Empire (2015–2020) User Reviews

Loved the music

[MAYESY-44 · 8/10 · 5 April 2021]

All in all this is a good series to watch. Great stories and loads of great music which for me is the best part. What doesn't get it to the top series is the unfortunate end which was in part due to COVID and partly it was poorly done for the overall story with empire.

Clichéd but Captivating

[PublicAwarenessMedia · 7/10 · 20 January 2015]

Somewhat stereotypical, and certainly clichéd writing, but captivating, particularly as performed by 2 of my favorite actors, Taraji P. Henson & Terrence Howard, ever since seeing them in one of my favorite gritty, touching movies, Hustle & Flow.

Like that infamous film, there will be welcome music. A flashback scene in the pilot episode almost harks back to that time they worked together.

Can't help but feel personally invested in its characters, which may be biased since I so admire the work of the actors playing the roles.

"A unique family drama set in the world of a hip hop empire." Pretty sure it's the first series featuring that premise.

Enjoying so far, and anxious to watch where it goes.

Wow!!

[dcanty-56855 · 8/10 · 12 November 2015]

I love this program but it is getting a little raunchy for me, I may have to give it a rest. I love the music and Jamal, his sexuality doesn't bother me until I see some of the sex acts not Jamal but that photographer. I am surprised that Cookie does not realize that young fella does not care about her as she thinks. She is pretty street smart so I am surprised.

I love Luscious and he is a formidable character and oh so multi-talented. He has a great voice. I pray that the folks writing this go back to music and move away from all the sexual stuff. This is an excellent opportunity for some real great actors and musicians. Maybe there is something wrong with me but I don't want to see Cookie having sex for 3 days with this young guy that could give a darn about her. I hope she wakes up and realize that yes she is beautiful but she is not all that. I hope she sees that he is using her before its too late. I know Luscious is going to have to rescue her once again. She has gotta stop thinking with her private parts and start thinking with her business minded head.

Don't waste your time

[mikekansasmike · 27 March 2019]

This is the worst show on television. Terrible, low-budget actors with writing that has the quality seen in middle school poetry.

Epic... Empire

[bwair33-152-151784 · 10/10 · 2 February 2015]

I love this show. I wasn't going to watch it because I am more of a binge watcher and I don't subscribe to cable TV. However, I love Taraji & Terrence together since Hustle & Flow. They just fit perfect together for this series. The issues that arise within this family are real. The dynamics are present in every family household from illness, to the struggle that wealth brings, to homosexuality to obesity and style. The music is amazing. You don't have to love rap or hip hop to appreciate the musical talent behind the scenes of this show. My favorite character is Cookie of course. She is an OG gangsta female who is unafraid to speak her mind and is always in the Height of Fashion. Besides that the chemistry that still exists between her and Luscious is palpable. He loves her for who she is and always was. She never stopped loving him either. I will watch this show play out and it will be one of very few that I watch from TV. ITS DEFINITELY WORTH IT!

Terrific acting, plot and music

[ammabee-956-927043 · 9/10 · 7 January 2015]

First • I don't typically like rap and hip hop but I LOVED THIS. I am only not giving this a 10 because it's the first episode but OH HOT DANG it's great. There is not one bad actor or tress. Let's start out with saying GABOUREY SIDIBE HAS NOT DONE ONE BAD ROLE. She is a phenomenon. I will keep this short and spoiler free and say that it has something for EVERYONE. I can understand why people wouldn't like it but keep and open mind. It has good music (which you don't have to be a hip hop fan to like because, I liked it A LOT) Good acting which is always good. Great plot And basically great everything. I can't recommend this enough.

Captivating!

[lalane-751-317924 · 10/10 · 27 January 2015]

#TeamCookie This show is definitely captivating. The drama, the music, the actors/actresses just all make for one heck of a show. It touches on so many issues we deal with in today's society and brings them to the forefront: Bi-polar disorder, ALS, sexuality, dysfunctional families, following your dreams, standing up for yourself/confidence, being able to move beyond your circumstances and so many other things. I am especially happy to see these things being touched on so that it can open the dialog to deal with these issues, especially in the Black community. Taraji's character illustrates a mother's love and how she will do anything even sacrifice her freedom to ensure her family will escape the perils of poverty and life in the slums. Terrance's character shows how money can change you and when you loose yourself in the process you also loose so much more. A man that choose his dream over love and now regrets it while living in two worlds his old and his new. I could on but I urge you to tune in and see it for yourself. It's a new spin on a classic life story.

