The plans for the second season of “Empire” sound as though they came straight from Cookie Lyon herself: “We’re here to f**k this s**t up."
Taraji P. Henson laughed at a a press panel for the show on Thursday as she uttered that sentence, which she said was a direct quote from an on-set conversation between the “Empire” actress and the show’s executive producer, Ilene Chaiken.
When the “Empire” cast was filming the first episode of the second season, Henson was concerned about major plot developments she wouldn’t detail. But she went to Chaiken with her worries.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Newsletter: The Yodel
Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
“Guys, what are we doing here?” Henson recalled saying at an “Empire” panel at the Television Critics Association press tour. “I mean, we’re talking about taking apart the machine. Like, what is happening?”
That’s when Chaiken uttered that quote. And though Chaiken and co-creator Lee Daniels didn’t offer up much in the way of teasers for the second season, they said they plan to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.
“We want to continue to make the audience gasp and laugh and scream and cry,” Chaiken said.
Mariah Carey has been lined up as a guest star -- producers said they were still working out the dates of the singer’s appearance -- and in Season 2, Pitbull will sing and perform, and other guest stars like Chris Rock, Kelly Rowland, Marisa Tomei, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Adam Rodriguez will stop by. That said, Daniels said he didn’t want “Empire” to be overwhelmed by stunt-casting.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
“I find that the more that we get the more celebrities, the more stars I put on this show, the more it takes away from the family. The family, the family, the family is the most important thing,” Daniels said. “The family is what the story is about.”
As they did in Season 1, the storylines in "Empire" will have parallels to real-life events and incidents, but Chaiken pointed out that the writers aren’t necessarily chasing trends.
When it comes to the emergence of Spotify and “rap beefs” like the one between Meek Mill and Drake, “every one of those stories, we broke in the writers’ room before they happened,” Chaiken said. “That’s …. how attuned Lee is and the writers of the show [are]. They know what’s happening. We don’t do ‘ripped from the headline’ shows. We do shows that are organic to the world.”
Fox has also ordered a pilot for “Star,” a drama about a female-led group in Atlanta that Daniels created, but there are no plans for it to be linked to the “Empire” world yet. That said, an “Empire” spinoff is also a possibility.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
“There’s so much ripe story,” Daniels said. “We’ve talked about it in the [writers’] room already, about Cookie’s family, what makes her her; Lucious’ family, what makes them them. That, in itself, is fascinating to me.”
Daniels also had words for Sophia Eggleston, a Michigan woman who filed a suit against Daniels. According to Eggleston, "Empire" has used her life story as the basis of the character Cookie Lyon.
Daniels’ only shared two words on the lawsuit: “Bye Felicia.”
Also on HuffPost:
Adam & Kristina Braverman, "Parenthood"
There is not a more heart-warming or honestly-depicted couple than the eldest Braverman boy and his wife. Adam and Kristina support each other unconditionally in sickness and in health; their fights are frighteningly relatable (and always fixable); and they would very clearly do anything for each other and their children. Adam and Kristina (brilliantly portrayed by Peter Krause and Monica Potter) touch your soul with their ability to overcome anything, big and small.
Brad & Jane, "Happy Endings"
Why so much love for this underrated comedy's only married couple? It's not just that Damon Wayans Jr. (who plays Brad) and Eliza Coupe (who plays Jane) individually have such brilliant comic timing. Together, the actors' ability to bring the funny is so potent that it's possibly dangerous. But wait, there's more: They're also completely convincing as a couple whose deep love gets stronger every day. As Penny might say, "They're ah-mah-zing."
Matthew Crawley & Lady Mary, "Downton Abbey"
It may have taken them a couple seasons to get there, but from the moment Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary laid eyes on each other at Downton, it was clear they were meant to be. A love story for the ages!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Jim & Pam Halpert, "The Office"
There's nothing better than a best-friends-turned-couple scenario, and that's exactly what Jim and Pam have given the TV world. Who can forget the end of Season 2 when Jim declared his love for her even though she had a fiance? Eventually they settled into married life, had kids, and overcame every challenge thrown their way ... including one of the documentary crew members falling in love with Pam.
Snow White & Prince Charming, "Once Upon a Time"
The original and definitive fairytale couple have had their share of ups and downs -- dealing with amnesia, curses and psychotic parents, to name a few -- but they remain the epitome of true love. As equals who are determined to save each other as many times as necessary (preferably with a magic kiss), their storybook romance is destined for a happily ever after.
Homer & Marge Simpson, "The Simpsons"
These two have been through literally everything, and still love each other. Despite extramarital temptations for both of them, they always end up more in love than when they started.
Callie Torres & Arizona Robbins, "Grey's Anatomy"
Callie and Arizona have always had a tumultuous relationship, to say the least. From moving out of the country to babies with best friends to fatal plane crashes, their relationship has been tested beyond most and they've survived it all. Not even Callie's amputation of Arizona's leg ruined them. So what could?
Advertisement
Advertisement
Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt, "Parks and Recreation"
Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt didn't always have an easy go of it. Their loving relationship started with contempt, then love blossomed, even though it was considered taboo. After a hiatus, the couple reunited to become one of the sweetest and most endearing TV couples out there today. Love does conquer all.
Carrie Mathison & Nicholas Brody, "Homeland"
Love comes in many varieties. Sometimes it's the stable, healthy, enduring kind of love that can sustain a lifelong marriage. Others, it's the obsessive, make-you-crazy kind of infatuation that gets you fired from your job, lands you in a mental institution and keeps you sleeping with with a terrorist/Congressman against all better judgment. And that's the case with Carrie and Brody on "Homeland." Their twisted relationship may not be Hallmark-card material, but they make really entertaining sex noises.
Phil & Claire Dunphy, "Modern Family"
Sometimes two people are so perfect for each other that their imperfections balance the other one's out. Both fully neurotic and prone to screwing things up, Phil and Claire are the model modern couple.
Nikita & Michael, "Nikita"
The couple that spies together ... goes through a lot of terrible stuff, apparently. But despite illegitimate children, numerous near-death experiences and Nikita being forced to amputate Michael's hand to save him from an explosion, we know these two kick-ass secret agents are made for each other. Love has never hurt so good.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Lily Aldrin & Marshall Eriksen, "How I Met Your Mother"
From the very first episode, this couple captured our hearts (and made us want to get busy in the kitchen!). They've taught us that being in love doesn't have to mean giving up high-fives or ignoring your friends. Want to make sure you're not "that couple" who ruins every group outing? Make these two your role models in love.
Will Gardner & Diane Lockhart, "The Good Wife"
Will and Diane aren't lovers on "The Good Wife," but they're "the perfect couple" ... "without the sex," in their words. As partners of their law firm, these two have to know each other like the back of their hands. Their friendship -- they slow dance while drinking alcohol and give each other sly low-fives -- and wonderful working relationship proves that men and women really can be great, loving friends.
Agron & Nasir, "Spartacus"
You'd think that a full day of battling Romans would leave these guys too tired for serious romance, but you'd be wrong. No matter what obstacles Spartacus' band of rebellious former slaves face, Agron and Nasir's love keeps on getting stronger -- and hotter. 'Spartacus' is set in brutal world short on tenderness and mercy, but the sweet, serious bond these two men share is a one of the show's most reliable bright spots. You can't beat the combination of true love and rippling abs.
For a constant stream of entertainment news and discussion, follow HuffPost Entertainment on Viber.
38,398 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?38,398 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
