Empire season 1 explained

Season Number:1
Bgcolour:
  1. 25181F
Image Upright:1.15
Num Episodes:12
Network:Fox
Episode List:List of Empire episodes

The first season of the American television series Empire premiered on January 7, 2015, and concluded on March 18, 2015, on Fox.[1] The series centers around a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control. The show aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm ET. The season consisted of 12 episodes.

The first episode was watched by 9.90 million viewers and achieved an adult 18-49 rating/share of 3.8/11, making it the biggest series launch for the network since Touch premiered in 2012.[2] The viewership of the series rose every single week, with the season finale, which aired on March 18, 2015, being watched by 17.62 million viewers and achieving an adult 18-49 rating/share of 6.9/21.[3]

Premise

The show centers around a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control of the company.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Guest appearances

Production

Casting

Howard was cast in the lead on February 19, 2014.[4] Henson was named as the female lead on February 26, and Jussie Smollett was announced in a starring role.[5] Howard and Henson previously starred together as love interests in the film Hustle & Flow.[5] On March 10, 2014, Sidibe, who had previously worked with Daniels in Precious, was cast in a recurring role as Becky, Lucious' assistant. Trai Byers and Grace Gealey were announced in regular roles, while Bryshere Y. Gray and Malik Yoba were announced in starring roles.[6] Naomi Campbell was announced in a recurring role on September 29.[7] Courtney Love was added to the cast on October 23.[8]

Episodes

See also: List of Empire episodes.

Reception

Critical response

Empire was well received by critics, with most praising Taraji's performance as Cookie.[9] [10] [11] On Rotten Tomatoes the show got a rating of 80% fresh based on 49 reviews.[12]

Live + SD ratings

No. in
series		No. in
season		EpisodeAir dateTime slot (EST)Rating/Share (18–49)Viewers (m)18–49 Rank Viewership rankDrama rank
11"Pilot"Wednesdays
9:00 p.m.		3.8/119.905[13] 171
22"The Outspoken King"4.0/1210.322[14] 111
33"The Devil Quotes Scripture"4.4/1311.071[15] 51
44"False Imposition"4.3/1211.365[16] 92
55"Dangerous Bonds"4.6/1411.473[17] 61
66"Out, Damned Spot"4.8/1411.962[18] 41
77"Our Dancing Days"5.2/1513.023[19] 91
88"The Lyon’s Roar"5.4/1513.901[20] 51
99"Unto the Breach"5.8/1714.331[21] 41
1010"Sins of the Father"5.8/1714.901[22] 31
1111"Die But Once"8:00 p.m.6.1/2115.822[23] 22
1212"Who I Am"9:00 p.m.6.9/2117.62111

Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings

No. in
series		No. in
season		EpisodeAir dateTime slot (EST)18–49 rating
increase		Viewers
(millions) increase 		Total 18-49Total viewers
(millions)		Ref
11"Pilot"Wednesdays
9:00 p.m.		1.84.05 5.613.95[24]
22"The Outspoken King"1.63.695.614.01[25]
33"The Devil Quotes Scripture"1.94.066.315.13[26]
44"False Imposition"1.83.696.115.04[27]
55"Dangerous Bonds"2.04.216.615.68[28]
66"Out, Damned Spot"1.84.14 6.616.10[29]
77"Our Dancing Days"2.35.14 7.518.16[30]
88"The Lyon’s Roar"2.35.087.718.98[31]
99"Unto the Breach"2.55.358.319.68[32]
1010"Sins of the Father"2.75.708.520.63[33]
1111"Die But Once"8:00 p.m.! style="text-align:center;"2.6! style="text-align:center;"5.74! style="text-align:center;"8.7! style="text-align:center;"21.56! style="text-align:center;"[34]
1212"Who I Am"9:00 p.m.2.45.499.323.12[35]

