‘The Acolyte’ vs. ‘The Rings of Power’: How Toxic Fans Fail to Shape Modern TV

As a gamer who has been following the TV scene for decades, I can confidently say that the Internet community has transformed significantly over the years, and not always for the better. The ease of sharing opinions online has given rise to both positive and negative consequences, with toxicity being one of them.


2024 has seen a wave of heated debates that are unprecedented in contemporary television’s annals. While there have always been contentious programs gracing our screens, today’s digital era amplifies this discourse like never before. With the world wide web at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever for voices to be heard and like-minded individuals to find each other in a global conversation.

Furthermore, this exposure can result in some positive outcomes such as increased popularity for the series, yet it may also bring about unwanted issues like cyberbullying and the dissemination of misinformation. It’s important to note that these harmful actions are often perpetrated by self-proclaimed “fans,” who claim to be loyal supporters but are frequently nothing more than bigots using their platform for political or ideological attacks. In many cases, these individuals have not even watched a single episode of the series.

In this article, we’re diving into the detrimental effects that the current toxic environment within online communities has had on “The Acolyte” and Season 2 of “The Rings of Power,” two of the year’s most debated TV series.

Both shows have been targeted by such toxic fans. The Acolyte was being harassed by the so-called “true Star Wars fans,” and only the “real Tolkien fans,” those who truly and deeply understand his work, realize how bad The Rings of Power actually is. But, while these people are often just a loud minority, their “tactical approach” is predictable, and they are usually just loud enough to make it seem like they are the voice of the majority, whereas they aren’t.

Hey there, fellow gamer! Let me share my thoughts on why some folks are targeting certain shows like “The Acolyte” and “The Rings of Power.” It’s not because they’re good or bad; it’s more about politics. They often criticize these productions for promoting ‘woke culture,’ but in reality, they are specifically attacking representation for the LGBTQ+ community and women. It’s fascinating how these shows, with their female leads and diverse casts supporting LGBTQ+ themes, have sparked such outrage. Seems like they prefer only straight (white) male protagonists, doesn’t it? I can’t help but think that viewpoint is just plain silly.

Instead of enumerating the reasons behind this phenomenon, let me state it more generally: When a TV show features a female lead, a diverse cast, and/or LGBTQ+ characters, certain individuals refuse to watch it but still criticize and rate it negatively, often out of pettiness. Contrary to their belief, they are not having an impact on the show’s success – their opinions ultimately hold little weight in the grand scheme of things.

The reason why The Acolyte was not renewed wasn’t due to negative reviews or hostile fans, but rather because of weak audience ratings and underlying problems within the show itself – topics we have covered in this discussion. If these individuals had any significant influence, then The Rings of Power wouldn’t even be getting a second season, let alone three more, as we’ve learned that Amazon is quite pleased with the viewership and considering another season renewal for the series.

If their opinions had been considered, The Boys would not have ranked among the top three shows of the entire year. Consequently, The Acolyte and The Rings of Power, despite their differences, possess one common trait – they are progressive, which is why viewers dislike them and will likely continue to do so.

In essence, such voices should hold no significance in the discussion, and those who bully online, rate shows unfairly without viewing them, spread false news or misinformation merely to undermine things they disagree with, should not be considered as representative nor genuine supporters of any franchise’s fandom.

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2024-09-12 18:43