Tyler Perry
The Mo’Kelly Report:
*The African-American entertainment community has been not-so-quietly bubbling about director Tyler Perry’s decision to cast reality TV star Kim Kardashian in the upcoming movie, The Marriage Counselor. The obvious irony of the film, title aside; purportedly Tyler fans generally and Black actresses specifically are none-too-pleased how Kardashian has further entrenched herself in African-American culture.
Actress and television personality Holly Robinson-Peete, while not personally disparaging the Perry decision, did breathe more life into the criticism with recent public remarks on Access Hollywood.
“We can always count on Tyler Perry to give a blacktress a job. So all across the world blacktresses are upset.
“No, it’s [an] amazing PR move. It’s actually pretty smart and the timing is great. Like her brand, this drama will be good for the film. So, it’s actually kind of brilliant in a way… I don’t have any problems with it.”
At the risk of over-analyzing Peete’s remarks, Mo’Kelly is a bit confused after reading them.
Are we to lend more credence to the angst of the multitude of Black actresses (Blacktresses) worldwide or the fact that this singular Blacktress is ok with Perry’s casting? To whom should we pay more attention?
Let’s take Holly Robinson Peete at her word. Her connections and sphere of influence relative to Black actresses can’t be argued. If she says that there is voluminous criticism related to casting Kim Kardashian, Mo’Kelly is comfortable taking her at her word.
There now seems to be a bit of hypocrisy in the criticism of Perry by both Black actresses and his general fan base. If you are a fan of Perry, your fandom is inextricably linked to the idea that Perry makes films the way he wants to make them; without deference to any supposed higher calling or ethnic loyalty. You can’t be a fan of Perry and simultaneously be on the front lines battling Black film stereotypes. It’s an either/or proposition. If you are a Perry fan, then you willingly carry all of his associated baggage. Conversely, if you are adamant in advocating quality Black film or casting quality Black actresses, then that heavy baggage is yours to carry as well. It is an irreconcilable contradiction to suggest one can be both. They are simply mutually exclusive in nature.
The fact of the matter is that Perry has not changed. If he has been anything, he has been wholly consistent. Tyler Perry is still making those decisions which financially best benefit his brand, his business and ultimately his bottom line. He never pre-promised all of his roles to Black women any more than he pre-promised a limit on how many times he would don a dress as Madea.
If you as a “fan” were comfortable with Perry’s artistic freedom up until now, then don’t get brand new over the casting of Kim Kardashian. The fans (and Black actresses) who were quite vocal in their support of Perry don’t get to move the goal posts now because Kim Kardashian “offends” them. You “fans” were just fine giggling and ghetto cosigning with Al Sharpton when he characterized Perry detractors as “Proper Negroes”…as if being being proper in any way is ever worthy of ridicule.
Film director Malcolm Lee has said that Perry “isn’t interested in art,” questioning the commitment of Perry to mastering his craft. Spike Lee has long beat the drum that Perry has done African-Americans a cinematic disservice. Tyler Perry fans weren’t having any of it. Tyler Perry fans called the family Lee “haters,” jealous and the like.
But now the core fans are up in arms, suggesting that Perry is now being disloyal to Black actresses? The “Proper Negroes” have long been clear on how Perry perceives himself, his work and eventual legacy. The “Proper Negroes” were in no way disturbed about Kim Kardashian taking the place of a Kimberly Elise, a Kerry Washington, a Gabrielle Union, a Regina King, or some other lesser-known, higher-qualified Black actress. To the “Proper Negroes,” Tyler was just being Tyler. The Proper Negroes are now laughing loudly at the angry Tyler Perry fans.
Not laughing with them but at them.
Perry fans are doing their best “Proper Negroes” impression. But nobody is suggesting that either their complaints are unfounded or rooted in jealousy or haterism. Therein lies the hypocrisy.
The common argument in support of Perry has been long connected to the idea of how many Black people he puts to work, on and off the screen. The common rebuttal is that the imagery on the screen will long outlast any paycheck cashed connected to a movie’s creation.
Soul Plane temporarily put Black actresses to work too. Does anyone remember who or how many? No, but we all surely remember how far it still has set all African-Americans back in a cinematic sense.