Notes and References

  1. American Idol Return, Empire Series Debut Date Set at Fox . TVLine. Penske Media Corporation . June 11, 2015. November 19, 2015.
  2. 'Empire' is Fox's highest-rated new show in years . . . June 11, 2015. January 8, 2015.
  3. 'Empire' Finale Ratings Rise Even More, Best New Series Result In 10 Years – Update . Deadline.com . June 12, 2015. March 19, 2015.
  4. Web site: Terrence Howard to Star in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama. October 28, 2014. February 19, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Goldberg, Lesley and Philiana Ng.
  5. Web site: Taraji P. Henson Nabs Female Lead in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire'. October 28, 2014. February 26, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Goldberg, Lesley.
  6. Web site: Gabourey Sidibe Reunites With Lee Daniels on Fox's 'Empire'. October 28, 2014. March 10, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Goldberg, Lesley.
  7. Web site: Naomi Campbell Joins Lee Daniels' Fox Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire' (Exclusive). November 19, 2014. September 29, 2014. Goldberg, Lesley. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media.
  8. Web site: Courtney Love Joins EMPIRE, Premiering January 2015 on FOX. October 28, 2014. October 23, 2014. Broadway World.
  9. Web site: Empire: "Pilot". The A.V. Club. The Onion, Inc.. Alston. Joshua. January 7, 2015. June 14, 2015.
  10. Web site: Empire, episode 1, review: 'simmering with potential'. The Telegraph. Vassell. Nicole. April 28, 2015. June 14, 2015.
  11. Web site: Empire: Season 1 Reviews. Rotten Tomatoes. Warner Bros. June 14, 2015.
  12. Web site: Empire: Season 1 (2015). Rotten Tomatoes. Warner Bros. June 12, 2015.
  13. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NFL Football Tops Adults 18–49 and Total Viewers for the Week Ending January 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150119053911/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/13/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nfl-football-tops-adults-18-49-and-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-january-11-2015/349844/. dead. January 19, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Kondolojy. Amanda. January 13, 2015. January 21, 2015.
  14. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: AFC Championship Tops Adults 18–49 and Total Viewers for the Week Ending January 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150122171519/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/21/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-afc-championship-tops-adults-18-49-and-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-january-18-2015/352652/. dead. January 22, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. January 21, 2015. January 21, 2015.
  15. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops Adults 18–49, 'Scorpion' Leads Total Viewers for the Week Ending January 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150130011558/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/27/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-empire-tops-adults-18-49-scorpion-leads-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-january-25-2015/356093/. dead. January 30, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. January 27, 2015. January 27, 2015.
  16. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Super Bowl Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203214444/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/03/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-super-bowl-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-february-1-2015/358212/. dead. February 3, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. February 3, 2015. February 3, 2015.
  17. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Grammy Awards Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150210202537/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/10/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-grammy-awards-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-february-8-2015/361606/. dead. February 10, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Kondolojy. Amanda. February 10, 2015. February 10, 2015.
  18. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150220031449/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/18/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-saturday-night-live-40th-anniversary-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-february-8-2015/364213/. dead. February 20, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. February 18, 2015. February 18, 2015.
  19. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Academy Awards Telecast Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150225030854/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/24/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-academy-awards-telecast-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-february-22-2015/367070/. dead. February 25, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Kondolojy. Amanda. February 24, 2015. February 26, 2015.
  20. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'NCIS' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150306030241/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/03/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-empire-tops-with-adults-18-49-ncis-wins-with-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-march-1-2015/369389/. dead. March 6, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. March 3, 2015. March 3, 2015.
  21. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'The Big Bang Theory' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150313222716/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/10/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-empire-tops-with-adults-18-49-the-big-bang-theory-wins-with-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-march-8-2015/373296/. dead. March 13, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Kondolojy. Amanda. March 10, 2015. March 10, 2015.
  22. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'The Big Bang Theory' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150320061458/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/17/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-empire-tops-with-adults-18-49-the-big-bang-theory-wins-with-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-march-15-2015/375526/. dead. March 20, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. March 17, 2015. March 17, 2015.
