It is almost as if Tyler Perry can do no wrong. His movies are always box office hits. For four years straight, he has come with multiple films, each one has set records. In 2007, Perry decided to shift some of his focus to weekly sitcoms. The first, “House of Payne,” became a hit, in 2008, only one year after it premiered, it was already in syndication.

After the success of “House of Payne,” Tyler Perry teamed up with TBS for another sitcom. In January 2009, he premiered “Meet the Browns,” which has become another record-breaking hit. Unlike traditional sitcom deals, TBS has ordered multiple episodes of Perry’s work in advance and all he does is film these episodes.

“Meet the Browns” has been guaranteed a 100 episode run. Due to the success that the series brought to the cable network, TBS, it has been confirmed that this series will hit syndication. Perry’s first sitcom, “House of Payne,” hit syndication and has done very well there. TV stations across the nation want to have Tyler Perry sitcoms.

Once the 100^th episode of “Meet the Browns” airs, the series will be hitting the syndication market.

Destroying Movies & Television One Character at a Time

My main problem with Tyler Perry is not his god-awful television shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne”.  It’s not the fact that most of his characters are the most blatant walking stereotypes I have ever seen .  It’s not even the amount of advertising I see promoting this garbage.

It’s the fact that every goddamn thing he’s involved in has to be prefaced with “Tyler Perry’s”.

If you star as multiple characters in a movie and that movie has multiple spin-offs, everyone is already aware of your involvement.

I remember a time when I could see black actors in films and television programs for which Mr. Perry was not a writer, producer, director, casting director, best boy, catering coordinator, or 15 different male/female/animal characters.  I refuse to watch any of this crap and you should too.

TO HELP SEND ME TO CANADA AND ESCAPE TYLER PERRY.

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

“Spike Lee said “I think there is alot of stuff that’s out today that’s coonery and buffoonery. I see ads for “House of Payne” and “Meet The Browns” and I’m scratching my head. We got a black president and we are going back. The image is troubling and we are going back to Amos & Andrews”  Ouch!!!

Recently, Spike lee had given an interview where he stated that basically Tyler Perry was perpetuating stereotypical thoughts of the African American, community while keeping us in Black Face 9.0.

I believe that Spike Lee is unequivocally, a H-A-T-E-R. Anyone who has seen a Tyler Perry movie can see that there is a very deep message embedded in each one, whether they want to admit it or not. I have yet to watch one of his films where I myself have not been in a similar situation, or know someone who has. Back in the day when Spike lee created School Daze and had everyone thinking that Black Fraternities and Sororities were a breeding ground for self hate; he spoke of how his movies were a reflection of the black community. Furthermore,  that he is no longer as iconic in the African American film industry and not the first name on our tongues when it comes to black movie power players; he is trying to take down the number one stunner if you will.

I have a Madea and a Mr. Brown in my family, except their names are Auntie Cali and Uncle Gene. Tyler’s characters are not myths or idiosyncrasies, they represent one facet of our history and community. The words of wisdom that Madea gives to her family are the same old sayings and beliefs my aunts and grandmother told us in times of peril. The comedic relief that Brown brings to Meet the browns is the same genuine malapropism and antics my Uncle brought in times of doubt in sorrow.

Moreover, Spike Lee’s crab in the bucket mentality is why our community is so divided. There are millions of TP fans that would agree that his films are motivational.  His movies evoke a spirit of love, peace, God, and family into my heart every time I am in the theater on the first day one of his films debuts. If this were not the case for many of us, he would not be selling out the box office. Imagine if Spike and Tyler could collaborate instead of Spike attacking Tyler. Why be this vocal about one of your own.  Spike is asking Tyler how can you show this, I am asking Lee how can you hide it? Are you embarrassed by these characters that exist throughout African American families? Raise your voice in regards to many of the other inequalities and injustices that are perpetuated on the African American Community daily.  All in All shame on you Spike Lee. Tyler Perry movies are a time of reflection and I think you need to evaluate whether you are protecting the image of your race or if it’s just hateration, I think it’s the latter. I am the first to admit that Spike has created powerful thought provoking films and I would never minimize the positivity that he has injected into our lives with his creativity. Nor, do I believe that if you are African American you need to be a proponent of Tyler Perry Films. I just believe that if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all, words to live by.

