Empire
EMPIRE Breaks 23-Year Ratings Record Becoming Only Scripted Series To Grow In Total Viewers In Each Of Its First Five Episodes!
Courtesy/FoxNYTimes
Last week, we reported in a feature on Empire creator Lee Daniels that the red hot primetime sudsy drama was ascending to the throne of all television series, but now it is clear it is already there!
In record breaking news via its network FOX, Empire has broken a ratings record that stood the test of time for more than 23 years. The hip-hop music familial drama is now the only primetime scripted series to grow in total viewers over each of its first five telecasts since at least 1991!
And according to EW.com, Empire is technically the only series – not just scripted – to have accomplished this. ABC’s game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire grew through each of its first five telecasts in 1999, but they were technically considered “specials” when the show first started instead of regular episodes.”
Last week, according to Nielsen Live + Same Day ratings, Empire was watched by 11.47 million viewers with a 4.6 rating/14 share in the Adults 18-49 demo. The series is averaging 14 million viewers and a 5.6 rating among adults 18-19!
What do you think about the astounding ratings of Empire? Are you captivated by the series? If so, who is your favorite character … Cookie, (Taraji B. Henson) Lucious (Terrence Howard), Jamal (Jussie Smollett), or someone else? Let us know!
Empire
Jussie Smollett Releases New Rap Single ‘Thank You God’ Speaking On the Injustice of His Court Case
Now that former Empire star, Jussie Smollett (Ex-Jamal Lyon) is out of jail while appealing his conviction for the 2019 Chicago hate crime hoax, in which he was at the epicenter, the singer/actor wasted no time dropping a rap single.
On his Instagram account, Smollett posted a short clip of a new rap song, which speaks about his court case and the injustices brought down upon him by the system.
The track entitled,“Thank You God,” features Smollett rapping lyrics like: “You think I’m stupid enough to kill my reputation?” He also raps, that there will come a day when he can sit down and talk with his followers. He gives a mention to “D.L.” who many believe is CNN anchor, Don Lemon, who was originally one of Smollett’s main advocates.
Jussie served 10 days of jail time of his sentence of 150 days before being released . He also has 30 months of probation ahead of him and was ordered to pay $120,106 to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine for his actions.
Smollett says any funds raised for “Thank You God” will be donated to the Illinois Innocence Project, Rainbow Push, Secure The Bag Safety.
Check out Jussie’s Instagram post containing the rap below/
Now let us know, what do you think about Smollett releasing this track and still defending his innocence? Comment below.
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Breaking News
‘Empire’ Star, Jussie Smollett, Sentenced to 150 Days In Jail For Fake Hate Crime Attack
Late Thursday, former Empire actor and singer, Jussie Smollett, was sentenced in Chicago more than three months after being found guilty on five felony counts to the alleged 2019 hate crime hoax that made national headlines, and got the actor fired from the former Fox primetime drama series.
In the sentencing, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days starting immediately. In addition, he received 30 months’ probation, and has to pay the city of Chicago $120,106 in restitution, plus Jussie received an additional $25,000 fine.
Cook County Judge James Linn, who levied the sentence, came down hard in his words on Smollett due his actions noting he was, “selfish, arrogant and narcissistic.” The judge added, “You wanted to make yourself more famous throwing a national pity party for yourself. You’re just a charlatan, pretending to be the victim of a hate crime.”
Linn went in on Smollett for his ‘performance’ and ‘pure perjury’ when the actor took to the witness stand in his own defense last year.
At the end of his sentencing, Smollett pulled down his mask to speak. He then let everyone in the courtroom know that he feels he is innocent, adding, “Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury, but I did not do this. And I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”
Just before he was taken into custody, Smollett yelled again that he was innocent and raised a fist in the air as he exited.
Watch the sentencing of Jussie Smollett below, then weigh-in. Did Smollett get enough of a sentence for his crime? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Empire
Ex-‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Found Guilty On Five Counts For Hate Crime Hoax
Jussie Smollett (Ex-Jamal Lyon) from Fox’s former primetime soap opera, Empire, was found guilty on Thursday on five of six felony counts of disorderly conduct stemming from making a false report to the Chicago police department that he was the victim of a hate crime.
The actor’s account of the story dates back to 2019 and finally made its way to the Chicago court system for trial.
In the end, a jury of six men and six women deliberated for more than nine hours Wednesday and today to return the verdict after sitting through testimonies of 13 witnesses.
According to reports, Smollett did not look at his family or the judge during the reading of the verdicts on the six counts he was charged instead he looked at the jury members.
Smollett could face up to 3 years in a prison and a $25,000 fine, Judge James Linn will have discretion in imposing a concurrent or consecutive sentence for each count. That will happen at a later date.
Special prosecutor Dan Webb said at a post-verdict news conference: “Mr. Smollett would not have lost this case as he did today unless the jury found that he lied to them. The fact that he came up with a completely ridiculous story to explain his misconduct did not apparently have an impact on the jury’s verdict.”
During the trial brothers, Bola and Ola Osundairo testified that Smollett had paid them to stage the hate crime attack on him in an attempt to get media attention. The brothers testified that they fake punched Smollett, poured bleach on him, put a noose around his neck and used racist and homophobic slurs, because Jussie told them to do so in return for the money.
According to Smollett’s defense team, they will appeal the verdict.
So, what do you think about the guilty verdict for Jussie Smollett? Comment below.
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ALL the characters of Empire are my favorites! all of them!
I am enthralled with the series and binge watched 4 episodes Sat evening..
I like to binge because it keeps the show flowing and when watching week to week waiting for the next week it sorta disconnects from the rolling of involvement/emotions..
and- it makes it more like a movie to hold back and gather at least 4 episodes and then sit back and binge for a great evening!
so watching 4 episodes Sat was AWESOME!!! the time flew by and I wanted more!!
Empire is indeed fascinating!
I’m all caught up, too! I love Empire. Lots of great talent and effective storytelling.
Yes!
Empire grabs me and pulls me in, and that is a good thing!!
I can hardly wait for the next 4 episodes to be binged!!
makes for a great night cuddled down with popcorn and a Dr. Pepper or wine 😉
nix the popcorn… try a Cookie!
aaahhaa! (good one, Jeremy!
Cookie!
I echo the above comments; I’m enthralled by the cast and Leo!