‘The Acolyte’ vs. ‘The Rings of Power’: How Toxic Fan Reactions Miss the Mark in Modern TV

The year 2024 has seen some of the most significant controversies in modern television. While controversies in entertainment are not new, today’s digital landscape amplifies them. With widespread internet access, people can easily voice their opinions and find like-minded individuals, leading to both positive and negative outcomes.

On the positive side, this connectivity can help shows gain broader recognition. However, it can also foster harmful behavior, such as online abuse and the spread of misinformation. Many self-proclaimed “fans” who engage in this toxic behavior often attack shows based on political or ideological biases, sometimes without even watching the content.

In this opinion piece, we’ll explore how this toxic online culture has influenced the reception of “The Acolyte” and Season 2 of “The Rings of Power,” two of the year’s most contentious TV series.

Both “The Acolyte” and “The Rings of Power” have faced harassment from toxic fanbases. The so-called “true Star Wars fans” targeted “The Acolyte,” while “real Tolkien fans” have criticized “The Rings of Power” for not aligning with their views. Despite their vocal presence, these groups represent only a small, loud minority and do not reflect the broader audience.

The targeting of these shows is driven more by political motivations than by the quality of the content. Often, these attacks are directed at what is perceived as “woke culture,” particularly criticizing LGBTQ+ representation and diversity. Both shows feature female leads and diverse casts, which has fueled backlash from those who believe such representation is a threat.

These critics frequently claim that shows with diverse and inclusive elements are automatically inferior, even if they haven’t actually watched the content. Despite their loud objections, their influence is minimal. In the end, their voices, no matter how noisy, have little impact on the overall reception of these shows.

“The Acolyte” was not canceled due to review bombers or toxic fans, but rather because of low viewership and systemic issues with the show, which we’ve previously discussed. If these critics held any real power, “The Rings of Power” wouldn’t have received a second season, let alone additional renewals, as Amazon has expressed satisfaction with the show’s performance and is planning further seasons.

Similarly, if these detractors were truly influential, “The Boys” wouldn’t be among the top shows of the year. Both “The Acolyte” and “The Rings of Power” are progressive, which has drawn ire from these vocal critics.

However, their views should not be given undue weight. Online harassers, review bombers who haven’t seen the shows, and those spreading misinformation to discredit content they disagree with should not be regarded as the majority or true fans of any series.

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