"Tough Cookie Said the Kitty, But the People Want More"
Hey, Empire's on. So what you want a cookie? Actually yes! One Cookie Lyon please.
I love the idea that a world can be introduced to television, one we have never heard of and be accepted. We talk, laugh and reference these characters as if we've met them. The connection there is always interesting. Just like John Singleton's Baby Boy, we were introduced to Yvette. For years we used this reference to Taraji P. Henson, that is until 'Cookie Lyon.' Aside from her cut-throat personality, which in ways mimics a more thorough (street-credited) Yvette, I love the hint of humble found in 'Cookie Lyon.' The scenes that I thought she would go off on a tirade with a disrespectful Hakeem she didn't. Even the elevator scene, where she was blatantly disrespected by Luscious's artist, she kept her cool. You place this powerhouse character into this dope clashed environment of power, family and music. And it creates a series unlike any other. The diversity within the music closely parallels putting on a pandora station and keeping it there. The mere fact that Cookie runs the show and entertains us with her trendy quotes is a bonus. To what the series brings to current television. "It's a must-watch because you haven't seen anything like this on primetime network television. We're pushing envelopes, ruffling feathers. We're going to make a lot of people mad, but that's what art's supposed to do...make you emotional so you get up and do something." -Tariji P. Henson
