In Depth
‘House of Payne’s’ Former Writers Plan to Picket Perry’s Studio Opening
Former writers of TBS’ “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” along with supporters of the Writers Guild of America, will picket the opening this weekend of Mr. Perry’s new studio in Atlanta.
Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell allege they were fired from “Payne” after a six-month union-organizing campaign with the WGA.
The allegation has spurred the WGA to file charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Mr. Perry’s House of Payne LLC “unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for their union activity” and “the company bargained in bad faith with the guild, which is seeking to negotiate a contract covering the writers on Perry’s cable television series ‘House of Payne’ and ‘Meet the Browns.’”
According to the writers and the WGA, Mr. Perry refused to sign a contract that would give the writers healthcare, pensions and residuals. On Tuesday, the writers said, they were fired via conference call.
“We’re asking all those who had planned to attend the opening of Tyler Perry’s new studio not to cross our picket line,” Mr. Moore said. “It’s very disheartening considering that this is a studio run by African-Americans. What Tyler Perry is essentially saying to us is that ‘you’re black and there’s not a lot of opportunities for you so you’ll take what I give you’ – whether it’s fair or not.”
"It is unfortunate that the WGA has stooped to injecting race into a contract negotiation. Not only have they misrepresented the facts, they have done a disservice to their members," Matt Johnson, Mr. Perry's attorney, said.
Mr. Johnson said four of seven staff writers for "Meet the Browns" were fired due to the quality of their work and House of Payne, LLC is continuing to work with the WGA to negotiate a contract with the remaining staff writers.
"Instead of continuing to negotiate the contract of their members in good faith, the WGA’s Hollywood-based leadership decided to go to the media with a racially inflammatory press release attacking a man who employs over 300 Atlantans, the majority of whom are African- American," he added.
Comment from Mr. Perry's attorney added at 6:15 p.m. PST.
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Comments 11
Reality Check
If Tyler Perry honestly were firing people for the quality of their work, he would issue the first pink slip to himself.
What a hypocrite. "Family That Preys" indeed.
Bizzibodi
Well this is typical of how "we" do each other. Firing someone via conference call in and of itself reeks of unprofessionalism. Well, I am unable to continue to support someone who inflicts unfair labor practices on his employees. The Family That Preys was my last donation. If I cannot get my money back for the play that will be here next week, I guess they'll just go to waste...this is bad...this is very bad. I am putting Tyler on my ish-list with R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, and the rest of the hypocrites that live there!!
WriterGuy
As Bill Maher might say:
"'House of Payne' has writers?"
Walt Bailey
I wouldn't be too quick to judge Tyler Perry unless you have an inside track on how this has played out.
Both sides have their interests and either one could be out of line.
Unimpressed
I don't see how anything could make House of Payne any worse than it currently is.
wruly
This is no surprise at all. Tyler Perry is a hypocrite king. But I won't hate on him just because he got caught at what everyone else does...
fred
they needed to be fired i don't see other african americans employing and giving the chance to shine such as tyler has. i could give a fuck about tyler and his empire, but the writers need to write,get health insurance collect a check and go the hell home stop being greeding
DIABLO
THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT WRITERS ARE SELFISH, GREEDY, STUPID PIGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK
THEY LIKE TO CRY...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! AND WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE LIKE A BUNCH OF BABIES!!!!
GROW SOME PIGS YOU BALLS!
Kenyatta
Stop being a fan and BE FAIR.
I know it is hard for us black folks to swallow when one of our own is DEAD wrong. I know Kellie Griffin family personally, she WROTE his NAACP award winning episode, and he took the credit. Cool, but where is the money???? They want what writers have to FIGHT for.
I hate it when Black folks do wrong and we side with the person we recognize and NOT the victim. It is R Kelly all over again. In case that lil girl was wrong..right???
Tyler Perry is WACK!
Brinda
'If' Tyler did this. He is wrong. Writing is a job just like any other job. They should be covered for health care and anything else workers are usually eligible for. Yes, it's wonderful he's giving Black writers (some may be white or fill in the blank) an opportunity. But, that doesn't give him the right to withhold good from these people just because he gave them a break. I think if anyone should understand the plight of the black man is another black man (not includes women). It is extremely difficult for black writers to break into this industry. And the thought that he would take advantage or as Spike Lee might say not "Do the Right Thing", greatly disappoints me. To say nothing about what Jesus might say. We need to be a example of what's right not wrong. Decency is what separates us from the crowd. It kills me to think you've gone Hollywood. Or could you be revealing who you always were. Tyler what's up?
road runner
Someone wrote in this post not to Judge Tyler Perry unless you got the inside story. I know the inside story and Tyler Perry not all he plays out to be. He is a genius when it comes to business and knowing what many of his audience like. However, he does not like strong black men especially darker brothers. Take note how he degrades the character in the Brown family. It is said by his staff that he has issues about it and he fears unions, men and women who do not jump and grin when he is present. He has stepin fetchits who tell him everything he wants to know about every one of his staff. No, this is not hating the man...he is not what he pretends to be. I will never purchase nothing that guy puts out. One day, his cover will be blown and those who think people hate him because he ia famous will no doubt find out the truth. The guy is evil. He never really got over how his dad treated him. Otherwise he would not talk about it so much.