i'm trying to do the following conditional formatting:

if the date in the cell is less than TODAY(), make the cell red.

if the cell is blank, leave the cell blank with white shading.

i've tried the following:
cell value is equal to =""
cell value is equal to ""
formula is =AND(E8="",E8<TODAY())
and some others that i can't remember at the moment.

i've searched this forum and tried all the ideas i could find. anyone have
any other ideas?