Mmmuah,

See ya next post!

-J

Spike Lee and Tyler Perry are completely different in terms of film making and their resume of work. Tyler Perry is entertaining and creates movies with a message under the surface, disguised in comedy. Spike Lee smacks you in the face with a message before the opening credits are done. Perry brings his message by way of a 70 year old grandmother and Spike brings his via his trademarked crane chair shot.

I hear both of these film makers and their views.

Should we push for more out of our limited black film makers by way of positive images? Yep. Does Perry’s movies reach a HUGE audience? ABSOLUTELY! Do we know someone like Madea? Uh huh. But before you come at Spike like he doesn’t know anything, you might want to check his film credits. Don’t brush the guy off as jealous or someone that doesn’t know much (insert Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X as examples). I think Spike just has a different view on how he sees the role of a black film maker (since they are so far and few in between). The same issues are in music, when an older generation that laid down the groundwork decides to say something, people just look at them with the side eye and think they can’t have an opinion. I think Spike earned his right to one.

Was Spike off base? I’ll let you decide. Should he have reached out to Perry in a less public way if he disagreed with his movies? Yes. I mean, after all these are two professional men. More boring than an R&B beef (and blogger beef too) is a beef between two black film-makers. Hug it out and let’s move along.

UPDATE: I feel like some folks might miss this in the comment section, so I decided to bring it up into the piece. The comment makes some VERY valid points…

Kacee Says:
Let me just say that while I deeply respect and am proud of what Tyler Perry has been able to accomplish (what other black films are opening no. 1?) However, I do feel that he has a responsibility to produce positive images of African Americans. Hollywood has spent plenty of time distorting the images of the black family (TCS a notable exception) that I just feel that when given the awesome opportunity that Tyler Perry has, he could’ve maybe done something greater with it.

There are only a handful of black shows on TV right now and House of Payne is one of them. That is a great platform to entertain and show what black life is really about in a more multi-dimensional aspect. So why when given that chance did he make the character Janene a crack head who burned down her house getting high? A situation that would require the willing suspension of any racial pride for me to think was even a little bit funny.

In defense of Spike, he has studied filmmaking and understands the history of blacks in cinema and television. I dare say it, but my feeling is that many of Mr. Perry’s supporters who want to rush to jump all over Spike–do not understand that background and probably don’t know who Amos and Andy or Steppin Fetchit were.

Black movies don’t all have to be one thing. They can be serious, funny, dramatic, sexy, dark, loving, imaginative, and entertaining. There is room at the table for both of these filmmakers. But to whom much is given, much is required and both of these men have to consider how Black people are being represented in their work.

I’m just sayin….

Follow me: twitter.com/throatchopu

post

Spike Lee Calls Tyler Perry A Coon

As usual,Spike Lee, a corny, arrogant, uppity, elitist ,hypocrite Morehouse graduate is trying to declare himself as the arbiter of all that is black in the film and T.V. business, and in doing so has set the African-American filmmaker back to the days of segregation, as he has, with all the low-class flare that is so intrinsic in Morehouse graduates, lambasted wildy succesful filmmaker, Tyler Perry, over the content of his films and T.V. shows,and has dismissed Tyler Perry as an Uncle Tom who is perpetuating ”Coonery” and ”Bufoonery”with his entertainment properties.

Sounds like Spike Lee is jealous once again, that another African-American filmmaker would have the nerve to be successful in the same arena, that Spike has failed in,and that is making a profitable and entertaining library of T.V. and film properties.

He is also mad that Tyler Perry has been able to own his own projects, his own studio production facilities, and has a financially sound independent production company that is not reliant upon the so-called ”white man” feeling sorry for black people or not.

He has got to know that the only way he gets to have one of his boring projects funded is by scaring the white executives in to believing that they would be labeled as racist if they did not give in to his childishness.

I saw little Spike Lee, who Arsenio and I call ”Spud Flea” at the student Academy Awards in Beverly Hills in 1983 with his father, and the both of them were hanging with me all night, and were very cool ,especially his dad, but by the second time we encountered each other in 1990, he was insulting to my date because she was a light skin girl, and he just dissed me, which I took offense to. We  were all in the V.I.P. section of a club, and he was sitting at our table after we had been there for some time.

