Whether you like his style of entertainment or not, Tyler Perry is a man on a roll. This week Perry’s new sitcom “House of Payne” premiered on the cable network TBS with back-to-back episodes. Centered on a family of three generations nestled under one roof, the show stars Allen Payne (“The Cosby Show,” “New Jack City,” “Jason’s Lyric”), LaVan Davis (“Daddy’s Little Girls”), Cassi Davis (“Daddy’s Little Girls,” “Madea’s Family Reunion”), China Anne McClain (“The Gospel,” “Daddy’s Little Girls”) and Larramie “Doc” Shaw (“Nobody Loves Me”) and Lance Gross (“Eve,” “The Bernie Mac Show”).

Perry, whose stage plays and movies have reportedly grossed nearly $300 million, entered into an unprecedented deal with TBS to bring his family comedy to the tube. The cable network bought 100 episodes of the show for $200 million. Syndication rights have already been sold to Fox for the series, which was shot in Perry’s 70,000 sq. ft. studio in Atlanta.

With this sitcom deal, Perry creates a whole new model for the television game. So whether his depiction of blackness suits your tastes or not, Perry commands respect; he is building a nation within an industry that has long been hostile to African Americans. And he’s doing it on his own terms all the while creating opportunities for black people, in front of and behind the camera, who would largely be overlooked by mainstream Hollywood producers.

Nevertheless, though funny in spots, “House of Payne” definitely needs some tweaking. This comedy unfortunately doesn’t bring the laughs the way most of Perry’s work does. The bloggersphere confirms my sentiments. Yet, I think there’s much hope. The beauty in having 100 episodes is that Perry and the actors have time to fine-tune the product, find a groove, and a rhythm. Using his acute business acumen, Perry has the ability to reevaluate the show on an ongoing basis, allowing him and his stellar producing team, including Reuben Cannon and Roger Bobb, time to assess what’s working and what’s not on the show. I’m very optimistic.

Yes, overall some folks have a problem with Perry’s work in general, particularly his dressing up like a woman and playing the world’s toughest grandma---Madea---who appears in most of his productions. (Though she appears in the first episode, she’s not a regular.) But Perry’s heart is in the right place. His work reflects family. He cares about old-fashioned love demonstrated by old school discipline and parental authority. Perry recalls a world when parents put their feet down and ran the household, and elders were respected. Though preachy at times, his messages are clear and necessary in a world where the black family seems constantly threatened. In Perry’s “House of Payne,” there are two loving parents, they are married and want the best for their kids and extended family. Anyone seeking to promote black family values in pop culture today must be commended. So, yes, there’s hope. Just remember, Tyler: You gotta make ‘em laugh

George Alexander
BLACK ENTERPRISE