‘Empire’ Creator Lee Daniels Jokingly Blasts Emmy Nominations: ‘F–k Those Motherf–kers’

Lee Daniels, the co-creator of the hit television show Empire, is not too pleased with the 2015 Emmy nominations. Empire failed to earn a nomination for Best New Drama, despite its massive success, and he posted an expletive-filled video on Instagram to let fans know. (At least, that's how it looked at first.)

The video in question, which you can check out above, shows Daniels with Empire star Jussie Smollett. "Jussie is saying I have to be politically correct on Instagram or I'm going to get in trouble," Daniels says, to which Smollett agrees: "You have to be nice!"

Then Daniels lets everyone in on his true feelings regarding the Emmy Awards snub: "F--k those motherf--kers!"

And just in case you think we're reaching in assuming his post is geared toward the Emmys, his caption directly references the ceremony: "#canfinallypostthis #timetoberealagain #emmyniceguyoverwith."

Naturally, the media took notice. And once his initial post was picked up by various outlets, Daniels clarified that the video was meant to be taken in jest, and he harbors no ill-will toward the awards.

"Some of these people got nothing else better to do than hate on me for having fun. I was having fun. I love the Emmys, and I’m excited for my cast and crew that got nominated and for the other people that got nominated for Emmys. So haters, shut up and go to bed," he said in another Instagram video.

Although the series didn't receive a nomination for Best New Drama, the show did earn two nominations for costume design, and actress Taraji P. Henson was nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

You can check out the full list of 2015 Emmy nominations in our comprehensive post.