Who is the audience is for Tyler Perry’s movies? The comic actor/writer/director is considered a decently big box office draw, yet no one I’ve ever talked to has admitted to being a fan of his movies. Sure, I might not be in the right demographic, but surely someone I know is, right? His critically bashed films continue to gross $30-$60 million domestically, with little to no advertising. If someone could explain this phenomena to me, I would greatly appreciate it.
And while the Star Trek casting has been a bit underwhelming, this latest rumor adds to the collective pile. UGO is reporting that Tyler Perry has been cast in JJ Abrams upcoming reboot/prequel as the head of Starfleet Academy. Potential spoilers after the jump.
As it has already been revealed, and pretty much assumed, James Kirk’s legendary run-in with the Kobayashi Maru test is featured in the new film. For those non trekkies, the Maru simulation was a no win test to determine how cadets would react to a fatal outcome. Kirk became the only person in history to beat the test by reprograming the scenario. Basically he cheated because he didn’t want to “lose”. Apparently, a scene in the new film supposedly features Kirk facing expulsion from Starfleet for his actions, and Perry isn’t happy.
“After hearing the charge from Perry’s character, Chris Pine-as-Kirk delivers a speech in the same vein as some of the classic Kirk speeches from the TV series. He wants to know how his cheating was found out, and it’s revealed that there was a witness to Kirk’s act. Kirk immediately demands to know who the witness was so he can face his accuser.”
An of course, young Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) reveals him one as the culprit.
December 29th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
The only question is whether Perry will play a man or a woman.
If Madia shows up as the head of the Starfleet Academy, this movie is going down in flames. :P
December 30th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Neil, LOL but Tyler Perry played a man in Why Did I Get Married (which somehow made over $55 million domestically). The film has a 3.1 rating on imdb and 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. So I’m sure that most people aren’t even convinced he is good as a “manâ€.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:22 am
“His critically bashed films continue to gross $30-$60 million domestically, with little to no advertising”
??
While I too am confused as to his success, I remember seeing tons of advertising for all of his movies. Then again, I hardly saw any for the last Harry Potter movie… I guess it’s a matter of watching TV at the exact right moments.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:24 am
it may just be a cultural thing, because most of my family loves Tyler Perry, films and the dvds of his stage shows.
December 30th, 2007 at 9:27 am
not trying to sound racist here, but are you black? That’s probably it.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:48 am
HOLY CRAP Peter not everyone is white.
Damn, dude.
December 30th, 2007 at 11:54 am
but even my black friends dont care for tyler perry…
December 30th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
There are two factors here:
a) Not everyone that goes to the movies is a critic. I’m just sayin’. God forbid some people just like a good time (however THEY see it) without analyzing the craft.
b) Black folks like to support black entertainment. Everything isn’t “Cosby” or “Malcom X”, but seriously, the same amount of respect can be given to a man pumpin’ at about the same level of quantity as Judd Apatow. And I don’t care what you say, someone somewhere doesn’t like him either. And I bet they’re Jewish.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Steelo… you hit the nail on the head with B. I’m Black, do not care for TP movies/shows, and most of my peers don’t, BUT I do support his films. Black films, and Black directors and writers are few and far between, so I’d rather show Hollywood that an African American director/writer can be successful at the box office, even if his craft is mediocre at best. The underlying hope is that Perry can pave the way for more Black movies of quality to get a chance to be green-lighted.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
wow. so an already sucky movie is positioning itself to blame a black actor for its future suckiness at the box office. Perry should make his own “Madea Trek” which would outdraw this doomed movie.
December 30th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Do you say “oh lawd” when it’s hot.
Do you sometimes get “the vapors”?
Do you carry around a rolling pin?
Have you, at any point in your life, appeared in a “Tom and Jerry” cartoon?
Do you enjoy R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet”, not for the music, but for the plot?
Are you tired of cinema realistically depicting the cultural struggles of African Americans and just want to see a man in lady’s clothing?
Are you an idiot?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a fan of Tyler Perry.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I think it’s the same homegrown grassroots success that Larry the Cable Guy has. Larry’s demographic is the Wal-Mart crowd. Tyler Perry has a lot of crossover with conservative black people and black Christians, who don’t go out a lot to the movies. I remember seeing Michael Clayton and after it was over, I walked out with my brother and there was a huge line for Perry’s recent film - like mega huge. The line was all black - not one white person - and the crowd was wearing church outfits and stuff. It was really weird.
I love how mainstream magazines don’t even discuss Perry’s appeal for fear of sounding racist. You can read an Entertainment Weekly review and it’ll give his flick a C+, but the author is clearly playing it safe, tip-toeing around.
Just like white people, there are a lot of black people who have horribly lowbrow taste in comedy/film. I have watched two of his films out of curiosity and they effing suck. There is NO question. Martin Lawrence played a woman, a midget and a security expert with far more aplomb.
December 30th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
And casting Perry in Star Trek is just stupid. Way to go for the crossover appeal. Let’s hope for a Madea cameo/inside joke.
