Tyler Perry Continues to Impress
Tyler Perry rocked the box office this weekend. His comedy “Madea Goes to Jail” raked in an astounding $41.1 million in its debut, making it the highest grossing film ever for Perry and Lionsgate films. In 2005, his “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” debuted at $30 million, which was particularly impressive considering the low-key buzz it had generated. “Madea Goes to Jail” proves how much power Perry has when he goes drag. Apparently the public loves that manly, advice-spewing grandmother. “Madea” was the studio’s best opening in its 14-year history, according to Steve Rothenberg, president of distribution at Lionsgate. The studio’s previous top opening was the $33.6 million debut of 2006’s “Saw III,” he said. “You could argue that Madea is now the top female box office star in Hollywood,” said Rothenberg, whose studio has distributed all seven of Perry’s films, several of which were released straight to DVD. “The character is one of the great screen creations of the last decade.”

It’s Time for Another BIG Rap Movie
Cheo Hodari Coker, fresh off his hit “Notorious,” is tackling another BIG story about a slain rap star. He is bringing to the big screen Bill Adler’s Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC – The Authorized Biography for DJ Classicz, the urban arm of Davis Entertainment.  Fox Searchlight’s “Notorious,” released two weeks ago, chronicles the life and early death of Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G. In “Tougher,” Coker will share the history of Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, who was shot to death in his Queens studio in 2002. They were the first real superstars of hip hop music. Among their most recognizable hits were tunes such as “It’s Like That,” “It’s Tricky,” “My Adidas” and “Walk This Way.” The Queens, N.Y.-based group, retired after Mizell’s death. They will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4.

Perry’s Meet the Browns Re-upped by TBS
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns will now be officially a part of the TBS lineup. The station announced this week that it had purchased rights to air 80 episodes of the film, which was adapted from the theatrical film, starring Angela Basset. The show premiered on TBS on Jan. 7, in a 10-episode test run. The first two episodes were the second highest premiere for an original sitcom – only behind Perry’s House of Payne, which hit screens in June 2007. After six episodes, the show is the top comedy among cable audiences between 18-49 years old and 25-54 years old, with about 3.4 million viewers, 2.2 households, 910,000 adults 18-34, 1.9 million adults 18-49 and 1.8 million adults 25-54. It’s also television’s No. 1 scripted series among African-American viewers, households, adults 18-34 and adults 18-49, according to Turner.

Tyler Perry is in Dog House with Contractors A half-dozen contractors have filed liens against the home and new movie studio of actor-director Tyler Perry, alleging that he stiffed them for nearly $200,000 in unpaid bills. The construction firms say that Perry arbitrarily declined to pay them for their work, that he ordered work done on impulse. For example, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, he might decide “he wouldn’t like the stones purchased for an outdoor fountain … or deem newly planted trees too short. Said Brooks Hilton, a landscaping contractor who contends that Perry owes him $17,635, “He wanted to do it his way.” “He wouldn’t take any advice. I guess in Hollywood it works that way, but not in real life.” But Perry says that he refused to pay up because the workers did lousy work. “I pride myself on taking care of my business. I pride myself on being able to pay the bills, [but] I’m not sympathetic to anybody who’s trying to rip me off. Just because I’m a Christian, just because I’m a nice guy, it doesn’t mean I’m a wimp.”

Black Choir Signed to Record Deal The Black youth choir that performed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration last week has been signed by Universal Music. As they returned to Nairobi from D.C., officials of the label met the members of the Boys Choir of Kenya at London’s Heathrow Airport. Read the rest here.

Singer El DeBarge has been arrested for at least the second time in two years. The former lead performer of the popular ’80s’ and ’90s’ sibling group DeBarge was recently charged with possession of a controlled substance in Los Angeles – the same location where he was arrested in 2007 on charges including vandalism, drug possession and domestic violence. The singer’s youngest brother Jonathan “Chico” DeBarge served prison time for drug-trafficking before launching a moderately successful solo career in the 1990s.

Tyler Perry says he doesn’t demand “Mr.” You don’t have to call Tyler Perry “Mr.” – and it has nothing to do with the fact that he frequently wears dresses. Through a spokesman, the film director and gender-switching “Madea” actor denies New York Post reports that he won’t respond to employees who address him by his first name. “That’s totally preposterous,” says the spokesman. “I call him Tyler. Some people do call him ‘Mr. Perry,’ but it’s out of respect.”

Rap star saluted after activism in Africa.

A rap star has been chosen for recognition by the United Nations for his promotion of clean water in Africa. Jay-Z attended the recent United Nations Global Leadership Gala, where he was honored for having traveled abroad, recording his visits to poor Black regions in a documentary. “Many charities, you close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope that the money gets to the people who really deserve it,” People quotes Jigga. “But with this, I got to go to Africa, see the water pumps. I got to see the kids turn them on.”

Tyler Perry opens Atlanta studio complex. Filmmaker Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studios are officially open for business, following construction of the multi-million-dollar complex. Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and a host of other celebrities were on hand this past weekend to tour Perry’s new digs. The actor and director pays tribute to entertainment legends before him by naming specific locations at the complex in their honor. Among stages at the studio are name dedications to the likes of actress Ruby Dee and powerhouse producer Quincy Jones.

Entertainers sometimes tend to escape their child support duties, but one model and  ex-Hollywood wife isn’t having it! Read more here.