Just about everyone in the industry was surprised by the unprecedented success of quadruple-threat Tyler Perry’s first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, except…Tyler Perry.
Even though Perry is a relative newcomer to Hollywood, he has been building his audience for years through his self-produced stage plays aimed at a Christian and black audiences, and by multiple DVDs based on those moral-focused, comedy-drama plays that seemed to speak to this neglected mass.
Having a faithful and hungry audience paid-off for Perry when Diary of a Mad Black Woman [2005] and Madea’s Family Reunion [2006], combined, grossed over $100 million in the United States. His was a tale rooted in humble beginnings that exploded into an industry and cultural phenomenon.
Now Perry has turned his attention to the small screen, put aside his signature, Sunday-dress wearing character of Madea, and created the television show House of Payne. Independently developed at its start, Perry’s House of Payne is TBS’ latest attempt to build original comedy into its programming. It’s a half-hour show about a struggling firefighter who moves back into his parents’ home in Atlanta with his two kids after his wife accidentally burns down their house.
Hollywood.com caught up with the hyphenate director-writer-actor-producer Perry for an exclusive about his latest leap into yet another medium.
Hollywood.com: How did House of Payne end up on TBS?
Tyler Perry: House of Payne…I am extremely excited about, because I wanted to do the show for years, but when I went out to Hollywood to do it, I couldn’t get it done–because they wanted to change the idea. They didn’t want half the cast; so I came back here to Atlanta and shot it myself and tested it in a bunch of markets across the country. The ratings were amazing and I thought, “How do I get this on television and be able to tell the story my way without compromising it?” I needed a partner who could do that, and TBS has proved to be an amazing partner for this type of show because we are talking about a lot of family values–and a lot of amazing stories–that we as people deal with on a daily basis. So I’m very excited about it, and looking forward to June 6th when it airs.
HW: So what were the other networks’ reactions when you initially pitched House of Payne?
TP: What they said to me [pauses], “We love the show, now let’s change everything about it.” I was clearly told you can’t say the name Jesus. That you cannot say this on a television sitcom. I thought to myself, ‘That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.’ You can do everything else on television but you can’t say Jesus. Part of the problem is there are so many hands involved. When an artist brings something to them, there are so many hands that change it, that by the time it gets to the public it’s not the original vision. I think that’s why a lot of things don’t work, it’s not one person driving the vision.
HW: In what context was the word Jesus used?
TP: Ella Payne’s character in the show is the Christian character. She is the faith, the rock that holds the family together. She works at a help center at the church, so there are some episodes coming up where they talk, and they pray, and they say things. A pastor speaks in one of the episodes. There were objections to all of the [creative] direction I was going in.
HW: A big chunk of your movie-going audience are people who don’t necessarily see a lot of films generated from Hollywood. Do you think that they will follow you to television?
TP: Absolutely. I outgrew the stage because I couldn’t get enough seats for all the interest, and then the films have been really successful. So I figure what is the next way that I can meet the needs of this audience because they’re starving for good, wholesome entertainment with good values, that has some form of respect or faith in God. I’m absolutely certain they’ll be there.
HW: You operate almost entirely outside of what’s perceived as the ‘mainstream’ of this industry–and are doing very well at it. Do you ever think: “Thank god they rejected me?”
TP: Yeah, necessity is the mother of invention, so I am grateful every day. It’s nice that you say that, because I was just at a marketing meeting about the show and we were overwhelmed at how well everything is planned out and how great everything is going. I am grateful that the system booted me out so that I had to find my own way. A lot of people would give up and walk away, but I’m the type of guy that’ll find a way to cut a hole in the door.
HW: With two young kids on House of Payne, have you had to do some real parenting behind the scenes?
TP: Well, the great thing about these shows is that the kids’ parents are very present on scene–and they’re not ‘Hollywood’, over-the-top parents. These are parents who are really into the day-to-day lives of their children. But there were moments when we were reading the script, and I got uncomfortable with the children being in the room– so I knew that those things had to be re-worked, and we’ve changed those things in the script.
HW: Is there pressure to live up to hit shows like The Bernie Mac Show and Everybody Hates Chris?
TP: I’ve never really been concerned much about the ratings or the pressure. When I do anything it is: “What does it feel like to me?” “Is it genuine to me?” “Is it real to me?” and “Is this the best I can do?” After that, I completely surrender and there is nothing more that I can do. That’s why I couldn’t be in the traditional Hollywood system, I couldn’t take the notes to change things, because it wouldn’t be my vision–and I think maybe if the creators of those shows had more control, I think they would appeal more to the audiences. House of Payne is completely one of those shows where whatever we want to talk about, or however I think the characters will behave, I can have it happen. And I think this audience will be there and support it, because they will recognize the realness of it–or will be recognizing themselves in the show. So I’m certainly not concerned about major networks’ kinds of ratings or pressure.
HW: Some of the promo pieces for the Atlanta-based show describe your lead character [played by Allen Payne] as an Archie Bunker type. Will that possibly extend into his world view?
TP: We’re completely staying away from things of that nature. What played back then won’t work in this day and age.
HW: You were born in New Orleans. Have you been down there since the hurricane?
TP: I have–and went to The Ninth Ward. The day of the storm we were supposed to start building a house for my mother. I went down there a few months ago and I saw the devastation, so I decided to build them another house where they’re reinventing the city, because I’m still a little bit disappointed with the lack of progress on the outskirts where the poor people were.
HW: Were you were surprised your feature directorial debut, Madea’s Family Reunion, had such a powerful turnout?
TP: I think Hollywood was surprised! I wasn’t surprised at all, because at the time I was on the road and I’d seen 35,000 to 40,000 people a week, who were spending $50 to $60 to come in and see my live shows. I would show the audiences the trailer for Madea’s Family Reunion, and the reaction was so huge that I knew it was going to be a great thing.
HW: Are you going to be able to do the same kind of grassroots marketing with House of Payne?
TP: TBS is going to do a great job. They’ve got every bit of their machine working, but I have to work with what I know–so I am going back out on the road in June to play to that audience again. I’ve got a show that’s been on tour for the last year or so, that is running promotion for House of Payne so I’m still at that grassroots level.
HW: Is it really true that you are doing 100 episodes of House of Payne–and that at the end of the day you’ll end up owning all the episodes?
TP: Yes it is!
HW: How did that happen?
TP: When I funded the first 10 episodes and I put them on, and they tested well, TBS was one of the markets that we tested with here in Atlanta. The ratings were so great that they said, “Okay, we want to make a move here.” I was very clear with my representation that I needed something powerful to happen–and TBS really stepped up.
HW: Have you gotten the urge to be in front of the camera for this show?
TP: No, I’m actually enjoying things behind the camera. I enjoyed it with my last film, Daddy’s Little Girls. It was really great to take the pressure off, and to not worry about the makeup or your weight; just be behind the camera and eat as many doughnuts as you want. So I’m enjoying it, but eventually I’ll get back in front of the camera.
HW: Even though you generate most of your own material, what’s the most bizarre thing someone has pitched you?
TP: [Laughs] A Madea cooking show–kind of like Martha Stewart. I was thinking, “Are you kidding me? Me in a wig and dress everyday?”
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne will premiere Wednesday, June 6th at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. EDT on TBS.
