Viewers slam docu-series ‘Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam’ for using AI

By: Xianna Bengo - 4 months ago

Viewers are lamenting the use of artificial intelligence in the latest hit documentary “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam.”

The three-part series was released last July 24 and rose up to No. 1 on the Top 10 TV shows in the UK.

Even with the documentary’s popularity, viewers took note of the usage of AI in replicating the voice and image of the late Lou Pearlman.

This docu-series follows the rise and fall of Pearlman, the creator of famous boy bands in the 90s including Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.

Within the first three minutes of the first episode, there is a disclaimer informing the audience that they will be seeing digitally altered footage of Pearlman narrating his writings across the series.

Their disclaimer reads, “This footage has been digitally altered to generate his voice and synchronize his lips. The words were written by Lou in his book, Bands, Brands & Billions.”

Viewers of the docu-series took to social media to express their thoughts about their decision to use AI.

In an interview with executive producer Michael Johnson, he stated that, “We secured Lou’s life rights; we only used words written by Lou himself; we hired an actor to deliver those words; we used real footage of Lou in order to capture his true mannerisms and body language; and we hired AI experts from MIT Media Lab, Pinscreen, and Resemble AI to execute our vision.”

“It was important for us to convey the words written in Lou’s book in this way because his writing is a reflection of his reality and the reality that he wanted everyone to believe. With the AI spread across the series, the viewer gets to experience the difference between Lou’s reality and the reality that the rest of the world experienced. This juxtaposition is essential to understanding Lou as a human being as well as a devious con man,” Johnson added explaining his decision to use AI.

The documentary features interviews with members of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC about their tough relationship with Pearlman.

Both bands parted ways with him publicly, claiming that they had not been properly compensated for their success despite their record-breaking sales. The talent manager ran into further legal trouble when it was discovered that he was running one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history.

Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2008 for stealing more than $300 million (17.5 billion pesos) from investors. Eight years later, he died due to cardiac arrest at the age of 62 while in federal custody in Miami after pleading guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during bankruptcy proceedings.

 

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