All in all this is a good series to watch. Great stories and loads of great music which for me is the best part. What doesn't get it to the top series is the unfortunate end which was in part due to COVID and partly it was poorly done for the overall story with empire.
Add a Review
-
MAYESY-445 April 2021
-
PublicAwarenessMedia20 January 2015Somewhat stereotypical, and certainly clichéd writing, but captivating, particularly as performed by 2 of my favorite actors, Taraji P. Henson & Terrence Howard, ever since seeing them in one of my favorite gritty, touching movies, Hustle & Flow.
Like that infamous film, there will be welcome music. A flashback scene in the pilot episode almost harks back to that time they worked together.
Can't help but feel personally invested in its characters, which may be biased since I so admire the work of the actors playing the roles.
"A unique family drama set in the world of a hip hop empire." Pretty sure it's the first series featuring that premise.
Enjoying so far, and anxious to watch where it goes. -
dcanty-5685512 November 2015I love this program but it is getting a little raunchy for me, I may have to give it a rest. I love the music and Jamal, his sexuality doesn't bother me until I see some of the sex acts not Jamal but that photographer. I am surprised that Cookie does not realize that young fella does not care about her as she thinks. She is pretty street smart so I am surprised.
I love Luscious and he is a formidable character and oh so multi-talented. He has a great voice. I pray that the folks writing this go back to music and move away from all the sexual stuff. This is an excellent opportunity for some real great actors and musicians. Maybe there is something wrong with me but I don't want to see Cookie having sex for 3 days with this young guy that could give a darn about her. I hope she wakes up and realize that yes she is beautiful but she is not all that. I hope she sees that he is using her before its too late. I know Luscious is going to have to rescue her once again. She has gotta stop thinking with her private parts and start thinking with her business minded head. -
mikekansasmike27 March 2019This is the worst show on television. Terrible, low-budget actors with writing that has the quality seen in middle school poetry.
-
bwair33-152-1517842 February 2015I love this show. I wasn't going to watch it because I am more of a binge watcher and I don't subscribe to cable TV. However, I love Taraji & Terrence together since Hustle & Flow. They just fit perfect together for this series. The issues that arise within this family are real. The dynamics are present in every family household from illness, to the struggle that wealth brings, to homosexuality to obesity and style. The music is amazing. You don't have to love rap or hip hop to appreciate the musical talent behind the scenes of this show. My favorite character is Cookie of course. She is an OG gangsta female who is unafraid to speak her mind and is always in the Height of Fashion. Besides that the chemistry that still exists between her and Luscious is palpable. He loves her for who she is and always was. She never stopped loving him either. I will watch this show play out and it will be one of very few that I watch from TV. ITS DEFINITELY WORTH IT!
-
ammabee-956-9270437 January 2015First I don't typically like rap and hip hop but I LOVED THIS. I am only not giving this a 10 because it's the first episode but OH HOT DANG it's great. There is not one bad actor or tress. Let's start out with saying GABOUREY SIDIBE HAS NOT DONE ONE BAD ROLE. She is a phenomenon. I will keep this short and spoiler free and say that it has something for EVERYONE. I can understand why people wouldn't like it but keep and open mind. It has good music (which you don't have to be a hip hop fan to like because, I liked it A LOT) Good acting which is always good. Great plot And basically great everything. I can't recommend this enough.
-
lalane-751-31792427 January 2015#TeamCookie This show is definitely captivating. The drama, the music, the actors/actresses just all make for one heck of a show. It touches on so many issues we deal with in today's society and brings them to the forefront: Bi-polar disorder, ALS, sexuality, dysfunctional families, following your dreams, standing up for yourself/confidence, being able to move beyond your circumstances and so many other things. I am especially happy to see these things being touched on so that it can open the dialog to deal with these issues, especially in the Black community. Taraji's character illustrates a mother's love and how she will do anything even sacrifice her freedom to ensure her family will escape the perils of poverty and life in the slums. Terrance's character shows how money can change you and when you loose yourself in the process you also loose so much more. A man that choose his dream over love and now regrets it while living in two worlds his old and his new. I could on but I urge you to tune in and see it for yourself. It's a new spin on a classic life story.
-
All 7 stars in this review are for the performances or Terrence Howard and Taraji P Henson as Lucious and Cookie Lyon. These two together on the screen are just chemistry personified. The emotions these two deliver are just phenomenal and it's worth watching until the very end to see how it all pans out for our King and Queen.
