Empire Season 2 Premire Ratings

Empire Debuts To Massive Ratings

Source: FOX / Getty

16 million people (including #TeamBeautiful) tuned in to the season two premiere of FOX’s Empire, scoring a 6.5 rating among adults 18-49.

The Lyons (and newcomers like rapper Bre-Z) were turned up like the rest of the world as they watched the premiere from someone’s fabulous living room.

Lee Daniels threw a separate event that included a fur hammock for Mariah Carey.

Check out the funniest memes from the premiere, here.

UP NEXT: Basketball Wives LA Renewed For 5th Season

Basketball Wives LA Renewed For 5th Season

As we approach the October 4 season finale of Basketball Wives LA, VH1 announced they’re renewing the series for a fifth season. It’s unclear who will return to the cast since Draya became an outsider and Jackie Christie is on her way to getting on everyone’s last nerve, but we have a feeling some newcomers will be there. Meghan James made her presence felt with an unforgettable bathing suit while Draya’s pint-size friend may have forged a relationship with Jackie. We’ll just have to see how this one plays out.

Shonda Rhimes Is Producing A New Medical Show

Source: Director/Producer Shonda Rhimes receives the Elenor Roosevelt Award at the 10th Annual Global Women’s Rights Awards at Pacific Design Center on May 18, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/WireImage) / Getty

Shonda Rhimes gave us Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder and now she’s cooking up another hit in that magical mind of hers.

According to reports, Shonda is producing a series about a team of military doctors working out of Baghdad during the Iraq war.

Shonda teamed up with her Grey’s Anatomy producer Zoanne Clark and enlisted the medical expertise of an emergency medicine doctor.

In addition to the Medical drama, Shonda is also producing a drama about nuns and a divorce comedy called Splitsville. Oh and a project about a fraud investigator called The Catch.

Shonda for the win!

UP NEXT: Wesley Snipes Talks Starring On The Player

Wesley Snipes Talks Starring On The Player

Source: D Dipasupil / Getty

When Lee Daniel‘s first envisioned the cast of Empire, he wanted Wesley Snipes to play the character of Lucious Lyon. Changes things, doesn’t it? At the same time that role came around, Wesley was offered the lead on NBC’s The Player. Wesley chose the latter.

The iconic actor opened about about his new role in an interview with The Root.

“It’s always gratifying to know that you are appreciated for your work and have the opportunity to work with others and they want to work with you,” he said about being offered two major roes at one time. “Getting a job is good, but having a career is better.”

As for his character on The Player, he says:

“The idea that this is a guy who rose from the streets, came from the streets, came from a very diverse background, was a player and ended up rising to the highest ranks of becoming the pit boss of pit bosses. It’s intriguing to even think about how he got there, what he had to go through, what he learned and the people he encountered along the way. What we’re bringing to the show is, I’m going to be able to bring and explore some of those experiences, not only the martial arts aspects or the physical aspects, but the languages, the dialects and the disguises that Mr. Johnson would use to protect the house and make sure the game continues.”

He reflected on his classic Nino Brown character:

“How do I think Nino Brown has brought me here? Well, I don’t know if it’s just Nino. The movie, at the time, was considered a surprise success and did really well at the box office. It showcased a different side of my acting ability, and as it turned out it, became a cult classic or a cultural classic. I think that always helps. Over the years, it’s grown to appeal to people who didn’t see it when it was first released.”

Read the full interview, here.