[ShocknAwe]

This is great. I love how you got all bent out of shape over that comment. Defensive? Not sure why. It also doesn't matter whether you have white friends or not. That's kind of like a white guy saying "HEY! I'm not racist, my best friend growing up was black!"

Funny.

Anyways. All I was suggesting, albeit perhaps in not the most eloquent of ways, was that this show would remain on the air regardless of it's quality as it has a well regarded black actor headlining it, and black folks will identify with it. That's all. Well, you might think he's shit but Terrance Howard knows how to fucking act.

Go wring out your panties.

Originally Posted by Billup

**I just read his comment. I love Tyler Perry. He's #3 on my funny black guy list, props for the name drop, WHAT WHAT!

Want a funny black guy for your "list?" Go look up Earthquake. Tyler Perry, funny? Please. Tyler Perry is about as funny as finding out your dog has cancer. About as funny as that joke actually, which is worse.

[TXSTYLE]

Bro... Just stop while you're ahead.

If and when I get called out on my shit, I'm not gonna cry about it. Here's a novel idea...

When posts/threads are started that you or anyone don't really care for, just ignore it. That's what I do. That way, threads don't get derailed with frivolous banter and useless flaming.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Bro... Just stop while you're ahead.

If and when I get called out on my shit, I'm not gonna cry about it. Here's a novel idea...

When posts/threads are started that you or anyone don't really care for, just ignore it. That's what I do. That way, threads don't get derailed with frivolous banter and useless flaming.

I will if you will, pal.

What do you mean "anyone you don't really care for?" Seriously not picking up what you're putting down. I still think you threw the "he's being racist" card a bit soon, then again I COULD say, "you people always do." <---- That would be racist BTW.

Act don't preach. You got offended over my comment. Take your own advice and ignore it.

[Nkc]

Someone stepped on the sensitive lion's tail again.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Billup

I have stress in my own life, I don't need to watch rich people drama on TV. Show me some poor fuck trying to help his family survive..., that's interesting.

This. I find myself watching pretty much just comedy and sci-fi type series. Although I did watch breaking bad and I loved it, however there were plenty of times in breaking bad where it got a bit to real for me, if that makes any sense. There were several times where I actually felt uncomfortable watching it. Especially around like the second to third season I actually dropped off watching it for a while. However the rest of the show was so good it kept me hooked.

From the preview of this series it just doesn't do anything for me. I think its the fact that there is nothing over the top about it. It's just every day people issues (rich people, but normal shit none the less).

[Whostheboss]

Damn all the firing back and forth.

TXSTYLE Has a point, the show has a lot of buzz and not necessarily because of the race of people it caters to, TX is just saying that all races and ages can enjoy Empire.

At the same time

i also see where ShocknAwe is coming from. He's not being racist, he's just saying that the hip-hop rap atmosphere is not his thing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

Damn all the firing back and forth.

TXSTYLE Has a point, the show has a lot of buzz and not necessarily because of the race of people it caters to, TX is just saying that all races and ages can enjoy Empire.

At the same time

i also see where ShocknAwe is coming from. He's not being racist, he's just saying that the hip-hop rap atmosphere is not his thing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Agreed. I'm over it.

Back on topic...

I hear that this show was loosely based and or copied from STARZ show: Power

I decided to watch it on-demand starting with the first 2 episodes last night.

Honestly, I don't see the comparison whatsoever. Power centers around a Club Owner/Drug & Gun Trafficker (Ghost). Looks like he may want to legitimize his life and focus on expanding the club and entertainment business. Of course for various reasons, this appears to be quite difficult. He's married and has small children.

Empire however, focuses on Music! Specifically the Record Label Producer (Lucius) who's 3 adult sons are in line to inherit the successful music/production label. 2 of which are music artists themselves. Sure the dad was a former dealer, but that's far in the past and his sole focus is going public with his legitimate company. He also has a terminal illness. There are many different individual storylines within Empire to: one son is talented and gay which posses it's own set of issues. One is also talented but a egomaniac. One is bi-polar and hell bent on taking over Empire. Then there's his ex-wife Cookie, who is a very polarizing character on her own with her own set of issues and baggage.


I can see the appeal for both. But thus far, Empire is far more engaging!