Strip clubs put struggling Black “actresses” to work daily. It’s never been just about putting Black actresses to work, it’s about responsibility in how paychecks are generated. The “Proper Negroes” already understood this to be true. Tyler Perry fans instead want to pick and choose when cinematic responsibility is important. The selective outrage is quite hilarious.
If Black actresses and Tyler Perry fans in general wish for the multimedia mogul to consider the implied messages casting Kim Kardashian sends to Black people and beyond; congratulations…you have just joined the “Proper Negroes” club…whether intended or not.
Tyler Perry hasn’t betrayed or fooled any of his fans. You’ve fooled yourselves. Perry in a cinematic sense showed you who he was long ago. It’s your fault if you didn’t believe him.
The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.
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Seems like Al Sharpton is now once again the black standard bearer…with a twist. If he’s not defending Obama against attacks from others (especially black folk) he’s encouraging this notion that those who have legitimate criticism against Perry are haters and now PROPER NEGROES. This is coming from a man who rakes in a minimum of 500k as a MSNBC host. So what’s new about our relationship with Sharpton? That’s an easy one, white people like him now and we (as usual) followed suit.
Now what sort of tomdunkery is that?
Okels of course I agree that Perry Fans have gotten brand new over this woman’s casting. Personally, it doesn’t surprise me because you along with the rest of us “proper negroes”have long said that at the start and end of each day, he’s a businessman.
Tyler is just being Tyler. He’s trying to broaden his scope and reach. I just don’t see how people can somehow be offended that Perry violated some ethnic-ethic by not hiring a Black actress, yet conveniently forget that Perry has never managed his film career along those lines.
People probably dont know this but the same night Sharpton made those statements,his organization received a check from Perry for $200,000,look it up.
Wow. If you’re going to do an indictment on someone, THIS is how you do it! lol. Whether or not I agree with your position (and I don’t think I care enough to have an opinion either way), I have to give you kudos for a brilliantly-constructed article. As far as his employing “great Black actresses” goes, um, I don’t think “great” would apply to Janet Jackson or that awful, loud chick Tasha (is that the ghetto chick’s name from “Why…Married?)” So his standards are not that high to begin with, let’s just be honest. Digress on that.
My general take on Perry: I dub him the “dumb-downer.” Imo, he dumbs down the art of movie-making, and I find myself wondering how otherwise intelligent-seeming people have become so enthralled with his [overall] trite, limited, cliche offerings. Except for a few sprinkles of promise here and there, I just simply don’t get the appeal! He’s a Black man who dresses in drag to satirize Black women. Big deal! Black folks need to elevate their standards! Period.
TGen, you complimented me? Are you feeling ok?
Morris, from comments I’ve read on other sites, it’s not just the fack that KK is not black, it’s also that she’s basically only famous for whom she sleeps with. I agree with you that TP is just being TP and that he’s only concerned about his bottom line. However, TP owes much of his success to tapping into an underserved demographic, the black church crowd, by feeding them relatively family friendly, not too deep morality plays. I think his core fans would have been just as upset if he had casted Superhead (can’t think of her name) in the role. The hypocrisy comes from the fact that many of his fans also support a lot of the reality shows like that stupid Housewives mess or Basketball wives. Many of them probably watched I Love NY, but while they may happily watch non-talented women make fools of themselves they don’t really want to see any of them succeed outside of the reality arena.
I think TP is an example of someone who have been too successful. It will be difficult for him to expand without alienating his core base.
Wow…but wasn’t she cast in this role before the infamous demise of her marriage…I think so, and if I remember correctly, I was not happy then, not because of Tyler Perry, his lack of technical film genius, or his hedonistic satire of black women, but because I just don’t understand ho the KK’s and PHilton’s of the world can captivate the minds of those that in most cases would demand more than a phat azz, makeup and high heels? U r right TGen…Janet nor Tasha r great actresses, but they have a craft and they have actually made some acclaim other than slits up and down the chest and butt…
Many years ago, a friend introduced me to Tyler Perry when he was just Tyler “no job” Perry…living in his car writing plays…I have to say I am disappointed because I thought that he would use Madea as a platform to refine his art and give us something more than slap stick trigger comedy….I thought he has something that was of more substance to say. The first “Why Did I Get Married”? I thought was the beginning of that rise, but apparently, it has not been sown by him yet…I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that he comes to his senses…SOONER THAN LATER!