They had to call security on us, because Spike is a little guy, who has a little man’s complex, that he can not physically back up.

So, for full disclosure, I do not have any respect for him. He just talks trash, and hopes that his fame protects him from getting a beat down.

If you follow his dispute, all of them are with other black celebrities, and his main complaint, is that we are not as black as he is. He has called out Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, Master P, and now Tyler Perry.

He is the Benedict Arnold/Judas for the African-American entertainer and filmmaker.

In 1991, when he was a guest editor for Entertainment Weekly, he took the opportunity to write a couple of articles blasting Arsenio for not being black enough like him, and called him an uncle Tom.

To answer him, I created and animated the cartoon character ”Spud Flea” who spends his time telling people that they are not black, as if they do not know, or they are ot militant enough.  View Spud Flea cartoon here…

http://jerrybrice.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/arsenio-hall-animated-series-pilot/

Now, he has gone after Tyler Perry, who is well-loved and respected, as he is providing creative opportunities for black writers, actors, and craft people.

This makes Spike mad, as he only seems to hire his family members, old friends, a lot of white people, of course, and he has no hope of owning any of his copyrights or negatives to his films.He knows that he would lose money on his own projects, just like any studio that has ever invested in his special form of melodrama.

CBS news, on tomorrows 60 minutes program has this report on the feud started by the classless Spud, I mean Spike Flee…

In an interview earlier this year, Lee attacked Perry’s two cable television sitcoms about black families, saying “I think there’s a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery,’ referring directly to Perry’s TBS programs “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne.” “I’m scratching my head. We’ve got a black president. Are we going back?”

Says Perry, “You know, that pisses me off. It really does. Because it’s so insulting. It’s attitudes like that which make Hollywood think that these people do not exist and that’s why there’s no material speaking to them,” he tells Pitts. “I would love to read that to my fan base.”

Perry first tried to speak to that black audience years ago when he went to Hollywood to get his hit plays produced as films. He was rejected and wound up using his own money to start what became one of the biggest independent film companies in the U.S.

Now, this next quote from Tyler is what makes Spike jealous. He knows that he is basically locked in to the slave mentality, and if the ”white man” does not give in to his incessant begging and pleading, he is totally stopped.

Not Tyler.The next quote s something that you will never hear from Spike Lee again, ever since he became ”THE” epitome of a black filmmaker…

“They didn’t open the door. I had to cut a hole in the window to get in,” Perry tells C.B.S.

Spike Lee wants to plug that hole, and get rid of Tyler Perry, as he has been doing to black filmmakers, actors, and artist  for his whole career.

Why does he feel the need to sabotage other black filmmakers, I do not know. At this point, he is definitely the black filmmakers version of Kanye West.

African-Americans are a diverse group of people who have different taste. It is in bad taste that Spike chooses to chastise other filmmakers in is profession as if he has the authority to do so.

Didn’t his parents ever tell him, if you d not have anything good to say, do not say anything at all.

Interestingly enough, I have noticed that he never says these types of things directly to the person’s face that he is disrespecting, but always through the mass media. He does not even seek out the black press to disrespect us in, but crawls directly to the ”whitemans” media, as he calls it, to stab us all in the back, just like a good little slave.

Given all of these facts, it is fair to deem Spike Lee a coon himself, definitely a hypocrite, just like the rest of his suit wearing corny uppity, Jack and Jill, homophobic alumnae of Morehouse college.

Madea is an obese, authoritative woman Perry plays in drag and Leroy Brown is a good-natured simpleton. They star in his eight films, five of which have opened at number one in box office receipts. Collectively, the films have earned $418 million – one of the highest per-film averages in the industry.

Spike Lee’s movies have been critically acclaimed, but famously have lost money for the studios, rather than made it.

That is truly the underlying problem that Spike has with Tyler Perry, whom he has never met, or spoken to personally.

Now,who is the buffoon and coon….

CBS will air the Tyler Perry interview Sunday,October 25th, at 7pm.