December 30th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Maybe he’s just another comic relief in the movie, next to John Cho playing Sulu and Simon Pegg playing Scotty.
December 30th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I’m very depressed by the earlier commenter who discussed how he’ll support a bad movie just because it’s a “black film”. A very sad statement indeed. Not to sound like a hack, but what does it matter what the race of the filmmaker is? I’m white, and if every single movie in Hollywood was made by a black person, I wouldn’t give a crap, as long as they were worth seeing. To actually GO to see a movie you know is awful, just because the director is black like you? What a load of garbage. How about demanding something better?
December 30th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
B-Sol: I agree…. but there is the dilemma my peers and I face. If we don’t see TPs films and it tanks at the BO, Hollywood says, “See, black movies don’t sell!” and thereby limit the amount of black movies they greenlight. They don’t think, ‘TPs movies must be garbage”, they instead think that the movie failed because it’s doesn’t have mass appeal. And Hollywood is all about what makes money. I guess its a “something is better than nothing” mentality that keep us supporting crap like TP. The hope is that maybe if he succeeds, the can open the door for directors and writers of better quality. (which is what I thought I already said, but no matter…)
Unfortunately, African Americans in cinema are not really in a position to “demand something better”. Hopefully, that will change in the near future.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I agree with ciji that the black experience is becoming a very rare thing to see on film these days. Hell, seeing a good movie about the human condition is all too rare at the cineplex. Hopefully, Will Smith makes a film like this in the future. I am tired of mediocre pap like Tyler Perry and even The Great Debaters and American Gangster being passed off as good black film though, and I think that one of the reasons black people celebrate Perry is that he doesn’t show his peoples dealing drugs and all of that b.s. that’s been shown on film for decades now. It’s strange that Bill Cosby doesn’t seem to get behind much film these days - hes’ got the conecs and cash.
Did anyone see this cool article on a 17-year-old black director backed by some big Hollywood names in the NY Times? You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/2ktdxt
I hope Spike Lee’s James Brown flick with Wesley Snipes ends up becoming a reality. And I’ve always wanted to see Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man adapted - that’d be one helluva fiery epic.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
And ciji,
I do however disagree with your last sentence. I think Will Smith, Denzel, Morgan Freeman, John Singleton, and Samuel L. Jackson are all at a point of success/longetivty to get great black films made and released, but they haven’t fully delivered yet. Sam Jackson’s performance in Fresh in one of my faves and actually influenced my style of dress - what I like to call “alcholic cheess master.”
December 31st, 2007 at 1:52 am
TheDohDoh: I meant to say (type) African American audiences, my bad… ;-)
When I was at college (CAU) there was a panel that included Spike Lee, Matty Rich, Earnest Dickerson and some others, and the filmmakers were complaining about how hard it was to get a quality AA movie the green light from a big Hollywood studio. A student asked the panel, (paraphrasing) “Why not pool your talents, start your own production company, and consolidate the power to produce your films on your terms?” the panel balked, said that their goals and styles were too varied and such an alliance between Hollywood power players would never exist.
this was about 1994.
a few years later, SKG/Dreamworks was founded.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:55 am
I saw Spike Lee speak at my university two years ago and it was seriously one of the most damning speeches I’ve ever heard. He seriously spoke against “old white men with consolidated power” aka our adminstration and how all of us 20somethings have to think differently and fight the power and never give in. It was RELENTLESS and prob the most punk rock thing I’ve ever seen (and I’ve vomited in CBGBs bathroom). You don’t hear much radicalism these days, even amongst (especially) young people.
To me, Spike has more than conquered what he set out to do, and the 25th Hour is one of the most underrated flicks I’ve ever seen. A masterpiece in my opinion. It makes me pretty damn sad however, that no young black directors have broken through. I have a hard time believing that the opportunities aren’t there - simply from a financial standpoint, there is a hunger for black films - but maybe that is the case. I’ve seen John Singleton speak and it was funny how many black students sort of trashed him in the Q&A for making garbage. He dismissed them with a big ego and said he didn’t want to make only black films and that he was a Hollywood director and how that kind of thought was old and tired. Not sure I agree. I think he also said something like “How would I date models” - I swear to god. Hah. Singleton’s ego is bigger than the Beatles.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:14 am
I agree about 25th hour, TheDohDoh… hugely underrated.
When a sure thing like Will Smith says he has to beg the studios to let him promote his movies overseas –the studios don’t feel a movie with black lead will sell in a foreign market– you know TPTB in Hollywood are reluctant to back an AA movie.
December 31st, 2007 at 7:04 am
Kirk received a “commendation for original thinking” (Star Trek II - Wrath of Khan), not expulsion for his reprogramming of the scenario; or at least his expulsion isn’t mentioned, only the commendation.
