The AI Disaster That's Left Robert Downey Jr.'s Career Hanging in the Balance

When news broke that Robert Downey Jr. would be taking to the Broadway stage to star in a play about artificial intelligence, the excitement was palpable. After all, who wouldn't want to see the mastermind behind Iron Man's genius portrayal tackle the fascinating topic of AI? Unfortunately, it seems that McNeal, the Lincoln Center production that had everyone abuzz, has failed to impress – and the criticism is pretty scathing.

So what exactly has gone wrong here? If you've been following the reviews of McNeal, you might have picked up on a recurring theme: the show is just plain boring. The critics are calling it 'tiresome', 'long-winded', and 'over-ambitious', citing meandering dialogue and an apparent lack of direction as major issues.

At the heart of the problem seems to be a misguided attempt at exploring the world of AI. Rather than delving into the complexities and nuances of the subject, McNeal reportedly relies on tired, surface-level discussions that barely scratch the surface of the topic. It's every windbag's favorite talking point, and it quickly becomes apparent that the play's creators are more interested in name-dropping buzzwords than in genuinely grappling with the issues.

But where does this leave Robert Downey Jr., the A-list star whose participation in the project was undoubtedly a major draw? Fans of the actor are no doubt disappointed to see him put in a lackluster performance, which is all the more jarring given his typically high standards. Will this be a blip on the radar for Downey Jr., or might it signal a larger shift in his career?

It's worth noting, however, that McNeal's creators did attempt to approach AI from a different angle – specifically, through the lens of existential risk. But even this interesting concept is let down by clunky execution, and what could have been a thought-provoking commentary on the dangers of unchecked technological advancement falls flat instead.