Latest news with #TylerPerryStudios
Black America Web
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Tyler Perry Studios Plans Major Expansion in Southwest Atlanta
Source: Prime Video / Prime Video Tyler Perry Studios is set to expand its footprint in southwest Atlanta with a proposed 38-acre development, marking a significant step forward in the revitalization of the historic Fort McPherson site. The new plans, filed by a City of Atlanta urban planner, outline the creation of the 'Tyler Perry Entertainment District,' a mixed-use development featuring office spaces, retail outlets, a theater, and parking facilities. 11Alive reports that the proposed expansion, spearheaded by developer Terragroup, seeks rezoning and permits for a 1.295 million square foot project. If approved, the development is expected to be completed by January 2028. RELATED: Watch Tyler Perry Give a Private Tour of His New Studios This move signals a renewed push to transform the decommissioned military base, which has been a focal point of redevelopment discussions for years. Tyler Perry, alongside Bishop T.D. Jakes, acquired portions of the Fort McPherson site in 2021 with the vision of breathing new life into the area. However, previous plans were stalled due to disagreements among partners, leaving the project in limbo. The new filing suggests progress in overcoming these challenges, paving the way for a vibrant entertainment district adjacent to Perry's existing 330-acre film and television studio. This expansion not only underscores Perry's commitment to the community but also promises to bring economic growth and cultural enrichment to southwest Atlanta. As the project moves forward, it holds the potential to transform the area into a hub for creativity, commerce, and community engagement, further solidifying Tyler Perry Studios' role as a cornerstone of Atlanta's entertainment industry. SEE ALSO Tyler Perry Studios Plans Major Expansion in Southwest Atlanta was originally published on
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Behind Tyler Perry's Controversial Hollywood Workplace
Derek Dixon's recently filed $260 million litigation against Tyler Perry alleges sexual harassment, battery and assault — claims that the Atlanta entertainment mogul has called a shakedown. The sensational details of the suit, however, may obscure a more prosaic assertion found in the filing, one that has long trailed Perry — that he is operating his namesake studio without standard workplace guardrails. Dixon contends that he didn't report Perry, the impresario responsible for Tyler Perry Studios, after being purportedly pinned against a wall and groped by him because he wasn't aware of a human resources department at the facility. Regardless of the legitimacy of this assertion, questions have long surrounded Perry's relationship with industry labor. More from The Hollywood Reporter Tyler Perry Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault, Battery by 'The Oval' Actor Tyler Perry Calls Out Hollywood Studios at BET Awards: "This Is Not the Time to Be Silent" Tyler Perry's 'Divorced Sistas' Highlights Women Who Are "Strong, Powerful, More Mature" TPS, a 330-acre lot on a former Confederate army base employing more than 500 people, opened in 2019 as a crowning achievement for Black creativity and ownership in film and television. Its dozen soundstages are all named after African American entertainment icons, from Sidney Poitier and Cicely Tyson to Spike Lee and Diahann Carroll. The grand opening gala featured the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Ava DuVernay, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry and Stacey Abrams. In a speech that night, Viola Davis described it as 'a historic moment, which is a Black artist taking control of their artistic life and the vision that God has for their life.' In Will Smith's own remarks, he observed, 'Many people have suffered for us to be standing here.' Despite Perry's rags-to-riches success story and remarkable cultural influence, he's been viewed skeptically and even darkly within some quarters of the industry. The final season of FX's Atlanta, which offered an often unsparing and satirical consideration of the Black experience in its eponymous city, took direct aim at his reputation. 'Mr. Chocolate' — played by the show's creator and star Donald Glover — ran a thinly veiled version of Perry's local entertainment studio in the 2022 episode 'Work Ethic!' He was portrayed as a sinister hack whose civic clout and philanthropic largesse made him untouchable. (Glover later said he 'told [Perry] I was gonna do it'; Perry subsequently responded by having a character on his long-running BET dramedy Sistas slag Atlanta as a 'stupid ass show' that 'must be for white people.') Before that, Adult Swim's The Boondocks, run by Aaron McGruder, furnished a blunter observation of Perry's notoriety in the industry, nodding to allegations of sexual harassment of actors cast in his productions. In a 2010 episode, the protagonist 'Robert' accepts a part in a play by a character parodying Perry as his love interest but is forced to evade frequent advances. The saga ends with the fictionalized mogul offering Robert the lead in a film in return for sexual favors. In Dixon's lawsuit, the actor similarly alleges Perry expected sex for giving him a role on The Oval. 