As a film enthusiast with a penchant for behind-the-scenes stories, I must say that Lee Daniels‘ journey with Empire was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Having made his mark in independent projects, he dared to venture into television, eager to experience the suits and notes that come with it. Little did he know that this foray would prove to be “absolutely the worst experience,” yet he couldn’t help but appreciate the financial security it provided him to send his kids to college.
Initially airing in 2015, the series “Empire” stood out as an exceptional network TV success amidst a period when cable and streaming platforms were rapidly gaining popularity. Rapidly transforming into a pop-culture sensation, the show managed to attract more viewers week by week during its first season. While having such a hit would make anyone grateful, co-creator Lee Daniels admitted that despite earning him considerable wealth, various aspects of its success made it “the most miserable experience” for someone accustomed to having full creative control
In an interview with The Film Stage, Daniels discussed his move from independent filmmaking to television for the premiere of his Netflix horror film “The Deliverance.” He revealed that he transitioned to TV as a means to test himself creatively. Having produced only indie projects, he was curious about surrendering some creative control by working with higher-ups. Daniels expressed his eagerness to understand the experience of receiving notes and feedback from executives, as he often heard about it from his peers. Essentially, he wanted to know what it felt like when his friends got notes and criticism
In the end, Daniels discovered that work on Empire wasn’t his cup of tea. This is how he puts it:
Terrible, an absolutely dreadful ordeal. Truly awful! Yet, here’s the twist: The financial gain from it, the money, money, money! It allowed me to send my children to college, among other things. And that, in itself, made it all worthwhile
Empire Became a Hit Straight Out of the Gate
Originating from Daniels and Danny Strong, Empire was a drama that revolved around the world of music and, specifically, a fictitious hip-hop record label named Empire Entertainment. Based in New York, the story primarily revolved around the founder’s family who were in constant struggle for power over the company. The main characters of Empire are portrayed by Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, and Trai Byers as the Lyon Family. Known for its ever-changing supporting cast, Empire spanned six seasons
The TV series Empire, which initially drew 10 million viewers for its premiere on Fox, remarkably continued to gather more audience week after week during its first season, culminating in a staggering 17 million viewers for the Season 1 finale. This was quite unusual for network TV shows and even more so for those primarily featuring an African-American cast, making its success all the more remarkable
The television series we’re discussing experienced some genuine off-screen turmoil as well. Towards the end of its broadcast, Smollett faced accusations for fabricating a hate crime and false police report. This deception generated extensive media attention and resulted in Smollett’s absence during the sixth and last season of the show. Subsequently, he was indicted on six charges related to the false report and found guilty on five felony counts. He received a 150-day prison sentence and a fine, but his legal team promptly appealed, resulting in his release. The decision regarding his appeal remains undecided at this moment
Empire
can currently be streamed on Hulu.
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2024-09-05 20:35