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Spike Lee Rips Tyler Perry

Posted by: BlogXilla 5/29/2009 | 31,664 Views

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Spike Lee had an interview with Ed Gordon on Our World with Black Enterprise scheduled to air this weekend. In the interview he complained about “coonery and buffoonery” and both of Tyler Perry’s shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne,” comparing them to characters from minstrel shows.

“We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made 'Boyz in the Hood'], people came out to see it. But when he did ‘Rosewood,’ nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”

“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?

TO SEE TYLER PERRY'S RESPONSE ON SUNDAY'S 60 MINUTES, CLICK HERE

239 comments

Lee is dead on. I never really thought about it but as a latin I see George Lopez constantly do the same thing. While these stereotypes may have merit the brush both of these artist are painting with are extremely broad and dangerous.

yankee3971 11/18/2009 | reply
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I consider myself to be an admirer of both of the work of both gentlemen and I'm in 100% agreement with those who see this as a nothing more than counter-productive, self-loathing jealousy. Coonery and buffoonery are certainly not new to the realm of black entertainment and Spike has certainly portrayed more than his share of black crackheads, homocidal thugs, shiftless/irresponsible absentee fathers, oversexed women, elderly alcoholics, drug kingpins, and various other walking talking stereotypes. TP at least offers a measure of balance in every film. And here's a little food for thought that might help Spike out if he's looking for a little more parity at the box office: Try as I might, I can't recall any Spike Lee film that has as its protagonist, a complex, positive, black female character; one that most black female movie goers would be likely to relate to. In Spike Lee films that did happen to have black women as central characters, they were usually portrayed as over-sexed freakazoids, phone sex operators, stuck-up/cliquish/submissive college coeds and various other one dimensional stereotypes. Nearly every Tyler Perry film celebrates strong, beautiful, complex, relatable sistas who have to fight to overcome serious issues in their lives. Notably, black women make up a substancial majority of TP's audiences.

Kenny 11/9/2009 | reply
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Tyler Perry is a well paid black exploitation master. Spike Lee is 1,000% on the money. Tyler Perry's movies wouldn't be so bad if we had more diversity of the images of people of color in Hollywood. But it seems that anytime in the rare occasion that we "finally get a shot" on the big screen, we are relegated to shucking, jiving, hip holding, church singing, thugging, or Oprah's favorite - being someone's slave in early America. Come on. give me a break all ready with this small minded make YD happy coonery crap. Tyler has the resources and credibility to produce more diverse images of our people. Just because you're financially successful at something doesn't make it right. Heck drug dealers and the crooks on Wall Street are financially well off but it doesn't make their deeds right does it. And don't think slipping some warm and fuzzy message in the end makes it right. For those of us that aren't simple minded Tyler, you need to come stronger than that. Tyler please give us something other than images of suffrage, black pain, cooning, buffooning and slave talking. Give our kids an alternative image to imulate.

Thanks Spike ... Brooklyn Represent!!!!

Coolmooncoon 11/9/2009 | reply
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Look, we all have choices and opinions. Whether you like Tyler films or not is up to that individual. I do not support "buffoonery" under any circumstance. I do not see Tyler's films in that light at all. Besides the humor, Tyler's films have many messages such as love, faith, struggles, and so on. Ok Spike, you call Tyler's work "buffoonery", but what about his work without Madea or Mr. Brown? Can Tyler get credit for those and credit for his other accomplishments? Spike is not the man on top any more. Although he paved the way, in comparison, can you say Spike has accomplished as much as Tyler?

Spike, if you can do better, than stand up and give the black community what you think we need and what we depict? Since you are the expert on watch the black community put your money where your mouth is and feed the black community with the “correct” film(s)?

Carla Rankin 11/8/2009 | reply
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Well, well, well. This is truly something. It sounds like Spike has a bit of envy in his spirit. I have watched Tyler Perry's work throughout the years and many aspects of his film does relate to some of us. There are many films that can be put into the same “buffoonery category” black, white, indifferent and so on. “Dumb/ignorant” films are everywhere and done by everyone, if Spike wants to talk about “Amos & Andy”.

I just do not get why some of the black community is so hard on the subject. Do they fail to realize that these things have and still can be found in some black communities? Although some have not had these experiences as depicted in Tyler's film, there people that do. Those people are the ones that can relate to Tyler's work. Therefore, if it is not the culture you have experienced and can not relate to than just disregard the films.

It is as though, some are so ashamed that they want to pretend these experiences has not and does not exist. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but Spike clearly sounds a bit bitter to me. What has Spike done lately? Some of Spike’s films were not that great. He has done some "questionable" films and many of his films are black based as well. Both Tyler and Lee produced and wrote black films, but form different experiences and perspectives. I believe the both should respect each other work whether they support it or not.

Carla Rankin 11/8/2009 | reply
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I think this has more to do with jealousy than legitimate criticism.It happens all the time.Tyler has taken Lee's place as the #1 black film maker.