Tyler Perry will be profiled this Sunday on 60 Minutes.  During the interview CBS correspondent Byron Pitts reads a quote for director Spike Lee.  Lee has dismissed Tyler Perry’s TBS sitcoms “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne” as “coonery and buffoonery.” Perry takes offense to Lee’s assessment, but is it true? Perry claims the characters depicted in his sitcoms do exist and he has the ability to use the characters to share a bigger message. The bigger question is why do we spend so much time obssessing over Perry’s sitcoms? We do this because his shows are the only black shows on television. Sure you might find a black character here or there, but you will not find any other series. Perry’s depictions might not inspire as much ire if there were other shows showing intelligent black people living their lives without a laughtrack. Perry has tapped into something, but is this a case of people laughing at us and not laughing with us.

***Contest time again!!!!***

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a fellow writer, and when she learned I lived in Atlanta she asked me if I had seen Tyler Perry’s house. Unfortunately, I have no idea where he lives, but I’ve heard his mansion is beyond huge. Lord help me—and him—if I figure out where the poor man lives. You’d read about it in the newspaper or probably spot me on TV. I’d be the crazy lady standing on the street, in front of the security gate, waving my manuscript and shouting, “Tyler! I mean, Mr. Perry! I have your next movie right here. It’s got Hollywood written all over it.” Shameful isn’t it? How someone can loose their mind just that quick.

But I really do love Tyler Perry movies. They’ve all been good really, but I have three that are my favorites. What I like about Tyler’s movies is the way he blends humor with serious gritty topics. One minute I’m laughing out loud, and the next I’m welled up with unshed tears. Critics may bash the way he weaves faith into his movies amid the cursing and course language, but I’ve found each story has some message of hope through Christ Jesus and I like that. If you haven’t seen one of the below Tyler Perry movies, now is your chance to win your own DVD.

Here are my Wednesday favorites:

Madea Goes to Jail

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Meet the Browns

Have you seen any of these movies? What are your favorites by Tyler Perry?

And now for the contest…Leave a comment with the name(s) of your favorite Tyler Perry movies and you’ll be entered in the drawing to win the DVD Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Contest ends October 26, 2009, and the winner will be announced on October 27th. Chances of winning depend on the number of entries, and the contest is available to US residents only.

Related Posts:

Wednesday Favorites – Kid Movies

Wednesday Favorites – Inspirational Movies

Wednesday Favorites – Christian Comedians

OMg! I can’t wait to go see I can do bad all by myself. THis is another hit movie out in theatres officially one week ago as of yesterday(friday 19th). I know it’s gonna be good because it’s made by writer, actor, director, playwright, producer, Tyler Perry (called T.P. 4 short). It’s starring Mary J Blidge, Gladys Knight, Tarajji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguesz, Pastor Marvin Winans, and T.P. himself as MADea. duck and cover cuz u know that’s one grandma bout 2 guns.                                                                                                                                          Who is T.P.? He’s just the one of the best blackest rags-to-riches story ever. The american dream. He was raised n New Orelans,LO wit an abusive childhood. (it seems alot of 2day’s stars were, intersting. I’d rather not talk about my childhood because things do get better. THank-Jesus!) He’d been bouncing 4rm job to job when one day he as watching oprah on tv and she encouraged him to write letters about his past to deal with the unresolved issues. THat’s what he did. Exceptthey end up as  aplay called I KNow I been changed! except, his play didn’t sell. he took his llife savings and promoted his play. n 2nd time around it sold. he got it n d Fox Thetre. ever since then been on the roll.  wit hit plays like i cand do bad all by myself, diary of a mad blackwoman, madea family reunion, madea class reunion, madea goes to jail,  meet the browns, why did i get married then he scored a sony deal and started turning all his plays into movies, as well as starring in them, along wit 3 original movies, Daddy’s Lil Girls, What’s DOne n Da Dark.  n The Fam. Dat Prays. Now he done wrote a madea book which i have read, and produced two t.v shows: HOuse of PAyne and Meet the browns(both in syndication) which can be seen on TBS. He’s produced wit Bishop T.D. Jakes d moveis: Women thou art loose n NOt easily Broken. He’s won awards, and he recently opened his own Altanta based production company. u shld ceck his site:  www.tylerperry.com                                                       Oh and he has another gift, match making. He cast the hot new FIlm star, Tarajji P.Henson( Hustle n FLow, Not easily Broken) as lead in his new movie (mentioned above). And he cast Adam Rodriguez as her help turnt lover(stars n CSI:Miami) but the two’s on-screen relationship slowly buzzed offscreen and now…..IT’S OFFICIAL. dEM TWO ARE AN ITEM! ( 4 D PPLE HOO AREN’T UP-2-DATE WIT TERMS, THEIR A COUPLE.)

