A few nights ago, I caught the Tyler Perry segment on 60 Minutes. I've never been a big fan of his, but I was, nonetheless, intrigued. Since Sunday, the discussion circling the piece has centered on Spike Lee's critical remarks of Tyler Perry's work. I didn't post my thoughts, until now, because my gut told me to stay clear of the intersection. Let others sort this out. I tried, but I can't help myself. I'm going in.
Again, I'm not a fan of Tyler Perry movies or his television shows, for that matter. Spike has taken it a step further, however, and publicly referred to Tyler's productions as acts of coonery and buffoonery. I don't know Spike. To each his own, but I'm not sure I would go that far. Besides, in 2009, anybody still... Click Here to Finish Reading Continued: Besides, in 2009, anybody still going Jesse Jackson with it and stringing together words that rhyme, for dramatic effect, has his own stereotypes to grapple with. Yes, "up with hope, down with dope" sounded great in 1987, but it translated into unintelligible gibberish on the streets. It's kind of the same way in this case. And it's not that I don't get where Spike is coming from. I do. The problem is he and I are a in very small minority. Check the box office receipts . Floods of sister-girl congregations flow to the theaters to see his movies. They'll stand in lines wrapped around the building and smack Spike Lee twice, if they have to, in order to be in the house opening weekend. But here's the rub. I'm not convinced, especially after the 60 Minutes interview, that Tyler Perry gets high off his own supply. Yes, back to the dope metaphor.
Where Spike and I go separate ways is not over the 'substance, style and sensibilities' of Tyler's work, but rather over who should take the heat. I think Spike's frustration is misguided, although relatively safe. Let me explain and, in doing so, throw myself under the bus in that aforementioned intersection. The issue here isn't with Tyler Perry, as much as it is with his followers, you know, the ones that will smack Spike Lee twice. Tyler is giving his audience what they want. I hate to use this expression twice in one week, but in Tyler's case, unlike Spike's work, the audience is the tail that wags the dog. Tyler recognized the demand and he provided the supply, regardless of what cinema snobs like Spike, myself and others may think. This is equivalent to "if it bleeds it leads." Most movie goers and television watchers don't want substance. They want the sensational, especially if it's cloaked in religion, relationships and redemption.
Look, Tyler Perry is a business man, first, last and foremost. He recognized the void in Hollywood, created the formula for it (starting with his plays) and is doing everything minus robbing Fort Knox on his way to the bank. Not that I subscribe to the theory that ends justify the means, but, really, who are the movies hurting? But some of my fellow critics will ride that high horse until the bitter end.
Personally, I still won't be going to see the movies or turning on his shows, but I give the man his due. Most of us don't have it in us to build a doghouse, let alone a Hollywood empire. I can't be mad at that. One
60 Minutes segment. Roll Tape.
The Takeaways:
1.) Spike, shut the hell up, and get back to a set in Brooklyn somewhere. I need you to get your mojo back.
2.) Not everything is for everybody. However, we should all open our minds before we open our mouths.
I fully agree with everything you said in this post. And I say that as a huge Spike Lee fan. Yes, his frustrations are misguided. I hate to even go here with it as I rarely subscribe to the "hater" cliche. But lets just say that Spike should have been able to command the attention Tyler does from Hollywood a long time ago. At the end of the day I do believe that much of this "beef" is heavily generated by the media. You know they pay brothers to do this kind of thing on FOX.
Rippa - Like so many things, this has a lot nuisances. It's not as easy as picking a side nor should it be. Over the years, I've been guilty coming off the top rope on Tyler Perry but as you can see my tune is changing. Still not feeling his movies, but I have a new found respect for him.
I am in agreement. Tyler Perry just ain't my cup of tea. But no need to hate. He's doing his thing and will keep doing his thing whether we like it or not. And I am a Spike Lee fan from way back. However, for a long time, Spike has had a problem thinking before he talks. He has picked a fight with almost everyone in Hollywood at one time or another. But when it all gets down to it, I think each has a place and fulfills a need.
I am a Tyler Perry fan, as I am also a Spike Lee fan. I say let Tyler make his money. I am proud of any black man that can legally build his own empire and then stand at the top of it and help other black people climb up also. He has helped so many other new actors/actresses and to me thats luv!
kaleidoscopelyfe - Thanks for the comment and I'm with you. In fact, sounds like all of us so far are singing a similar tune. Ok, you appear to be the only actual TP fan on here, but I think we all agree that Spike isn't doing himself any favors. My man loves to go hard at any and everybody in Hollywood who isn't doing it the way he sees fit. He needs to let it go.
We have a poll up at http://weeseeyou.com/ and people are split down the middle between Tyler & Spike...and 24% of the poll don't want to see them fighting in public. I love the character Madea and have laughed myself to tears but I do think "Meet The Browns" was bad.
I can say to each is its own. Spike Lee had to get money for Do the Right Thing from............Bill Cosby and other high paid black stars. Whereas Tyler Perry had to do from the plays to the motion picture.
