Empire
Lee Daniels Teases Potential EMPIRE Spin-Off: A Prequel On Young Cookie Lyon!


Photo Credit: Hutchins Photo
Fox held it’s TCA (Television Critics Association) 2015 panels and events= on Thursday, and every0ne wanted to hear what’s in store for the breakout show of last season, Empire!
The hip-hop sudser that will continue right where it left off when it bows for its second season on September 23rd at 9PMEST, and will feature a split 18 episode order from the network – 10 for the fall will air, and then a break, and then final 8 episodes in the spring.
But what was most intriguing to learn was that Empire creator Lee Daniels does have a spin-off in mind for the mighty soap opera, and it would feature a young Cookie Lyon. The adult Cookie is played by Emmy-nominee Taraji P. Henson.
Daniels revealed: “I think there’s going to be a spinoff of Empire,without question. I have to tell story that I know. I can’t tell it unless I’ve lived it.” He then went on to say about the Cookie Lyon series idea: “OK, here she is now. How did she get to where she’s at right now? Let’s go back and understand her mother. Let’s go back and understand her sisters. Let’s get back and understand the makings of her. That I know, because I know Cookie … It would be like a prequel. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”
Now watch the just released trailer for season two of Empire after the jump! Then, let us know would you like to see another soapy spin-off featuring a young Cookie and her “fam”? Comment below!
I hate when series have spinoffs. Just keep making Empire great and focus on that. Divided attn will hurt both shows.
I know richard..one show blows up and it’s immediate sequels and brought to you by..while the original gets lost in translation and quietly disappears..DON’T DO IT FOX..
I am soooo ready!!
Empire has it all, it keeps me on the edge, I like that..
I am counting down the days! Terrence and Taraji rules!
Please! DO NOT SPIN this show off. Both shows will end up suffering if they do.
Empire is a unique show and fun to watch. Why insult it by creating a copycat show?
This idea seems stupid (to me). The network should focus on the current show. Many shows like Empire (Revenge, the OC, etc.) have started off gangbusters and then adjusted/fizzled. I expect no less from “Empire” despite its strong first season.
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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