*Director Spike Lee spoke to CNN’s Don Lemon about stereotypes in film, and the conversation inevitably swung around to Tyler Perry.
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The two directors traded public barbs after Lee, in 2009 said, among other things, that Perry’s films “harken back to ‘Amos n’ Andy’. Perry responded by famously saying Spike “can go straight to hell.”
Lee said he knows the damage that has been done to minority groups through imagery in television and movies. Asked if he was “lumping Tyler Perry” into that statement, Lee responded, “Everything I need to say about Tyler Perry has already been said. The man’s a brilliant businessman, he do what he does, God bless him.”
Can we let this go now? Please.
“Lee said he knows the damage that has been done to minority groups through imagery in television and movies.”
He really needs to keep TP out of his mouth. From what I can tell, Spike is just as damaged as he believes TP is. It’s too bad he has turned TP into his moral enemy.
No, I think the media and many black folk have turned TP into his moral enemy. Spike was fine criticizing the number of bootleg movies like “Soul Plane” and others. But oh no, criticize Tyler Perry and his legion of fans come running.
Telling someone to go straight to hell sounds like TP has made Spike his moral enemy. What class in that statement. Wonder if he was in Madea garb when he said that.
And you know the media would bring it up, they are always clamouring for a story. Good for Spike to shut it down and keep on message.
Spike started the beef by firing off his mouth in the first place so TP had every right to stomp back! Another thing, Spike doesn’t really care so much about the quality of TP’s work, but about the fact that TP has endeared himself to a loyal following for a number of important reasons that Spike simply can’t match.
If giving his opinion on the state of black cinema (something ALL of us have discussed) means that he’s “firing off” then Perry will forever “stomp back.”
Not that I expect you to know the facts but Perry responded to comments Spike made a couple of years ago. Neither Perry nor your lack of current knowledge about this is inspiring.
Gucci Mane has also endeared himself to a loyal following for a number of important reasons that Perry can’t match.
So what’s your point?