Fox TV: "Empire"

[Hypestyle]

http://origin.rs.fox.com/empire/

Starring Terrance Howard, Taraji P. Henson

Howard plays a hip-hop/Urban music mogul, with a dark past. He gets diagnosed with ALS, and with less than five years to live, decides to openly compel his adult sons to vie for the presidency of his record label/production company. Meanwhile, his formerly incarcerated ex-wife is paroled, and vows to aggressively fight for control of the company.

Original music composed by Timbaland. Premieres in January.

 

[Prison Mike]

I'm looking forward to this show. The promos have me interested.

 

[Hypestyle]

Observations-
Taraji's character Cookie is definitely over the top, but she seems to be having fun.

"Sissy" gets said a lot regarding Jamal, and I guess they're avoiding using the f word, so far, anyway.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Pretty awful.

 

[Slushy]

Good to see Howard again.

 

[Prison Mike]

I liked the show. Felt bad for Jamal. Hope he ends up running the company. I liked him the most out of all the brothers.

 

[mjdiddy1]

The F word was used by the way. The show was good and I think I'll check it out a few more times. It kind of reminded me of Showtimes' Power meets Dynasty. The character of Jamal is the most likable of the bunch but being put under Cookie's guidance could corrupt him.

 

[Hypestyle]

spoilers

Spoiler

Looks like the show isn't afraid to have "cliffhanger" endings before the end of the season. I wasn't expecting Lucius to bump off his old buddy/bodyguard this early.

Cookie is, so far, cartoonish, but Ms. Henson's portrayal uplifts the role from what it might be in lesser hands. Her "acceptance" of Jamal being gay comes across as convenient to get rich again and to spite Lucius, as she's still not above calling him a sissy..

I'm glad to see Malik Yoba back on TV, it's been too long. They need to bring in Michael DeLorenzo, too.

Based on the previews, looks like Cuba Gooding has also figured TV exposure is just as good as anything else.

Andre's wife Kaitlin seems to also be a reflexive manipulator- but we know nothing about her backstory yet besides being a college classmate of his.

Hakim's being set up like the rich kid who wants to be a thug superstar.. I guess we'll see whether he starts getting into criminal trouble, shootouts at strip-clubs, etc.

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

imho, thought it sucked... so much so that it gets cancelled by season's end, or maybe even by mid-season...

 

[rashad]

I loved it.

This Season on Empire Promo
[YT]IS4dvlC4INM[/YT]

 

[Harry Dresden]

imho, thought it sucked... so much so that it gets cancelled by season's end, or maybe even by mid-season...

Agreed.

I don't see it getting cancelled though. The ratings for the premiere were pretty crazy.

 

[MadVillainy]

It's pretty bad. Crappy melodrama. It's trash tv, I'll watch for a little

 

[OnTheAir]

I'll give it a couple of more episodes, but so far, I'm not feeling it.

 

[Sithborg]

I enjoyed it. It isn't my type of music, but it was still good. The criminal empire aspect might be a bit too much. It reminds me of Dallas.

 

[RockSP]

The criminal empire aspect might be a bit too much.

Actually that was probably the most realistic part.

 

[Sawyer]

I enjoyed this. It more or less fulfilled Daniels' goal of making a "Black Dynasty". Loved Taraji.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-how-lee-daniels-made-761342

Interesting to imagine Snipes in the lead role.

 

[Prison Mike]

Wow, didn't know the whole trash can incident actually happened to Daniels.

 

[Obsidian Idea]

I'm just tired of the representation that Black and African Americans can only reach certain heights by way of hook-or-crook...anyway...

I agree that this has all the makings of an African American "Dallas" but I felt the premiere was rushed and that certain elements like backstories, plots and interactions should occur gradually throughout this first season...

I love the way Taraji portrays Cookie. I want to see Terrence finesse and refine his character more. I like that both of them are blatant and in-your-face when it comes to interacting with folks but they need to show that professionalism is a must in the workplace...execs at work/thugs at home.

Lyons' shame/hatred of Jamal being gay is original in his blatant disapproval but needs to have more thought put into it if they don't want the story to burn out. I'm not comfortable with the over saturation of homosexuality in TV but I feel this story is relevant and I'm actually interested to see how these two characters will find common ground...if they ever do.

The sons are ok overall. Nothing riveting yet. Nothing riveting about the show so far. I will give it a chance but not impressed yet.

 

[Sawyer]

Waiting for Cookie to go full Gemma Teller-Morrow on Lucious' new chick.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I am enjoying this show, Cookie is the best and so enjoyable! I like the eldest and youngest(?)(gay) sons, the other one can get annoying at times.

I really need Naya and Amber to get on this show for an episode.

 

[Incrediblejeff]

This show is ridiculously over the top and campy.I must watch this every week.She put on a bib...a bib.

 

[Sithborg]

Yeah, it's hard to take this show too seriously.

 

[RockSP]

I like the eldest and youngest(?)(gay) sons, the other one can get annoying at times.

The gay one is the middle kid.

 

[Prison Mike]

I'm loving this show. They've embraced the soap aspect of it fully. Honestly, if I was one of the children I would get the brothers to form another company. With the business intelligence the eldest one has and the talent of the middle and youngest brothers, they could be really formidable for Empire records and their father.

 

[Chesterfield]

I love cookie. She's so Un pm. The wife putting on a bib was a lol moment. Lucius' new wife when she came out in her underwear was delicious. The youngest son needs more beatdowns from cookie.