Terrence & Taraji deliver a messy and epic love story

[courtneyjjjjjjjj · 7/10 · 18 December 2022]

All 7 stars in this review are for the performances or Terrence Howard and Taraji P Henson as Lucious and Cookie Lyon. These two together on the screen are just chemistry personified. The emotions these two deliver are just phenomenal and it's worth watching until the very end to see how it all pans out for our King and Queen.

Outside of any Lucious and Cookie story lines I pretty much started fast forwarding through most of it from Season 4 or 5 onwards. But ESPECIALLY season 6.

And sure there's ALOT I could complain about when it comes to how awful these people are and how ridiculous the story lines become. But I don't care. I loved the journey of Lucious and Cookie.

All Time Favorite!

[francoischristana · 10/10 · 12 November 2022]

Money is power, freedom, a cushion, the root of all evil, and the sum of blessings. Power and money can be attained through building an empire, but at a cost. Every time you turn around, someone is attempting to destroy everything you have built. It leads to disagreements amongst families, friends, and coworkers. Sometimes you question whether the risks are really worthwhile. Despite becoming harmed while doing so, Luscious and Cookie defended Empire from all threats. They put everything on the line by investing everything in this business, as if they were connected and unable to let go of the past. A true hustler love story.

Worth sticking it out

[sharan2395 · 7/10 · 6 February 2015]

Personally I love the show and setting, so I'm going to try to do this from the perspective of someone who isn't so in touch with it as myself. Given the setting of the show, it may be off-putting and unappealing to viewers, but I guarantee you if you watch past the first 3-4 episodes that it will really catch your interest. Regardless of whether or not you like the setting, that is when the story starts to really pick up and the intensity gets turned up a notch. Honestly, if you are someone who is doubting watching this because you don't know whether it will be good or bad, seriously give it a try because the writing is great. (If you are a hip-hop fan, then you'd probably really like the soundtrack too)

The AUTO-TUNE Empire

[trudystillbottom · 2/10 · 15 December 2016]

A good show gone bad. In the beginning, Cookie was the breakout and deservedly so, but now, in season 3 she is a cartoon. Empire has forgotten the Cardinal Rule of nighttime soaps. That is you have to have at least one character that is good and likable. That never wavers from that good. Here, almost every character is completely deplorable. Too many guest stars mugging for the camera. And all the children of privilege, getting much more than they deserve, and not equal in the talent department. It also past time to turn off that auto-tune machine. It is obvious that Hakeem does not possess the talent of the character and the excessive use of auto-tune in his performances is like painting everyone bright luminous yellow. Jamal is talented, but his distinctive voice and style makes everything sound repetitive and is approaching tiresome. We saw the rise of this Empire, I guess we now get to see the fall.

Growing into a favorite

[nikoyam · 9/10 · 19 November 2015]

Although I liked the first season, I was not as impressed as ratings and reviews posed. I felt the show was catchy at best, but the constant barrage of A-list musical guest appearances seemed gimmicky, while the show seemed to run too quickly through issues that could have had more effect if they were given the proper time to play out. I feared that it would fizzle out quickly due to overly forced agendas and constantly pushing for gasps and "Oh-no-he-didn't" moments. However; then season two came along... and it was as if Lee Daniels had read my mind. The show has since, slowed down and is very interesting, but not in a cliché manner. The overly hyped agendas took their rightful place behind the lines of good story-telling and the music is as good, if not better than it was before, which is hard to achieve because it's always been good! I find myself wondering what certain characters are up to and wanting to see more each week. I'm really excited and happy to be able to support the show, not just out of desire to support my black community but because it really is a good show!!!

Hopes for the future: let Hakeim do more music! He hardly performs this season.

It has potential...

[CyberZeus67 · 6/10 · 18 January 2015]

The topic is interesting...and for those who are not into hip-hop, then some of the show's content may offend. The acting is tops as would be expected from folks like Mr. Howard and Ms. Henson. But the real breakout star, IMHO, is Mr. Smollett. Don't wanna give anything away but suffice to say his portrayal and talent both shine through - go watch the show for more specifics.

The issue I have with the show is the pace and lack of character development. I think the topic, content, and context are likely all there but the first two episodes moved along briskly which can be OK depending on what the mission is...but I don't think it serves this production well at all. In fact, if not for the phenomenal acting, I think the show would likely be a bomb for the two main reasons just previously mentioned.

If the show-runner can get the team to build up the characters a bit more, maybe thicken the plot in some areas, and give the audience some time to take it all in...a la Breaking Bad and Dexter (albeit drastically different topics)...then we might have something here.

