Fox’s “Empire” is (finally) shifting to 8 o’clock this fall, after dominating the 9 p.m. hour for each of its three seasons. The shift to a self-starter time slot doesn’t have show producers scared, they assured TV critics Tuesday at a press event.
Asked about the move to a more family friendly time slot and whether that will force to show to become “any less sexy,” creator, writer and executive producer Lee Daniels initially answered this way: “We get to get off earlier,” only semi-joking it seems.
“It doesn’t make us change the way we do things,” showrunner Ilene Chaiken added during the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour panel. “Whether it’s at midnight or 2 in the morning — 8 o’clock, 9 o’clock…”
“‘Empire’s gonna be ‘Empire,’” Daniels cut back in. “And I think that our fans will follow us. It’s exciting.”
Daniels, Chaiken, executive producer Sanaa Hamri and cast members Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson were in attendance at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom afternoon media press event.
Season 4 of “Empire” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8/7c on Fox. Daniels’ “Star” now occupies the 9 o’clock hour.