LA Times: Turner tries to smooth things over with Tyler Perry over ‘Boondocks’ parody
Although Tyler Perry has not said a word publicly, insiders are saying he was might upset by the “Boondocks” parody of him that aired June 20 on Turner Entertainment’s Adult Swim network. Making it more awkward: he works closely with TBS on “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.”
Aaron McGruder, the creator of the “Boondocks,” created a thinly disguised Perry-like character named Winston Jerome (apparently, the original name was too close to Perry so execs insisted he change it.) In the episode, Jerome, who dresses up like Madea in his plays, used religion to cover up the fact he is gay.
The Los Angeles Times, using unnamed sources, got some inside scoop on Perry’s reaction:
Soon after the episode aired, Perry got in touch with executives at Turner including entertainment chief Steve Koonin and Phil Kent, the chief executive of Turner Broadcasting. Perry complained loudly about the episode and even threatened to rethink his relationship with the company, people familiar with the situation said. A spokesman for Perry declined to comment.
Ken Sunshine, a Perry spokesman, declined to me, too.
Tim DeClaire, a spokemsan for Adult Swim, declined comment as well about whether the network plans to air that “Boondocks” again.
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210 comments Add your comment
Mike
July 4th, 2010
2:50 am
@Ron Mexico
Freedom of Speech? I use to watch the “Boondocks” when it first appeared. After that first season, it hasn’t been funny. Aaron knows by doing this, he will appeal to a different audience (young white guys who sit around posting comments all day), therefore, attempting to get more viewers and better ratings. If any writer talks about EVERYONE, it would be Seth Macfarland! Aaron, for the past season has done nothing but criticize a certain group of people. I’m not a fan of Tyler Perry (movies, tv shows and plays), but I do recognize the great things he does in the community. Like the time those minority kids (Blacks/Mexicans) in Phili were told to get out of a swimming pool, because the white parents didn’t want them swimming with their kids. Well, Tyler took every kid that was there to Walt Disney World, all expenses paid. Aaron? He’s running around making crappy shows. The Boondocks is not funny anymore.
Btw. who said that anyone broke a law? Tyler asked two executives for a simple explaination. Besides, did you hear anything come from Tyler himself? This is all speculation and the MEDIA has you telling people to get a clue. Next, you’ll start talking to yourself.
nubianqueen
July 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
Oh, what a huge loss to society at large and black culture in particular if the minstrel show currently going by the title of “House of Payne” got yanked off the air. Perry clearly doesn’t understand that the larger issue going on in that episode was that McGruder was aiming at the hypocrisy of the black church. They laugh and laugh when he cross-dresses as Madea in those chitlin circuit Jesus morality plays, but see how they treat real life transvestites and LGBT people in their own community.
officer M
July 4th, 2010
8:08 pm
two words for mr perry. thicker skin. The boondocks is a parody and satire of, about and for Black American culture. We have the likes of Paul Mooney, Eddie Murphy, (the late) Richard Pryor, Chris Rock and (the late) Red Foxx who have all made comments simillar to those made on the boondocks. Mr. Perry should realize that stereotypical behavior, situations and events breed stereo types. He has made a heck of a lot of money capitalizing on those stereo types. He put himself out there. He writes the plays, movies and tv shows (with all the same general story lines). And most of all he is the one dressed like someones ignorant grandmother on stage. I guess its all fun and games till someone says the joke is on you…
Tyler Perry on “Boondocks” rumors | The Buzz
July 6th, 2010
10:45 am
[...] Following the episode, titled “Pause,” Turner execs reportedly were busy trying to smooth things over with Perry. [...]
EdBdCJ
July 6th, 2010
2:19 pm
First and foremost, I do NOT CARE if Tyler Perry is really gay or not. It makes no difference. However, Mr. Perry has ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT to try to get The Boondock’s episode pulled simply because his feeling were hurt. Obviosly, Perry does not know the meaning of the word SATIRE. All of the crap Perry puts out is offensive on soooo many levels and since I am usually offended by his works, I simply do not watch them. I absolutely hate that Perry usually portrays his black female characters as overly dependent, hooping and hollering Jesus freaks who are ONLY happy when they find a man. Perry needs to “man-up” and be able to take a little critism.
Coco
July 6th, 2010
6:42 pm
A hit dog will holla….HOLLA!!
Natalie
July 9th, 2010
6:31 pm
He doth protest too much.
Juston
July 20th, 2010
2:04 pm
I love how people are on here going in on Tyler Perry when RUMOR has it he was upset about the episode. I bet he hasn’t even seen it. That man has too much going on to worry about some some show (with not even half the ratings of his) that is satiring him. To be SATIRED, you’ve got to be doing something right. And I’m sure that’s exactly how TP looks at it. Gay or not. Bafoonery or not. He’s doing HIS thing. And whether or not a bunch of internet losers think he’s gay isn’t stopping him from doing it.
Juston
July 20th, 2010
2:05 pm
Nubianqueen, you are SO right.
blue
July 28th, 2010
2:54 am
I read some of your comments, and I’m wondering where are you getting this info? Tyler Perry response to “Pause” was “the best response is no response”. So what if he is gay or not, so what if he’s rich. Either you like his material or not.