Outside of any Lucious and Cookie story lines I pretty much started fast forwarding through most of it from Season 4 or 5 onwards. But ESPECIALLY season 6.
And sure there's ALOT I could complain about when it comes to how awful these people are and how ridiculous the story lines become. But I don't care. I loved the journey of Lucious and Cookie. -
francoischristana12 November 2022Money is power, freedom, a cushion, the root of all evil, and the sum of blessings. Power and money can be attained through building an empire, but at a cost. Every time you turn around, someone is attempting to destroy everything you have built. It leads to disagreements amongst families, friends, and coworkers. Sometimes you question whether the risks are really worthwhile. Despite becoming harmed while doing so, Luscious and Cookie defended Empire from all threats. They put everything on the line by investing everything in this business, as if they were connected and unable to let go of the past. A true hustler love story.
-
sharan23956 February 2015Personally I love the show and setting, so I'm going to try to do this from the perspective of someone who isn't so in touch with it as myself. Given the setting of the show, it may be off-putting and unappealing to viewers, but I guarantee you if you watch past the first 3-4 episodes that it will really catch your interest. Regardless of whether or not you like the setting, that is when the story starts to really pick up and the intensity gets turned up a notch. Honestly, if you are someone who is doubting watching this because you don't know whether it will be good or bad, seriously give it a try because the writing is great. (If you are a hip-hop fan, then you'd probably really like the soundtrack too)
-
trudystillbottom15 December 2016A good show gone bad. In the beginning, Cookie was the breakout and deservedly so, but now, in season 3 she is a cartoon. Empire has forgotten the Cardinal Rule of nighttime soaps. That is you have to have at least one character that is good and likable. That never wavers from that good. Here, almost every character is completely deplorable. Too many guest stars mugging for the camera. And all the children of privilege, getting much more than they deserve, and not equal in the talent department. It also past time to turn off that auto-tune machine. It is obvious that Hakeem does not possess the talent of the character and the excessive use of auto-tune in his performances is like painting everyone bright luminous yellow. Jamal is talented, but his distinctive voice and style makes everything sound repetitive and is approaching tiresome. We saw the rise of this Empire, I guess we now get to see the fall.
-
nikoyam19 November 2015Although I liked the first season, I was not as impressed as ratings and reviews posed. I felt the show was catchy at best, but the constant barrage of A-list musical guest appearances seemed gimmicky, while the show seemed to run too quickly through issues that could have had more effect if they were given the proper time to play out. I feared that it would fizzle out quickly due to overly forced agendas and constantly pushing for gasps and "Oh-no-he-didn't" moments. However; then season two came along... and it was as if Lee Daniels had read my mind. The show has since, slowed down and is very interesting, but not in a cliché manner. The overly hyped agendas took their rightful place behind the lines of good story-telling and the music is as good, if not better than it was before, which is hard to achieve because it's always been good! I find myself wondering what certain characters are up to and wanting to see more each week. I'm really excited and happy to be able to support the show, not just out of desire to support my black community but because it really is a good show!!!
Hopes for the future: let Hakeim do more music! He hardly performs this season. -
CyberZeus6718 January 2015The topic is interesting...and for those who are not into hip-hop, then some of the show's content may offend. The acting is tops as would be expected from folks like Mr. Howard and Ms. Henson. But the real breakout star, IMHO, is Mr. Smollett. Don't wanna give anything away but suffice to say his portrayal and talent both shine through - go watch the show for more specifics.
The issue I have with the show is the pace and lack of character development. I think the topic, content, and context are likely all there but the first two episodes moved along briskly which can be OK depending on what the mission is...but I don't think it serves this production well at all. In fact, if not for the phenomenal acting, I think the show would likely be a bomb for the two main reasons just previously mentioned.
If the show-runner can get the team to build up the characters a bit more, maybe thicken the plot in some areas, and give the audience some time to take it all in...a la Breaking Bad and Dexter (albeit drastically different topics)...then we might have something here.
We shall see...here's hoping... -
sy-holsinger4 October 2018Mix between being simply cheesy and uncomfortably embarrassing to sit through and watch
-
LGBen24 May 2017The first season of Empire was entertaining ... now it is just silly/stupid - no longer worth watching. The characters have become too extreme. Racist portrayals are disturbing. For a family that supposedly is close, there is far too much back stabbing and maneuvering - especially since they are portrayed as being hoodlum-like. One expects more character elimination and less soap opera drama. Without major improvements, I don't expect Empire to last much longer. BORING AND TEDIOUS.
