Photo courtesy of Fox

Lots of shows aren’t filmed in the city in which they are set. Vancouver and Georgia are popular substitutes. It may not always be convincing, but Empire, which films in Chicago, may be the most egregious when it comes to not even trying to look like it’s in New York, but that’s not the only giveaway. In the latest episode, “True Love Never,” there were four glaring moments that made me wonder if the crew has ever stepped foot in Gotham.

1. Newspapers are hard to come by. Laz, the music promoter needs to do something shady, so he leaves Cookie in bed and claims, he’s going to get a paper. In addition to it being a clichéd ruse, he comes up with an even more feeble answer when she asks where the paper is. This is Manhattan, he should be able to get his hands on a paper, but covers with: “Corner guy ran out, I’ll get one in the diner on 1st and A.” That sentence has never been uttered by a resident of NYC—not ever. Not even once. Next thing you know, he’ll claim New York is out of hot dogs and closet-sized “luxury” apartments. Pffft!
2. Media events are sparsely attended. To announce her summer jam, “Cookie’s Cookout,” Mama Lyon holds a champagne reception for music bloggers. The room is practically empty. No New York media person worth his or her salt will turn down an opportunity to lurk by a cheese platter. Throw in a swag bag, and a mob scene might erupt. Media folks, especially bloggers, will trample you for a freebie. Not that I’ve had firsthand experience…
3. Central Park is in the ‘hood. Cookie rejects Fort Greene as a location for her summer jam because it’s “too bougie.” Fair enough, Brooklyn is plagued by hipsters and packs of women in yoga pants aggressively hogging up the sidewalk with their babystrollers in a mad dash to get a pumpkin latte. Cookie is specific that the event must be held in the “‘hood” so Laz suggests Central Park. Um, what? Are they going to go take a horse-and-carriage ride and dine on Coq Au Vin at Tavern on the Green like an O.G.? She wants to keep it real, somewhere like Harlem. Yes, Cookie, go to Harlem. Stop at Whole Foods for brie, while you’re at it.
4. New Yorkers break for buskers. Hakeem is determined to make fetch happen with that girl group, Mirage a Trois. He found Laura crooning “Blue Bayou” at karaoke and is turning her into an overnight sensation. To prove that Cookie is wrong about Laura’s lack of star power, he has Laura sing acapella on the street. Okay, not to say that New Yorkers don’t enjoy a street performer and won’t slow down for a minute or two to appreciate a song and toss a dollar into their guitar case, but you will not get droves of New Yorkers to halt in their tracks for some unknown. Real New Yorkers would be busy trying to avoid the hellscape that is Central Park as they beat the crowd to the last newspaper.

For my full recap, visit The Root.

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Elaine G. Flores, Chief Editor

Elaine is the chief editor of TV Recappers' Delight. She's an experienced entertainment reporter, reviewer, editor, blogger, columnist and Bon Vivant.