Tyler Perry's Alleged Role As Union Buster Becoming Big Obama Embarrassment?

Deadline Hollywood Daily:

One of Barack Obama's staunchest supporters and prized campaigners and film biographers from the motion picture and television business has just been accused of union busting, according to a complaint filed Thursday with the National Labor Relations Board. Before the exposé, writer/actor/director/producer/author/playwright Tyler Perry invited the presidential candidate to the grand opening of his entertainment studio on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, this coming Saturday night. But if Obama attends he will be met by picket lines thrown up by the Writers Guild of America with support from other unions including the Teamsters, even though the latter union has officially endorsed the Democrat. "This is just the first step. We've got a lot more planned," a WGA insider told me last night, indicating that the Perry picketing may widen to Time Warner's TBS which broadcasts his hugely popular House Of Payne sitcom, and an upcoming TV spinoff of one of Perry's movie's Meet The Browns.

Perry, whose estimated worth is $500 million, is much more than just another Barack Obama supporter. He donated the maximum $4,600 to the campaign. (In fact, he donated $6,900 but then took back $2,300 when it exceeded the limit.) He also has announced plans to make an Obama film. Perry told the press he is already writing, and plans to direct and produce as soon as late this year, a love story inspired by the relationship between Obama and his wife Michelle. (Perry has said he dreams of casting Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett in the lead roles.) It's not known if the Obamas are cooperating with the film, but the idea occurred to Perry after he heard their story when he had dinner with the couple as well as from his close pal, Oprah Winfrey, who is Obama's biggest showbiz supporter.

Read the whole story: Deadline Hollywood Daily

Comments

[Obama08Supporter]

One thing about republicans they will say, do, or write anything to make Obama look bad. Here we go with the associations again, bring out Keating5.

What? Does Obama not counsel Tyler? However, I guess he better stay away from that TYler man or else he will lose votes from those who must control the candidate in order to vote for him.

WOw, what a country and a mindset we have.

[jdmba]

I'm just glad Tyler Perry doesn't plan to throw on a wig and play Michelle's mother or something. That man loves drag way too much.

[Obama08Supporter]

Yeah, and his drag has made him millions. Now, who really cares that he is playing a great character, certainly not me. I would create a male character if I could and if it would like me millions.

Your imagination is running way to deep, it is about doing something different and making people laugh.

[jdmba]

Just because someone makes millions, it doesn't make them talented.

Tyler Perry annoys me. His movies annoy me. His TV show makes me cringe. I don't like the images of Black people he puts out and his ego, well, it annoys me. No need to be in every movie you write (yeah, I know it started on the stage,but some thing don't translate as well on screen).

Plus, the word out is that he's a hypocrite:

"For the last two years Lamont Ferrell has been working as a writer on Perry's House of Payne and more recently Perry's forthcoming-series Meet the Browns. He's been working without dental or medical benefits and certainly below scale. Perry doesn't believe in paying his writers union scale. He believes in being blessed and being blessed means working without benefits and being paid next to zip. Well, Lamont and a few other Union writers have been trying to convince Perry to work under a Writers Guild contract for the last two years and Perry has refused. "

http://blogs.theroot.com/blogs/diggingdeep/archive/2008/10/03/tyler-perry-goes-to-jail-the-sequel.aspx

[stepintothelight]

How about a good ol fashioned Minstrel show??? yassah yassah yowsah!!!

[harriettubman]

Tyler is Tyler, Obama is Obama. Why must Tyler's business dealings affect Obama? That's going overboard now.

People can picket all day. I'm not a fan of unions. They've turned into another Wall Street.

[MorpheusXNYC]

Tyler Perry = "Ooooh, how you doin'?...."

[Cherlesq]

So where di the picket line bust happen. This headline si misleading. Don't start doing the NYT bull crap. Get straight and do this right.

[SherryIndianapolis]

And did I miss something? Why do we care if Tyler is gay or not?

[SherryIndianapolis]

Another example of how some people (Republican shills) are trying to hold Obama accountable for anything any (semi) famous black person says or does....

This has nothing to do whatsoever with Barack Obama.....

[KarlaElisa]

I would love to see Denzel playing Obama. As for the Union busting charge, Obama best steer clear of that mess. Or help right the situation and get some PR out of doing a good thing.

[uheardme]

That brother from England, Ojeifor something, would be better. Also, Naomie whatshername from England, of Pirates of the Carribean fame, would make a great Michelle.

Denzel is too old.

[badgirlinchicago]

I see that some white people on this blog have a problem with Tyler Perry. Who cares if he is gay? I bet the majority of the commentators on this article have not seen one Tyler Perry movie but are quick to say something stupid. Don't hate because he's rich and you're not.

[uheardme]

I'm not white and Tyler Perry's work is horrible to me. If you love him, fine. Not everyone shares your taste in film and television.

[Eric8869]

The fact is the black community cares if he's gay. He can't be out. That was the point. Nobody said they hate Tyler Perry. (some people don't like his work)

[Nommo]

You realize that you are the only person here that is harping on his sexuality. Your entire argument is fallacious. The Black community adores Tyler Perry---where do you think that
500 mill came from? White people? And those people would tell you to mind your goddam business, just as they would've about Luther Van Dross and a whole host of Black celebrities that everybody "knows" about.

We don't place that premium on "coming out". That is something that white people stress over. Tyler Perry is a man, a successful man whatever anyone thinks of his work. He is the product of a society that sees "ni**er first and asks questions later. The only person that should have any concern over Perry's sexuality is the person that is interested in him sexually. The rest of you, as his supporters would remind you, should just shut up. Those who know don't talk, and those who talk don't know.

[harriettubman]

The black sites heckle Tyler too about his orientation. It's not just white folks honey.

[stepintothelight]

Please take this man down before he destroys "black"entertainment any further. Tyler Perry is BET without FCC oversight. This man is the master of peddling stereotypes. Who needs oppressive institutions of negative propaganda when you have voluntary contributors like him ... uh her .... whatever!!!

[bored2tears]

It's beyond ridiculous for Perry to claim that he fired the writers because of the "quality of their work."

If quality were the issue, Perry would fire himself.

[Puller58]

Non-story. The unions are on life-support and need to pick on less sympathetic figures.

[castlerider]

Tyler will need to make it right with the unions.... Period.
Sen. Obama would never step over hard working union workers for the celluloid support of this man or anyone, and watch- he will stay away, and catch it on the some other time.

I really like Obama's style. He encourages and makes others step up to the plate. He's a class act.

[Yovovi]

Perry is the McDonalds of filmakers, mass produce crappy films with one-dimension characters, same story again and again. I hope Obama stays away!

[uheardme]

True. His work sucks.

[uheardme]

Diary of a Mad Black Woman was only a little funny a long time ago.

[bubblebeebuzz]

Great description of his work; McDonalads; low quality products recycled on every production and makes lots of money.
Very fast food !

[changeishere08]

another guilt by association smear. Is Obama responsible for every d@mm body's actions? Really? Another timewasting article. Absolute cr-p.

[Mattie]

another example of the Obama side practicing do as I say, not as I do!

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

another example of someone who needs to give Cindy her prescription medications back......

[DaBluAce]

why is it when black folks know someone who gets in to deep crap everybody who has ever known that person gets in trouble deep crap...double standards in play one again.