HBO boss Casey Bloys apologizes for trolling TV critics with fake X accounts

HBO's CEO and chairman, Casey Bloys, finds himself in hot water after issuing an apology for orchestrating a scheme in which employees created fake Twitter (now X) accounts to target TV critics. The controversy unfolded in the wake of a bombshell Rolling Stone report that cited alleged text messages exchanged between Bloys and Kathleen McCaffrey, HBO's senior vice president of drama programming.

These messages discussed the formation of a "secret army" aimed at counterattacking TV critics who dared to give HBO shows unfavorable reviews. In response to these revelations, Bloys made amends during a presentation for HBO and Max's upcoming programming, acknowledging his fervent commitment to the network's content and his desire for it to be beloved. He admitted to an ill-conceived attempt to vent his frustrations but conceded that it was far from effective. His apology extended to anyone inadvertently involved in this scheme, stressing the importance of a healthier approach to criticism engagement.

The original Rolling Stone expose uncovered a notable incident involving a 2022 critique by Vulture TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk. Her subtweeted comment triggered Bloys, who drafted a response but subsequently abandoned it. He even contemplated using this strategy in the future. Bloys also advocated fake comments to be placed in the reply sections of Deadline articles.


However, the repercussions of this controversy continue to ripple through HBO, with an employee, Sully Temori, filing a wrongful termination lawsuit, claiming harassment and discrimination. Temori's lawsuit extends beyond HBO, encompassing the Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and two producers for "The Idol," alleging similar mistreatment in that work environment. The issue has brought HBO's internal culture into scrutiny, leading critics to label it as "petty." The saga underscores the potential consequences when executives dabble in the social media arena, offering a cautionary tale for future industry interactions.