Fox’s new show Empire just ended its first season Wednesday. It has become one of the highest rated freshman shows on Fox, or for that matter, any network. Why is Empire one of the best new shows on television?
Ratings Through the Roof
Empire has become a ratings giant this season, ending its season finale with 16.7 million viewers. It is up with AMC’s The Walking Dead as one of the top shows among adults 18-49. Empire has had the best first season result on any broadcast network since Grey’s Anatomy ended in 2005, that’s TEN YEARS ago!
African-American Characters
While show’s like Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder are bringing fantastic African-American characters to network television, Empire stands out with an predominately black main cast. The only exception being Andre’s wife, Rhonda. Also, this is not just an average family. The Lyons are in charge of a major record label in Chicago that they created from the ground up. While some of their motives are questionable, this rags to riches story places a hard-working, wealthy African-American family with power and influence on prime time television.
Strong Female Roles
Empire also brings strong female characters to the table. Probably the most talked about character this television season is Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson), Lucious’ ex-fiancé back from a 17-year jail sentence. She is not only a manager and business woman, but a mother as well. I’m not sure if Empire would be the same without tuning in every week to hear Cookie call Anika “Boo Boo Kitty”. Anika is also in charge with Lucious and manages many of Empire’s artists. Along with Cookie and Rhonda, these women are motivated, driven, and achieve success on their own terms.
LGBT Themes and Visibility
There has always been an issue of being gay in the hip-hop community. However, director Lee Daniels doesn’t shy away from the issue on Empire. The story arc of one of the main characters, Jamal Lyon, deals with him coming out as a gay artist and dealing with homophobia from the music community and even his own father. The show not only shows the struggles with being a gay man, but also being a black man under the scope of the public eye. We also learn that Tiana Smith is bisexual and in love with a woman while posing as Hakeem’s girlfriend. Empire doesn’t just present gay characters, but connects them with relatable issues, like raising a family and maintaining relationships.
A-List Guest Stars
Empire knew they were going to have to grab great talent in order to cover a show about the music industry, and they do not disappoint. We see artists from different genres and points in their career. Legends like Courtney Love, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle grace the show with their talent, along with current artists Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora, Estelle, and Juicy J. We even see many great actors and celebrities make an appearance like Cuba Gooding Jr., Raven-Symone, Naomi Campbell, and Gabourey Sidibe. With Lee Daniels teasing Selma stars Common and Oprah Winfrey herself, Empire is pulling out all the stops.
Chart Topping Music
With Timbaland serving as the Executive Music Producer on the show and countless artists circulating Empire’s doors, you know the soundtrack is going to be fantastic. Just like Fox’s musical counterpart Glee, Empire is producing music that has a life of its own on the charts outside the show. The season one soundtrack has just hit number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, beating out Madonna’s new album Rebel Heart. This is music you would hear on the radio and dance to in clubs. Empire is not just a fictional record label, its changing music outside of network television.
Empire will be back for Season 2, but for now, that’s it for Season 1. Any questions?
For now, here is the incomparable Cookie Lyon.
*Drops Mic
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