Tyler Perry poses with his “date” Gelila Bekele on the red carpet during his Grand Opening on Saturday. I’m told Gelila is on Tyler’s payroll, but I have no clue what she does. Photo: Wireimage/Getty
People either love director/playwright Tyler Perry or they hate him. Take for example, these emails sent in by loyal readers nattygribb, Trapp Bryson of The Mic DVD, and Versfelt Porter III.
They have opposing opinions of Mr. Perry. Whether you love him or hate him, Mr. Perry has come a long way from his humble beginnings And he should be applauded for his contributions to the Atlanta television and film community.
Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:31
From: nattygribb@aol.com
To: sandra@sandrarose.com
Subject: Tyler PerryJust want to say that I’ve known for years that Tyler Perry was a monster. A red flag was when the House of Payne project started. Several established writers tried to get meetings to work on it, but were rejected. The word soon got out about who was meeting on the project. All assistants. It was pretty easy to figure out that he was going to be sticking it to them. Why else would you employee a group of inexperienced writers for a multi-million dollar project?
They won’t cause too much trouble because most are desperate to get their break (which is hard to come by as a Black writer in Hollywood.) I know one of the assistants that was immediately kicked off the project for wanting a lawyer to look at their contract before they signed it. Monster. As the project became a series, I was told the wages were not even a fraction of what they should be, but hey they should just be happy he’s letting them write for him.
Read more after the break…
What most of them didn’t figure out was writing on a non-union show doesn’t help all that much in getting you a job on a legitimate show. A legitimate show which will respect you enough to give you medical and dental for all the millions your work generates. Tyler Perry is a monster. It makes me sick to see Oprah and Obama. I truly hope they just don’t know who this man is or what he represents. Nuff said.
——-
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 16:03
From: Trapp Bryson themicdvd@yahoo.com
To: sandra@sandrarose.com
Subject: Tyler PerryHi Ms. Sandra Rose, this is Travis aka Trapp Bryson with The MIC DVD. I’m writing you because of the Tyler Perry entry you posted on your site. First of all I worked with Mr. Perry and he pays more than the $75 amount you posted. I worked with him on The Tyler Perry Talk Show and as his stand in. Now you have to remember that he doesn’t have to give people a chance but this is one of his ways of giving back. He always treat you with the utmost respect unlike these other fake Hollywood dudes that’s running around in Atlanta.
I have a question for you, why do you always down the black man? If you want to talk shit about somebody then find someone else because Mr. Perry is putting young black brothas in the game. What I learned from Mr. Perry is priceless and I don’t think you understand that. How many people of Tyler Perry’s caliber is putting people on in Atlanta and not asking for Nothing in return? Get your facts straight and I have paycheck stubs to back up my statements. Besides, the economy is down right now, so if he was paying people a low price they knew before accepting the position. Leave the man alone. It’s so many other people you could be picking on rather than him.
——–
Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 22:08:22
From: porter_versfelt@vcgtv.com
To: sandra@sandrarose.com
Subject: Your web site comments about Tyler Perry – false informationDear Sandra,
Your recent blog comment about Tyler Perry’s studio opening contains some very false information, particularly about his union relations.
You state that Mr. Perry has been “resisting” hiring union film workers. That cannot be MORE untrue! All of his film crews are members of the Hollywood movie technicians union IATSE. Just check the credits on each of his movies. His actors are all members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
You really should check your facts before posting such false accusations.
Sincerely,
Porter Versfelt III
DP & Exec. ProducerAtlanta Broadcast Productions
Versfelt Communications Group
wow. different views and opinions. I think you should know what you’re signing up for BEFORE you sign up for it. That’s not knocking tyler perry or the writers.
If the writers are non-union and receiving low pay; they apparently agreed to it and then wanted an increase later. Contracts and business doesn’t work that way.
I do think Tyler gets an unfair rap for his business and handling of all things related to HOP. I commend his efforts, but that HOP show is straight garbage. Now if he fired the writers for the horrible comedic efforts, then I agree. God that show is horrible. I’m embarrassed for them all. And before anybody says “well he’s on tv and doing his thing.” True. At the same time, the show is bafoonery, not comedy. His show is just filling a time slot. It doesn’t serve a true purpose; it’s NOT FUNNY. IT’S STUPID.
I’m so glad he has decided to start working with other artists and producing other projects. It’s damn sure time. Again, I commend his efforts and all that he’s accomplishing, but I’m just being honest about my opinion of the show.
Perry being a nice guy doesn’t make him a great boss. Being a stern boss doesn’t make him a bad guy. I do hope they iron out their differences and work harder at putting out quality tv. So far, all this s h y t is straight booty, and the writers AND CREATOR should be ashamed. They should be boycotting for not being fired sooner.
sidebar: why is there a seemingly solemn look of misery on his face in most photos???? My post seems contradictory when I say I’m not hatin, but Tyler my man, whatever it is, let it go–or embrace it with ease.
@pointhimout. Yes that show is horrible. It’s like beating a dead horse or trying to put life back into a show that is gracefully trying to die. Is Alan Payne still part of the cast? (I think that’s his name). I have not seen a show so horrible since boyz in the hood TV version with Lorenze Tate.
Wow .. I guess Black (African) American Women will become the “it” girl when light skinned men make a comeback huh … ? ?
.anywhoooo .. HOP is strqaight Garbage … I try .. and I mean I TRY watching it .. and it just assualts my intelligence…
And .. Good Morning Family
Good Morning Fam….
Happy belated bday Kym….did you have a good extended weekend?
Good Morn shay
… thank you ..I did have a nice lil break …I needed it .. and yours ?
