It’s Official! Lee Daniels’ ‘Empire’ Will Not Be a Boring Show

Empire has been hailed as a delightfully over-the-top confection that according to creator Lee Daniels (The Butler) will be the black version of the 80’s primetime soap opera Dynasty.

The reviews so far have been favorable and it isn’t shocking that Fox’s much-anticipated offering is passing the critics’ test when you consider the plethora of talent both behind and in front of the camera.

Danny Strong, who serves as co-creator and writer, is clearly a genius based on his impressive portfolio – he penned the words for The Butler and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.

Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson lead the charge and the fireworks between them should make for some quality entertainment. And since the show is about the music industry – it is pertinent that viewers are not subjected to formulaic beats that threaten to slow down the tempo of what seems like a promising saga. The addition of Timbaland as musical director and songwriter is a surefire way of making sure that the soundtrack to the lives of these vibrant characters will be a perfect fit.

Empire has all the elements that will keep viewers relentlessly hooked – excess, luxury, betrayal, fame, and tragedy. Howard plays Lucious Lyon, a music mogul who made his fortune after spending a good chunk of his life breaking the law. He is secretly battling an illness and this forces him to take drastic steps to secure his empire. He has the unenviable task of having to decide which of his three sons Andre (Trai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett), and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) will be the heir apparent. As expected each of the siblings are unique in their description. The oldest, Andre is an ambitious Ivy Leaguer, married to a white woman who possess the qualities of a leader but didn’t inherit the gift of musical prowess. Middle son Jamal is musically savvy but the fact that he is gay doesn’t sit well with his father. The youngest, Hakeem is a cliché rapper who thinks he runs the world, which gets him into heaps of trouble on a regular basis.

But the chaos doesn’t end there. The sons’ mother played by Henson is a hungry lioness after serving 17 years in prison. Her return to the clan elevates the dramatics, as she demands to be compensated for her forced absence.

Empire is not without flaws but the good certainly outweighs the bad and it is hard to imagine that it won’t garner a following when it premiers at 9 p.m. on Fox – Jan. 7.