SUM IT ALL UP: NEW MOVIE,i CAN DO BAD ALLBY MYESLF JUS CAME OUT MADE BY A GREAT MAN WITH A GREAT LEGACY, tYLER pERRY who hooked up actors Tarajji  n Adam Rodriguez. p.s. i heard he’s working on the sequal to why did i get married: the movie.                                                  Hope u enjoyed dis new juicy  info cum’n straight frm JSean. tell yo friends about me via twitter, facebook, or eamil please. peace And God BLess!

1 mo thang, plz lemme kno if u kno TP, and if  u do…Why do YOU love him, too????

Hollywood is a business. While many people think of the engine of America’s movie industry as a sparkling gold-plated driver of dreams in bright spotlights, it is a catalyst of and victim to capitalism at the end of the day. It employs millions of people, funnels billions more into economies around the world, and needs money-making product to sustain its gross, bloated chassis. Nowhere is Hollywood’s dependency more evident than the mainstream movie, a calculated product of famous actors/actresses, by-the-numbers plots and screenwriting, test-screenings and marketing push for awareness.

All of these components are whittled down into something palatable to the masses, a bland concoction of beige that goes down smooth and doesn’t upset stomachs or sensibilities. A prime example: Couples Retreat.

Vince Vaughn looks like he's afraid for his life. Or his waning credibility. Whatever.

Couples Retreat is a movie with bankable stars, well-worn plotlines and cliches up the yin-yang. The story of four married couples at a resort to work on their relationships seems like territory that has been traveled long before, and could stand to be shaken up. With comedic talents like Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Extract) and Fred Claus’s Vince Vaughn (somehow branching out from flavorless Christmas comedies like Four Christmases) and a screenplay co-written by Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Swingers) and Vaughn, it’s amazing how banal AND offensive this movie looks. Want to see the object of ire? Check this out:

From this 30-second clip, there are examples of:

- Fish out of water syndrome: witnessed by the couples arriving in the tropical paradise and meeting Stanley “with a C.” We sho’ ain’t in Kansas no mo’!

- Beautiful women: The Charlie’s Angels-like shot of three of the female leads (there should be a fourth; more on that later) walking towards the cameras is designed to bring on instant wood in the male population. “Ooh, they have on bikini’s! Time to ditch that Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue!” Yawn.

- Aloof natives: Jean Reno, actor of better films like Leon, is cast as the zen-like, culture-clashing employee, talking about the “circle of life” when our heroes are surrounded by sharks in the water. Oh, foreigners. They will never understand America’s love of xenophobia.

The Asian-inspired prison jumpsuits are a reminder: this movie is torture.

- Homophobia: With the bellow of “Who is ready to stretch their limits?” it is the male viewer’s warning to suck their sphincters tight! The greased-up yoga instructor (Carlos Ponce?, Deuce Bigalow: European Jungle), clad in a Speedo and air-humping Bateman’s face, practically begs the viewer to gasp in disgust and hold their fingers to the screen in a cross symbol. We get it, marketers: suggestive male-on-male humping is yucky!

- Black Stereotypes: Nothing spells olive branches of racial inclusion like black penis jokes! When the couples are asked to disrobe by Reno (also wearing a Speedo), it’s time to once again go to the well for tired jokes. Veteran comedic actor and token black lead Faizon Love mentions that he doesn’t “have any draws on” (Get it? Because black people only refer to their underwear as “draws!” It’s like they speak another language!), which leads to eventually being coaxed into removing said “draws.” Cue WASP-esque Kristen Bell to gasp in shock at the sight of unleashed anaconda, white males (Bateman, Favreau and Vaughn) discomforted in their supposed penile inadequacy, and Vaughn later rolling with the punches. BOOM: THAT’S how you pander to middle America!

ZOMG! Black penis! White members... small and flaccid in contrast!

- Party Over Here!: Since it all takes place on a jumpin’ tropical island, the last few seconds show vacationers bumpin’ and grindin’. What a way to polish over the last 27 seconds of monotony: “Hey film-goers, this movie is tedious and lazy, but there’s a party over here!”

