I try to remain neutral when the topic of Tyler Perry comes up. I’ve found that people either really love his work or really hate it. Spike Lee seems to be one of the people who hate it. Spike Lee commented in an interview with Ed Gordon that Tyler Perry’s main characters Madea and Brown are images of “coonery and buffonery “. He also said his shows take Black people back to the days of “Amos n Andy”. When Spike’s statements were brought up to Tyler Perry during his 60 minute interview, it was clear he was upset. He feels that his characters are merely bait or a catalyst to bring people in so that he can talk about more serious issues. He also made the comment that attitudes like Spike Lee’s makes Hollywood think that people like Madea do not exist and that is why they are not present in mainstream film.
So here’s my say on this. I think they are both right. You honestly can’t deny that Madea and Brown’s actions are just beyond over the top. Personally, it kills me that people think everyone knows someone like that because I surely do not. And even if you do, I don’t think that image needs to be perpetuated in every film that says Tyler Perry. Now Tyler Perry is accomplishing a lot by having two African American shows on TNT and it is a great thing to have such a strong presence in Hollywood. However, a true artist grows. A true artist realizes when the point has been made and it’s time to take a different approach. I think it’s time for Tyler Perry to realize the impact these images hold. Don’t underestimate your audience by thinking the only way you can address serious issues is by covering it with slapstick humor.
“Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better. … I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne”), and I am scratching my head. We got a black president, and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?” — Spike Lee on Tyler Perry
Tags: 60 minutes, black media, buffonery, comedy, coonery, criticism, ed gordon, house of payne, madea, media, meet the browns, Movies, spike lee, tyler perry
