If you're looking for a real mirror into the music biz, you won't find it on Empire. This should come as no surprise. After all, the series airs on basic broadcast TV (FOX), and was created by the unlikely duo of Lee Daniels and Danny Strong—the team that brought you The Butler, who, shockingly, have absolutely no background or credibility within the rap world. But yes, after five weeks it's time to face the facts: Empire, FOX's new Dynasty-by-way-of-King Lear primetime melodrama, has absolutely zero interest in creating a credible portrayal and depiction of the hip-hop/R&B industry. That's simply the setting to present FOX's answer to Scandal, a buzzworthy show that will light Black Twitter ablaze and be pleaded down by most faithful viewers as a guilty pleasure offense. Daniels, Strong and their team aren't trying to depict the rap game in 2015; they're using Timbaland beats as a backdrop for high drama. Even with that acknowledgment though, the rate at which the series presents outlandishly dated scenarios in the music biz universe is so high, so bad that it's hilarious. (Admittedly, they get two or three things right, too). Join us as we highlight the rare highs and the facepalm-worthy lows.
*Addendum: the only worthwhile character on this show besides MVP Taraji is, Porsha her assistant, who's walking, talking comedy gold. Seriously, give all of the guest star Emmys to that actress.*