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Poll

Does this character's portrayal cross into -

Step-'n-Fetchit/Uncle Remus-Land?
0 (0%)
Stereotype of an over-religious "Christian"
0 (0%)
Silly and stupid, but basically kindhearted and harmless
9 (40.9%)
You're imagining things...nothing wrong with this character
13 (59.1%)

Total Members Voted: 21

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Author Topic: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?  (Read 4953 times)

Offline betnich

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Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« on: February 23, 2009, 02:21:55 PM »
Just saw MADEA GOES TO JAIL - was funny, but it had a lot of the Browns in it.

Cora I don't mind, I've seen her type of sweet church lady in real life, but I didn't like Mr. Brown. Yes, he's funny, but this character often comes across as ignorant and clueless, in that redneck Jim Varney way ("Hey, Vern!" for those who remember). I know Tyler Perry deals in stereotypes, but does this one go too far?


   As a side note, I watched a little of MEET THE BROWNS during TBS' recent Tyler Perry marathon - the characters did not seem so cliched on TV. And I did wish they had gotten to sing in the movie...both actors have fine voices...

Offline nessalynn77

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2009, 02:39:40 PM »
Since he's just a character, I don't view him as representing anything real. I don't know anyone that he even reminds me of, so idk, I guess he just strikes me as totally ficticious.

Offline under13

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2009, 02:55:11 PM »
My friend wants to see it next week. I really not looking forward to it. :(

Lots of TV and Movie characters are ignorant and clueless. Would this have anything to do with Mr Brown being a Christian/Church Deacon?

Offline BigFoot_BigThumb

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2009, 03:22:15 PM »
He was funny the first couple of times.  I did enjoy the Meet The Browns stage play as Brown's eulogy was hilarious.  But after that the clothes and his way of thinking got old real quick.  I wouldn't say I'm uncomfortable because there are far worse portrayals of us in televison and film.  But Black people made Mr. Brown, Madea, and all of those other characters popular through the continued support they continue to receive. 

For every one person the criticizes Tyler Perry for his storylines and characters, there are three people that will defend him and watch and purchase every little thing he releases.  I respect him as a businessman because he has done some amazing things and built a business empire.  He constantly says that he will contiunue to bring these types of stories and characters as long as we support it.  Can't get anymore blunt that that.


This thread brings up another topic I wanted to touch on.  I just have to get my presentation together on it. 
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Offline MissRiss

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2009, 04:50:20 PM »
Yes,Mr. Brown is a stereotypical character but it doesn't bother me. I think he's funny. However, my aunt doesn't like him because of the way he acts.

Basically every character on television ever portrayed is based on a stereotype especially in dealing with African Americans. We play the criminal, the drug abuser, or some type of sex-crazed individual, athlete, rapper etc. I would have to do some research but back in the day experts like Donald Bogle named the show "Franks Place" starring Tim Reid as a show that didn't portray Black folks in a stereotypical way.

On Good Times....the Evans family couldn't ever get out of the ghetto for one reason or another. Then, we had the Huxtables and people said the show wasn't realistic. Where is the happy medium? Until we get more control over our music, movies and television shows, it will continue.

It bothers me that there are no predominately African American dramas.

I can't fault Tyler because he's giving actors/actresses some work.

Offline B3Wannabe

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2009, 06:37:27 PM »
I think the question would be how many people has one met that DIDN'T fall into a stereotype.

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Offline BigFoot_BigThumb

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2009, 11:45:54 PM »
It bothers me that there are no predominately African American dramas.


That takes me back to around 1995 when James Earl Jones was in an all-black drama called Under One Roof.  It was an excellent show and I never missed it.  Funny how it didn't even last more than a month, yet Black sitcoms can run for years and years and live on in sydication.


I can't fault Tyler because he's giving actors/actresses some work.

That is very true.  Some people would never get any real or consistent opportunities if it wasn't for what he's making available. 
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Offline under13

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2009, 11:54:06 PM »


It bothers me that there are no predominately African American dramas.


Theres "Soul Food". I dont know if its on TV still, but its on dvd, and well worth the price

Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2009, 11:57:01 PM »
I have no idea who Mr. Brown is.  :-\
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Offline sjonathan02

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2009, 06:37:28 AM »
Theres "Soul Food". I dont know if its on TV still, but its on dvd, and well worth the price

She meant on television, right now.
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Offline momuzik

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2009, 07:46:05 AM »
Yes,Mr. Brown is a stereotypical character but it doesn't bother me. I think he's funny. However, my aunt doesn't like him because of the way he acts...

