Empire: Discussion Thread

[marceline]

I was keeping my fingers crossed for 15 eps so I'm thrilled for 18. Now that they know where the show stands they don't have to write as if they might be cancelled any minute. Maybe now these stories can get a chance to breathe a little.

[YRBB]

That pic of Taraji & Joan

[YRBB]

I'll have to look this up. Chatty Man is always good for a laugh and with Taraji on? It's sure to be amazing.

[YRBB]

I'm sort of wary about the fact that they'll have 18 episodes... Glad for more EMPIRE but afraid of how they'll handle it. I echo everyone's comments so far... I really hope they slow things down a bit, allow for more room for the story to develop and breathe.

[ChitHappens]

to

Trust me when I tell you Ilene Chaiken CANNOT be trusted. While passionate scribes would seize the opportunity of 6 additional eppies, Chaiken will see this as a chance to write in circles and destroy characters. She's an idiot, but what can you expect from someone who destroyed her own creation? You will see the actors salvage a lot of her sh!t. #donttakemyword

[Vee]

I look forward to another extended season of Chit ignoring the actual screen credits of every episode she enjoys and attributing any success to everyone other than the day-to-day showrunner!

[London]

Praise Lee's light for continuing to cast Lenny.

[All My Shadows]

I'm satisfied with 18 episodes, and I"d be even happier with 20+!!

I also have no idea who "Chaiken" is or what she's done.

[YRBB]

She is the EMPIRE showrunner.

[Vee]

Chris Rock, Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz are confirmed.

[London]

You ever watch The L Word? Enjoy it for two seasons (maybe a little more) and then have everything turned upside down? That was her impact on a beloved television series. I was so Thankful SHO said NO to her proposed spin-off.

[KMan101]

There's a new interview with Chit's BFF out there. I'll try to find the link.

I'm slightly concerned with 18 episodes. I'd be happier with 15-16 but 18 is only two more episodes than that. I like that the season will be split so they need to treat it as 9 solid episodes followed by 9 solid episodes, or however they break it down. The show definitely needed more than 12 episodes. 20-22 is too much and not going to happen, not with Howard and Taraji as the leads. I don't think they want 22 episodes. And this is a show that doesn't need 22 episodes. I'm even thinking 18 could be too much and we see that cut back for Season 3 into 15-16 episodes. But if each episode can deliver, I'd be fine with 18 episode seasons from here on out. Time will tell. Crossing my fingers.

[Vee]

I didn't watch The L Word, but I know the stories from friends. I just don't think it's relevant, as this isn't her original work - she was a hired gun brought in by Daniels and Strong here to work with their existing framework and I think so far Chaiken's done a very good job minding the store. I'm going to give her credit where it's due.

Creators are different in different contexts. I remember people expecting terrible things from Jenji Kohan based on how she tanked Weeds, but now everyone thinks OITNB is the greatest thing on nu-TV (I still haven't watched it, but whatever).

[Eric83]

Lee Daniels seems like the type of guy who doesn't put his name on anything he's not satisfied with. I can't see this woman messing up the show too much the L Word and Empire are two different shows with different cast members and writers.

[London]

The men of Empire cover Essence, and each guy has his own individual cover.