Anyone open to sharing their thoughts on Tyler Perry...

...as Madea?

:shrug:

With the release of his latest movie, there's a veritable onslaught of television ads (even on-line pop-ups) of Perry as Madea.
Try as I might, I haven't been able to avoid it.

Positive representation of black women?

Unnecessary stereotype that doesn't serve us?

Talented, funny guy...especially when he's in a dress, whipping some ass as Madea?

Cheap excuse for entertainment that you wish would go away?

So,thoughts...good, bad, indifferent?

:hi:

I don't know if everyone is familiar with that phrase. It generally refers to the really low-budget black "theater" that is really just an off-shoot of productions put on by black churches. Lots of singing and bible thumping. We use that phrase all of the time in the South, don't know if people in other regions are familiar with it.

Don't you kind of feel that way when you see his movies?? Like he knows this is all tongue and cheek and is having fun because the "sophisticated" black folk will pay to see it to roll their eyes and the "less sophisticated" black folk will go because they like this kind of stuff?? I've only seen "Medea's Family Reunion" and "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" (and I'll be damned if I can tell the difference between the two movies) but I always get the feeling that Tyler Perry is playing us just a little bit after I leave his films. :)

...it would be unfair for me to assert an opinion either way regarding his work (and whether or not I think it's satirical in nature). Short of ads and a few clips from talk shows featuring Mr. Perry--I haven't seen his movies.

His movies are very After School Special-ish to me. But with black folks.

Really, the best thing about them to me is that they are almost always set in Atlanta which I love because that's where I'm originally from.

Now, the 'plays' with the 'singing,' I can do without. The tv series would be much better if he hired REAL actors, imo. But I guess you have to do what your budget allows. Diary of a Mad Black Woman, is my favorite of all his work and I bought it.:hide:

;)
....the question is primarily to foster discussion, and because I'm sincerely curious what people in this forum would think about Mr. Perry and his work. No flames here, everyone is entitled to their opinion. :hi:

I am mystified by his appeal. I've seen two of his movies, and they each seemed to be several different movies at once, and none of them done well. I get tired of Madea pretty quickly, as drag roles are a well-worn path in cinema over the past several decades.

I agree pretty much with this reviewer:

http://blacksnob.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-saw-tyler-perry-film-and-didnt-walk.html



The other part of this? Those who love him really, really love him, and get very angry with those that criticize Tyler Perry. Obviously, he has a lot of fans that are making him very rich. I just don't understand WHY they love him.

Ooops, I might have dated myself.

People have been entertained by men performing in drag for centuries. Tyler Perry is just the 21st century version.

TV Land did a marathon a few years ago, during Black History Month (I think). I enjoyed what I saw of Flip as Geraldine, he tickled me (to use one of my elder's terms--lol). He didn't play her in an undignified or meanspirited way, unlike some of the black male comedians who've followed in his footsteps(*cough* Jaimie Fox *ahem* Eddie Murphy). Geraldine (from what I saw) seemed to be played as street smart, stylish, cute, funny with a good sense of self.

I haven't seen much of the Madea character, as I said above I haven't seen his films and have no plans to. But what I've seen I wouldn't put in the same category as Flip or Geraldine. Madea seems to be played far more over the top, to the extent of being a cariacature/stereotype of a black woman--loud, domineering, violent and obnoxious. But just my $02. (Anyone seeing this different--do share...your comments are welcome :hi:)

It seems a lot of people find the character entertaining, and I'm curious to hear more about that.

Oh and thanks so much for weighing in on this thread--I really appreciate your bringing up Flip Wilson.
:thumbsup:

convincing in his characters that I forget it's him.

don't have to relive it through TV Land.

i have seen most of his stage plays and films because my mother likes him. after you've seen one, you've seen them all. perry emphasizes god, family and other conservative black folk values. his female characters seem to be either:
"the strong black woman"
"the victimized black woman"
or
"the misguided black woman"

i don't understand the appeal, to be honest, but he's certainly tapped into something :shrug:

i actually prefer his plays because he always casts very talented singers.

