We sat down with first-time show-runner, Courtney Kemp, in discussion about the finale season of Power, which is set to air on August 25.
Kemp reflected on the success of the show and collaborating with Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson.
The Knockturnal: Whatβs something you learned looking back after all the years?
Courtney Kemp: “In success, everyone wants credit. In failure, you fail alone. You succeed with multitude, I should say that. You succeed with multitudes and with failure you fail alone! As a writer. So thatβs been an adjustment for sure. Iβve had wonderful support. Iβve had lovely, great things happen to me as a result of the show. Iβve had real disappointments and some real heartbreak. Itβs a journey. Iβm a very different person than who I was seven years ago when this started.”
The Knockturnal: What was the collaboration process with Curtis like?
Courtney Kemp: “Curtis is brilliant. Brilliant. Like new levels. Heβs really good with character and story. Heβs just a very smart dude. Itβs been a real pleasure to learn from him. In the beginning we spent a lot of time on the phone and he would just talk and I would take pieces of what he said and put them in different characters and [parts]. I would just listen to him talk about the world and interpret it as such.”
The Knockturnal: What would your dad say about the history you made and the way the series turned out?
Courtney Kemp: “My dad was a business man so the numbers we bring in [laughter]. I think he would be more interested in the success of the show, not necessarily the content. I mean he would have watched it, but I think he would be really impressed by how well weβve done.”
The Knockturnal: What’s something that the fans taught you about the show?
Courtney Kemp: “Oh, that theyβre going to interpret it however they want to and not necessarily how I do. You know what I mean? Like, my intention is not necessarily whatβs interpreted but thatβs ok. You put something out into the world and people read it a specific way and you kind of understand that oh that is significant. But you put the story out there and people run with it however they want to and thatβs a good thing. Thatβs great that people are inspired.”
The Knockturnal: Why do you think the fans are so inspired/invested in the show?
Courtney Kemp: “I have no idea. I mean, I donβt want to go too deep but you have no control over whether or not people watch your show. You really put your best foot forward, you do the work, leave it out on the field, but any given Sunday you might win or lose. You know what I mean? I donβt want to get super deep, but itβs really up to God why people watch it or donβt. You canβt make people physically turn the dial. For me, what I think Iβve done intentionally to get people to watch more: cliff hangers, surprises, making sure every episode has something that makes you go woah. And then every so often youβll get somebody on Twitter who says, I saw that coming and Iβm like, no you didnβt because I know I hid that four different ways. You know what Iβm saying? But thatβs what it is, Iβm just trying to keep you from knowing what it is.”
The Knockturnal: What’s something you want your fans to remember long after the finale season?
Courtney Kemp: “I hope they remember us as a show where people of color got to be complicated and werenβt either good or bad.”
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