Tyler Perry Shares He’s the Sole Writer of All of His Shows, Social Media Users Clap Back
In a video shared on social media Perry shared: “I have no writers room. Nobody writes any of my work. I write it all.”
Tyler Perry recently unveiled that he does not have a writers room like normal television series and movies.
Instead of the common practice, the mogul shared in an Instagram video that he is the sole writer for each of his original series. In the clip, a stack of scripts are shown for his ongoing shows including OWN’s The Haves and the Have Nots in addition to the newly created BET+ series Sistas and The Oval.
While he filmed the scripts he said, “So I don’t know if you know this, but all shows on television have a writers room. And, most of the time, there are ten people or 12 or whatever that write on these television shows. Well, I have no writers room. Nobody writes any of my work. I write it all. Why am I telling you this? I wrote all of these scripts by myself in 2019. Work ethic!”
Following the release of the video on Instagram and Twitter, social media users began responding positively and negatively. One Twitter user @TrevellAnderson, the former Director of Culture and Entertainment at Out magazine wrote:
“Cute flex. But what this really confirms is that he’s unequivocally responsible for what many perceive as poorly written, problematic, and colorist narratives centering Black women. Hate to see it!”
Cute flex. But what this really confirms is that he’s unequivocally responsible for what many perceive as poorly written, problematic, and colorist narratives centering Black women. Hate to see it! https://t.co/FHrDF5O4h1
— Tre’vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 6, 2020
Another user @comingiVu tweeted, “…and here is the problem! Same script, different cast. You certainly cannot grow like this. The brillaince of having different writers is bringing other experiences and creatives to stories.”
…and here is the problem! Same script, different cast. You certainly can not grow like this. The brilliance of having different writers is bringing other experiences and creatives to stories. We know your brand by now and that’s fine too..but there are other stories to be told.
— RebukeTrump2020 (@comingIVu) January 6, 2020
Take a look at more responses below.
I love that Tyler Perry built a whole studio in Atlanta. Now, I wish he would use his success, influence, and money to help other people tell stories.
In his next act, I wish he would produce — he could support so much good ish, too — But he needs to get out of the way.
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) January 6, 2020
Congrats! This is inspiring. Now imagine how many Black writers you could have employed if you stepped back a bit. Imagine how much more nuanced and colorful these stories would be if you created space for other voices and perspectives.
— Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl & BRANDON! (@Brand0nnick) January 6, 2020
Your work ethic has gotten you very far, Mr. Perry. That can’t be debated, it’s true. But, c’mon sir. All these shows, all these resources, all this opportunity, and you chose not to have a writer’s room? Not to employ other, up-and-coming Black TV writers? I call foul.
— 👑 come judge f’me. (@DamoneWilliams_) January 7, 2020
If ya’ll want to write your own stories that are better than Tyler Perry’s, start your own companies, no one is entitled to a job. Stop dragging this man for his hard work.
— Ms_Gupta 🇿🇦 ❤️🤡 (@African_Spring) January 7, 2020