  23. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150326221204/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/24/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-empire-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-march-22-2015/378988/. dead. March 26, 2015. TV by the Numbers. Kondolojy. Amanda. March 24, 2015. March 24, 2015.
  24. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Modern Family' Have Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge' Tops Percentage Gains & 'The Big Bang Theory' Grows Most in Viewership in Live +7 Ratings for Week 15 Ending January 4. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128013305/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/25/the-big-bang-theory-modern-family-have-biggest-adults-18-49-increase-revenge-tops-percentage-gains-the-big-bang-theory-grows-most-in-viewership-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-15-endi/355362/. dead. January 28, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. January 25, 2015. January 25, 2015.
  25. Web site: 'Modern Family' Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge', 'Forever' & 'State of Affairs' Top Percentage Gainers & 'Castle' Grows Most in Viewership in Live +7 Ratings for Week 17 Ending January 18. https://web.archive.org/web/20150202215427/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/02/modern-family-has-biggest-adults-18-49-increase-revenge-forever-state-of-affairs-top-percentage-gainers-castle-grows-most-in-viewership-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-17-ending/358131/. dead. February 2, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. February 2, 2015. February 2, 2015.
  26. Web site: 'Empire' Notches Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge' Leads Percentage Gainers & 'Elementary' Tops Viewership Gains in Live +7 Ratings for Week 18 Ending January 25. https://web.archive.org/web/20150209215129/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/09/empire-notches-biggest-adults-18-49-increase-revenge-tops-percentage-gainers-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-18-ending-january-25/361178/. dead. February 9, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. February 9, 2015. February 9, 2015.
  27. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' Notches Biggest Adults 18-49 & Viewership Increase, 'Hart of Dixie' Top Percentage Gainers in Live +7 Ratings for Week 18 Ending February 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20150218050525/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/17/the-big-bang-theory-notches-biggest-adults-18-49-viewership-increase-hart-of-dixie-top-percentage-gainers-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-18-ending-february-1/363650/. dead. February 18, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. February 17, 2015. February 17, 2015.
  28. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains, 'Glee' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 20 Ending February 8. https://web.archive.org/web/20150223220502/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/23/the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-gains-glee-tops-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-20-ending-february-8/366578/. dead. February 23, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. February 23, 2015. February 23, 2015.
  29. Web site: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Gains, 'The Blacklist' Tops Percentage Increases & Viewer Growth in Live +7 Ratings for Week 21 Ending February 15. https://web.archive.org/web/20150304172730/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/02/modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-gains-the-blacklist-tops-percentage-increases-viewer-growth-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-21-ending-february-15/369266/. dead. March 4, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. March 2, 2015. March 2, 2015.
  30. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains + 'The Blacklist' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 22 Ending February 22. https://web.archive.org/web/20150311194801/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/09/the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-gains-the-blacklist-tops-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-22-ending-february-22/372820/. dead. March 11, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. March 9, 2015. March 9, 2015.
  31. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Gains +'Glee' Tops Percentage Increases, 'The Blacklist' Wins in Viewer Growth in Live+7 Ratings for Week 23 Ending March 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20150316185402/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/15/the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-gains-glee-tops-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-23-ending-march-1/375057/. dead. March 16, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. March 15, 2015. March 16, 2015.
  32. Web site: 'Empire' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains + 'Glee' & 'Hart of Dixie' Top Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 24 Ending March 8. https://web.archive.org/web/20150325081418/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/23/empire-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-gains-glee-hart-of-dixie-top-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-24-ending-march-8/378520/. dead. March 25, 2015. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. March 23, 2015. March 23, 2015.
  33. Web site: 'Empire' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains + 'The Originals' Tops Percentage Increases in Live+7 Ratings for Week 25 Ending March 15. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164608/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/30/empire-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-gains-the-originals-tops-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-25-ending-march-15/. dead. April 2, 2015. Bibel. Sara. TV by the Numbers. March 30, 2015. March 30, 2015.
  34. Web site: Wednesday Final Nationals: Blackhawks-Lightning on NBC is Most-Viewed NHL Stanley Cup Final Non-Overtime Game 1 Since 1997. Pucci. Douglas. TV Media Insights. June 4, 2015. June 10, 2015.
  35. Web site: 'Empire' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains + 'The Originals' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 26 Ending March 22. https://web.archive.org/web/20150409005005/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/06/empire-leads-adults-18-49-viewership-gains-the-originals-tops-percentage-increases-in-live-7-ratings-for-week-26-ending-march-22/385364/. dead. April 9, 2015. Bibel. Sara . TV by the Numbers. April 6, 2015. April 6, 2015.

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