‘My kids’ friends wear Smelly Cat T-shirts’: TV insiders on creating unforgettable onscreen songs
From Lisa Kudrow’s comic ditty in Friends, to the supposedly world-defining music of Daisy Jones & the Six, writing songs for television characters isn’t easy. Just ask the brains behind it …
July 2022
Empire of the drones: Terrence Howard takes us where no actor has gone before
Stuart Heritage
The star of Empire, Crash and Iron Man has found a side hustle in developing new hydrogen technology for Uganda’s defence – just don’t ask him to explain it to you
March 2022
Jussie Smollett will be released from jail pending the appeal of his conviction
The former Empire actor will be freed after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000, meaning he agrees to come to court as required
December 2021
‘Overwhelming’ evidence against Jussie Smollett, says prosecution in closing arguments
The Empire actor denies he falsified police reports about the alleged racist and homophobic attack in 2019
Jussie Smollett calls attackers who claim he staged hate crime ‘liars’
Empire actor grew increasingly irritated during exchange with prosecutor during cross-examination on witness stand
Jussie Smollett tells jury he paid men for training advice, not to fake attack on himself
Ex-Empire actor testifies over charges, which he denies, that he lied to Chicago police about a racist, anti-gay attack in 2019
November 2021
Jussie Smollett was ‘real victim’ of racist attack, lawyer says as trial begins
Ex-Empire actor is accused of hiring two men to fake an attack in Chicago but new evidence could support Smollett’s defense
February 2021
Lee Daniels: ‘Studios will give you about $10 to make a black movie’
The maverick director makes the films no one else would dare to – persuading Oprah to break her acting drought, and Nicole Kidman to pee on Zac Efron. What’s his next coup?
November 2019
Jussie Smollett files malicious prosecution claim against Chicago
Actor has maintained his innocence after claims his homophobic attack was staged and blames authorities for ‘emotional distress’
September 2019
Empire: Jussie Smollett’s send-off was an imperfect – and quick – moment
Shows have struggled with ‘cancelling’ their fallen stars; the Fox show marked the departure with a small throwaway line
June 2019
Jussie Smollett case: special prosecutor to investigate why charges were dropped
Judge suggests county’s state’s attorney mishandled the Empire actor’s case by appointing a top aide to oversee it
April 2019
Jussie Smollett case: brothers who helped stage attack sue actor's attorney
Jussie Smollett: texts and emails reveal pressure on state's attorney over case
TV tonight
TV tonight: Empire returns for the first time since the Jussie Smollett saga
Jussie Smollett: actor refuses to reimburse city for investigation costs
March 2019
The Jussie Smollett saga: a look into Chicago's broken criminal justice system
Complex drama touches on issues from privilege in the legal system to the relationship between police and people of color
Jussie Smollett: Trump says FBI and justice department will review case
President tweets: ‘It is an embarrassment to our Nation!’ after Chicago prosecutors dropped charges against Empire actor
Jussie Smollett: why were the charges dropped and what happens next?
Jussie Smollett: Chicago mayor attacks 'whitewash of justice' as charges dropped
Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to charges he lied about alleged attack
