From black women owning entertainment to the hellscape that is American politics, 2017 has been a year of polarizing change and picking the right side or wrong side of history.  Unfortunately, even fictional characters weren't spared from the dumpster fire tendencies of this year.  

Whether unlucky in love, saddled with a shark-jumping plot or unspeakable tragedy, here are are 8 characters that deserve better in 2018.

Something terrible is happening: networks are announcing the dates of their *gulp* season finales of all of our favorite shows.  How could we let this happen?!  What am I going to do in that endless, sweaty showhole normal folks call summer?!  

Thankfully, I've been through this before, and I know how to handle the post-TV season panic in a way that is more productive than chaining myself to that sculpture in the The CW's headquarter's lobby.  I just need to remind myself that that my Netflix and Bravo are still my entertainment lifesavers, and in mid-March, most shows are still in production.  Also, thanks to an ever-evolving television schedule, some shows are just beginning production.   

Earlier this week, EW.com reported that the one and only Angie Tribeca herself was guest-starring on ABC's black-ish as Rainbow's sister.  If you thought it was too good to be true, we know now have photographic proof!  In the snap above posted by star Tracee Ellis-Ross, Rashida Jones looks AMAHZING and this BTS shot features all of the Johnson siblings thus far, including Daveed Diggs' free spirit, Johan.

Try not to catch a nasty case of FOMO from these amazing behind-the-scenes Instagrams from Black-ish, Empire, The Flash and more...

From the passing of beloved celebrities like Prince, David Bowie, George Michael and most recently Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds to the surreal and possibly rigged election of the Evil Cheeto, 2016 has been one of the most trying and tragic years in recent memory.  They say truth is stranger than fiction, so it's fitting that this hurricane of crap has descended upon our favorite fictional characters, too. 

Whether, a particularly harrowing plot, bad writing or just plain old character neglect, here are 7 characters from Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us, Supernatural and more who deserve better in 2017...

There are many reasons people love entertainment--for fun, for escapism and for love.  When times are hard, sometimes watching your favorite show can feel like like a hug your soul needs and the best way to give a stressed mind a break, and a weary heart a reason to soar.  

Right now, everyone needs a proverbial shot of love, so what better way to do it than by checking in with our new and favorite TV ships from shows like Pitch, Empire, The Flash, and more...

If you think your favorite television characters have fun in front of the camera, then you haven't seen your favorite actors' lives behind it!  Instagram is for more than just duck-lipped selfies and food pics, it's also become a place for actors to offer an inside look into the controlled chaos that is making a television show and how badass it can be.  

On Thursday, Jensen Ackles tweeted picture to commemorate a big moment!  Supernatural, the show that struggled for years in the ratings, began production on its 250th episode the same day season 12 premiered. He writes, "Day 1 of episode 250. Here's to all those who helped make it happen. What a ride it has, and continues to be. Cheers... #spnfamily."  

Try not to catch a nasty case of FOMO from these awesome behind-the-scenes Instagrams from Jane The Virgin, Blindspot, Grey's Anatomy and more...

I'm going to keep it 100: I hated the majority of Empire's second season.  It popped-and-locked into the sophomore slump with messy, ill-explained storylines and was jam-packed with guest stars (Chris Rock as a creepy cannibalistic prison kingpin? Sure!).  Luckily, the stacked cast—featuring Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett—was able to elevate the material, so it was at least watchable.  
 
Prior to Wednesday’s premiere, the powers that be made big promises to re-center the lion's share of the focus to the Lyon family.  And like a revitalized singer armed with a divorce album, Empire staged one hell of a comeback. 

Since I think of everything in terms of television, I could help but wonder about my favorite television papas. I've watched everything from the original Lassie (for you youngins, it's an old TV show about a beautiful collie that rescues an accidental prone little boy) to Empire.  Narrowing down a list of favorites is almost as hard as finding the perfect "Thank you for giving me life" present for my own stubborn father.    

Here are my 7 Favorite TV Fathers...

Season finales of your favorite shows are rapidly approaching, and they can be metaphorical hurricanes for your favorite ships.  The end of the season always courts heightened drama, screaming-inducing cliffhangers and swoon-worthy hook-ups.
 
​Let’s review the statuses of your favorite TV 'ships from Jane The Virgin, Grey’s Anatomy, The Flash and more before they’re docked for the summer.

To borrow from a popular Titanic Tumblr meme, it’s been 84 years since we’ve gotten a new episode of Empire.

The powerful Fox hip hop tragedy is finally returning for the back half of its second season.  We finally get to learn what happened to Andre and Rhonda’s baby after she was cruelly shoved down the stairs by a masked attacker (expect grim news); and how Lucious is handling the loss of his cherished company (expect crazy). 

In order to celebrate the epic return of Empire, we must appreciate the most important thing about the show.  It’s not the Emmy-nominated actor, Taraji P. Henson and or Oscar nominee Terrence Howard.  It’s not the scene-stealers, Jussie Smollett and Ta’Rhonda Jones. It's not even the music.  

​It’s Cookie Lyon’s sublime fashion. 

The only thing more exciting than what will come out of the mama Lyon’s mouth is what comes out of her closet.  From furs to fringe to feathers, nothing is off-limits for the matriarch of this empire.  Check out my favorite season 2 ensembles, check out the preview below, and don’t forget to tune into Empire on Wednesdays on Fox at 9/8c.