- Lack of People of Color: Forget that most mainstream Hollywood movies shoehorn in a few people of ethnicity to appeal to those colored demographics: where the hell is the wife of Faizon Love’s character, Tasha Smith (Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, You, Me and Dupree)? In between shots of pasty, flabby guts, enough fire for a Michael Bay movie and blue water, there are no mentions that half of the fourth couple is absent.

Two of those fabled colored people

With a strong black woman like Michelle Obama as First Lady of the United States, there should be no reason for America to fear those scary Negro ladies. (*Psst: they still do.*) Hey, maybe she’s invisible! Maybe she doesn’t like the sun, which would be even funnier if this movie had any sense of irony. But nah, she’s not there, like the marketers were like, “She won’t sell to the non-blacks.” Did you know that up-and-coming comedic actor Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Knocked Up) is in this movie, too? You wouldn’t know it by the commercial.

A 30-second commercial is not a lot to go on for judging a 107-minute movie, and yet it says a lot. As commercials are made and broadcast to sell a product, the TV spot for Couples Retreat shows a movie that will not challenge the average moviegoer’s preconceptions. This is comfort food for the mainstream audience, and a theoretical box-office slam dunk for a movie studio, because of those reasons stated above. And every dollar that goes towards viewing it supports that Hollywood machine that churns out these offerings of banality. Enjoy!

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Couture Comic Jonathan Slocumb brings class back to the stage  

Where fashion meets funny

Los Angeles, Calif.- Bridging the gap between good, clean humor and high fashion, family-oriented funnyman Jonathan Slocumb is known to captivate an audience with sidesplitting humor while remaining within the boundaries of decency with profanity-free shows. But the indisputable Couture Comic is just as recognized for being dressed to kill whether ripping the roof off a packed club, hosting award shows for prestigious organizations like NAACP and Urban League or keeping the crowd in stitches as host of the Essence Music Festival.

“When people come out, they dress to see your show, as a professional,” Slocumb reveals. “I feel obligated to dress for my audience, just as the best entertainers who have come before me.”

Dubbed The Couture Comedian some years ago from his adoring fans, Slocumb earned a reputation for being draped in tailor-made suits, silk tie sets and extravagant exotic footwear. One to be admired for his standup routine, Jonathan Slocumb is just as refreshing for his flawless fashion sense. And most recently, this dapper Dan became poster child for the highly sophisticated and elegantly stylish Tayion Collection (www.tayionclothing.com).

Based in New York City and founded in 1994, the brand will keep Slocumb as clean as the board of health with their finely tailored clothing line. The new endorsement adds Slocumb among the ranks of a highly admired client roster as Samuel L. Jackson, Bishop Eddie L. Long and Pastor Marvin Winans. And the pairing of the brand with the smart, handsome, well dressed and feverously funny Jonathan Slocumb brings a level of class to the comedy stage like no one else.

Over his career, Slocumb has hosted the NAACP Image Awards, released his comedic relief album Laugh Yourself to Life on Warner Bros. Records and appeared on Def Comedy Jam, one of the raunchiest stages on earth. And Jonathan keeps his acts clean through all of his accomplishments. Even more surprising is that his appearance on Def Comedy Jam earned him a standing ovation. A devout Christian since childhood, Slocumb does it all through his faith in God. 

“People know me for being funny, and that’s a good thing. That’s what I do. I make people laugh,” says Slocumb. “But I take as much pride in my appearance as I do my jokes. It’s all a part of the package. And I intend to give my audience everything that I have. I always want to look and be my best. My fans deserve that.”

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You know, sometimes I think that I truly am harboring the ghost of Lucille McGilicuddy Ricardo deep in my guts. Most of the time I know what I’m doing and things go off without a hitch. But every so often, I screw up something relatively simple…like every so often I break a yolk. I try NOT to break the yolk…I know how to flip an egg WITHOUT breaking the yolk…but, no matter how hard I try, every so often I break the damn yolk. Sometimes I break the stupid thing before it even comes out of the shell. I don’t know how that happens but it does.

