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Post by Admin on Jan 15, 2015 12:36:36 GMT -4
WOW.
It’s hard to ignore Empire’s unspoken message that black women are loud and overbearing “hood rats” who belittle and emasculate black men, or confused lesbians who want to be men (AzMarie Livingston).
Taraji’s “Cookie” is all over the map. Cookie spends most of her screen time in an unfiltered rage. Her scenes are limited to barging into Lucious’ office, disrupting his meetings and confronting his white girlfriend. We’re reminded constantly that she gave Lucious $400K in drug money to launch his recording empire back in the day. The only time Cookie is in chill mode is when she has a drink in her hand.
Executive producer Lee Daniels‘s male characters are likewise stereotypical and one-dimensional.
Lucious, the terminally ill Berry Gordy of his generation, carries the burden of deciding who among his 3 sons will run his record label when he’s gone.
His sons include the sensitive homosexual Jamal (Jussie Smollet) who’s in a relationship with an effeminate white male. Then there’s the Chris Brown character Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) who disrespects women and can’t seem to keep his anger in check. And finally, there’s the straight-laced, well mannered heterosexual son Andre (Trai Byers) who’s Caucasian wife dominates him in and out of the bedroom. Oh, and Andre just happens to be on bipolar medications.
‘Empire’ is such a huge fail that Terrence Howard already has an out his character’s terminal illness. 
What a shame we can't be seen better then we are Lee you should know better.
C 
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Post by beverlygee on Jan 15, 2015 20:46:16 GMT -4
I'm sorry to hear that i thought it started off well.  Maybe Mr.Daniels should do some editing asap before the network pulls the plug altogether, i'd hate to see a group of strong actors looking for other roles.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 6:18:34 GMT -4
If Empire was about White people and starred White people it would be okay. And you guys know that's true. The blacklash is only going to come from Blacks who think we should only play nice and sweet characters. And to imply that the show is a "huge fail" is so unfortunate. So sad.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 8:17:14 GMT -4
This is what I've read about Empire:
The force is strong with Fox's Empire. The series premiere of the buzzy hip-hop drama from Lee Daniels and Danny Strong starring Terence Howard and Taraji P. Henson—slay, Cookie!—had 9.8 million viewers and a 3.7 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. The show lost some of American Idol 's audience, but it built on Idol's demo rating, an impressive feat.
American Idol returned for season 14 with 10.9 million viewers, down from 15ish million it had in its season 13 premiere. In the 18-49 demo, the season 14 premiere netted a 3.1 rating. Idol was up from the season 13 finale, which tumbled to 10.5 million and a 2.6 rating. A far cry from Idol's heyday, but 14 seasons in the show is still a player.
This is good news for Fox. The network struggled to launch a hit—aside from Gotham—during the 204 season. Empire even outpaced Modern Family in the 18-49 demographic. The veteran comedy grabbed a 3.2 rating.
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Post by Admin on Jan 16, 2015 12:05:42 GMT -4
I'm sorry to hear that i thought it started off well. Maybe Mr.Daniels should do some editing asap before the network pulls the plug altogether, i'd hate to see a group of strong actors looking for other roles.
He better I have to admit Taraji is over the top and Terrence is ruthless it's looking like it's made to be seen as hard undermining business in the world of music and it is but I don't know maybe he could tone it down some and bring some class to the table. We're invited to watch it so let us feel comfortable. We do need to have away to see ourselves as positive people not always loud and ready to kill someone when we feel betrayed.
C  |
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Post by beverlygee on Jan 17, 2015 17:46:57 GMT -4
You're absolutely right! Not all of us are loud, and some of us do have class, i guess we have to look at it from the directors point of view, maybe he knows something we don't know.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2015 22:27:28 GMT -4
I'm sorry to hear that i thought it started off well. Maybe Mr.Daniels should do some editing asap before the network pulls the plug altogether, i'd hate to see a group of strong actors looking for other roles.
He better I have to admit Taraji is over the top and Terrence is ruthless it's looking like it's made to be seen as hard undermining business in the world of music and it is but I don't know maybe he could tone it down some and bring some class to the table. We're invited to watch it so let us feel comfortable. We do need to have away to see ourselves as positive people not always loud and ready to kill someone when we feel betrayed.
C If Black people have been comfortable watching some of the reality shows that have been on in the last few years starring Blacks, they should be comfortable watching Empire. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2015 22:57:00 GMT -4
Fox's Empire continues to rise.
Surprising exactly no one, the network renewed its new hit series Empire for a second season, making the news official at the 2015 Winter TCA Press Tour on Saturday. Praise Cookie!
The Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson hip-hop family drama, created by Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels, has proven to be a huge success for Fox: it was their highest-rated debut in three years and one of the most-watched debuts of the season.
And Empire did the impossible this week in its second episode: its ratings actually went up! The episode attracted 10.3 million viewers and a strong 4.0 demo rating, up from the premiere's impressive 9.9 million viewers and 3.8 rating.
Empire has fared much better than Fox's other new series this season, with the network choosing not to pursue a second season of Gracepoint, the event series that was an adaptation of the UK's Broadchurch. And Red Band Society, its charming drama about a group of children in a hospital, failed to connect with viewers. The network is airing the final three episodes on Saturday, beginning Jan. 31.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2015 23:15:56 GMT -4
You're absolutely right! Not all of us are loud, and some of us do have class, i guess we have to look at it from the directors point of view, maybe he knows something we don't know.
Bev.....do you actually think anybody Black, White, or whatever look at the fictional characters in Empire and think that all Black people are like that?? I hope you watched Inside Empire.
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Post by beverlygee on Jan 18, 2015 1:52:54 GMT -4
Yes marian i do, i've been challenged by white executives and others as well. When you're not physically perfect people will find flaws in you, if you're loud, quiet or whatever the case may be. As African Americans we're always gonna be looked at in a negative way, especially if we're bringing negativity to light, lke the reality series Love & Hip Hop and i am one who believes some of it may be scripted or Atlanta Housewives and some of those characters really don't like each other. I've got Inside Empire set to be taped tonight. I'm glad it's been given good reviews, it's a good show.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2015 5:10:14 GMT -4
Yes marian i do, i've been challenged by white executives and others as well. When you're not physically perfect people will find flaws in you, if you're loud, quiet or whatever the case may be. As African Americans we're always gonna be looked at in a negative way, especially if we're bringing negativity to light, lke the reality series Love & Hip Hop and i am one who believes some of it may be scripted or Atlanta Housewives and some of those characters really don't like each other. I've got Inside Empire set to be taped tonight. I'm glad it's been given good reviews, it's a good show. Sorry Bev that you've had to endure any negativity about your physical appearance. I'm sure from people who are far from perfect. I always figure people who are like that are just plain ignorant. That could be a whole different topic. As far as Empire goes, I'm glad FOX has decided to renew it and I'll more than likely watch it as long as it's on. And for those who don't like it, stop the "hating" and just don't watch it.  If I could change anything it would be that blonde hair that Miss Sibide wears. |
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Post by beverlygee on Jan 22, 2015 14:57:27 GMT -4
Thanks marian, society is filled with haters and judges and no, none of us is perfect. I often have to catch myself when i form an opinion about something or someone, but it's a challenge for anyone who wants to be honest and fair. I finally got around to watching Inside Empire and i enjoyed their session, and i'm hoping they will change Gabourey's hairdo, good to see that she's working. |
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Maybe Mr.Daniels should do some editing asap before the network pulls the plug altogether, i'd hate to see a group of strong actors looking for other roles. 
If I could change anything it would be that blonde hair that Miss Sibide wears.