Fox‘s Empire had its long-awaited series premiere last night, and the melodramatic and soapy music-based show looks to have earned rave reviews, at least where people on Twitter are concerned.
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Our verdict: Empire is all over the place and we love it. Billed as a “unique family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire,” the show centers on Lucious, a hip-hop mogul played by Terrence Howard, who has been diagnosed with ALS and only has three years to live. Lucious now needs to decide which of his three sons, who all appear to be very different, will do the Ice Bucket Challenge/take over his empire given he isn’t prepared to split it among the three of them.
Also in the mix? Lucious’ ex, Cookie — played to powerhouse perfection by Taraji P. Henson — who was just released after spending 17 years in the big house on drug charges. The illegal business she was running in relation to said drugs is how Lucious got the money to start his business in the first place, and now Cookie has come to collect. And based on what we’ve seen, we think it’s safe to say this is a woman who won’t stop until she gets what she wants. If we’re being honest, we’re pretty excited about all the da-rama this woman is going to bring. She is a downright boss.
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It seems we’re not alone: Cookie and the woman who portrays her were on the receiving end of a lot love following last night’s premiere. Can’t say we’re surprised. All the best characters are those we simultaneously fear and are in awe of, right?
The show itself also seems to have a lot of people talking, and the place they’re all talking is where everyone seems to congregate to spout TV love: Twitter. Here are some words from those, including some celebs, who were all over Empire‘s premiere.
It makes sense that she with an empire would watch Empire
So now I am all about Empire. ALL ABOUT #EMPIRE, tweeples.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 8, 2015
I mean did you see @TherealTaraji stomp out of that prison like it was a runway? #EmpireFOX On TOP of giving an amazing performance?! #fan
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 8, 2015
The only time we can tolerate mess is when it is steaming hot
Watching #Empire. It's gonna be a hot mess, I can already tell it and I am going to LOVE IT!
— Delthea Simmons (@DeltheaSimmons) January 8, 2015
Bill is confused
https://twitter.com/DefendWallSt/status/553204522945085441
Probably the most accurate tweet of the night
high lip gloss budget for this program. #empire
— bomani (@bomani_jones) January 8, 2015
So do we, but why isn’t it called Lee Daniels’ Empire?
I also love that Lee Daniels is one of the people behind the wheel of this project #Empire
— Daniel (@daniel_flores91) January 8, 2015
Short and sweet, just like the time she didn’t spend in Beyoncé’s shadow
LOVES IT! #Empire#EmpireFOX
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) January 8, 2015
More:Gotham premiere review — the gang’s all here
This is as rousing an endorsement as they come
@TherealTaraji You know #Empire good when the show bout to end and you start yelling for more at the t.v. like ya hear me. #DAMN#NextWeek
— S-Dot “Shaun Marc Mgmt” Marc (@sdotmarc) January 8, 2015
Cookie is firmly cemented as our stride idol
#Empire already has me hooked… from Cookie's walk baby… so good
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) January 8, 2015
Trust us when we tell you walking was a big part of the episode
.@TherealTaraji is walking like she's Lena Horne en route to an exorcism. #Empire
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) January 8, 2015
Your move, iTunes
Can I just tell you how amazing #Empire was? What a killer well written and acted show. Music is #thebomb
— Kat Bailey, Ed.D (@katblue14) January 8, 2015
FYI, so will we
https://twitter.com/BiasedGirl/status/553204458126323712
Perhaps Fox could use this tweet to promote the show?
Just watched the first episode of #Empire and I must say it's legit
— KiNG L.Σ.Λ.R.🇳🇬 (@SenseiUno) January 8, 2015
Given she’s one half of a magical fictional pair, we believe what she says
Finally got to sit down and watch @EmpireFOX It's my new show of 2015 and @TherealTaraji and #TerrenceHoward are magical 2gether! Luvit.
— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) January 8, 2015
We have to admit, we are looking at our brooms differently
She messed him UP with that broom. 😩😭😂 He deserved it though. #Empire
— Kelz✨ (@KelzSaidIt_) January 8, 2015
He who intercut a sex scene with an autopsy scene would know about such things
Loved that montage. #Empire
— Pete Nowalk (@petenowalk) January 8, 2015
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