But most of the time, I enjoy a nice egg, over easy, without breaking the yolk. And most of the time I can do basic crap pretty easily. I can walk, I can talk, I can even walk and talk. I can push a cart and place it where you tell me to. If you only wanted me to do TWO of those things, say, walk and push a cart…that should be easy enough, wouldn’t you think?

One WOULD think so. One would also think that you could get an intact yolk more than 9 times out of 10. But you really can’t. I don’t know if we get cocky, hurried or distracted, but one person out of a party of ten will ALWAYS get a broken yolk. And I don’t know why I couldn’t walk and push a cart the other day but I couldn’t. And because of that, I held up production of Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns on Friday.

All they wanted me to do was push a cart around a corner, maneuver it to a position that the principles could work with later and walk away. Sounds pretty fricking easy on the surface and because of that I assured the director’s assistant that I would be able to, of course, walk and push a cart at the same time. I didn’t even have to talk. But for some reason, I kept getting it wrong until the director himself walked over to explain it to me in case the assistant was a moron. The director wanted to make sure I understood exactly what HE wanted. Naturally, he soon realised that the assistant was not, in fact, an idiot…but I, on the other hand, most assuredly WAS one.

Take Four is understandable if you’re giving the Gettysburg Address, but you shouldn’t hear it because of cart movement in the background of a sit-com. I felt like a total jack-ass.

All I had to do was walk around the back of a set and perform basic chores doable by most primates. Not only was I extremely confident in my ability to take direction, I even went so far as to “get into character”. I actually GOT INTO the character that I developed in my head. I KNEW what I was gonna do. Me and my character self planned to get through a 10 second job without a hitch. But for the life of me, I couldn’t do what they asked. I either did it too fast or too soon or just plain wrong. It was interesting how I found different ways to mess up. I suppose I would feel worse if I screwed up the same thing over and over again. But instead, I just found new and improved ways to evoke a loud “CUT!” and then…”Take Four..!”

You may not know this if you’ve never seen a show being taped or a movie being filmed but they go through a lot of preparation for one of those things. From placing magazines on the shelves to building the walls…things on a set are carefully placed and then everybody comes in and they practice a bunch of stuff. By the time the nit wit who’s supposed to push a cart around a corner comes on to the set, the production staff has been working their butts off. The last thing they need is some woman who is the age of their mothers on the set screwing up.

I don’t know why they didn’t get someone else to do it. My guess is they had too much respect for my age…which is cool…I’ll take that. But I absolutely would have understood if they traded me with someone who only had to WALK. I was even waiting for them to do that so I could run away and hide my shame.

Oh well. I just hope that somewhere, there’s useful footage of me pushing that stupid cart around the corner, realizing that I might have screwed up the timing before my amazing brain decided to fix the situation by arbitrarily pushing the cart off set. Yeah…that’s the work of a true professional, isn’t it? An ad libbing extra…or a nutty old lady on set…every director’s nightmare.

One good thing came out of that shoot…Tyler Perry wasn’t directing when I screwed up. One of the dudes in the cast was getting a shot at it, Perry is a good guy. But as for the poor schmuck who I worked with Friday…I don’t know what else he’ll be directing or if I’ll ever see him again. I DO know that I see Tyler Perry too often to have my face seared into his mind as the idiot who can’t walk and push.

Once again, the fall television season is upon us. Last year, there was such a strong opposition against the networks about a lack of diversity from the NAACP. The 2009-2010 television season will mark a return to diversity on television as a whole.

“The Cleveland Show” – FOX, Sundays at 8:30 pm.

FOX sent the Hills packing this fall to make room for their newest animated sitcom, “The Cleveland Show.” The show is a spin-off of FOX’s hit animated series, “Family Guy.” Cleveland Brown, the black character on the show, has moved to Virginia to live a new life. “The Cleveland Show” will premiere on September 27, 2009 at 8:30 pm.

“Sherri” – Lifetime, Mondays at 7:30 pm.

Sherri Shepherd has been known for her appearances on such sitcoms as “The Jamie Foxx Show” and other black sitcoms. In 2007, she received the ultimate career boost when she joined “The View” on ABC.

In 2009, Shepherd partnered with Lifetime for her new sitcom, “Sherri.” This new series is completely owned by the network. “Sherri” details Shepherd’s life before the fame. On the show, Sherri Shepherd will play as a single mother who allows her ex-husband and his girlfriend to move in with her.