I'm not sure if I'd classify Mr. Brown as stereotype. I mean...how many people do you actually meet or know that's like Mr. Brown. We may have at least one uncle somewhere in our family like that or maybe someone at your church (and they normally stand out)but not enough to call it a stereotype.

...Yes, he's funny, but this character often comes across as ignorant and clueless, in that redneck Jim Varney way ("Hey, Vern!" for those who remember)...

Most of the sitcoms that I can think of always had someone in the cast who acted dumb or clueless: i.e., Will & Grace it was Jack; Seinfeld it was Kramer, Martin it was Cole; Jamie Foxx it was Braxton; Fresh Prince it was Carlton...the list goes on.
Sometimes the dumb one will be the star like Mr. Brown

Offline betnich

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2009, 12:39:55 PM »
Lots of TV and Movie characters are ignorant and clueless. Would this have anything to do with Mr Brown being a Christian/Church Deacon?

Perhaps - I felt embarrassed when Mr. Brown insisted that the driver of the car close his eyes in prayer while they were going down the road - something that character also did in MEET THE BROWNS. The first time it was marginally funny, but this time felt overplayed.

And something I noticed more in this latest movie - Brown mispronouncing words and generally pretending he knew more than he did...that reminded me of old episodes of Amos 'n Andy...

Offline BassbyGrace

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2009, 12:53:37 PM »
He was funny the first couple of times.  I did enjoy the Meet The Browns stage play as Brown's eulogy was hilarious.  But after that the clothes and his way of thinking got old real quick.  I wouldn't say I'm uncomfortable because there are far worse portrayals of us in televison and film.  But Black people made Mr. Brown, Madea, and all of those other characters popular through the continued support they continue to receive. 

For every one person the criticizes Tyler Perry for his storylines and characters, there are three people that will defend him and watch and purchase every little thing he releases.  I respect him as a businessman because he has done some amazing things and built a business empire.  He constantly says that he will contiunue to bring these types of stories and characters as long as we support it.  Can't get anymore blunt that that. 

Now I dont have to say anything.  100% agree.  This is why Im not feeling the sitcom.
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Offline sistagurl

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2009, 01:37:18 PM »
I'm not a big fan of "Meet The Browns".  But I think Brown is funny "with" Madea in the movies and plays. As for it going to far on be stereotypical....I don't think so.

Offline momuzik

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2009, 02:32:51 PM »
I'm not a big fan of "Meet The Browns".  But I think Brown is funny "with" Madea in the movies and plays...

I think so also. The way Madea and Mr. Brown act together is different than Mr. Brown with other actors. Also in TP's plays, there seems to be a lot of unscripted off-the-cuff stuff that makes them even more hilarious.

Offline sistagurl

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2009, 02:37:44 PM »
I think so also. The way Madea and Mr. Brown act together is different than Mr. Brown with other actors. Also in TP's plays, there seems to be a lot of unscripted off-the-cuff stuff that makes them even more hilarious.

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Offline sjonathan02

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2009, 02:45:54 PM »
I think so also. The way Madea and Mr. Brown act together is different than Mr. Brown with other actors. Also in TP's plays, there seems to be a lot of unscripted off-the-cuff stuff that makes them even more hilarious.

It's hard to do 'off the cuff' to a laugh track.  ::) :-\
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Offline Jmanley1116

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2009, 04:20:45 PM »


I think Mr. Brown is hilarious.  He is a fresh departation from anything that I consider reality which is why he is so funny.  The way he talks and those clothes...man, he could just walk across the screen and I'd get a good chuckle. 

I have to say, however, the Madea goes to Jail was very, very bad to me.  To talk about it would give away the movie to those who haven't gone to see it.  Most of Tyler's stage plays don't transfer weel to the big screen to me.  His best movie to me so far is The Family that Preys which, if I am right, wasn't originally a stage play.

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2009, 04:21:35 PM »
I don't find anything stereotypical about Mr. Brown, He is a bit exaggerated, but not stereotypical... Mr. Brown is simply a comical character who is meant to make us laugh and nothing more... what makes him funny is that his character is both exaggerated and largely improvised... if he were more realistic he wouldn't be half as popular

Besides, stereotypes can be funny as long as they are not degrading

Offline betnich

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Re: Uncomfortable with Tyler Perry's Mr. Brown?
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2009, 04:44:00 PM »
...in TP's plays, there seems to be a lot of unscripted off-the-cuff stuff that makes them even more hilarious.

I guess that's what I missed in the movie...some comedians like Jim Carrey do multiple takes to get their improvisations onscreen...
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