What Do Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Tyler Perry Have in Common?
It may have been amusing in 1996, but what makes Hollywood think it's funny enough to repeat this formula time and time again? Let's see. Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor/The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, Martin Lawrence in Big Momma's House/Big Momma's House 2, Tyler Perry in Diary of a Mad Black Woman/Madea's Family Reunion, Eddie Murphy in Norbit...this is getting out of hand. Somehow, these films have performed well at the box office. When money talks, fat black women walk. It won't be long before we see Norbit 2 and Madea's Bondage Exhibition. Am I the only one who thinks this concept is simply dried up?
What is it about fat black women that audiences find to be hilarious and why aren't fat black women offended by the success of these movies? Isn't it true that Madea is only "funny" because "she" is fat and has an "urban" attitude? Isn't that kind of...um, wrong? I dare you to approach a fat black woman in public and shout, "Tyler Perry! Can I have your autograph?" I can't seem to figure out why these films are lucrative. Some may be impressed by Eddie Murphy's ability to play dual roles. However, this is hardly an innovation or even a novel exercise on his part. Actors have been portraying multiple characters in films since the silent era.
When I first saw the trailer for Norbit, all of my vital organs dropped into my bowels. Norbit himself looks like a reasonably funny character, but why does Murphy insist on playing the loud, morbidly obese Rasputia? These dual roles come off as an ego trip, as opposed to comedic genius. There's no reason why Rasputia couldn't have been played by an actress. Maybe the filmmakers didn't want to offend an actress by offering her the part. Makes sense to me. Of course, they still have to worry about the thousands of overweight women they SHOULD be offending. I say SHOULD because overweight women SHOULD be offended by this tripe.
Unfortunately, Norbit toplined the box office in its opening weekend. What's next? Will Dave Chappelle star as Fatisha in a gem called Fatisha Eats a Turkey Sandwich While Her Cleavage Devours a Small Town?
Published by Dom Coccaro
I'm a freelance writer specializing in reviewing cult oddities, analyzing geeky subjects, and tossing my worthless opinion into the machine. View profile
- Daddy Daycare: Eddie Murphy's Signal that Western Civilization is About to EndThis is a movie review of 2003's Daddy Daycare, starring Eddie Murphy. It is about the dumbing down of American society, and should be avoided by children at all costs.
Tyler Perry Warns Fans and Parents About MySpace Celebrity ImpostorsMonday, playwright, director and actor Tyler Perry warned parents about the dangers of celebrity pretenders on MySpace.com in his latest email newsletter.
Janet Jackson to Star in Tyler Perry's New MovieJanet Jackson will be starring in the new Tyler Perry movie Why Did I Get Married.- Tyler Perry's House of PayneTyler Perry known for the infamous Madea character in his movies, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Union has brought a new show to TBS.
5 Tyler Perry Must-See ProductionsIf you have not seen a Tyler Perry play or movie, you need to check one of them out and judge the content for yourself. Tyler Perry gives a new twist to the same comedy style of...
- Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married
- Why Did I Get Married Bootleg P2P Movie is a Hot Search Item, but Tyler Perry Says...
- Eddie Murphy and Scary Spice Expecting a Child...or Two?
- Movie Review: Norbit Starring Eddie Murphy
- Eddie Murphy Steals the Show in Dreamgirls!!
- TV Review: Tyler Perry Critics Complain About Madea and His Plots
- Review of Tyler Perry's House of Payne
- When money talks, fat black women walk.
18 Comments
Post a CommentTyler Perry is a genius. He can sing, he can act, and he is completely hilarious. His movies are a proper balance of intense stories and comic relief. He is the best and his movies have done well to help me get through hard times. I love Tyler Perry.
I have seen all of there movies YES Tyler Perry Movies are hilarious. He not only shows the funny side of being an African American. He also shows the struggle and that any type of faith will get you far. Martin and Eddie is very creative and put a lot of work behind anything they do. They all are African American Successful Males that are role models to anybody trying to make it. They not only act they are director and writers. So stop hating and do what they do trust if you send this they probably write back Thanks you 1 more hate means I'm doing well.
Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are hilarious but Tyler Perry is a retarded piece of shit. He is a mediocre writer and a terrible actor. All three of these guys use black stereotypes to no end but if your gonna do that at least make it funny. Plus Tyler Perry has the weirdest shaped upper lip I have ever seen on a human being. It looks like a beak and that just further annoys the hell out of me for some reasons
yall stupid Martin Lawrence & Eddie Murphy is still funny as can be but them Madea shows is not funny u could tell Tyler Perry not a comic genius like Martin Lawrence & Eddie Murphy did anybody noticed that comedy involving madea is all he ever did all he ever do is madea movies that's it
@ Kelly: Oh, but when you see Norbit!!!
I haven't seen Norbit yet but I thought Madea was hilarious. that's a character that could be played by any size woman. she has spunk! The nutty professor was funny but Eddie played all the characters in his family except for the kid.
Thank you Dom for writing this article. As a full-figured black
woman, I am outraged at the level that Martin, and Eddie Murphy
have stooped to in order to make money. Someone needs to forward
this article to them so they can get a reality serious check!
It's old, tired, cliche, and time for something new!
Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and Tyler Perry are exceptionally talented. They have continued to create these fictional characters because they have sold in the past. Nutty Professor was a great movie and thats why Eddie THOUGHT Norbit would work (but sucked). But, I think these actors are coming to a point where they are appealing to a black audience. The characters portrayed are so funny to a black audience because they can relate better. Oh yeah, Tyler Perry plays a "grandmother" figure, and in a black family the grandmother is the all-knowing, wise figure that everyone goes to (like Madea). His plays are basically gospel plays and Madea offers some very funny comedy! (Packed with SO MUCH MEANING)
My comment below was cut off too. Anyway, I was saying I totally agree with Johnny Moon that American standards for what is acceptable in the movies is not all that high.
Hello, Lana! I think you need updating! True, you posted on the 16th, you couldn't have known so I'll be nice. Eddie Murphy's Golden Globe was snatched, and that Oscar nomination amounted to nothing, all because of that flagrantly offensive and talent-free Norbit. He is following a proven moneymaking formula: poke fun at huge, obnoxious black women and go all-out doing it!!! Totally disgusting. This formula is abhorrent to me as well as to many other people, but Tyler Perry (though equally offensive) was doing the formula to get his foot into the door. Now that he is the self-professed "money people", I hope he truly has talent to do something else. Eddie Murphy is so stupid-rich, why would he have to sell his soul? He is already successful. Why?? I've another question: What about Eddie in Dreamgirls was so impressive? A caricatured, hollering, bellowing, clown is hard to perform? Shows talent? Range? I think not. The bar isn't too high in Hollywood, I guess. I totall