Offened?? Hell No! I’m encouraged. This is something that is widely known. The question is: Why did it take so long to be called out publicly, in a big way, by someone of Spike’s stature? I’ll tell you why: We aren’t honest with ourselves. Plain and simple.

I think Spike Lee is a little jealous of Tyler Perry’s success. Lee’s movies have always had an element of “coonery & bafoonery,” as he puts it. But now he’s upset with Perry’s tv shows.

I agree that Meet the Browns is way over the top and Perry needs to tweak it to make it clever humor instead of bafoonish/stereotypical humor.

House of Payne has it’s moments too.

The only character that Perry should never change is Madea.

All of these gentlemen need to get away from making films that are full of stereotypes and just tell good stories w/ characters that anyone can relate to.

Just because they’re African American all their films don’t have to have crack heads, drug dealers, ghettos, bafoons, etc….

Lee, Perry and Singleton could take lessons from Will Smith and the way his films are diverse & universeral and not just 90 minutes of stereotypes.

I am not offended, because some of it may be true. To me there is a deeper issue. The problem is that we seem to criticize each other more when there is success. I wonder if Spike Lee would have said something if Tyler Perry was not as successful and still making his stageplays? I don’t believe I heard anything from Spike Lee about Seinfeld or Friends. The only difference between those sitcoms and the ones that Tyler Perry makes is that most of the cast is black. Seinfeld made a total buffoon out of Kramer and the rest of the cast. the entire Friends cast were buffons. The images are a problem with Spike Lee b/c has a mentality that maybe a little outdated. Not saying it doesn’t exist, but give it a break, it’s only comedy!!! It’s not that deep

It does make you wonder why Dramas that deal with real black life can’t stay on the air but we can watch silly shows like Meet the Browns aired 20 times a day.

AK your post made no sense because those two shows you named were white, and Lee was speaking towards our community.

I’m not offended and althought I don’t like everything Tyler does in his films, I’ve always stood my ground on the fact that he represents many a black American to date, like it or not Mr. Brown and Madea exists in some black families. So if the problem is what he’s showing perhaps it should motivate those that have issue with him to get into black communities scoop of the likes of these characters displayed and emerse them with this quality of life they seem to be lacking, according to the critiques.

Then I have my degree of critique I’d give to Spike for some of his films, I choose not to watch what I don’t agree with and enjoy what I do. Feel that’s what people should do when it comes to Perry or again, get at the culture because it’s only a repesentation. Much more damage being done via some of the music videos we big up than a Perry movie or tv show.

Tyler Perry is just selling “Crack” …. of a different flava. It has the same effect, just instead of smoking it, people inhale it mentally. The only person that takes anything away from a Tyler Perry movie or play is Tyler “phat pockets” Perry”. He takes your dignity and makes you smile while paying him for doing so. There is one line in a Spike Lee movie (not that I cared about everything he did)… that still rings true today people… WAKE UPPPPPPP !

Thanks for taking a moment to read this and respond.
One Love.

I think that anybody who is doing something positive should be praised and not criticized for his works. I like Tyler Perry movies and obviously plenty of more people do too. So Spike your comments are just irrelevant and I think you should tend to your own business and keep doing what you do.

I am deeply offended, because I am a big fan og Spike Lee movies especially School Daze, and I am a fan of Tyler Perry movies. We only hurt ourselves when we go on national television, and talk about a fellow artist who have done nothing, but create positive images on television. If Spike Lee do not like was is playing on TBS then change the stations from the commercials, but do not try to disrespect the man on television. That is like everybody who do not like hip hop, and try to say it is demeaning while if you do not like then do not listen to it or watch it, but enjoy both directors, and I will continue to watch noth shows now since they took off Everybody Hates Chris and The Game on The CW network, so what else do we have to look forward too. However, if Spike Lee feel so strongly about the two shows then he should create his own TV then he would no be so bitter.

While I am Tyler Perry movie fan I must say his television shows have been a disappointment. His initial movies were thought provoking and enjoyable. However, the movie with Bassett and Fox was too slapstick for me. However, my thought was that perhaps in his effort to keep actors employed he has gone over the top. In all fairness his movies appear to a variety audience so perhaps that has been his goal. As a minority I am not a fan of the minstrel type of portrayal of blacks but I do believe that sometimes as humans we can make mistakes and perhaps Tyler has had that experience. He has improved the quality of the first comedy series andI have not seen the second one so I will reserve comment. Summarily, Spike does have a point but he has also had a couple of movies that were spectacular and some that were lackluster. I have the utmost respect for both of these artist.

