Empire on FOX

Empire on FOX

Ohhhhhhh My Gawd, actually Oooooooooh My f*cking Gawd, Empire what is the bull that is before my eyes right now? One the coldest night of the winter season so far here in the Atl, I actually decided to sit my ass in front of the television after a long day on the plantation to feast my eyes on what can only be the biggest travesty I have seen onscreen in a looooong looooong time.

Weeks ago when I first saw the trailer for this show, I thought to myself given the current racial climate here in America this show will not last, especially on FOX, but that said, I decided to give it a shot anyway. Now if this pilot episode is anything to go on, this show is just terrible, it’s like a bad day-time soap opera on Mexican tv. Half of the cast are virtual unknowns which should bring some freshness or so you would think. But it’s not working, at least not for me. Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard have always had insane onscreen chemistry, Hustle & Flow, Soul Train Awards etc but for some reason they are not bonding on this show, maybe that will change with more episodes. First thing I want to know is which Taraji P is this? Where is the serious actress from Person of Interest, or did she regress all the way back to Yvette from Babyboy? Terrence Howard is playing the typical dick with the piercing eyes and sinister grin, so his character works well, if a little over the top at times, I want to see his range on this whole ALS terminal disease angle, but who knows if there will be enough time for that to develop. Now, really… who in the hell cast Precious, my bad Gabourey Sidibe, clearly she has lost weight, good for her, but she looks a steaming hot pile of a mess.

In the sea of light bright cast members she stands out like a big ass sore thumb. I don’t get what her character adds to the show at all! To be honest I am not a fan of Ms Sidibe, I think she is a mediocre talent, that is being used as a pond to challenge the standard of Hollywood accepted beauty, but she gets a check so who cares right?

Anyway this pilot was cut very rough, the character development was weak, although the main characters were developed rather quickly which is usually good, it still seem to go very awkwardly at times. for example was the gay son/anti gay drama, over use of the word sissy, meant to cause controversy and add shock value to the show? Was the interracial relationship between the elder son and his wife, also meant to add some edge? The flash backs just did not work to establish the story line and sync it with present time. The surprise character kill-offs I mean really? c’mon, c’mon man anyone could see that coming a mile off. The scenes of the entire show also did not sync well, it made the whole viewing experiences confusing at times.

I do not even understand why 50cent even compared this show to Power, Power is supreme to this nonsense. Like I said elsewhere maybe Centric will pick this show up when FOX cancels it. There’s no way this show will last on network television. I can’t see that happening at all.

Bottom line: I will watch this show again, but it will go on the DVR and I’ll catch up on the episodes when I can, but I will not be surprised if the show even after all the FOX media hype gets cancelled quickly. but I also said that about their other show Sleepy Hollow