'I give and give and give and no one ever does anything for me in return,' Perry told Dixon, according to the lawsuit. 'No one ever gives me what I want or what I need.' Perry declined to comment for this story. Perry, a member of the Directors Guild, has a controversial Hollywood labor record. In 2008, the Writers Guild filed an unfair labor practice complaint after he terminated half the writing staff on his TBS hit sitcom House of Payne, allegedly for their union activity. Dozens of the biggest names in scripted television — including Tina Fey, Chuck Lorre and Shonda Rhimes — signed an open letter to Perry highlighting how his treatment of his employees ran so far outside the industry norm. (The union eventually brokered a deal with Perry, but the writers weren't hired back.) In 2015, Perry came into conflict with the live theatrical performance labor union Actors' Equity by not signing a contract with them for his stage play Madea on the Run and instead casting non-union actors. He remains on Equity's Do Not Work list. That same year, he and his studio were sued for allegedly operating a hostile work environment. A production assistant claimed in a lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed, that he was sexually harassed by a continuity coordinator, accusing the company of turning a blind eye to the alleged misconduct. Perry later said on social media that the production assistant was 'mentally disturbed.' And in 2013, an employee of TPS brought a civil rights lawsuit against the company after he was allegedly terminated for whistle-blowing to his union about attempted layoffs, according to the lawsuit. Richard Arsenault claimed his supervisors retaliated against him for seeking life-saving medical care and that he was shorted owed wages. The case was later barred from proceeding for procedural reasons. According to a review of court filings, the mogul, who's produced more than 2,200 TV episodes and 30 films, and his studio have also been sued for alleged copyright infringement and using works without credit or compensation at least five times. While it's not uncommon in Hollywood for such creative theft or misappropriation accusations to be made, often without merit, their aggregate volume against Perry is notable. He was sued in 2009 by the estate of Bertha James for using the song 'When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus' without a license in Madea Goes to Jail. Five years later, playwright and producer Vanessa Lynn filed a lawsuit against TPS, accusing the mogul of idea theft over his TV series The Have and Have Nots. Court documents indicate that a settlement was reached to resolve both cases. None of the infringement lawsuits in which he was named went to trial. Perry has long been known for preferring to script his shows himself, rather than staff writers rooms. (The practice of solo-scripting — other high-profile adherents include Mike White and Taylor Sheridan — stands in stark contrast to the WGA's fight for staffing minimums during its most recent negotiating cycle.) 'What people don't know is that early on, I had a writers room and it was a nightmare for me,' Perry told Essence in 2020 while promoting A Fall From Grace. 'Not only that, they were turning in scripts that didn't speak to my audience and my ratings took a dip. My audience knows my voice. They want to hear from me. They want to hear what I'm saying.' As technology advances, Perry sees his workforce contracting alongside it. Last year, he noted that, due to rapid growth of artificial intelligence tools that will soon transform the industry, he was putting an $800 million expansion of his backlot on hold, as he believes the need for many production services, from electric and transport to sound and editors, will greatly diminish. Perry's never been shy about his atypical shooting style, which is breakneck and keeps budgets low. A 2009 profile by the DGA's in-house publication explained that he'd directed 100 episodes of House of Payne while also completing two movies the previous year. 'It's done at a very fast pace — we call it the Tyler Perry Pace,' Payne actor David Mann said. 'It takes some getting used to, or you could be overwhelmed.' Perry has said of his whirlwind production schedule: 'If I'm doing more than three takes, there's something wrong,' he explained. A seasoned crewmember who's worked on TPS productions tells The Hollywood Reporter, 'On a feature with Tyler you'd shoot eight pages a day — four times what you'd normally shoot. Then on a [TV] show, it would be 25 pages.' Another TPS alum, who recalls shooting days that were long and punishing even by industry standards, describes the production momentum as, simply, 'insane.' 'We have a shorthand,' Perry said in 2020 of his production style. 