I’m not offended by his comment it’s just his opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. I just don’t understand why we have to put each other down once they have made a name for themselves. Sometimes we read to deep into things and we forget the reality of the situation. Tyler movies and plays are comedies which makes us laugh and nowadays who can’t use a good laugh? When Spike name was all in the media about how good he was doing that was his time to shine now that his name is not out there he has to put it out there some kind of way. I don’t have anything against him but if WE can celebrate because another one of US made it through then we should not get mad when OTHERS put US down.

It is about time, someone stood up to the craziness in the realm of black entertainment. Tyler Perry is not the only one. What makes me ill is the reduction of black culture again to tom foolery. The more things change the more they stay the same. While I may not agree whole heartedly with Perry, I applaud his trying to paint a positive image of the african american family. As a people if we spent more time encouraging our sons and daughters to become viable to our community & stand against buffoonery, we would be better off. Many people have stood up to the networks for the lack of programming that portrays us in a positive light, these two shows though they can be construed as tom foolery should take more of a stance dealing with the problems that all of us face. You can only deal with serious issues with a smiling face sometimes. We don’t need to laugh, we need to wake the hell up!

I think Spike Lee has a point. How is it that there are no really good urban shows out anymore? Now I will say that Tyler Perry does bring in some good lessons at times, but I reiterate I will not watch Meet the Browns and barely Meet the Paynes. These shows especially Meet the Paynes feed into a lot of stereotypes that we try to fight everyday.

We I think of the two people I feel that they do the same work but in a different way. If you think about it Spike Lee takes a more serious point on the problems in the community which sometimes is a little harder to swallow or follow. When you think of Tyler Perry he does his work with a comedic approach the things that he puts in his plays are true to our community and we see it everyday from the the crack addicted wife, the trigger happy grandma, the woman that’s too scared to speak out about her boyfriend/fiance who’s beating the hell out of her, to the dad that’s trying to make a living for his kids. Tyler Perry’s plays are based on today’s issues and you see this especially if you’re in one of those situations as a way to possibly get out or look for that answer to that. So I have to agree with everyone else when they say Spike Lee should calm down b/c not everything that he made was easy to follow like the one with the chick that had 3 different men.

I AM A BIG TYLER PERRY FAN. I’M NOT OFFENDED BY TYLER PERRY DOES. HE REPRESENT BLACK PEOPLE. SPIKE NEED TO SIT DOWN SOMWWHERE!!!!

I don’t have a problem with ANYTHING Tyler Perry is doing. As much violence as there is in the black community we need something to keep our minds laughing. Even though the shows sometimes are a little far fetch the one thing that is not mentioned in anyones comments is the word FAMILY!!! Every thing he does their is a family setting and a positive message in the show. So stop looking at the laughter and read between the lines. Black/white is always Spike’s issue. When it should be Black/Black. Once again we are our own worst enemies. Go into the inner cities and see what’s happening. Look at the news, read a newspaper (if you can that is) it’s all out there. Plus my Madea died December 2006 and yes we have a Brown in our family too! Go ahead Tyler keep us laughing and giving us the message in the movie. I loved The Family That Preys.

LOL… Spike is jealous. He needs to get over it. He had his time in the spot light so now it’s Tyler Perry’s turn!! ” Live and Let Live”

Let me just say that I am deeply offended by Spike Lee’s remarks. Not once has he challenged some of the low budget films that his colleagues continue to make and air on BET or TV1. This reminds me of the old adage, “Crabs in a Barrel.” We must learn to encourage our fellow crabs that make it out of the barrel, instead of pushing them back to the bottom. Tyler Perry has created an empire based purely on his trials & tribulations in life. His movies and TV programs have Blessed millions of people and not just Black viewers. The antics from “Brown” or “Madea” is common to us all and we should be grateful that we have any Black programs on TV. Spike Lee can certainly speak his mind, but he should look in the mirror and examine his motives before spewing negative comments against colleagues. As Tyler continues to make movies and plays, I will continue to support him just as I still support Bill Cosby.

I think there is enough room to portray Black people in every social context. Spike Lee and any other writer/director/editor/studio owners/producers etc who decides to make an investment into projecting the images of Black people is avenue is available. I do agree w/some of the other comments re: the “crabs in a barrel mentality” WE tend to have. Why don’t Spike Lee and Tyler Perry collaborate on a possible movie deal. In this way, we get a balanced portrayal of our community. Which is all you can ask for b/c in reality we have a little bit of everything. And yes his comments were about the Black community and its portrayal however why can’t we have shows like Everybody Loves Raymond as well as Brothers & Sisters. We need to stop limiting ourselves b/c that is THE PROBLEM. WAKE UPPPPPP!

Okay I need to proofread my submissions first but I am sure you get the gist.