I'm guessing this is why I don't get it. I just don't relate to conservative values. I tend to get pissed off when watching media like that, as I feel I'm being preached to.

Late one night, I found myself watching a movie with an actress I like (who's name escapes me at the moment). I wasn't sure what it was (as my lousy cable at the time, wasn't functioning and I couldn't access the guide). Anyway, it was late, cable...couldn't sleep. Didn't really matter.

The female lead clearly had issues and was....well....mad. Twenty minutes later I see TD Jakes (the anti-gay, conservative preacher dude that stood with 'w' after the horrors of Katrina). I'm irritated. He's sitting next to the woman in what looks to be a jail cell. He starts quoting scripture. My ears commence bleeding. I feel ill.
:banghead:...What the....? Apparently, it was Jakes' "Woman Thou Art Loosed" movie.

OH F*** me. Where's the remote? This has got to get off my tv. Now.

:rofl: interestingly enough, i don't think perry has tackled homosexuality yet, but i don't think i'd expect enlightenment. it would probably be something like "god still loves you, even though you're a sinner and you're going to hell."
perry is very heavy on the god talk.

I had a feeling I wouldn't (like his stuff).

My suspicions began not long after the ads for his original movie aired. Some black woman was mad and had a diary...? :shrug:
The image of Perry as Madea taking a chainsaw to some dude's belonging's was enough for me to say,"...um, no. I don't think so." :eyes: Why in the hands of some black men, are black women always 'pissed off' and highly skilled with power tools?

One of the things I loved about Dustin Hoffman's Tootsie, was that putting on the dress to become Dorothy changed his character (of Michael). You see the change over time, he becomes a better human being while pretending to be a woman. I have yet to see a black man donning a dress do that.

They're too busy playing black women for laughs, pointing out all the ways large black women are 'hilarious.' :eyes: From Eddie Murphy in the Klumps, to Jaimie Fox as 'Wanda' on "In Living Color" to Martin Lawrence as "Big Mama." It isn't funny, and seems downright cruel, imo.

and the gaydar goes off.

I don't even want to think how that works out. Maybe he finds a cure with Jesus ...

he definitely has that air about him.

...been around Eddie Murphy for years.

:hide:

there was a rumor about them for a while :rofl:

(from 2005)
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=228 ;) :evilgrin:

Then there's this from August, 2008:
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=2348 :spray::rofl:

Excerpt from Mel B's Essence interview (page 2 is particularly interesting).
http://brownsista.com/melanie-brown-talks-to-essence/

:hi:

And I find his villains to always act unbelievably "over the top" in their anger/cruelty. I think my favorite movie by him was Meet the Browns. I'm actually tired of the Madea character. Last Friday on Oprah's show, one of the panelists asked him why so many black male comedians are drawn to "drag" roles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/24/AR2009022403303_pf.html

What's So Funny About Madea? Nothing.

By Courtland Milloy
Wednesday, February 25, 2009; B01

I thought I was the only one who was not itching to see Tyler Perry's latest. I was introduced to him 4 or 5 years ago while visiting my mother who had a copy of one of his stage plays set in a hotel - it was some sort of reunion. It was painful watching - lots of "messages", over-the-top acting, and I believe he appeared as Madea.

I caught Diary of a Mad Black Woman several years after its release and found it acceptable. I liked seeing black folk living well - that might have been what kept my interest because the "plot" was quite predictable.

Two weeks ago, my hairdresser mentioned she couldn't wait for his new release and I confessed I was not a fan and, no, I did not see TD Jakes' recent movie. She was as startled as my dental hygienist had been years ago when I admitted I did not know who TD Jakes was.

