Ingredient #11: Practice What You Preach
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Who: Cicely Tyson
What: A stern mother watches as her daughter, Helen, wakes up to find an earth-shattering truth: that her wealthy, philandering, verbally abusive husband has discarded her for the mistress with whom he's sired two children.
Madea's Family Reunion
Who: Cicely Tyson, Tyler Perry
What: Self-righteous Myrtle can't help herself when dropping by Madea's thrown together reunion from chiding the guests for clothing behavior unbecoming of proud African-Americans.
The 'Perry Secret': More than willing to: profess moral code, wear religion on his sleeve--and on the sleeves of his productions--Perry's connection to the church may be his strongest box office draw with his faithful audience who comes to get their inspirational message while getting entertained. From the ubiquitous church lady in all his works to "keepin' it real" on a profinity-free head set, it's clear--notwithstanding the drag--that he's somewhat of a Christian faith-based entertainment missionary, tapping into the essentials of primarily African-American life.
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"So I figure what is the next way that I can meet the needs of this [his theater] audience because they’re starving for good, wholesome entertainment with good values, that has some form of respect or faith in God."
--Tyler Perry