And just like season one, "Westworld" didn't allow the audience to know when things were happening, or to whom, or how, or why.

Considering what Bloys said at TCA this week, it looks like season three will be more of the same. But he's right: we'll probably talk about it anyway.

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