Being the most popular new television show on the air certainly comes as a double edged sword, just as FOX’s hit series ‘Empire.’
On one end, fans can’t get enough and tune in to the show in droves to watch the weekly antics of its main characters “Lucious Lyons” (Terrence Howard) and “Cookie” (Taraji P. Henson). On the other end, critics also tune in to scrutinize every “hot button” the show dares to press (see: alleged “gay agenda,” poor representation of African Americans, etc.).
Case in point?
Fans of the show are still griping over its unceremonious slam of President Barack Obama after one of its main characters branded him a “sellout.” Weeks after the episode in questions, the “backlash” annoyed Henson to the point where she lent a fiery response to viewers: ‘…I’m glad you mad. Do something about it.’
This, just a fans mistakenly went in on Black America’s favorite newscaster Don Lemon for saying he “hates” the show. See what we mean inside:
Taraji P. Henson on Obama Backlash:
Don Lemon on why he hates ‘Empire’:
“I’m hating on the TV show Empire. I hate that show. Wanna know why? I hate it because it keeps me up to watch it on my DVR or On Demand…
I hate that Terrence Howard gets to play Cookie’s husband instead of me. Yes, I’m hating on Terrence too. I hate that I’m not in it. I hate that Raven Symone gets a guest role on the show and I don’t. I hate that it wasn’t on TV a long time ago. I hate that it took so long for a show with a mostly Black cast, which remind me of the characters on Dynasty in the 1980’s, took until 2015 to gain wide acceptance from the American public. I hate that it took so long for a show like this one to come around which unapologetically shows positive images of Black gay men and Black gay women to the masses.
I hate that the show gets criticized for having the nerve to show gay men and women kissing and that test audiences reacted negatively to those scenes before the show even aired. You get my point.
By the way, how much or little bass is in your voice or being masculine has nothing to do with sexuality. I know plenty of effeminate straight men and plenty of masculine gay men. I hate that it seems to have taken forever for a TV series to show relatable characters and experiences from the rap and hip hop music industry.
And I hate that some people who love to criticize don’t understand that black families are just as nuanced and complicated as any other family and that the masses need to see it. No show is reflective of the entirety of our community, and I don’t think Empire is even trying to be that. I hate that some people are trying to put Lee Daniels and Taraji P. Henson in a box, a black box.” (source with audio)
The reason Raven got a guest starring role instead of him is because people actually like Raven unlike him.
omg Raven MUST MUST become a series regular
Misleading title because I was ready to snatch his effing hair plugs!
I was ready to drag his ass bald and leak his Jack’d account DTFL.
Honey!!!!!!!! He Got A JACK’D?!?!? Girl Spill That Tea!
I was finna kick his ass honey
Hmmm I completley agree with Taraji, black people love to complain but then do nothing about it, start taking responsibility as a collective, we as members of the black race must challenge our stereotypes, and It’s very sad to know it took this long for a predominately black cast to be accepted into mainstream media, I personally LOVE Empire
check out my reviews on the latest empire episode, plus more on gaga, rihanna and beyonce.. support
http://www.w*************.wordpress.com
NO THANKS FLOP
In my reply section again I see, stay seething
Empire slays! TARAJI > RIHANNA
Vomit > Ciara
Diarrhea shít > Ciara
Section 8 hoodrats > Ciara
The Homeless > Ciara
Sewer rats > Ciara
LHHA’s Joseline > Ciara
Iggy’s mole > Ciara
Majin buu > Ciara 😆
Don Lemon you better stan!
Empire >>>> The Game
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How To Get Away With Murder is still my favorite show out right now anyway!
Annaleise Keating slays my scalp and leaves me bald after every episode!
Glad he gets the show but seriously, how about he actually does some quality news reporting instead of attempting to pander to the masses to clean up his image? We haven’t forgotten how during his live coverage of the Ferguson riots he explicitly said that “obviously” there was a smell of weed in the air. Why is that obvious Don? Because the majority of people there were black? We see through your liberal façade – it’s nothing but a disguise for what is buried underneath – another black man on mainstream U.S. media kissing white, conservative, segregationist ass. Also, grow a top lip and quit beating that face so much. That shimmer is blinding. You’re starting to give me Dwight Eubanks teas.
misleading post. He’s actually giving the show props.
I hate Empire (for real). All the homosexuality they put on that show is abhorrent. The producers should be ashamed of themselves for promoting that depravity to the black community and the mainstream in general.
You dumbass! To not acknowledge homosexuality is to pretend it doesn’t exist. However, a large number of people who run every industry that your money supports is homosexual. Being gay is not an agenda. It is a reality. This show is just a small depiction of what goes on behind the scenes of the music industry. It’s time for u to grow up and put your big boy pants on!
Murder is reality. Down syndrome is reality. Theft is reality. Blindness is reality. Doesn’t make it right or healthy. Homosexuality is a sickness of mind that does not need to be pandered to as though it were normal or right because it isn’t. Sure it may be reality, but it is and will always be abnormal.
While I wouldn’t have been so harsh, I kinda agree that they’re pandering. The gay characters on Empire are unnecessary and distracting from the rest of the show.