Don 11/8/2009 | reply
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Spike is right, Tyler Perry does nothing but extend archaic & demeaning images of African Americans in the media. Not only is it just limited to TV even his movies never stray to far from his very limited themes. The same loud outlandish characters masked in a veil of religion and naive morality grace all of his productions.

We need to get welllllllllll past this.

mica 11/7/2009 | reply
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It is unfortunate that Mr. Lee chooses this very public forum to discredit one of our own. If we follow his logic should we not condemn him for characters such as "Mars Blackman", "Buggin-out" and "Radio Raheem". The blatant stereotypes throughout School Daze are certainly not images we want to portray.

Like Mr. Perry, Mr. Lee has a series of statements,questions and issues that are important for us as a people, embedded in the movies and TV shows with which they are affiliated.

In Mr. Lee's comments he makes reference to our diversity, perhaps we should be more tolerant of the diversity he clearly realizes does exist.

Would it not make more sense for Mr. Lee to communicate directly with Mr. Perry before this becomes yet another devisive media tool?

Greg 11/7/2009 | reply
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There's a big difference between mocking a culture and making a production that they can relate to. It's like rappers say, they don't make things they way they are they simply go along with what the people want. They're the reporters, they just show what will get them ratings. To some extent, black culture itself is innately comical in some respects. There's no true proper speech or any real sense of decorum. There's a lot of mocking, much immorality, and a lot of aggression. This is no secret about black culture and if someone doesn't like that, that's them being intolerant rather than anything about the person who reflects it back.

Maximilian 11/6/2009 | reply
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Tyler Perry is producing film and shows that the majority can relate to in one fashion or a another. I don't think any film will suit all people. So Spike, thanks for the input, but I thank God that I (like many) can see, understand, and recieve the message of hope and life principles that TP's productions are carrying. Keep doing what you do TP!! AND keep doing what you do Spike. They are both neeeded. Note: There are many many other "real issues" in media produced by "us", that should be addressed. Spike, ease up Soldier, and re-focus.

MissionMan 11/4/2009 | reply
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I have enjoyed the positives from both very different film genres. I liked Spike's universal and edgy approach from the black perspective, and I laughed out loud at the comic relief of Mr. Perry's films. However, I believe that Spike, no matter how painful the comment, is basically right about Mr. Perry's general poor image of blacks in cinema. If we ignore the fact the Mr. Perry's movies can continue to give a "step n fletchet" image of our race on screen, then are we saying that the end always justifies the means. I have been insulted on a couple of occasions of comments made in his movies (Diary of a Mad Black Women, for example), where he critizises in song, peoples' belief in other religious figures other than Christ. I feel this is simply a sign of Mr. Perry's shortsigtedness in respecting other peoples choice of religious preference. I believe if I can overlook his intolerance on this level, that he should be able to take Spike Lee's comments as productive critizism and move on to make films that don't rely on the Madea images as the major way of making a point in his films.

all that glitters 11/3/2009 | reply
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One has a studio complex, is breaking Hollywood records and is rapidly building a media empire - the other has made a few movies... none as financially successful as Tyler Perrys. Perry's movies are hitting a chord with audiences... if people were "offended" than why is he breaking box office records? Tyler has come up from the streets and is responsible for his own success. His movies are popular because they hit a chord with people. Lee has made some good flicks - but these comments just smack of jealousy.

DW 10/31/2009 | reply
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I agree with Spike 99%.

I like Tyler Perry and agree with him 99%.

This is classic "crab in the barrel" syndrome.

Brothers - back up and take a deep breath.

Open your eyes. You come from two very different molds.

2openyourmind 10/31/2009 | reply
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team spike all the way!! lets compare:

do the right thing vs.diary of a mad black woman

Malcolm X vs.madeas family reunion

inside man vs.madea goes to jail

Miracle at st.anna vs.whatever else garbage tyler perry's got. lets face it people spike lee's an artist;tyler perry shucks and jives. field negro vs house negro. plain and simple.

chickens coming home to roost 10/30/2009 | reply
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- Your comparisons don't even equate. Granted Spike Lee has his style and Tyler Perry has another style. There's not way you can compare the two. Spike Lee has depicted people in his movies to be drug pushers, ignorant and menial delivery boys, prostitues, killers, etc. He has done some good works but he has also produced garbage too. At least when I go see a movie by Tyler Perry I'm assured I won't hear profanity and see violence. They both are blessed and they both have what it takes to open people's eyes. I just think it's a shame that Spike Lee publicly put down another brother for no reason. Again, I'll say he's just a hater.
  
  Jackie 10/31/2009 | reply
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- You're also assured you won't see anything of actual substance. Not all of Lee's films may be perfect, but he at least tries to do something more than just play to cheap laughs and stereotypes. Do The Right Thing and Malcom X were both landmark moments in modern cinema, and box office pull does not equate to actual quality.
  