-
In all the years I've used IMDB, I probably reviewed one or two shows or movies. Since the final season of Empire leaves us with a cliffhanger, it did hint during the final episodes what was going to happen to Lucious. Whatever remains of the plot will, in our imagination, go on without having to see it. Too bad so many low rated reviews were at the beginning of the reviews. I do not care for rap music, but I became immersed in this series because of the plot, the talent of the actors and the words of the music that related to their lives. It was easier to understand because I was involved in the characters. I'm 78 years old and a big, big fan of Classic Movies. Although I would never give this series a classic recommendation, my taste in talent and appreciation of music and good acting leaves me open to all kinds of entertainment. I was particularly sorry to see Jussie go, since he was the balance between the characters, but they made it work. This was worth my time. I know from a TV interview that Howard wants to stop being someone else and go on living a normal life. He's really a good actor and I remember him from "CRASH" and loved him in that movie.
-
ayeshajav17 October 2020Cookie, lyon Hakeem, Jamal, Andre all roles came to there fullest throughout the series! I love how each lyon family character was given the attention they deserved and brought there character to the fullest. So sad to see the series finally was abruptly ended but they did there best and still a bitter sweet ending.
-
dreamgavino12 November 2015The Good:
This show is nothing without Taraji. She steals every scene she is in (with her on fleek outfits, her low laugh, her tigress growl, etc.). I heart Hakeem - his sublime rapping, his boyish charm -- yas please If Beyonce and Rihanna had a daughter, it would be Serayah. Most of the music is superb (catchy, edgy, etc.) The cameos are priceless (sometimes it's pleasantly surprising, sometimes it's funny, at times slightly embarrassing, but always entertaining)
The Bad:
Terrence Howard rapping makes me cringe (sorry) Jamal has a great voice but it seems like he is singing the same song over and over and over (and over) again... Shut up Andre
All things considered, this show is pretty awesome =) -
jboothmillard28 July 2015I never heard about this show until the leading actress appeared on Alan Carr: Chatty Man talking about it, they were saying it had gotten over 17 million viewers and was a ratings winner in America, so when it came to the UK, I hoped for something good. Basically, former drug dealer Luscious Lyon (Terrence Howard) became a hip-hop star and is now mogul and CEO of Empire Entertainment. Following a health scare, being diagnosed with the incurable disease ALS (which later turns out to be wrong), he must decide if one of his three sons should take over the business. There is the eldest business-minded son Andre (Trai Byers) who suffers from bipolar disease, gay singer-songwriter and middle son Jamal (Jussie Smollett) who later develops PTSD and an addiction to painkillers, and fame-obsessed hip-hop star and youngest son Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) who has a tendency to lash out. His ex-wife Loretha "Cookie" Lyon (Golden Globe winning, and twice Emmy nominated Taraji P. Henson) is released from prison, after serving seventeen years, and wants her shares, control, or equal power in the company. The record label was funded by drug money, so many factors of this past come back to haunt the family. It also focuses on artists who sing for the label, and members of staff at the company. They include R&B star Tiana Brown (Serayah) who has a relationship and baby with Hakeem, executive assistant Rebecca "Becky" Williams (Precious's Gabourey Sidibe) who later co-founds the Bossy Media record label to rival Empire, Cookie's executive assistant Porsha Taylor (Ta'Rhonda Jones), Lucious's vicious fiancée Anika Calhoun (Grace Gealey) until her death, Cookie's older realtor sister Candace (Vivica A. Fox) and younger former drug addict sister Carol (Tasha Smith), and many more. Various issues are covered in the show, including births and