My relationship to Tyler Perry’s work is complicated. On one hand I love that he gives so many black actors much-need work, and on the other, I’m constantly frustrated by his predictable storylines and problematic depictions of black women. But it doesn’t really matter what I think; Mama O loves her some Tyler Perry and…
Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry share the cover of the June 2013 issue of Essence Magazine. The two entertainment moguls, who starred in a promotional video for OWN as Madea and Sofia, talk about why they lean on each other and how their business collaboration came about. Oprah acknowledges just how uncommon their partnership is: “We…
We weren’t entirely sure where Oprah Winfrey was going when pictures hit the internet showing her famous “The Color Purple” character Sofia and Tyler Perry’s Madea posing together. We wondered if the meeting would be funny and creative or awkward and cringe-worthy. We’re pleased to say it’s the former. The two characters collide as Madea stops…
2012 was a great year for the Oprah Winfrey Network. OWN, which once suffered from low ratings and management shake-ups, reached double-digit gains and soared with 11 months of consecutive ratings growth. The 2013 season looks just as bright for OWN. Over the weekend, the network revealed six new original series to its lineup. The…
Two months ago, Oprah Winfrey revealed plans to work with Tyler Perry on two original scripted programs for OWN, a first for the network. Today, OWN released further details on Perry’s contribution to the network via The Hollywood Reporter: “Haves and the Have Nots is a single-camera effort about the dynamics of the affluent Cyrer…
The trouble surrounding Oprah’s cable network OWN is well documented. Since premiering last year, the network has struggled to retain viewers and capitalize on the popularity of Oprah’s network show. Just yesterday, Oprah announced that she was pulling the plug on Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show, and now she has announced that she’s laying off a…
