Netflix’s new documentary “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam” has people talking for all the wrong reasons. The three-part series, released in July 2024, tells the story of Lou Pearlman – the guy who created mega-popular boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. While it reveals how Pearlman scammed millions from investors in one of the biggest Ponzi schemes ever, some folks think the show missed important details.
The most controversial part is that the documentary uses artificial intelligence, or AI, to make it look like Pearlman is talking in old videos when he’s not really there. Now, the show does say up front they used this technology. But lots of reviewers feel it’s unnecessary and kind of spooky to see someone’s face moving who’s not actually talking. A few even called it “distracting” or “just not right.”
On top of the AI issues, reviewers also said the documentary left out important parts of the bigger picture. For example, it doesn’t discuss how those early boy bands took style from Black artists without giving them credit. Nor does it mention recent troubles some of the singers have faced.
While the documentary has honest interviews from band members like AJ McLean and Howie Dorough from the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, some felt it only showed sympathy for the bands and not the full complex story.
Coming out during a time when 1990s pop culture is popular again through other music documentaries, this series has faced criticism for not providing enough context about the stars’ careers and the era in general.
As Netflix and other streamers invest in true crime and music docs, “Dirty Pop” highlights challenges around using AI for storytelling and filmmakers’ duty to present the whole truth – even for subjects viewers may feel for. Different opinions on the documentary show there’s no agreement yet on how to balance technology, accuracy, and empathy in nonfiction films.
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