This week, two Empire figures dominated the headlines.
On Wednesday, Taraji P. Henson was honored at Women in Film’s Crystal + Lucy Awards. The actress received the Lucy Award from Fox’s Dana Walden. The awards event is meant to shine a light on equal pay and opportunities for women in Hollywood. In her acceptance speech Henson, spoke about graduating from college as a single mom. She was told that a “Black woman can’t open a movie.” She continued:
“If I do just as good a job as men, why shouldn’t I get paid the same? Is it because I don’t have a penis? In this day and age I can attach one. I have penises in many different colors at home … Art is powerful, if we don’t have an example for humanity on the screen, what are we doing? That is how we change the world.”
In other exciting news, the co-creator of Empire, Danny Strong closed a multi-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. In addition to continuing to executive produce, sometimes direct and co-write Empire, he will also help develop, write, direct and supervise new projects for the studio. Dana Walden and Gary Newman, CEOs of 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Television Group said:
“Our relationship with Danny goes all the way back to his days as an actor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Little did we know then that he would one day go on to co-create one of the biggest hits in the history of our studio and network, let alone the No. 1 show on broadcast television. He’s a spectacular talent who can literally do it all, and everyone — from actors and writers, to the crew and executives — loves working with him. This is a big win for our company and we couldn’t be happier personally that Danny will continue to write, direct, supervise and develop series for us for years to come.”
Strong added:
“Working with Dana and Gary and their entire team has been one of the best experiences of my career. Without their guidance and creative instincts, Empire never would have made it on the air, let alone become the success that it has. I’m so honored to be in business with a company that continues to raise the bar with excellent and original programming and am looking forward to many more years with such a fantastic and talented group of people.”
Last but not least, Fox finally announced its full fall television lineup:
Monday, Sept. 19
8:00-9:00 PM — GOTHAM (Season Three Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM — LUCIFER (Season Two Premiere)
Tuesday, Sept. 20
8:00-8:30 PM — BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (Season Four Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM — NEW GIRL (Season Six Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM — SCREAM QUEENS (Season Two Premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 21
8:00-9:00 PM — LETHAL WEAPON (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM — EMPIRE (Season Three Premiere)
Thursday, Sept. 22
8:00-9:00 PM — ROSEWOOD (Season Two Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM — PITCH (Series Premiere)
Friday, Sept. 23
8:00-9:00 PM — HELL’S KITCHEN (Season 16 Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM — THE EXORCIST (Series Premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 25
7:30-8:00 PM — BOB’S BURGERS (Season Seven Premiere)
8:00-8:30 PM — THE SIMPSONS (Season 28 Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM — SON OF ZORN (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM — FAMILY GUY (Season 14 Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM — THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (Season Three Premiere)
