
Aaron McGruder sure knows how to push buttons.
Via his popular Cartoon Network series 'The Boondocks,' the Chicago native has given his bold and brash comedic take on everyone from Martin Luther King to Black Entertainment Television, causing controversy in his wake.
Now it appears that the reclusive cartoonist has set his sights on parodying the cottage industry known as Tyler Perry.
The June 20 episode of his satirical series, titled 'Pause,' features a character named Winston Jerome, a religious playwright-director-actor who also cross-dresses as a no-nonsense grandmother named Ma Dukes in movies and chitlin' circuit plays. The imagery immediately brings thoughts of Perry's star character Madea Simmons to mind. Granddad is cast as Ma Dukes' love interest, and his grandsons, Huey and Riley, break into the a well-guarded compound to rescue their beloved guardian and save him from a homoerotic religious cult.
Perry, arguably the most successful African American filmmaker today, has had several movies, including 'Why Did I Get Married?' and 'Madea Goes to Jail,' top the box office and in turn has become a powerful multimillionaire entertainment mogul. He also owns a compound in the Atlanta area.
Coincidentally for McGruder, Perry just happens to have the top-rated sitcoms on TBS with his 'House of Payne' and 'Meet the Browns.' And both TBS and Cartoon Network are owned by the same parent company, Turner Broadcasting.
According to the L.A. Times, Perry hit the roof after the episode aired and reached out to executives at Turner, including Entertainment Chief Steve Koonin and Turner Broadcasting Chief Executive Phil Kent, to let the network know that he was rethinking his relationship with the company. Kent is said to have acknowledged to Perry that he should've been given a warning about the episode.
People close to the show have said that the original script made even less of an effort to alter the identity of McGruder's main character. McGruder, it's being reported, also wanted 'Pause' to be the season premiere, but the network allegedly chose to mix it in with other episodes to perhaps cause less controversy. Though 'Pause' has aired twice, it is not scheduled to run again, and there have been discussions about it being banned from the channel forever.
In addition, several blogs and websites are unscrupulously reporting that Perry fired many of his staffers after the episode aired in an effort to control leaks about how he runs his business. Perry has remained silent.
When asked, a spokesperson at Turner told BV Newswire that the network had "no comment" on the status of the whole incident, as did a rep for McGruder.
While it seems everyone is keeping mum about 'Pause,' there's one person who is not biting his tongue about what's fact and what's fiction where Perry is concerned.
Regarding allegations that Perry has plans to sue Cartoon Network, and that he's also giving his employees pink slips, Kaleigh Thomas, Perry's assistant, said "none of [it] is true."
Just like his high-profile mentor and friend Oprah Winfrey, it's unlikely that this matter will make a big splash where Perry's projects are concerned.
After all, he's spearheading the feature-film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 play 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf' with an all-star cast that includes Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad and Hill Harper.
That's enough of a gig for Perry to not pause for the cause and give McGruder any of his energy.
Just yet, that is.


Comments: (87)
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By: Sophia on 7/01/2010 10:13PM
I think the question that should have been asked is "Should Tyler Perry proceed with suing the parent network?";I mean of course he's going to feel offended. That episode even offended me and that being more over the mockery of our Savior. I love both Arron Mcgruders' and Tyler Perrys' line of work. I just hope this won't create any further static between these two very successful Black men.
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By: Cle on 7/03/2010 3:27PM
How is that episode a mockery of our savior? Plenty of false prophets and fake preachers use the Lord's name to get what they want.
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By: djohnson on 7/02/2010 9:48AM
Well, I really don't care if Taylor Perry is gay or straight (whatever straight means), I'm very proud of both of theses successful african american men. However, TP needs to get a grip. They're both creative and they're both comedians. I thought TP would have a better sense of humor when it comes to someone mocking one of his Characters he plays (not him personally). I don't know if it's true or not but he should not try to banned anothers successful show or episode just because he has the power to do so...over an episode? (I love the Boondocks) Nothing is more offensive than an angry, old, african america women, waving and shooting a gun every time someone makes her upset. Although, Madea makes me laugh as well but she getting a little perdictable.
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By: Brian on 9/15/2010 9:24PM
o_o,
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By: Patty on 7/02/2010 12:31AM
Anyone that can see can tell Tyler is gay as he can be. I always laugh when he claims he is a playa. Yeah he is playing with men. Big old gay boy. LOL
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By: jadina on 7/02/2010 1:36PM
lmao! i'm w/ you, patty!!!
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By: lvalentine on 7/02/2010 3:45PM
My cousin lives in New Orleans and I think she said that Tyler lived there at one point and that he is gay. I really don't think he's gay, but if he is so what. He should be secure within himself not to let what people think bother him.
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By: betty on 7/02/2010 4:32PM
gay straight so what. its bad enough white america still hating that some black folks got skills...with all this talent i hope both men dont play on each other. white folks love discension amongst us. perry we know u got power and u just flexing ur muscles but u can just as easily turn people off stepping on another brother that just trying to get where u at.... feel me????
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By: rdw on 7/02/2010 8:14PM
@Patty
So how do you know Patty if Tyler Perry is gay?
Did you watch him have sex (or fu*ck) your boyfriend, spouse or husband in plain sight to know this for sure?
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By: Focus on 7/02/2010 12:31AM
Tyler's steam is about to run out on TV if he doesn't find a way to get a set season for his shows HOP and the Browns. The public never knows when new episodes will appear or what time of year. I've never seen anything like it on TV in my life.
Which is it Tyler? Spring, summer or Fall for your shows? Pick a season. Please, we're trying to support you here.
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