I am not insulted by Perry's portrayal of Madea, but find the character rather silly. And yes, his movies definitely remind me of the chitlin circuit.That said, I am very happy many of us are supporting his movies and made his new release #1 its opening week. Hopefully it will open the door to other black directors as Hollywood continues to see money can be made.:hi:

:hi:

If I had to say one nice thing about Perry, it's that I appreciate that he keeps so many black actors and actresses working.
Unfortunately, I don't think his box office will have any baring on the rest of Hollywood. They suck and couldn't care less that Perry's making some money from black box office receipts.

If it's a historical thing (slavery, genocide, mass murder, police corruption)--they might make it. Otherwise....(sigh)

I'm still waiting to see some more films w/our latino and asian brothers and sisters.
Hollywood acts like they don't exist.

Like others have said it's just how the chitlin circuit is, and I think a fair amount of it is tongue in cheek. And you know, as shitty as his movies are, it is nice to see so many black actors on screen, playing characters who are not cooning for the most part. I think the popularity of Tyler Perry is pretty much an indictment of Hollywood though--black folks are so starved for halfway decent representation on screen that we will flock to absolute dreck like that.

I won't lie though, Madea cracks me the hell up, mostly because she looks and behaves exactly like my late grandma. I have nothing but unabashed love for that character and I don't care who knows it. She's the only reason I subject myself to Tyler Perry movies. That and the fact that I love to snark on bad movies (it's the MSTie in me). Personally I wouldn't put her in the same category with all the other black men-in-fat-suit-drag characters because while Perry mostly plays her for laughs, there's a kind of sincerity and earnestness to Madea that stops her from being straight out cooning or offensive, IMO. I am treating my mom to see the latest movie on Friday.

And you know something, I would rather sit through a thousand Tyler Perry movies than "He's Just Not That Into You" or all the heinously offensive rom coms Hollywood cranks out. Just the commercials for those movies are way more offensive and shitty than anything Tyler Perry ever came up with.

I have a soft spot for bad ones, too. Movies I couldn't wait to finish, I've found myself watching over and over, because they crack me up.

I'm so glad you weighed in as someone who finds the Madea funny, and likes the character. I was hoping someone like you came along w/a different perspective.

I can totally appreciate your comments about the other sexist dreck out there today.
Personally I'm pretty sick of all the "check out the hot, sexay babe who's being pursued and will eventually be tortured" movies. The ads make me sick,"...ooooh, doesn't she look terrified?! Opens Friday in JUNE!" :eyes:

Though I must admit to taking some joy recently in watching Liam Neeson beat the shit out of (and kill several) men selling women into the sex trades overseas. :P Ah...good times!

Hope you and your mom enjoy the movie (that's so sweet of you)!

I can't watch movies with people cuz I rip 'em up. If you screw up on the plot line or something is just plain silly, I'm on it like... well, use your own simile. Or worse, I guess what will happen long before it happens. I get - have you seen this before? - often. Nope. Just lazy, simplistic writers.

It would be a riot to see who's funnier ripping apart movies.

A fine, fine, way to spend time.

Regards

he's getting paid big bank--Madea's Family reunion is on every freakin' weekend. I'm so sick of that movie. And if it's not that one, it's the Diary of a Mad Black Woman... he never has reason to complain about not getting distribution for his films. Spike Lee wishes he had that kind of deal going.

I don't care for his genre of movies.

I'll start my answer off with a qualifier: The only adult movies I've gone to see in the last 9 years were Best Man, Matrix trilogy, Fahrenheit 911... and I'm drawing a blank. The only other movies I pay to see are the ones I take my son to see. That said...

There's a market for Tyler Perry, just like there's a market for Zane's books. I'm not interested in either. I didn't want to see his stuff because my ex LOVED it - and for me, that's always a bad sign. I'm so over men in drag. I'm so over poorly produced films that we have to support for solidarity. Then, I watched Diary of a Mad Black Woman and I ended up being a mad black viewer. Ugh. The insult to my intelligence was heinous. And by the by, I read a couple Zane novels trying to find out the reason for her popularity. Yay, lots of sex. Boo, poorly written.

