Tyler Perry Gives His Thoughts On The Declining Ratings & Writers’ Room of Sistas

This is an in-depth and multifaceted discussion about Tyler Perry’s current approach to managing his numerous television shows, particularly in light of changes involving writers’ rooms. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key points and potential directions for reflection:

Key Insights from Tyler Perry’s Comments

1. Volume of Content: Perry currently has around 11 shows on the air, with most of them now managed by writers’ rooms, a shift from his earlier method of writing everything himself.
2. Challenges with Writers’ Rooms:
   • Writers sometimes fail to capture the essence of his voice and the established tone of the shows.
   • Despite having 100+ episodes as reference material, some writers take the shows in directions Perry finds inconsistent with the original intent.
   • Perry has been more hands-on recently, guiding writers to align with his vision, especially when ratings decline.
3. Audience Reception vs. Personal Standards:
   • Perry admits to avoiding watching some of the newer episodes because they deviate from his vision, though audiences might still enjoy them.
   • He tracks ratings as an indicator of success and uses them as a basis for reevaluating direction.

Implications for His Shows

• Ratings as the Ultimate Metric:
  • Ratings play a pivotal role in determining the sustainability of shows, even when the quality of writing improves.
  • Some shows, like House of Payne and Assisted Living, have struggled with viewership despite perceived improvements in writing.
• Cast Engagement:
  • The apparent lack of active promotion by main cast members on social media might reflect waning enthusiasm or dissatisfaction with current storylines.

Fan Perspective and Legacy

• Fans have noticed a decline in engagement with shows like Sistas, where excitement and social media activity were once vibrant.
• Perry’s earlier projects on TBS and OWN were perceived as more consistent in quality and tone, possibly due to his full creative control at the time.

Challenges Moving Forward

1. Balancing Creative Control and Delegation:
   • Perry’s transition from sole writer to managing writers’ rooms represents a significant shift. Finding a middle ground between his voice and allowing creative freedom is crucial.
2. Addressing Ratings Decline:
   • Shows like Assisted Living and House of Payne may need strategic marketing or a refreshed approach to regain audience interest.
3. Adapting to a Broader Audience:
   • With a focus on streaming and films, Perry may need to recalibrate his storytelling to meet diverse viewer expectations while staying true to his core audience.

Questions to Ponder or Explore

• Should Perry reevaluate the criteria for selecting writers to ensure a closer match with his creative vision?
• How can he better communicate his expectations to writers while allowing them the freedom to innovate?
• Is there a need for revamped marketing strategies to revitalize interest in shows with declining ratings?

Conclusion

This discussion underscores the complexities of managing creative franchises at scale. While Perry’s legacy as a trailblazer remains intact, navigating these challenges will require balancing his personal standards with the evolving needs of his audience and production infrastructure.