'While it takes people in Hollywood seven days to shoot one episode of a primetime drama, we shoot two in six to seven days. I just have a crew that does the impossible every day. They work closely with me, and we pull it all off, so it's really amazing.' Kate Fortmueller, a professor at Georgia State University's School of Film, Media & Theatre whose scholarship focuses on entertainment labor, notes that Perry's studio operation is shaped both by the state's employer-first business outlook as well as the city's deference to Black entrepreneurship. 'He has a reputation where he's going to do what he wants to do and that's the way it is,' she says, adding that TPS is known in town to be 'a closed universe. It's not likely going to be an entrée to working on a Marvel show. You don't bounce from there to Stranger Things — or the reverse. Those are different worlds.' If nothing else, the headline-garnering Dixon litigation may direct a klieg light to other aspects of Perry's singular production machine. Katie Kilkenny contributed reporting. 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Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How Steve Harvey changed ‘Family Feud': ‘I turned it into a comedy show'
ATLANTA - Like Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!" and Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right," Steve Harvey found a match made in game show heaven with "Family Feud." Harvey, 68, has been hosting the show forlonger than original host Richard Dawson. Since 2010, he has presided over more than 2,700 syndicated episodes and another 100-plus "Celebrity Family Feud" episodes on ABC. Harvey, an Atlanta resident who made it big as a stand-up comic and sitcom star in the 1990s, has shot most of his syndicated show in metro Atlanta, but producers this season moved the celebrity version from Los Angeles to Tyler Perry Studios. The series returned Thursday night on ABC with Taraji P. Henson vs. Jennifer Hudson, followed by Dan Patrick vs. Rich Eisen. Harvey spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on set in May after actress andAtlanta resident Kat Graham competed against fellow actress Francia Raisaon an episode scheduled to air July 17. He changed "Family Feud" to fit him: "I made a conscious decision when I first got the show that I had to make it more than a show about a survey. I don't think people would tune in or care about what 100 people think about anything. I made the show about the contestants and our relationship and their answers. It doesn't matter what's on the board. I'm going to have fun with your answer. I turned it into a comedy show." Time has passed - and so has his hair: "Most of the younger generation don't know about my stand-up. They think I'm a game show host and motivational speaker. My makeup artist said she didn't know I ever had hair. She thought I was born a bald-headed baby. I have to understand how long I've been doing this. When I had my sitcom out, she wasn't even born." On Los Angeles losing business to other locations: "L.A. was king of the castle for so long. But they have to step up their game, or they're going to be obsolete. It makes sense to come to Tyler Perry Studios. This lot is as good as anything in L.A." (After the interview, California greatly enhanced its tax credit program.) On Dawson, the man who made "Family Feud" famous in the 1970s and 1980s: "He was the dude. And that was a different time. He kissed everybody. And he got married to one of the contestants!" How "Celebrity Family Feud" is different from the regular version: "The timing of the show is different. The way you pace the show is different. A lot of the actors and musicians don't know how the game works. You have to tell them to get in the huddle. You have to walk them through it." Favorite guest: "Anthony Anderson's mom Doris (Hancox). I've known her for years. I used to hold a domino tournament in L.A., and she would come. She says whatever she wants to say. I don't know how we handled it. She is so serious, but she's so funny, too." Notable upcoming guest: "E-40 was part of Lil Jon's crew. He is such a special guy. He's a solid dude. I told the story about what happened at this lunar ball in LA. I saw one of his crew members being disrespectful to a woman, and E-40 took him into a trailer. When the dude came out, he looked different. He apologized to that woman. That spoke volumes to the type of guy E-40 is. Don't disrespect women!" His friendship with Cedric the Entertainer, part of "The Steve Harvey Show" and the Kings of Comedy tour: "Ced is my best friend in this business. He's a special human being. We've never had a dispute or fall out. People ask me who is the funniest person alive. It's Cedric the Entertainer. Nobody makes me laugh harder." Retirement? "I don't see it right now. I've always been a worker. My dad ingrained that in me. Work hard. Don't ask for anything. Wait til you have the money to do it. I just work." --- If you watch "Celebrity Family Feud," 8 p.m. ET Thursdays on ABC, available on Hulu. --- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tyler Perry's Miss Governor OTT release date: When and where to watch the comedy series