On the show, Sherri plays as a paralegal, an actress, and a comedienne. The first season of “Sherri” will run for 12 episodes on Lifetime. “Sherri” will premiere on October 5, 2009. The show will air Mondays at 7:30 pm.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” – CBS, Tuesdays at 9:00 pm.

This “NCIS” spin-off will bring about the return of rap star, LL Cool J, to the small screen. Along with Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J will be the show’s main character.

The rapper will star as Special Agent Sam Hanna. “NCIS: Los Angeles” will mark the first time in the rapper’s acting career that he will play a dramatic role in a television series.

“Road to the Altar,” TBT, Mondays.

True Black Television has been investing in their original programming for some time, now. Adding the popular web series, “Road to the Altar,” was a giant coup for the netlet.

“Road to the Altar” stars Jaleel White, of “Family Matters” fame. White is starring in his first television series since 2000’s “Grown Ups” on UPN. On the show, White stars as Simon, a groom-to-be that is participating in a reality show to earn a free honeymoon.

The sitcom is the first of likely many mockumentary sitcoms that will populate television if it proves successful for the network. “Road to the Altar” will premiere on TBT on August 24, 2009. It serves as the flagship series for TBT Mondays.

“Brothers” – FOX, Fridays at 8:00 pm.

NFL star, Michael Strahan, has traded one season for another as he now finds himself the star of FOX’s new sitcom, “Brothers.”

Aside from the ex-NFL star, Strahan, the show will also star C. C. H. Pounder and Darryl “Chill” Mitchell. Strahan and Mitchell will play the “brothers” and Pounder will play the role of mother. The father will be played by Carl Weathers.

Michael Strahan will be playing the role of a washed-up, retired football player. Due to having nowhere to go and no money, he moves back home to Houston. Upon his return, he is forced to reconcile with his brother (Mitchell) by his mother (Pounder).

The first 13 episodes of the show have been picked up by FOX. “Brothers” will premiere on September 25, 2009 at 8:00 pm.

Other new black television shows include True Black Television’s “Riviera Beach,” that will air on Fridays, “The Amina Wilson Show,” that will begin airing this fall, “Commin’ Up,” which will begin airing this fall, and “Intercity Blues.” All of these shows to belong to True Black Television. In addition, TBS will premiere Terry Crews’ sitcom, “Are We there Yet?”

The returning television shows consist of TBS’ “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.” Other returning shows are True Black Television’s “Living Lavish,” “Agape,” “Can Life Get Any Worse Than This?,” and “Kiki & Claude.” TNT will be returning their medical drama, “HawthoRNe,” and Adult Swim will be returning “The Boondocks” for a third season.

Such shows as “The Game” may be returning to television screens. Shows that will not be returning are BET’s “Somebodies” and TBT’s “The Way We Live.”

This was the official guide to everything scripted and black that will be on television this fall.

In 2007, Tyler Perry officially broke into the sitcom world. He brought to the world, “House of Payne” to TBS.

Upon its arrival, the show set records for TBS and cable TV in general.

However, after a year into the series, it receives a major backlash. People were taking Perry’s humor and calling it bland writing and coonery.

Because of that, people began to talk more and more on this.

Then, in 2009, he readied “Payne” spin-off, “Meet the Browns.” Like, Payne, it was criticized for bland writing and coonery.

That may be his choice of humor, but, look at the television white-out that has been taking place since the arrival of “House of Payne.”

Tyler Perry’s sitcoms are all that we have aside from such shows as “Living Lavish,” “The Way We Live,” “Commin’ Up,” “Kiki & Claude,” and “Agape.”

So, honestly, there is no need to be terribly critical because that may force the advertisers to stop sponsoring the show, people to stop watching, and the network to cancel the shows.

Then, there is nothing left and there will be a backlash by black people to TBS just like The CW.

It is true that “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” but, aside from the original programming on True Black Television, there are not any scripted original programs on TV.

Also, Perry may hire better writers that may move his shows into different directions.

His shows may not be the cup of tea to some, but, ratings tell a different story. Plus, most of his work ends with a positive moral that promotes family values.

It is obviously difficult to combine the seriousness of his subjects into a typical sitcom, but, he is trying.