By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
There's trouble in Tyler Perry's world.
Late Thursday night I received a press release from the Writers Guild of America, West announcing they had filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming that Perry had four writers from 'House of Payne' unlawfully fired because they wanted the union to cover their employment with Perry's company.
Jeff Hermanson, an assistant executive director for the Writers Guild, said that the four writers, who were based in
Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell are the four writers involved.
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit'lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.
Tyler Perry
The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ray Nagin
Another New Orleans native, Ray Nagin, Jr. was elected into the office of Mayor of the Crescent City on March 6, 2002.
Labelle
Known as the music capitol of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans was also the setting for 'Lady Marmalade,' a hit song from 1970s glam-soul trio Labelle, comprised of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash.
Lenny Kravitz
Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle's long-awaited reunion album, 'Back to Now,' due out later this year via Verve Records.
Lisa Bonet
'The Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.
Gary Dourdan
'C.S.I.' actor Gary Dourdan played Cree Summer's character's love interest Shazza Zulu on the NBC sitcom 'A Different World,' which was originally developed as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet. The Philadelphia native appeared on 13 episodes from 1991 to 1992.
Janet Jackson
Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, 'Again,' in 1993.
Tyler Perry
Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry's box office smash, 'Why Did I Get Married?' The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.
Ruben Cannon
One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'
They had apparently written more than 100 episodes of 'House of Payne' and wanted the union to negotiate a deal with Perry's company so that they could get health care, pensions, and residuals from their episodes.
Team Perry balked at the idea o 
f giving the writers what most deem fair business practice and allegedly terminated their employment because of it.
The four writers, who had been working on the development of Perry's second sitcom, 'Meet The Browns,' and supporters from the Writers Guild plan to picket the two-day celebration of the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
"We're asking all those who had planned to attend the opening of Tyler Perry's new studio not to cross our picket line," writer
The writers claimed that they had been threatened several weeks ago by Perry's company to "be careful about pushing the WGA deal or you could be replaced."
"I feel like I was slapped in the face, like we were used," said Brown-Jackson. "We were good enough to create over 100 episodes, but now when it comes to reaping the benefits of the show being syndicated and having other spin-offs from it, he decides to let us go unless we accept a horrible offer."
Writer Ferrell shares her sentiments.
"Disrespected, betrayed, saddened...it's hard to describe," he offered. "The actors and a majority of the production crew on the show were working under union contracts and they received the pay
and benefits that you need to survive on in this business. But after all those episodes and success when it came time for us to get a fair contract, we're told on a conference call 'sorry, you're fired.'"
Part of Perry's success with both is films and television series has been rallying up African-Americans and convincing them that the triumph in him doing well is that the community as a whole benefits.
'House of Payne' head writer
"A lot of people who fought for civil rights and social justice never really saw what eventually came out of their work. While I'd like to see something positive come out of this for us, if this fight helps future black writers get what they deserve, that's a good thing," said
In a statement to the 'New York Times,' Matt Johnson, a
"We continue to work toward a resolution of their contract, and after months of negotiations we have reached agreement with the Guild on every major issue but one," he countered.
Johnson indicated the one issue was residuals from repeats shown on broadcast television stations.
The attorney also said the three other writers on the show were asked to stay and that two of them did.
In the release sent by the WGAW Organizing Department, they also point out that Perry "signed a deal with TBS for $200 million and sold the syndicated rights to MyNetwork [TV] for $100 million."
He also made history because "'House of Payne' is the highest-rated sitcom in the history of basic cable."
That milestone landed Perry several "NAACP Image Awards for the much-needed diversity his films and TV shows bring to the screen."
Nonetheless, the WGAW believes that "Perry doesn't do it all himself. [The] writers helped 'House of Payne' become the success that it is."
Despite having "written over 100 episodes of 'House of Payne' in just two seasons" they all "received compensation well below industry standards, no health care benefits and no residuals."
The writers are planning to picket this weekend in
1. This is not the first time that, Mr. Perry has came under scrutny about wages. It is so said that he treats his employees unfairly. Especially when he has made millions, if not billions off black folks. I will not patronize his movies anymore.
Barbara at 9:13PM on Oct 3rd 2008