Tyler Perry's Miss Governor OTT release date: Tyler Perry's Miss Governor delivers sharp humor and political satire on Netflix, centering on Antoinette Dunkerson (Terri J. Vaughn), who steps into history as Mississippi's first Black lieutenant governor. The series explores her day-to-day challenges as she balances political goals, public scrutiny, and personal dilemmas. Filled with clever dialogue and genuine moments, this comedy offers both laughs and insight into the complexities of leadership. As fans await the upcoming episodes, here's everything you need to know. Tyler Perry's Miss Governor OTT release date The first eight episodes debuted on Netflix on May 22, 2025, and the next eight are set to release on August 14, 2025. As a Netflix exclusive, the series can be streamed worldwide with various subtitle choices available. What is Tyler Perry's Miss Governor about? After winning her campaign for lieutenant governor, Antoinette Dunkerson must learn to navigate working under a sexist, condescending governor, all while managing the added pressure of keeping her family together now that they're in the public spotlight. Tyler Perry's Miss Governor cast and crew The comedy series is written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry, who also co-created it alongside Niya Palmer. Serving as executive producers are Niya Palmer, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Terri J. Vaughn, with Angi Bones and Tony Strickland producing for Tyler Perry Studios. The cast features a talented ensemble including Terri J. Vaughn, Jade Novah, Drew Olivia Tillman, Tré Boyd, Dyon Brooks, and Jo Marie Payton. As Netflix puts it, 'With Governor Harper suddenly out of the picture, Antoinette is eager to fill the power vacuum — but his conniving staff won't make it easy.'
Business Upturn
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is Zatima season 4 releasing in July 2025? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on June 27, 2025, 18:00 IST Last updated June 27, 2025, 11:05 IST Fans of Zatima , the BET+ spin-off from Tyler Perry's Sistas , can't stop talking about Zac and Fatima's wild ride of love and drama. Word's been flying around—especially on X—that Season 4 might hit screens in July 2025. Is there any truth to the buzz? This article rounds up all the details out there, from release rumors to plot guesses, cast updates, and more, to keep readers in the know. Is July 2025 Locked In for Zatima Season 4? Right now, BET+ and Tyler Perry Studios haven't pinned down an official release date for Zatima Season 4. A post on X from @ZatimaOnBET recently got everyone excited, mentioning that the show is 'targeting the second half of 2025.' That could include July, but nothing's set in stone. Some chatter online hints at a possible slide to late 2025 or even early 2026. Until a trailer or official word drops, it's all just hopeful speculation. Tyler Perry's known for churning out seasons fast, so a summer 2025 premiere isn't far-fetched. Still, fans should check BET+'s socials or Perry's X account for the latest updates to stay ahead of the curve. Where's the July 2025 Hype Coming From? The July talk seems to stem from fans piecing together clues. Zatima seasons have typically rolled out about a year apart, with Season 3 wrapping earlier in 2025. A July drop would fit that pattern and match BET+'s tendency to launch big shows during peak summer streaming months. Without solid confirmation, though, it's more of a fan wish than a done deal. What's Coming in Season 4? No official plot details have surfaced yet, but Season 3 left plenty of loose ends that need tying up. The finale had jaws dropping, and the next chapter's sure to dive into the aftermath. Based on the show's vibe and fan buzz, here's what might go down: Plot Predictions Zac and Fatima's Journey : The heart of Zatima is their messy, beautiful relationship. Season 4 will likely explore whether they can overcome fresh challenges—think family drama, career stress, or outside forces testing their bond. Supporting Players : Characters like Bryce, Angela, and Jeremiah might get bigger storylines, diving into their own struggles or ties to the main couple. Perry's Signature Twists: Expect classic Tyler Perry moves—shocking reveals, heartbreak, and maybe a redemption arc or two to keep viewers hooked. Any New Characters? No casting news has dropped about fresh faces, but Perry's shows often toss in new players to shake things up. Could a new rival or ally stir the pot? Fans on X are already throwing out theories. More details will likely come once production wraps. Who's Back for Season 4? Barring any big surprises, the core cast should return. Expect to see: Devale Ellis as Zac Taylor, the charming lead with plenty of baggage. Crystal Renee Hayslett as Fatima Wilson, the show's emotional anchor. Novi Brown as Angela, always bringing the fire. Remington Hoffman as Bryce, stirring up trouble. Cameron Fuller as Nathan, ready to add more layers. Talk of Sistas crossovers is floating around since the shows share a universe, but nothing's confirmed yet. That'd be a fun treat, though. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