deaths, marriage and divorce, drug use, gangs and the criminal underworld, sexuality, racism, depression and mental health, illness and diseases, and much more, all interwoven with great hip-hop, R&B, soul and dance music being produced and performed in studios and onstage. Also starring Andre Royo as Thirsty Rawlings, AzMarie Livingston as Chicken, Nicole Ari Parker as Giselle, Claudette Burchett as Juanita, Xzibit as Shyne Johnson, Rhyon Nicole Brown as Maya, Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon, A. Z. Kelsey as Jeff Kingsley, Meta Golding as Teri, Bre-Z as Freda Gatz, Wood Harris as Damon Cross, Kevin Wigfall as Webb, Mario as Devon, Katlynn Simone as Treasure, Chet Hanks as Blake, Taye Diggs as Angelo Dubois, Rumer Willis as Tory Ash, Morocco Omari as Tariq, Leslie Uggams as Leah Walker, Terrell Carter as Warren Hall, Sierra Aylina McClain as Nessa, Phylicia Rashad as Diana DuBois, Marcell Johnson as Marcel, Jamila Velazquez as Laura Calleros, Toby Onwumere as Kai, Amanda Detmer as Tracy, Pej Vahdat as Kelly Patel, Kiandra Richardson as Yana, Malik Yoba as Vernon Turner, Sara Sevigny as Edna Bunnin, Will Kinnear as Leonard Bernstein, Rafael de la Fuente as Michael Sanchez, Forest Whitaker as Eddie Barker, Antoine McKay as Bunkie Williams, Ajiona Alexus as Teenage Loretha, Jeremy L. Carver as Teenage Lucious, Tobias Truvillion as D-Major, Bella Chanel as Bella Lyon, Skylan Brooks as Quincy, Naomi Campbell as Camilla Marks, Nia Long as Giuliana, David Banner as Philly Street, Demi Moore as Claudia, Keesha Sharp as Dr. Paula Wick, Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Poundcake, Diamond White as Lala, Veronika Bozeman as Veronica, Kelly Rowland as Leah Walker, Yani Marin as Carmen, Marisa Tomei as Mimi Whiteman, Adam Rodriguez as Laz Delgado, William Fichtner as Jameson Henthrop, Judd Nelson as Billy Beretti, Tyra Ferrell as Roxanne Ford, Alfre Woodard as Renee, Jennifer Hudson as Michelle White, Eva Longoria as Charlotte Frost, Max Beesley as Guy, Joss Stone as Wynter, Robert Ri'chard as Julian, Courtney Love as Elle Dallas, Alicia Keys as Skye Summers, Snoop Dogg as himself, Raven-Symoné as Olivia Lyon, Becky G as Valentina Galindo, Estelle as Delphine, Cuba Gooding Jr as Puma, Patti LaBelle as herself, M. Emmet Walsh as Harold Blakeley, Chris Rock as Frank Gathers, Timbaland as himself, Ludacris as Officer McKnight, Ne-Yo as himself, Clarence Williams III as Huey Jarvis, Mary J. Blige as Angie, Rita Ora as herself, Mariah Carey as Kitty, Queen Latifah as Carlotta Brown, Mario Van Peebles as Uncle Ray, Chaka Khan as herself, D. B. Sweeney as Elvis Stone, Gladys Knight as herself, Ty Dolla Sign as himself, Jason Derulo as himself, Pitbull as himself, Gina Gershon as Helen von Wyeth, Eve as herself, Lenny Kravitz as himself, Oprah Winfrey as herself, Common as himself, En Vogue (Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis, Rhona Bennett) as themselves, and Kyra Jones as MC. It is fair to say that the final season of the show was overshadowed by the firing of Smollett following his hate crime hoax scandal, and the coronavirus pandemic halted production, meaning the final two episodes were never completed. It was supposed to end with the reveal of who shot Lucious and blew up Cookie in her car, but this unfortunately remains unresolved. Overall, the show has great acting from the leading stars, especially Howard being the ruthless head of the company who will kill (literally) to make money, but Henson is the real star with her feisty no-nonsense and fast-talking attitude to get things done. The show is full of great original music, but what grips you is the twisted family dynamic, vicious behaviour from the various characters and many other dark elements in amongst the entertainment industry plot, it is a terrific television soap opera music drama. It was nominated the Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Costumes for a Contemporary Series, Limited Series or Movie (four times), Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, and Outstanding Contemporary Costumes, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama. Very good!
