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Empire

EMPIRE Rises Yet Again! Soapy Drama Passes 5.0 Rating and Garners 12.94 Million Viewers!

Courtesy/FOX

Fox’s hit soap opera, Empire continues to increase in key demo ratings, and adding viewers week after week with apparently no end in sight!

And after Wednesday’s night’s airing, which featured some blockbuster moments including: Cookie (Taraji B. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) having sex, and Anika (Grace Gealey) catching them! Lucious telling his family that he indeed has ALS, the scene with Andre (Trai Byers) in the shower post his dad revealing the severity of his illness, and  brothers Jamal  (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) putting their differences aside in a musical showcase, the drama scored big with the TV audience  … yet again!

According to The Hollywood Reporter: “Empire passed the lofty 5.0 rating and averaging a 5.1 rating among adults 18-49. That’s up up three-tenths of a point from the previous high last week, and it could easily still go up even more in final returns this afternoon. Viewership was also up a solid million to 12.94 million viewers.”

In it’s seventh episode, nothing is hotter on the television landscape than Empire, proving that a good delicious soap opera with a twist can work, and be powerful with the viewing audience in this day and age of so many channel and show choices.

What did you think of last night’s Empire? What was your favorite moment from it?  Do you think Empire will set the tone for series to follow from other networks, and more primetime soaps will be created?  Or, do you think Empire is such a special show with that once-in-a-lifetime across the board appeal?  Share your thoughts below!

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There is still life in the genre – this show off the hook ! The writiing, the production and the cast esp Taraji P. Henson who basically steal the show as the tour de force Cookie !!! The watercooler show of the season !!!!

Just give Taraji the Emmy now.

Exactly…Don’t forget a few dozen roses to go along w/ the
golden statuette.

I had quite a few favorite moments. First, when Cookie reamed her two sons out doing rehearsal, second, when Lucious asked Cookie to give the speech because he knew she would do what was necessary. Loved to see how he still trusted her and her instinct while the others were not even concerned with his welfare. And Cookie KILLED on that stage and Lucious clapped afterwards and said those three little words. LOVED IT. My favorite scene was of course when Cookie and Lucious connected on the couch and afterwards, I’d been waiting for that. Taraji and Terrance have great chemistry and they made us want for that and they sure delivered. I loved it. I do think Empire is one of a kind; it would be nice to see more dramas like this but sadly some will just try to copy it and won’t pull it off and the others will be way over the top in a way that it is forcing reactions. But I guess time will tell.

It just might inspire others to follow but none may reach the popularity as Empire or Downtown Abby…to be a huge hit depends on a combination of many things…the writing, actors/characters ect., and most of all will viewers tune in…you can make a really great serial but it still depends mainly on the viewers to make it a hit…jmo

Just started watching it, and it is so good, the story lines are great, the acting is excellent. In fact the show was so good last night it seem to me at least that it had just started, and it had been on for a full hour, it is going to be my must watch on Wednesday nights!

Empire is unique in it’s storytelling, but the key is the diversity of it! There are many upon many stories to be told that has not been given the attention that is needed. Noone should try and “copy” Empire, but bring another unique story to light. People want to hear it!

Well done, Empire! I’ll have to catch up with this week’s episode on Friday.
I can’t wait! Cookie, Jamal, Lucious, Andre….all of them! I’ll post more when I watch the new episode.

Last night’s episode was another brilliant piece of Art. Every moment of the episode was my favorite. Empire might set the tone for series to follow from other networks, but they’ll never have what this show has, “the perfect cast”.

my favorite show right now

Had to laugh when Hakeem gave his gf that necklace with his name on it. So trashy.

Fave moment when Cookie and Lucious got busy!

If they keep the show on the track they have, it’s going to surpass this week-by-week. I just hope the summer break doesn’t kill the incredible momentum this series has.

I haven’t had an appointment show on the networks in a while. (Usually just AMC and HBO these days.) Love Jamal and boy can that man sing and move that cute little body of his!

Empire is a power play of actors..
The casting director should get huge praise for gathering the cast of Empire..
,,,, excellent casting ,,,,, !

Taraji was in talks with creator Lee Daniels and he suggested an
actor for the lead of Lucious, Taraji fired back by saying Terrence
would be perfect for the role,and if he was in so was she…
They’ve been friends a long time since Hustle and flow.

This show is absolutely fabulous!!!
Terrence and Taraji are MAGIC TOGETHER.
EMPIRE has been already been renewed for season two.

What amazes me is that there is something so endearing and fascinating about both of the leads, I really find myself already caring about these characters, similar to how I feel about the soap characters that I have watched for decades. When I heard the show was about the hip-hop industry, I thought there was no way I would enjoy it, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. My favorite line of the night was when Cookie referred to Hakeem’s much older girlfriend as Yoko Ono. That was hilarious!

Fantastic show. I was hooked from episode 1 and it just keeps getting better & better.

Empire

Taraji P. Henson Says She Fired Her Entire Team After They Failed to Capitalize on Her Success as ‘Empire’s’ Cookie Lyon

When Fox’s hit primetime soap opera, Empire, hit the air it became a smash hit, especially due to its lead female character, Cookie Lyon, as played by Taraji P. Henson.

The actress played Cookie for all she was worth and the some becoming one of the more original soap and television characters. After all, Cookie went to jail for 17 years before being released, and was the wife of former drug dealer, now music mogul, Lucious Lyon played by Terrence Howard.

Now, Taraji revealed all was not kosher behind the scenes during a sit-down interview for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation (see below). It was there, she revealed that she had to fire her entire PR team and more, because of how they failed to capitalize on her rousing success at the time as Cookie.

Photo: Fox

The moment came about during the Q&A Henson was asked what was the best business decision she ever made.  She swiftly answered: “Firing everybody after Cookie,” adding, “Everybody had to f**ing’ go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up for after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up.”

Empire fans recall that a ‘Cookie’ prequel had been in the works to continue the character after the series was canceled after six seasons, but nothing happened. At the time reports shared, Danny Strong, co-creator of the Empire was said to be co-writing the series, and it would come through Henson’s new production banner.

Taraji explained what went down behind the scenes: “All they wanted was another Cookie show, and I said, ‘I’ll do it, but it has to be right. The people deserve, she’s to beloved for y’all to f**k it up.’ And so, when they didn’t get it right, I was like, ‘Well, that’s it,’ and they had nothing else. ‘You’re all f**ng fired.”

Photo: JPI

Henson added that she felt like she had Stockholm Syndrome from the entire situation, which is defines as a syndrome ‘where hostages sometimes develop a psychological bond with their captors.’ (Think Kevin, Y&R!) The moral of Henson’s story was to make sure the people you pay and who work for you, understand that you are the talent and nothing happens without you including them collecting a paycheck off you.

Henson can currently be seen in the musical version of The Color People in movie theatres everywhere.

Check out her emotional and enlightening conversation with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation below.

Now let us know, do you think Cookie Lyon was one of the best TV characters and should have either been spun off into her own show, or Henson should have appeared in more commercial and endorsement deals given the popularity of the character? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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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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A post shared by @jussiesmollett

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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.

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