We shall see...here's hoping...

Cheesy heading towards cringey

[sy-holsinger · 3/10 · 4 October 2018]

Mix between being simply cheesy and uncomfortably embarrassing to sit through and watch

Going downhill fast

[LGBen · 24 May 2017]

The first season of Empire was entertaining ... now it is just silly/stupid - no longer worth watching. The characters have become too extreme. Racist portrayals are disturbing. For a family that supposedly is close, there is far too much back stabbing and maneuvering - especially since they are portrayed as being hoodlum-like. One expects more character elimination and less soap opera drama. Without major improvements, I don't expect Empire to last much longer. BORING AND TEDIOUS.

Entertaining with great music and acting...addictive

[alpinejude · 9/10 · 3 January 2020]

In all the years I've used IMDB, I probably reviewed one or two shows or movies. Since the final season of Empire leaves us with a cliffhanger, it did hint during the final episodes what was going to happen to Lucious. Whatever remains of the plot will, in our imagination, go on without having to see it. Too bad so many low rated reviews were at the beginning of the reviews. I do not care for rap music, but I became immersed in this series because of the plot, the talent of the actors and the words of the music that related to their lives. It was easier to understand because I was involved in the characters. I'm 78 years old and a big, big fan of Classic Movies. Although I would never give this series a classic recommendation, my taste in talent and appreciation of music and good acting leaves me open to all kinds of entertainment. I was particularly sorry to see Jussie go, since he was the balance between the characters, but they made it work. This was worth my time. I know from a TV interview that Howard wants to stop being someone else and go on living a normal life. He's really a good actor and I remember him from "CRASH" and loved him in that movie.

Super entertaining

[dreamgavino · 8/10 · 12 November 2015]

The Good:

This show is nothing without Taraji. She steals every scene she is in (with her on fleek outfits, her low laugh, her tigress growl, etc.). I heart Hakeem - his sublime rapping, his boyish charm -- yas please If Beyonce and Rihanna had a daughter, it would be Serayah. Most of the music is superb (catchy, edgy, etc.) The cameos are priceless (sometimes it's pleasantly surprising, sometimes it's funny, at times slightly embarrassing, but always entertaining)

The Bad:

Terrence Howard rapping makes me cringe (sorry) Jamal has a great voice but it seems like he is singing the same song over and over and over (and over) again... Shut up Andre

All things considered, this show is pretty awesome =)

Empire is captivating and wonderful

[afijamesy2k · 10/10 · 13 February 2015]

At least a TV show that is so wonderful and very watchable and I Already called this one the very best TV of the year, Terrance Howard delivers a brilliantly Emmy worthy performance as a former drug dealer turned mogul who he and his family are fighting control of a record company, all of the other actors are great as well, brilliant storytelling, brilliant dialogue, wonderful teleplay and song are so good that it keeps guessing into the very end, I Remember years ago when FOX gave us in living color, new york undercover and other shows like this one, but this is one to see, this is definitely truly the best TV of 2015 and beyond

I Give it my highest rating A+

Mindless fun, breaking minimal ground

[saboyagregory · 7/10 · 22 February 2015]

The main character's backgrounds are rooted in long-standing black stereotypes (drug dealing hustlers from the hood, turned hip hop moguls), which is problematic if the show, boasting an almost all-black cast, is to be viewed as "the black experience." Unfortunately, in being one of the only serious television dramas centered fully around black lives, Empire's storyline can be misread as something universal. However, if viewed as situational the show breaks new ground on multiple levels.

First and foremost, the show offers relatively complex characters, who deal with various interpersonal relationships/conflicts, proving that black families are just as nuanced and complicated as any other race.

Second, the show flips the "token black" staple, by including a single white face, singer Elle Dallas, who just so happens to be played by rock legend Courtney Love.

Third, the show tackles homosexuality, both male and female, in the black community. While gay has become a staple as of late in with TV soap, it had yet to be dealt with in the context of black life, and, more specifically, the hip hop community, which is notoriously known for reinforcing homophobic views. Empire not only chooses to diverge from the stereotypes, offering a gay male who is both masculine and intelligent, but also confronts the hardships of rejection and identity crises in the face of homosexuality.

As a lover of music, Empire may not provides the most accurate depiction of the industry, but it does offer a substantial dose of superstar cameos from. As previously stated, Hole front-woman Courtney Love is on the show; Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige are also set to make cameos, and rap legend Lil' Kim and singing sensation Mariah Carey have also been rumored to join the cast. So while not being the most intellectually advanced, lending itself to a younger audience, it also provides a nostalgic edge for the older generation.

