"EMPIRE" Took Ratings & Viewers By Storm

No matter what anyone says, "Empire" is phenomenal!

The newly debuted FOX series is a refreshing change from the gutter-rat drama on VH1's The Real Housewives of Atlanta", where Nene Leakes gives the term loudmouth fool a new meaning. Unlike the bitchy mentality of reality TV where women group into cliques and go at each other. One side bullies the other and the other side better come out swinging, or they'll be wimped out. Really? No, thank you.


Critics draw the contrast between the two forms of drama and make the point that "ALL of it" is drama, but at least now viewers have a choice between high-road or bottom-feeder drama.
"Empire" is like no other television series of the 21st Century, giving viewers an A-list lineup of  artists, starlets who master their craft--and don't have to do it hood-rat style. Better recognize!

Viewers get to choose whether they want "gutter-rat" drama or the "boo-boo kitty" saga, in which they get classy, strong, take-no-prisoners characters who play their roles to the hilt!

Not only that, these fresh-off-the-press actors/actresses can "sang" they ass off! (forgive the mild Ebonics) So, let's recap.

"Empire" not only gives me classy drama, with swag... the cast got rhythm and know how to drop a tune and serenade... "

Oh, yes. You best believe "Cookie" and "Lucious Lyon" give viewers just as much drama as "RHOA"...but the difference lies in the "swag". Dig? They give the audience "swag and spice"--- instead of typical "gutter-rat-ness" without a cause.

For instance, on "RHOA", Nene dislikes every beautiful woman who refuses to kiss her ring. She's insecure, bitched out, confused, and has no self-identity--therefore she wears blond wigs and bullies everyone around her out of that confusion. Make sense? BTW, get the inside scoop on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" Season 7 Reunion here...if you're interested.

Anyway...

On "Empire" the drama is over a billion-dollar family fortune; which lies in the schemes of

suit-wearing, weave-slangin' individuals and what they are willing to do on a corporate, gritty level to control the dynasty.

Nobody hates the other person "without" a cause on "Empire"; it's not the typical catty confrontation of "take-one-look-at-each-other" and on a petty jealousy tip ...NO...it's all about the Benjamin's, baby--and who gets to control it. Which means it's real television drama, delivered on another level than what the audience is used to seeing for all-Black casts. You may not like it but you "sure as hell will love it!"

Keeping it all the way 100. Nobody is claiming to have never had or been around drama. No. The viewing audience is just tired of networks emphasizing low-down, gutter-type drama where b---ches ain't loyal. Looking for any reason to be fake.

Every family has some form of drama sometimes. But what kind of drama is it? Is it the kind of drama that lands everybody on the evening news for disturbing the peace or for assault? Or the drama we see too much of lately, where one goes away on a stretcher over nothing; and somebody's planning a funeral? When "Lucious" killed  "Bunky", it was over a 3-million-dollar blackmail threat...get it?
You killing each other over 3 cigarettes.

Murder is never excused. But since you're killing each other over 'nothing'..."Empire" makes the point of not wasting murder on small-time petty foolishness. If you run the risk of spending life in prison, millions need to be at stake. And if you think like that, you won't shoot your homie in the projects. That's the point.

Viewers are glad "Empire" shows the corporate side of Black drama with a touch of swag slash thug. It highlights the reality of a woman, "Cookie Lyons", a music producer mother of three, who does hard time for her husband when she could have easily flipped on him. She stayed loyal till the end; and came back for "what's hers". Her husband, "Lucious Lyon", on the other hand, lost his damn mind and ran amuck!

He's a suit-wearing murderer from the projects who now controls millions...all because of "Cookie". The storyline is dope!

Viewers say, "If the networks just gotta cram drama down our throat, this is the kind of drama we want."

And yes. These two (Trai Byers and Grace Gealey) who play "Andre Lyons" and "Anika Calhoun" on the hit series---are dating. According to sources, they are reportedly a couple; and have been since the series began. Close your mouth, boo boo. It's not the first time co-stars developed a romance. Remember Brad and Angelina? Okay...moving on.



And no. Malik Yoba WAS NOT fired for drug use. Yes, he was
killed off the show. However, according to the show's co-creator, Danny Strong, they (the writers) took the show in the direction that required "Vernon" to die.

"It was story related. Malik is a terrific actor. And we were thrilled to have his talents on the show. But this is where the story led us. It was completely related." 

Yoba's character used drugs on the show, but the character makes no reference to the man in his "real" personal life.

What do you think about the show? Hit me up. I'm only a keystroke away.

Peace...

Copyright 2015 by Peggy Hatchet James