Spike Lee can not say anything. This is coming from a guy to saw Michael Jordan literally cuss out (yeah I said it) Chamillionaire over an autograph. Being from the South and yes Spike Lee came to my alma mater when I was young, people in the south with the exception of New Orleans and Atlanta think Spike Lee is the most arrogant black director in the game.
.....and I am neither fan. I am a John Singleton and Malcolm Lee fan.
Smoking Ace - Different perspectives keeps the world interesting. Thanks for sharing yours. As you can tell by the post, I'm actually a Spike Lee, but I do agree that he could knock the chip off his shoulder. Thanks for the following the blog.
I like Perry's movies, as well as Antoine Fugua's(my fave director), Lee Daniels, and Spike Lee's films even though he's so overrated witih his singular vision and he better not mess up the film, 'Now The Hell Will Start". I so wanted Fuqua to have that, but anyway . Anyway there seems to be enough bread for all to get fed. Spike is so grouchy, he may be a little hungrier than the rest of the directors.
(Posted 10.08.09) This is a Reebok commercial featuring Jay-Z that's been around for a while. I just saw it again recently and the tone struck me. For starters, I'm sucker for any scene that features men, well made suits and a tailor at work. And for someone who grew up on a daily diet of rap, but is now in his late 30's, this is reminder of the sweet duality of embracing hip hop and knowing how to get your grown man on at the same time. Roll Tape!
A few nights ago, I caught the Tyler Perry segment on 60 Minutes. I've never been a big fan of his, but I was, nonetheless, intrigued. Since Sunday, the discussion circling the piece has centered on Spike Lee's critical remarks of Tyler Perry's work. I didn't post my thoughts, until now, because my gut told me to stay clear of the intersection. Let others sort this out. I tried, but I can't help myself. I'm going in.
I fully agree with everything you said in this post. And I say that as a huge Spike Lee fan. Yes, his frustrations are misguided. I hate to even go here with it as I rarely subscribe to the "hater" cliche. But lets just say that Spike should have been able to command the attention Tyler does from Hollywood a long time ago. At the end of the day I do believe that much of this "beef" is heavily generated by the media. You know they pay brothers to do this kind of thing on FOX.
Rippa -
Like so many things, this has a lot nuisances. It's not as easy as picking a side nor should it be. Over the years, I've been guilty coming off the top rope on Tyler Perry but as you can see my tune is changing. Still not feeling his movies, but I have a new found respect for him.
I am in agreement. Tyler Perry just ain't my cup of tea. But no need to hate. He's doing his thing and will keep doing his thing whether we like it or not. And I am a Spike Lee fan from way back. However, for a long time, Spike has had a problem thinking before he talks. He has picked a fight with almost everyone in Hollywood at one time or another. But when it all gets down to it, I think each has a place and fulfills a need.
I am a Tyler Perry fan, as I am also a Spike Lee fan.
I say let Tyler make his money. I am proud of any black man that can legally build his own empire and then stand at the top of it and help other black people climb up also. He has helped so many other new actors/actresses and to me thats luv!
I commend Tyler for what he has accomplished
kaleidoscopelyfe -
Thanks for the comment and I'm with you. In fact, sounds like all of us so far are singing a similar tune. Ok, you appear to be the only actual TP fan on here, but I think we all agree that Spike isn't doing himself any favors. My man loves to go hard at any and everybody in Hollywood who isn't doing it the way he sees fit. He needs to let it go.
We have a poll up at http://weeseeyou.com/ and people are split down the middle between Tyler & Spike...and 24% of the poll don't want to see them fighting in public. I love the character Madea and have laughed myself to tears but I do think "Meet The Browns" was bad.
SouthernGirl2
I can say to each is its own. Spike Lee had to get money for Do the Right Thing from............Bill Cosby and other high paid black stars. Whereas Tyler Perry had to do from the plays to the motion picture.
Spike Lee can not say anything. This is coming from a guy to saw Michael Jordan literally cuss out (yeah I said it) Chamillionaire over an autograph.
Being from the South and yes Spike Lee came to my alma mater when I was young, people in the south with the exception of New Orleans and Atlanta think Spike Lee is the most arrogant black director in the game.
.....and I am neither fan. I am a John Singleton and Malcolm Lee fan.
Smoking Ace -
Different perspectives keeps the world interesting. Thanks for sharing yours. As you can tell by the post, I'm actually a Spike Lee, but I do agree that he could knock the chip off his shoulder. Thanks for the following the blog.
I like Perry's movies, as well as Antoine Fugua's(my fave director), Lee Daniels, and Spike Lee's films even though he's so overrated witih his singular vision and he better not mess up the film, 'Now The Hell Will Start". I so wanted Fuqua to have that, but anyway . Anyway there seems to be enough bread for all to get fed. Spike is so grouchy, he may be a little hungrier than the rest of the directors.