I cant believe HOP is in syndication, WTF!
Morn MizzDallas !!! ain’t that a blip .. as if 4 shows on a wed’s night isn’t enough … Thank goodness for Project Runway .. that’s what I watch on Wed’s
Oh bye the way Good morning! Its raining cats and dogs I got wet because the wind is so strong downtown that my cheap azz umbrella blew up, so I ended up getting wet, thank god! I didnt get my hair wet!! wooo!! saaa!!
Good mornin, kym, I tried watch ANTM, but that ish is so boring, so I dont have a tv show to watch I just sip my wine and listening to some Nina simone, jazz or r&b
When Tyra put the Shim on the show … I tuned OUT … we NEED some of the rain .. we haven’t had any rain Since Sept 18
Good morning everyone! Hope you had a good weekend!!
Kym…Hope your birthday was a good one!!!
Are we starting this early, Sandra? I love that chicks hair in that picture!!!
Morn Divine !! .. birthday was good…
Until Black folks start demanding quality products by NOT WATCHING SHOWS THAT AREN’T QUALITY…then you will get what you get…
I mean, Black shows that are trying to do something relevant week after week get NO PLAY from audiences…
And “House of Pain” (no mispelling) is the #1 cable sitcom in history…
“HOP” was written quickly…filmed quickly…and aired quickly…and that shows in the cheap quality of the product…YET all of the script approval was with Mr. Perry…who is himself a scriptwriter…so…
If it is discovered that Mr. Perry stiffed his Black writing staff…replaced them with an all white staff…has given the white staff TIME to develop viable and compelling scripts and storylines (something the Black staff didn’t have)…and you know…IT WILL COME OUT…the public can handle that dispute…BY NOT WATCHING!!!
WE HAVE THE POWER WHEN IT COMES TO TELEVISION…we may not have the power when it comes to voting (seeing that elections CAN be stolen)…but WE DO WITH THAT!!!
And there you go…
Weekend was cool Kym…..Glad you enjoyed your time off.
MizzDallas – what about them Cowboys? Did you see that last touch down……nice!
Divine, Lala – Morning
If I, or my friend had a bad experience with someone, I’d be bashing them and calling them a monster too! Take the meat and spit out the bone.
Besides, the economy is down right now, so if he was paying people a low price they knew before accepting the position. Leave the man alone.
**********************************************
Besides, the economy is down right now, so if he was paying people a low price they knew before accepting the position. Leave the man alone.
******************************************
STOP SUPPORTING TYLER’S BULLSH*T.
Do you think Tyler is hurting from the economy? The only reason Tyler has been allowed to get where he is today is because black people keep supporting his bullsh*t JUST BECAUSE HE’S BLACK. If we stop supporting him Hollywood will stop throwing money at him. Then maybe he can sit down and properly learn his craft because he ain’t hitting on nothing with his show and the vast majority of his movies. He’s not getting another red cent from me until he starts coming with guality rather than guantity.
@shay1 MizzDallas – what about them Cowboys? Did you see that last touch down……nice!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Good morning! Shay1, thats why I love my cowboys, the giants are NOT going to the superbowl this year, I cant wait until we play the redskins again so we can redeem ourselves!!!
Good morning everyone
@ Kym when’s ur b-day – my daugther’s was 10/4 and son is 9/27
I like HOP – I guess b/c I cant stand reality TV. Nip and Tuck, – I just think TV is straight garbage.
The man has kept me really busy. Thank God for work
I don’t know what to think of this really…Im proud of Tyler and all his accomplishments, but what he has accomplished does not make him incapable of some foul sh*t. Money changes people I hope Tyler isn’t one of those people it changed, but black people need to stop acting like the person they hear speak on TV and such have not been coached by a team of media advisors. He has been taught enough about public image to know when and where not to act a fool. Just keep that in mind.
My B-Day was 10/3 … happy birthday to your kids .. fellow Librans .. the ONLY sign not represented by anything living …
Sandra I wish you had run the photos from the event. It was a very classy super A-List event. I do salute Tyler for knowing what to do with his wealth. Maybe once he gets finished building his empire then he will start focusing on hopping off the old chitlin circuit.
@Bird
I was just wondering what do you consider quality black television? I am not trying to stir up anything I am just curious. Do you think we have any shows of quality past or present?
why are they doing this to tyler, i saw the house of payne and it sucks. Rosanna as well as carrol oconner who played archie bunker and the sheif on in the heat of the night, both fired there whole writing staff and started new. this is the business that you choose and you have to be good.
Great picture. Know what would make a good quality black tv comedy? The black guy William from “Girlfriends” and Professor Ogglevee from Monica’s old show “The Parkers.” They would make an excellent new black “Odd Couple”. Remember folks, this is MY IDEA.
Good Morning SR fam!…
Kym-I hope you enjoyed your 4 day birthday weekend!…I don’t watch HOP but my mother and sister love it, and they support the show!…They feel it is a good African-American family show..Personally, I watched it a couple of times, but I don’t like the show!..
I think Good times was good black quality show. Can relate to that. lmao. Every show was funny in it’s own kinda way.
The Jeffersons
What’s happening? (based on Cooley high)
Sanford and Son.
I really haven’t been able to get into House of Payne either, but its better than when it first started before the TBS deal. Now those shows were garbage.
But the party looked really nice from what I saw on Entertainment Tonight. I liked how he paid homage by naming all of the studios after our legends.
Tomorrow they are touring his house, can’t wait to see that.
I just can’t believe in the millenium a black man made of all this money putting a wig on and wearing a dress, and none of those soundstages was named after Flip Wilson…hmmm.