I only bristle at the fact that the criticism originally levied at TP was cast being “jealous” or “hater.” No, much of it was very substantive. Spike Lee has always been an advocate for quality Black film and meaningful imagery.
To discount his views or cast them as leading the “Proper Negroes” movement is both wrong and inaccurate. We’ve dumbed down our discource, relegating informed dissent to some form of a simple emotion like jealousy.
Just because someone is successful does not mean criticism is without merit or based in personal animus.
I find it hilarious that TP fans seemingly want to have their criticisms on this issue both heard and taken seriously, when heretofore they summarily dismissed ALL CRITICISM of TP up until now. Not only that, are somehow trying to take a principled stand…if you want to call it that.
If I were just like them, I would accuse them of being “jealous” of K.K. or being a hater for her success. Hypocrisy.
Naw, case in point, look at what happened in the shower @Penn State…no doubt this man has done tremendous works, powerful works, even inspirational enough for many to hold him in high esteem and he has not managed to sodomize all of them, but what if we did not look at his entire work, would that be fair to him or to us? NO! So, I was hoping TP would grow into doing more quality work, but he has not yet…perhaps when he realizes that criticism is not always meant to hurt, but inspire.
No matter what – Tyler is employing a lot of black actresses that would have not been given the opportunity in HollyWierd! If he wants to use Kim K. in one of his movies he should be able to without remorse and fanfare from members in the black community. Tyler is NOT the Messiah of the black race or the Mighty Thespian of movie-dom! We as black people need to stop looking for others to do for us. We are intelligent and have persevered for eons and way before Mr. Perry came on the scene! I think Tyler using her is a great move and a financial assist in order to generate “buzz” for this upcoming feature. Instead of black actresses being upset with him for casting Kim K. – they [we] should be rallying for the gratitude he has shown to his people. Remember, he could have pulled a “Tiger Woods or Wesley Snipes” on us – but he didn’t!!!
Video proof that NOT only black people love Tyler Perry!! Check out his WHITEST FANS: http://youtu.be/HceezM_mXyg
lol, White folks love it when we make fun of ourselves…they have used that as a tool to separate us within ranks for hundreds of year…
I have been thinking about this for a minute trying to understand what the brouhaha is all about…..
The objection from fans, I thought, was to Kim Kardashian, not to Tyler hiring a non-black. I am one of complainers…..simply because I don’t care for Ms. KK. But hiring folks who are popular is not new either…..Tyler has done that before (Janet Jackson)…..just as he hired no-names – Sophia Vergara. So again, I don’t get it. this nothing new under the sun.
Tyler was probably blindsided by the negative comments. If I miss my guess, i bet he just discovered those who watch his movies are not the same as those who keep KK popular. What that demographic is….I can only hazard an educated guess. But Tyler fans, contrary to popular belief, is more than just church folk.
If nothing else, the fact that KK is still in the movie should not be of any surprise. There is such a thing as a contract. The damage has been done. Time to move on.
I think the complaints are multi-tiered. Black actresses are probably upset for a different reason than his general fanbase.
I am not saying that the anger is rational either. To your point, other-ethnicity actresses have been featured prominently in his movies.
But what is also clear is that his fans have this perception that his movies SHOULD represent something. They “should” or should not feature certain types of “actresses” with such a questionable history as a Kim Kardashian.
Her initial claim to fame is a sex tape. For some of Perry’s fans, it contradicts his kinda-sorta Christian theme to his movies and Black church plays starting point.
The angst is not uniform and for a singular reason. Not just about race, not just about Kim Kardashian being a fake actress. Not just about her sex-tape history. It is some of that, it is all of that.
The same folk who would be making a big hoopla about this will still go see this on the first night it comes out. LoL! Despite her phony and dingbat ways, let’s just be truthful, many people don’t like KK because she is a fantasy chic for brothas. There I said it. End of the story. If they had replaced her with Jennifer Hewitt or Scarlett Johanneson, etc., there would not be any complaints about hiring black actresses, etc. I’m not a big fan of TP’s movies so I could care less.