[Taylorguy74]

Originally Posted by finaloption

I dunno what it is.. but I just can't get into FOX shows.. I watched an episode of this and Gotham.. meh

I haven't gotten into many shows period, regardless of Fox or otherwise. I stick to Anthony Bourdain and Bizarre Foods on a regular basis, and that's about all. No mainstream shows really for me.

[954Stealth]

I think that "underserved black audiences"1 definitely have helped for Empire to surge in the ratings. A couple of weeks ago, "it was the sixth-most watched show on broadcast TV, excluding the Oscars, right behind the Two and a Half Men finale (13.5 million) and ahead of Blue Bloods (11.6 million). (The most-watched show, as it usually is, was CBSs NCIS with 18 million.)" 2.

Black audiences have traditionally been under represented on mainstream television. Sure we have shows like Black-ish, How to Get Away With Murder, Scandal, etc., but look at them all as a whole, they are predominately white with white male leads. Even the Oscars (movies I know, but still the Hollywood of today), according to the Hollywood Reporter: "For only the second time in nearly two decades, the 20 Academy Awards acting nominations went to a group made up entirely of white actors and actresses." 4

So it makes sense that folks would naturally gravitate towards something new such as this. But it's only a part of the equation. Forbes 1 also says that it is due to the music offered. "The key to Empires success has been focusing on the world of hip-hop." Shows like this break through when multiple media are included. Look how well Glee did. But there's more ...

http://www.hiphopdx.com" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.hiphopdx....phopdx.com</a> agrees that Empire's ratings are absolutely surging. But it is obviously not just "blacks" watching. African-Americans make up about two-thirds of the population tuning in age 2 and older. A large chunk of the rest is females. No black females or white females or blue females from Avatar but females.

In fact, all of my coworkers who watch this are caucasian females. This show and it's creative directors have definitely found a winning formula and at the right time. The demographics might draw people to it but the quality of the product will keep them there and they are staying or the ratings wouldn't continue to climb. It is a quality show which can be enjoyed - and IS - by anyone. The cast and the quality of the guests appearing should be enough to tune in.

Anyway, just wanted to provide some solid facts and figures from reputable sources around the debate here. If you're going to say something, lets back it up with some data otherwise it is just useless banter that does nothing productive. Do you see how this is different than a snide comment about "the black card"?


1. Forbes Article: "Three Reasons Why Ratings For 'Empire' Could Keep On Climbing"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dadehaye...p-on-climbing/" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.forbes.co...-climbing/</a>

2. Washington Post: Empire keeps rising in the ratings and nothing EVER rises in the ratings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...n-the-ratings/" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.washingto...e-ratings/</a>

3. HipHopdx: Empire's Ratings Surge; African Americans & Women Responsible
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/i...en-responsible" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.hiphopdx....esponsible</a>

4. Hollywood Reporter: Oscars: Acting Nominees All White
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...l-white-764018" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.hollywood...ite-764018</a>

[Red Bread]

Inarittu sure is a funny looking white guy.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Agreed. I'm over it.

Back on topic...

I hear that this show was loosely based and or copied from STARZ show: Power

I decided to watch it on-demand starting with the first 2 episodes last night.

Honestly, I don't see the comparison whatsoever. Power centers around a Club Owner/Drug & Gun Trafficker (Ghost). Looks like he may want to legitimize his life and focus on expanding the club and entertainment business. Of course for various reasons, this appears to be quite difficult. He's married and has small children.

Empire however, focuses on Music! Specifically the Record Label Producer (Lucius) who's 3 adult sons are in line to inherit the successful music/production label. 2 of which are music artists themselves. Sure the dad was a former dealer, but that's far in the past and his sole focus is going public with his legitimate company. He also has a terminal illness. There are many different individual storylines within Empire to: one son is talented and gay which posses it's own set of issues. One is also talented but a egomaniac. One is bi-polar and hell bent on taking over Empire. Then there's his ex-wife Cookie, who is a very polarizing character on her own with her own set of issues and baggage.


I can see the appeal for both. But thus far, Empire is far more engaging!

Pretty much! Power to me has a slower pace and tempo, whereas Empire seems more fast paced.
Power is No Country for Old men. Empire is The fast and Furious 7, lol.

But i don't really watch TV like that.