I think it is safe to say--if it hasn't been said already-- that Tyler Perry has hit the big time. On its opening weekend "Medea Goes to Jail" brought in an estimate $41.1 million, (nearly double what his first Madea feature-"Diary of a Mad Black Woman" earned its opening weekend four years ago). Now critics are saying the film's strong opening could garner a broader viewership beyond the Black community. The coined "chitlin circuit theater" DVD comedies, purchased on bootleg usually by a man selling them at the local chicken shack, and watched and discussed in the realms of the black home, could now be integrated into the homes of White families. I'm not really sure how to feel about that (ha ha). Although this serves as tremendous news for beloved Perry, it also feels as if a sacred part of Black culture is once again being stripped from us, (I know, I know, I'm getting to deep over a character that is essentially a man dressed in drag), but it does leave for food of thought--What will become of Madea once she assimilates?
Nevertheless, although I have yet to see the film, I have much respect for Tyler Perry for taking his dream and intensifing it to this level. Perry recently appeared on Larry King Live--word is that Perry wants to evidently own a cable network.