  And really, is that how you judge what films you see? The ones without swears?
  
  Rwiggum 11/3/2009 | reply
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- Your ignorant and its sad. Comments like that, you should keep to yourself. Both are great and different.
  
  CHodge 11/3/2009 | reply
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- Perry's movies show some of the undersides of black (and all other) society: rape, incest, drug use, dysfunctional families. His works also show redemption from these pitfalls is possible. Who else is doing this now?
  
  Spike's movies provide powerful messages from a viewpoint that others could not ever grasp (Malcolm X, Miracle at St. Anna). He allows black society to see that they are an integral part of society as a whole; that everything in our country and the world has been touched and positively affected by what we have done throughout time. He produces great works.
  
  Tyler's movies provide powerful messages from a viewpoint that others could not ever grasp. He knows of abuse and rape firsthand. Tyler deals with societal ills that are not readily or openly addressed. Incest exists in the black family, but it is only whispered about by Mama and Aunt Lizzy when no one else is around. We know that our pre-teen and teenage girls (and boys!) are being "turned out" by their mother's boyfriend/drug dealer/husband but we turn our collective heads and do nothing. Our sisters are being abused, physically and emotionally, but that's what happened to momma and grandma and the woman at church; it's just the way it is. That person stumbles through feeling lost because they assume no one else has ever had to deal with what they're dealing with; or because they see others acquiesce, they should too.
  
  If a movie or a book or a song can impart a spark of hope in someone who is floundering in despair, why deny them that means of enlightenment?
  
  There are plenty of black directors, producers, and writers whose stories have not yet been told. They have their own perspectives and will tell wonderful stories, too, when given the chance.
  
  In the meantime, both Tyler and Spike can entertain the moving going public with differing but nonetheless compelling views of us.
  
  bluesgurl 11/5/2009 | reply
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GO SPIKE GET EM!! I AGREE 100% WITH SPIKE LEE!! I HAVE MYSELF ENJOYED A TYLER PERRY MOVIE OR TWO ,SO I AM A FAN OF SOME OF HIS WORK BUT FOR THE LIFE OF ME I CAN'T WRAP MY BRAIN AROUND WHY THIS IS ALLOWED TO BE SHOWN. THE TWO TIMES I TRIED TO WATCH I SAW NOTHING FUNNY AND A WHOLE LOT OF IGNORANCE. SOUNDING LIKE OLD SLAVES AND ALWAYS UNEDUCATED. IT'S SETTING US BACK 500 YEARS WITH THESE TWO OUTRAGEOUS SHOWS. AS A BLACK WOMAN I AM GLAD SOMEONE FINALLY SAID SOMETHING BECAUSE I BEEN THINKING IT SINCE I SAW THE FIRST PREVIEW. JUST LIKE THE CARTOON THE BOONDOCKS. THE REAL SLAVES THAT WERE STRONG AND PROUD AND FOUGHT AND DIED FOR THEIR FREEDOM. NOT ONLY FOR THEIR PHYSICAL FREEDOM BUT JUST SO THEY COULD HAVE THE FREEDOM TO LEARN HOW TO SPEAK AND READ PROPERLY ARE ROLLING IN THEY'RE GRAVES!!TO I DON'T THINK WE NEED CENSORSHIP TO REGULATE WHAT WE AS PEOPLE (OF ANY RACE FOR THAT MATTER) PROJECT OURSELVES TO BE THE WORLD IS WATCHING THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH......FOR ALL THOSE WHO LAUGH SO HARD AT THE SHOWS AND DON'T AGREE ...WOULD IT BE SO FUNNY IF THEY WERE WHITE CAST SAME LINES??? SAME PEOPLE WOULD BE BOYCOTTING THE SHOW. WRAP IT UP JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BLACK DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO EMBARRASS US.

SHAYLA 10/30/2009 | reply
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- Why are we putting down a man that has come from no where and made it to where he is now? His shows and his movies do not put us back 500 years. If anything they are uplifting. I am not particularly a fan of his shows but all of his movies and plays have been inspirational. It is also a pleasure to sit and watch a movie without hearing profanity and seeing violence for 2 hours. To compare Tyler Perry's movies to Spike Lee's is not fair. They are not in the same league and have very different ideas and concepts. Another thing that is no comparison is Tyler Perry write, directs and produces his movies in his own studio. He doesn't have to get anyone to put up any money because when he did they wanted him to bow down to him and do things their way. He is blessed enoughed tobe able to do his projects on his own and he doesn't have to bow down to a sole. As far as his characters I admit some of them are silly. But without some laughter in this life we would all be miserable. I don't think Tyler Perry means to degrade anyone but look at it realistically, we do have some people that really live, act and talk like that. It's sad but true. We should all be a little more aware of things before we pass judgement. Bringing reality to the screen is one way of people seeing that these things still exist and need to be addressed.
  
  Jackie 10/31/2009 | reply
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