After much ado, it’s official: ‘Empire’ and ‘STAR’ will broadcast a crossover episode upon their return on September 27th.
The Lee Daniels music dramas have both built solid viewership and will be looking to kick off their fourth and second seasons with a collaborative bang.
To whet appetites, FOX have unleashed a titillating teaser.
Boasting appearances from Taraji P. Henson and Queen Latifah, the preview sees the show’s respective casts unite for a team performance of ‘You’re So Beautiful.’
Speaking on how the crossover concept came about, Daniels – who is the creator of both shows – was candid about it not being his idea nor in his plans.
He told Variety:
“[‘Star’ is] its own entity and another part of my life that I was trying to explore as an artist, but then Fox suggested [a crossover], and it just sort of seemed logical, so I just went with the flow.”
For Queen Latifah though, it was something she always envisioned:
“[It was in my] brain from day one. The binding material between the two shows is that each group in each world is at two different levels of success, but they know what it’s like to come from nothing. And with hard work there’s the possibility there for them to succeed.”
So how will the worlds initially unite?
The second season launch of ‘STAR’ – which welcomes Luke James as a guest star – will feature a strong ‘Empire’ component when Cookie comes to town. Thereafter, the story unravels accordingly.
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‘Empire’ had us initially, but loses us often thanks to its questionable realism (i.e. the ownership of a record label being passed around like a hot potato, plus the pointless celeb cameos). ‘STAR’ has promise, but has yet to hit a true stride.
That said, this crossover sounds cool on paper. As for whether it delivers, the answer arrives September 27th on FOX.