I haven't seen Nashville, so I can't say. The elevator pitch for Empire is that it's The Lion in Winter, set in the world of hip-hop. The father built a record company, his three sons are vying to be the heir to it.

Cookie is their mother -- she raised the money for the record company by selling drugs and went down for it. When she gets out, she wants what's hers, and that includes a chance to win back her sons' affection.

Rhonda is (son) Andre's wife, and one of the driving forces behind his ambition. She's also very clearly on his side in this whole mess.

Cookie is AMAZING. I'm still on the fence about Rhonda, but she's growing on me.

I'm just not sure if there will be enough people who've watched the episodes to have an interest before sign-ups.