Empire: Discussion Thread

[Toups]

Empire: Discussion Thread

EMPIRE – From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Precious”) and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Game Change”), comes EMPIRE, a sexy and powerful new drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne. LUCIOUS LYON (Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard, “Crash,” “Hustle & Flow”) is the king of hip-hop. An immensely talented artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, his reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes, when he learns he has a disease that is going to render him crippled and incapacitated in a matter of three years. The clock is ticking, and he must groom one of his three sons to take over his crowning achievement, without destroying his already fractured family. Lucious’ favorite is his youngest son, HAKEEM (newcomer Bryshere Gray), a gifted musician and a spoiled playboy who values fame over hard work. The middle son, JAMAL (Jussie Smollett, “North,” “The Mighty Ducks”), is a sensitive soul and a musical prodigy who, unlike Hakeem, shies away from the spotlight. Jamal also happens to be gay, which infuriates and embarrasses his father. ANDRE (Trai Byers, “90210”), the eldest son, is CFO of Empire Entertainment. Wharton-educated with a brilliant business mind, Andre lacks the charisma that Lucious believes is crucial to running the company. But in his quest for power, Andre is assisted by his manipulative and like-minded wife, RHONDA (Kaitlin Doubleday, “Hung,” “Catch Me If You Can”). As Lucious prompts his sons to vie for the empire, his plans are thrown into chaos when his ex-wife, COOKIE (Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), mysteriously emerges seven years early from prison, where she’s been for almost two decades. Brash and fearless, she sees herself as the sacrificial lamb who built this empire with Lucious and then took the fall for running the drugs that financed Lucious’ early career. For now, Lucious remains firmly in control of Empire Entertainment. He is attended to by his hard-working assistant, BECKY (guest star and Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe, “American Horror Story,” “Precious”), and relies on longtime friend and Chairman of the Board VERNON TURNER (Malik Yoba, “Revolution,” “Girlfriends”) for advice and support. He relies on a whole lot more from ANIKA GIBBONS (newcomer Grace Gealey), the head of A&R for Empire, and his current girlfriend. As the Lyons slug it out, an emotional chess game begins that will either cause the family’s destruction or redemption. Lives and loves will be lost as the complicated family will come together and fall apart over the elusive throne, all set to an original soundtrack written and produced by legendary hip-hop hitmaker Timbaland. Will the family unite and learn to love each other before it’s too late? Love, war, family, sacrifice, money and music: this is the story of the Lyons’ EMPIRE.

EMPIRE is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series is created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The pilot is written by Daniels and Strong. The series is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer (“24,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) and Francie Calfo (“Those Who Kill,” GANG RELATED). Daniels directed the pilot.

[London]

First Look at Empire...

I am happy that Taraji and Terrence are working together again.

[wingwalker]

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[Toups]

A family soap set in the hip hop music industry - I'm looking forward to this.

[wingwalker]

Me too! I hope it finds an audience. I fear it won't.

[ajsp35801]

This is the best new series coming out IMO.

[DaytimeFan]

Naomi Campbell has a recurring role...and I've just seen the trailer...this looks incredible!

[detroitpiston]

For those who missed the 30 minute preview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXaSEgR47wQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHatrDAwyng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZN4uaqEw6E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ssjXPscuKA

[NothinButAttitude]

Thanks for posting it, detroitpiston!

I was sold just off Taraji but I am REALLY sold off this special. My ass will be glued to my chair to see this.

Team Cookie and Jamal! F*ck the rest of them. Especially that scandalous heffa Rhonda!

But all the brothers are sexy as hell so I won't hate them that much!!

Fox better not pull the plug on this once I grow to love it or I am going to be pissed.

[ChitHappens]

There are no words to properly convey how eager I am to see this show!!!!

Lol B! You stanning for your favs already!

I think the audience already exists! The premiere will do very well.

Agreed! Looks like no expense was spared here.

[SFK]

FOX aired the preview at 12:30am after Dish Nation and I am so glad I watched. I have high hopes for this show.

That Grace Gealey is stunning. I knew the eldest son looked familiar, he was Mookie on All My Children. I hadn't seen Jussie since he and Journee and the rest of their siblings had that short-lived sitcom. I love the way they've styled Gabby and it's none of my business but her weight concerns me.

The wealth, glamour, power, father's strained relationship with gay son, force to be reckoned with mother back from exile... all reminded me of Dynasty.

It kind of surprises me that it took this long since the splashy platinum, Bentleys, chinchillas late '90s hip-hop era for a show like this to come around, but better done right like this than done at all. The creative team, two leads, and budget, you can't say this show isn't bringing its A-game.

[Vee]

I'll check out the preview. The show has me intrigued.

[NothinButAttitude]

Yes I do. I already have a deep connection with Cookie and Jamal and I haven't even seen the pilot.

[ThePrinceOfSunspear]

I'm definitely going to give it a shot. I usually forget about Fox.

[slick jones]

Damn! Looking forward to this one, Taraji is phenomenal, no matter what. I loved her since that Lifetime lady cop show...I'll think of the title as soon as I stop thinking. Love her movies, And Sgt Carter on POI was just...well anyone who's seen her knows!