Yes, I’m a Trek-Geek.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:25 am
Let’s hope there’s no other trials needed in Star Trek XI. Abrams should be on trial for promoting and justifying the use of torture in his other projects like Alias and Lost. He is contributing to the culture promoted by other shows like “24″. Abrams needs to let everyone know he will not do this in Star Trek - it is opposed to the very ideals of Trek. http://trekkies.againsttorture.com
December 31st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
@ciji,
Right. But even on the indie circuit, it’s rare to find a black director - a black Harmony Korine even. I mean, Hollywood is the toughest, most ruthless game around, but odds would have a few indie Spike Lee proteges trickling down by now I would imagine. Check out that NY Times story - there is a lot of support out there it seems.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
To Ant and all the other racists on this site.
I dont say “Aw laud”
I dont get the vapors
I dont carry a rolling pin.
I happen to be a 30 year old white male from California and a very avid fan of the fundamental underlying message that is imbedded into Mr Perrys works, that of family and faith being two of the strongest things people should embrace and share to get through the trials of life. He may get that message through with camp characters and sometimes overdramatic themes but its there. Ive seen all his films, his two most recent stage productions (Madea Goes To Jail, and Whats Done In The Dark), own all his works on dvd and will continue to enjoy his style of comedy and wit as long as Hollywood keeps slinging tripe in the vein of Aliens Vs Predator:Requiem to the masses.
Im a huge fan of the Alien series and the latest film was a travesty. Also a big Trek fan and while not too enthused about the new revamping, Tyler Perry will add more acting credibility to the cast than the likes of Chris Pine Im sure.
January 1st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Way to miss the point entirely, Mikey.
Mr. Perry’s works themselves are the perpetuation of racist stereotypes and do nothing to further the African American cause. Before you go slinging the word “racist” around I would hope that you would analyze the messages you are so quick to condemn. Rather than analyzing an argument, you safely attack it with ad baculum counter arguments.
Not liking a black man’s work does not make you a racist. Pointing out the ridiculous stereotypes Mr. Perry inserts into his films does not make you a racist. Although calling someone a racist for pointing these things out does make you an idiot. sir. But you should already know that about yourself, you enjoyed Madea’s Family Reunion.
January 1st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I don’t think Mikey missed to point, he’s just offering up his perspective on the matter. What Mikey points out about TPs films is very true: there are admirable values at the root of all of his works. However, I’m not comfortable with howTP chooses to get his point across. And he always leaves me wondering: is the audience laughing with us, or at us?
January 1st, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Oh wow…That can’t be good. I’m sorry, but I can’t stand that guy.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I think he would make an excellent addition to the upcoming Trek film. He has outstanding acting talent as both a comedic and serious actor. He reminds me of Avery Brooks the actor that portrayed Sisko in Ds9. Give the dude a chance and….get a life, lol
January 5th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Um, I’m black and I can’t stand Tyler Perry. His movies suck and they really do perpetuate black stereo-types, along with the fact that they don’t have any depth of character at all. I feel insulted when I watch his movies (and I’ve seen more than one, unfortunately, because I wanted to give him a chance).
Now, I LOVE star trek, I’m a big fan… but this movie sounds ridiculous with all the D-list actors they’ve cast. I don’t really even know why they’re making this movie to begin with. The idea that a Tyler Perry cameo (I can only pray it’s a cameo) will bring in the “urban” audience is probably unrealistic. I can’t imagine TP’s general fanbase being interested in sci-fi. Oops! Am I being stereo-typical? lol I’m disturbed that he was cast because he’s a poor actor, unbelievable, and whenever I see him, I associate him with Madea… all of these reasons have made me less likely to see the film, and so they’ve lost at least one urban audience member.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Hello and hi i’m trying to get hold of tyler i’m an author and would love for mr perry to conduct my book to a movie flim would you be so kind in letting him know someone is interested to have him to flim their book into a movie
sincerely
cbrooks
March 21st, 2008 at 6:55 am
I am not black, but I’ve talked to enough people of color to get a handle on the “Tyler Perry audience”. We’re talking about, in general, churchgoing family-centric folks who want it fairly light when they go to the movies. They want to see people they recognize, or once knew, and they don’t necessarily want to be challenged by the question black stereotypes (or white stereotypes, for that matter). They want to nod their heads at the screen in understanding, or giggle at something silly. This isn’t rocket science. Again, in general, if the viewer can picture the character onscreen sitting across the pew from them, there’s a good shot they’re going to like the movie.
As for Tyler Perry dressing like a woman, it’s his Madea character which is so freaking popular among this set, his fans have bootlegged his Madea stage performances and exchanged them with friends. Sometimes at church.
Look, I’m not a fan, but you can’t just write something off as “who likes this crap” when you simply don’t know. It’s great that you asked actually.
Peace.
Norm from Meet In the Lobby
March 24th, 2008 at 5:20 am
how can i go about getting a movie made of my book with mr perry 416 913 7421 for more info
March 26th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
whooooo givvvvvvvvves a crap about this guy?…
Are non-white people EVER hired based on their skills?
Affirmative Action hurts EVERYONE.
Amen
August 14th, 2008 at 1:54 am
I have to admit that I will be seeing this movie mostly based on the fact that Tyler Perry is in it so I hope that his role is not small. I love his work and I think that he is growing as a filmmaker, this role and being involved in an outside project will give him the perspective to grow even more.