All-in-all, the show is far from perfect. If you're looking for fun entertainment, I would definitely recommend. If depth or complexity is what you're going for, this is no "How to Get Away with Murder" or "Scandal." The plot is unrealistic and dumbed down. It's not painstakingly idiotic, but it doesn't require a single brain cell to follow along. Next to Viola Davis' Annalise Keating in the aforementioned "Murder," Taraji P Henson's Empire character, Cookie looks like a cardboard cutout - Cookie's a business saavy, witty, loving and devoted but she, as well as the rest of the characters, lacks true layers.

Empire's fun, mindless, and relatively politically correct fun. There isn't a dull moment. You won't be bored, but you won't be intellectually stimulated either. When one of the characters blasts President Obama, labeling him a "sellout," and the handling of that situation which follows, may spark off-air debate in with greater social implications, however offer little inherent substance.

Black stereotypes and drama....but no substance!

[kimgarrett-78295 · 1/10 · 9 November 2018]

How is this show so highly rated? Bad actors, bad scripts, black stereotypes gone amuk... it's like glee without the talent for people who just want to root for black millionaire moguls...the characters are poorly developed and have no integrity(Cookie is the best of a bad lot). The autotune nightmare is flat out ridiculous and Hakim is a decent rapper but as bad an actor as they come...there is so much great black talent out there...The actor who plays Lucious isn't awful but never seems to really dig for deeper emotions...not that the writing gives them much to work with...its all drama without any grounding in real connection or character development! A real crime as its a great concept...just poorly executed.

Trashy soap opera fun

[RomanceNovelist · 7/10 · 30 November 2017]

I love the show. It's like a modern version of Dynasty or Dallas but with black lead characters. The music keeps the show interesting, although I feel the quality of songs and fewer performances by "Jamal" makes the music less engaging as it was when Timbaland was producing the songs. The music has been pushed the back the last two seasons since Rodney Jenkins took over. I enjoy all of the performances, and watched for the music. Rumer Willis' singing has been a shock and a surprise. Hope she does more with this talent.

To like this show, you have to pretty much accept it for what it is rather than what you think it should be.

Just terrible

[redwolf28386-893-90262 · 1/10 · 14 January 2019]

Bad acting, bad scripts- just bad! I have no idea how a show this bad can stay on television.

Smollett effect

[Lovekrafft · 28 March 2019]

Willing to give every show a fair shake and don't wish to speak ill of the show's achievements to date.

However, at present there is a cast member who could potentially be allowed to stay on;l a cast member that willingly and knowingly attempted to stir up racial violence via fake hate hoax, simply to fuel his communist degenerate narcissism.

This review should serve as a warning to Empire's producers - do the right thing.

Favorite show

[jadaam · 10/10 · 10 December 2015]

This show is honestly the best show that I have ever watched. If I'm talking to someone this is one question that I always ask " Did you see Empire on Wednesday?" If they say no I am just completely confused, like what else could you be possibly doing with your life? The incredible acting , the music, the hot guys and did I mention the HOT GUYS makes me just want more and more empire! I think I'm a little bit too obsessed with this show…. I follow all of the cute guys from the show, on Instagram! I even have the entire album on my phone and I listen to it daily. The day after an episode airs I have to watch the episode again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything and just because every episode is so wonderful why not watch it again? The show has so much suspense , and you never know who is going to do something shady next! I recommend this show to anyone that loves good pop and R&B music, hot and muscular guys, and family drama.

gritty and elegant at the same

[bfmcmillen · 8/10 · 13 November 2015]

Last night's song in process was Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Each episode of Empire is Shakespearean in some way from the Lear like thematic struggle of a father with three children deciding which will inherit the kingdom, to 'alas poor Yorrick' and its Hamlet study the primal struggles of king and country, King and family, Empire reaches deep in powerful and meaningful ways. Empire's music is not extraneous - it's inextricably intertwined with the plots. The music exists as chorus, the classic function of chorus ... summary, dramatic interpretation, the voice and heart of the plot pleads its case to the watcher. All lineages of Hip Hop, the music is both rough and lyrical, low down and poetic. At the same time Empire fulfills that deep pedigree of soap opera but elevating it with power and vibrancy. Empire is perfectly cast, vibrates, has great music and intelligence. Fiercely acted. Empire is deep hip hop culture, gritty and elegant at the same time.