But I wish him and Zane and Vivica Fox the best of luck and great success since I know I'm not the arbiter of taste. I just don't spend any time watching or reading their stuff.

My mom and my sister LOVE Tyler Perry. My sister loves Zane. Go figure.

And to follow on what someone upthread wrote - I would love for Spike to get the kind of media attention and publicity that Tyler Perry gets. But, apparently, Spike's not funny enough.

(Thanks for the topic. I knew I wasn't the only one, but just about every person of color I know loves Perry.)

To be quite frank I've seen maybe one of his movies on cable. But then I don't do the Chitlin' Circuit either. The archtypical black woman in those plays and movies irritate the crap out of me.

:shrug:

Regards

Yay, lots of sex. Boo, poorly written.

LOL I'm with you. Is there anything in the world worse than a badly-written book?? Yes, I love and applaud black folks for trying to be "artists" but I ain't spending my time and money on stuff that looks low-budget and terrible just because the person who made it shares my melanin quotient.

I've had more than one person tell me my porn is 50x better written than hers. Having never actually read a Zane book--I've only giggled while walking past them being sold by the brothers on the street along with cheap handmade soap and crappy incense. So I don't know what to make of that. I do find it hilarious that they got optioned for Skinemax. I about fell over laughing when I came across the show during one of my many late night bouts of insomnia. That shit makes Red Shoe Diaries look downright Shakespearean (at least RSD had David Duchovny and a cute dog!).

Thing is, the stuff I write would never get published because the gender configurations are all over the map, and I tend to have things like elves and vampires and werewolves and trolls involved. :evilgrin:

As shitty as her writing apparently is, though, I sort of feel sorry for her. It's the 21st century and a woman is still needing to hide behind a gender-neutral nom de plume to write dirty novels. I have no doubt that the extra stigma due to race plays a huge part in that, too (because black women are all oversexed whores, dontcha know).

I've never read the books, but have run across the show on channel-surfing expeditions .... not that it isn't any worse than most of these things on Cinemax, but it is nowhere close to good.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/03/09/breaking-news-oprah-and-tyler-perry-are-crazy-rich-video

I happened to be watching Oprah that day and found the story barf-worthy. After complimenting each other for their enormous fortunes (I applaud them for their success), Oprah shared the Bentley story. Talk about conspicuous consumption!


Ok, so Tyler bought Bentleys for Oprah and Gayle. That's nice - really nice. IMO, they should have kept it to themselves, not share it with a world of people who are struggling.

A caveat (always necessary when I quote Oprah): I am not a regular viewer and not a fan.

...with your caveat. ;)

Years ago, when I occasionally watched Oprah, there seemed to be the on-going, developing theme. "Who can make a bigger spectacle of themselves while kissing my ass?" Or "How many celebrity names can I drop in one show?" "How many celebrity asses can I kiss today, while ignoring the "normal, everday guests" appearing on my show?" Turned me off of the show (and her), big time.

Got old.

Oh and regarding Perry's gift. :eyes:
"Personal" gifts ARE a private and matter. Kind of tacky (and transparent) to need to broadcast such a thing to the world, imho.

His work is one-dimensional and devoid of depth. Plus he's anti-union.

The anti-union issue was quite telling. Maybe it's just me, but putting his name on everything gets a little weird. Tyler Perry's......

The other issue I've been struggling with. Every time I see a commercial with that fat man in the mismatched clothes dancing around...I cringe! I find myself thinking "can't he do better than this?". However, I have been to plays a few years back when I lived in Detroit and laughed my butt off. So, I'm struggling with my feelings on this. :shrug:

I think it's the old school in me coming out. When I was little my father didn't want us to watch Good Times. He felt like it was such a poor representation of who are. I thought he was nuts and would sneak and watch it...but as I get older, I understand where he was coming from.

...wasn't aware of this. :grr::mad: