Can We Talk about Empire?

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What happens when you mix a sassy ex-con, a pompadour wearing CEO, 3 fine sons, a bib, and a banging soundtrack?  You get Empire, Fox's newest primetime drama.  After one episode, I was hooked.  After an increase in viewership with the second episode, Empire has already been renewed for a second season.

In case you missed it,  Empire is about Luscious (played by the talented Terrence Howard), rap star and CEO of Empire Entertainment, who finds out he has ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) and has 3 years to live.  Since he is dying he has to figure out who between his 3 sons will take over the family business.  The three sons consist of Andre, Jamal, and Hakeem.  Andre (Trai Byers) is the oldest and the more business focused one so of course he wants to be the new CEO.  Jamal (Jussie Smollett), the middle son, is sentimental and musically gifted.  He is also gay.  Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) is the youngest son, up and coming rapper, and  the resident bad boy.

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But the real star of the show is the most fearless former drug dealer you ever met, Cookie played by the beautiful Taraji P. Henson.  Cookie goes to jail for 17 years for dealing drugs and is back to get what she's owed.  She owed because it was her drug money that started Empire Entertainment.  And Cookie has no shame in busting into business meetings to get what is her's.  However, not only does she realize that it's going to be harder to get her half of Empire but she comes to the hard realization that Luscious has moved on to some basic chick with a bad haircut from 2003.  Let's this be a lesson ladies: These dudes ain't loyal.

Through flashbacks we find that Luscious isn't too keen on Jamal being gay.  Like, he literally tried to throw him in the trashcan when was a kid.  He refers to Jamal's boyfriend as his roommate and refuses to allow him to come out the closet to the public or else Jamal will lose all financial support from his dad.  Another lesson: have your own and you can do whatever you want.  But who Jamal is sleeping with should be the least of Luscious' problems.  Andre is bipolar and will stop it nothing to be the next head of Empire.  Even causing tension between his brothers who are both about to drop albums.  Hakeem is a spoiled brat who needs the back of a hand to his face.  Well, he did get a broom to the head when he called Cookie out of her name but unfortunately it didn't do much.

The singing in the show is pretty good.  According to Taraji, all the actors do their own singing and rapping.  You could say it's the ratchet Glee.    There are also some corny moments like when Luscious was "on the phone" with President Obama cleaning up his youngest son's mess.  I don't think even Jay-Z has Obama on speed dial.  But even with that very unbelievable moment, the show keeps me wanting more.

To get you up to speed for tonight episode, here what you need to know:

• Cookie's has signed an agreement that she will not let anyone know that her drug money started the company
• Luscious kills his closest friend because he was about to snitch about the Luscious' thug past
• Andre and his girlfriend are working together to get his brothers to sabotage each other
• Cookie is signed to be Jamaal's manager
• Hakeem has no self control and is self destructive
• Cookie's assistant, Porsha, can't walk in heels
• And Cookie is being pressured by federal agents to talk to a grand jury about some pass events which could possibly get her killed

Hope that helps and be sure to tune in tonight on Fox to watch the newest episode.