Empire: Discussion Thread

[ChitHappens]

 

I want to sympathize, but then I have to remember this was done out of self importance at the expense of POC/LGBT.  There was no reason for this other than arrogance.  I have to save my sympathy for someone who needs it.  

 

Take his money and gone on. 

 

The good thing is that I've always hated Jamal Lyon and now he will be wiped from the canvas.  Took long enough but who would've thought it would be the actor's doing?!  

[Faulkner]

You know, I dislike Jamal as well. They’ve played him as so humorless, and his relationships are eyeroll-worthy. But I just wanted them to fix the character, not get rid of him. Granted, the rest of the show ain’t exactly on point.

[ChitHappens]

 

I've loathed Jamal from day one!  The only time I will watch him sing is when he's doing a duet with Hakeem.  

[Faulkner]

I just want a Noah’s Arc-like show again. And not these Signal23 YouTube series that hire Thugbait rejects.

[Juliajms]

 

[John]

Lee Daniels wants to recast the role of Jamal who he  based off himself

https://tvline.com/2019/02/22/empire-recasts-jamal-jussie-smollett-leaving-season-6/

Edited February 23, 2019 by John

[Faulkner]

Yeah, I figured he wouldn’t easily give up on that character given Jamal’s personal importance to him.

[marceline]

I want a recast too. I want Jussie to see Jamal played by somebody else.

[Faulkner]

Just need a thirtysomething black actor who can sing R&B, dance, and is gay or is comfortable playing gay. 

 

Anyone but Todrick Hall.

[Vee]

I honestly think the character is sadly so identified with Jussie that it can't work this late in the game. If this was Season 2 or 3, maybe. But hey, if Daniels intends for this show to do a Dallas or Dynasty/KL-length run then I guess go for it.

 

Still, the sooner he gets gone the better. Talk about squandering and staining a groundbreaking character and status as a minor queer TV icon.

Edited February 23, 2019 by Vee

[Soapsuds]

Jussie watching his recast----------->

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[Faulkner]

Yeah, I thought about that too. How much longer does the show have? I suppose Fox might be willing to ride the show out if they can keep costs down and ratings don’t completely crater, but Terrence and Taraji are only going to get pricier as the show goes on, especially if Taraji’s film career continues to flourish. (She’s approaching 50, but look at Viola.) And Disney is going to own the show soon.

[Vee]

I still feel weird about making light of this, but it's a tension reliever for me since I've just been so furious. Also, the guy is cute and the sketch is actually hilarious.

 

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[victoria foxton]

That was so funny.  Jaboukie Young-White is adorable. 

[Khan]

He had it coming.

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