What You're Missing If You're Not Watching Empire

Cookie Lyon is the biggest badass on TV right now. Played with relish by Henson, she's recently been released from prison and has returned to claim her stake in the family business. Cookie is the definition of "no bullsh*t" — she tells people exactly what she thinks, especially if it's not what they want to hear. She's not afraid of anybody, and she most definitely won't kowtow to her ex husband, Lucious. Did we mention her fabulous leopard-heavy wardrobe? In short: she's our new hero.

This cast is such an excellent mix of new and familiar faces. Terrence Howard stars opposite the aforementioned Henson, heading up the family as Lucious, a morally questionable hip-hop mogul. Gabourey Sidibe plays a fashionable assistant, and you're going to love all the fresh faces: Bryshere Y. Gray (aka Yazz the Greatest) plays Lucious and Cookie's youngest son, an aspiring hip-hop star, while Jussie Smollett is the middle son, a gay songwriter struggling with his father's disapproval. Both are legitimate artists off the show, and they're pitch-perfect on screen.

Don't we have enough doctors and lawyers on TV? Bring on the recording booth! Going inside the music business worked for Nashville, and Empire is every bit as good — if not better. It's refreshing to explore the hip-hop industry, a world that hasn't previously been done to death on the small screen. There's glitz, glamour, and devastatingly opulent set pieces for the character's offices and homes. Drool.

Fox had a small foray into original music with Glee, but since Empire isn't built on covers, new songs feel a lot more at home here. In addition to being played by budding young artists, several of the main characters are musicians, so people aren't just breaking into song for no real reason every 10 minutes. The premiere started out strong, and the music has been steadily improving by the episode. You'll actually want to listen to the music when you're not watching the show, and you can start with "Good Enough," sung by Jussie Smollett.

The music is great, but at its heart, this show is all about the drama. Relationships are constantly in flux between Lucious, Cookie, their kids, and their associates. Someone is always sleeping with someone they're not supposed to, and the relationship between the intolerant Lucious and his gay son is gripping. It's not too over-the-top, but realistic violence is depicted (such as a drive-by shooting, shown above).

The first few episodes of the show feature appearances by Gladys Knight, Cuba Gooding Jr., Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, and Raven-Symoné. Next up to stop by? Snoop Dogg.