-
afijamesy2k13 February 2015At least a TV show that is so wonderful and very watchable and I Already called this one the very best TV of the year, Terrance Howard delivers a brilliantly Emmy worthy performance as a former drug dealer turned mogul who he and his family are fighting control of a record company, all of the other actors are great as well, brilliant storytelling, brilliant dialogue, wonderful teleplay and song are so good that it keeps guessing into the very end, I Remember years ago when FOX gave us in living color, new york undercover and other shows like this one, but this is one to see, this is definitely truly the best TV of 2015 and beyond
I Give it my highest rating A+ -
saboyagregory22 February 2015The main character's backgrounds are rooted in long-standing black stereotypes (drug dealing hustlers from the hood, turned hip hop moguls), which is problematic if the show, boasting an almost all-black cast, is to be viewed as "the black experience." Unfortunately, in being one of the only serious television dramas centered fully around black lives, Empire's storyline can be misread as something universal. However, if viewed as situational the show breaks new ground on multiple levels.
First and foremost, the show offers relatively complex characters, who deal with various interpersonal relationships/conflicts, proving that black families are just as nuanced and complicated as any other race.
Second, the show flips the "token black" staple, by including a single white face, singer Elle Dallas, who just so happens to be played by rock legend Courtney Love.
Third, the show tackles homosexuality, both male and female, in the black community. While gay has become a staple as of late in with TV soap, it had yet to be dealt with in the context of black life, and, more specifically, the hip hop community, which is notoriously known for reinforcing homophobic views. Empire not only chooses to diverge from the stereotypes, offering a gay male who is both masculine and intelligent, but also confronts the hardships of rejection and identity crises in the face of homosexuality.
As a lover of music, Empire may not provides the most accurate depiction of the industry, but it does offer a substantial dose of superstar cameos from. As previously stated, Hole front-woman Courtney Love is on the show; Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige are also set to make cameos, and rap legend Lil' Kim and singing sensation Mariah Carey have also been rumored to join the cast. So while not being the most intellectually advanced, lending itself to a younger audience, it also provides a nostalgic edge for the older generation.
All-in-all, the show is far from perfect. If you're looking for fun entertainment, I would definitely recommend. If depth or complexity is what you're going for, this is no "How to Get Away with Murder" or "Scandal." The plot is unrealistic and dumbed down. It's not painstakingly idiotic, but it doesn't require a single brain cell to follow along. Next to Viola Davis' Annalise Keating in the aforementioned "Murder," Taraji P Henson's Empire character, Cookie looks like a cardboard cutout - Cookie's a business saavy, witty, loving and devoted but she, as well as the rest of the characters, lacks true layers.
Empire's fun, mindless, and relatively politically correct fun. There isn't a dull moment. You won't be bored, but you won't be intellectually stimulated either. When one of the characters blasts President Obama, labeling him a "sellout," and the handling of that situation which follows, may spark off-air debate in with greater social implications, however offer little inherent substance. -
kimgarrett-782959 November 2018How is this show so highly rated? Bad actors, bad scripts, black stereotypes gone amuk... it's like glee without the talent for people who just want to root for black millionaire moguls...the characters are poorly developed and have no integrity(Cookie is the best of a bad lot). The autotune nightmare is flat out ridiculous and Hakim is a decent rapper but as bad an actor as they come...there is so much great black talent out there...The actor who plays Lucious isn't awful but never seems to really dig for deeper emotions...not that the writing gives them much to work with...its all drama without any grounding in real connection or character development! A real crime as its a great concept...just poorly executed.
-
plzbegentle8 January 2015This is definitely Tarji show,, outstanding performances by all off these actors. Im always excited to see a predominately black cast. I know the is getting flack about the roles that are portrayed but I look past that and go off the performance of each character on the show.
I enjoyed Terrence Howard and Tarji P Henson on screen chemistry
I will be putting this into my lineup of shows
Not comparing this show to Power but I like Empire better
I can't wait to see the story unfold. TEAM COOKIE!!!!
My favorite scene was when she beat her youngest son with a broom.
All in all I give Empire an 8 out of 10 because I do feel like the boundaries could still be pushed even further -
RomanceNovelist30 November 2017I love the show. It's like a modern version of Dynasty or Dallas but with black lead characters. The music keeps the show interesting, although I feel the quality of songs and fewer performances by "Jamal" makes the music less engaging as it was when Timbaland was producing the songs. The music has been pushed the back the last two seasons since Rodney Jenkins took over. I enjoy all of the performances, and watched for the music. Rumer Willis' singing has been a shock and a surprise. Hope she does more with this talent.
To like this show, you have to pretty much accept it for what it is rather than what you think it should be. -
redwolf28386-893-9026214 January 2019Bad acting, bad scripts- just bad! I have no idea how a show this bad can stay on television.