One Man’s Opinion: BET On Tyler Perry

By Bill Crane

The motion picture and television production industries domestically are temporarily stalled by a Writer’s strike. Though much of the industry now is distributed across many right-to-work states like Georgia, the related artistic and production unions are honoring the strike, refusing to cross picket lines and placing an indefinite pause on millions in shows by major and minor studios alike.

Paramount Global, formerly Viacom and now part of the CBS Entertainment Group, began shopping around B.E.T. Media Group for sale more than a year ago. Despite owning, airing, and streaming a good bit of prestige programming, including the lucrative and always spawning sequels and prequels, Star Trek franchise, Paramount, of late, has also been hemorrhaging red ink. B.E.T. Media includes Black Entertainment Television, BET Plus (streaming version of the network), and VH-1. One of B.E.T.’s most prolific content providers and partners and largest producer for BET Plus is film mogul, producer, actor, writer, and director, Tyler Perry.

Moving to Atlanta in 1990, Perry used his $12,000.00 in life savings (at 22) to stage a musical production, which was admittedly less than a modest success. But Perry persisted, rewriting and retooling that play and launching other shows across what was then referred to as “The Chitlin Theater” circuit, performed live primarily before urban and minority audiences. By 2005, Forbes reported that various Tyler Perry stage shows and productions had generated $100 million in ticket sales, another $30 million in videos of those shows, and an estimated $20 million in merchandising. Perry produced an estimated 300 live shows annually, with an average weekly aggregate attendance of 35,000.

By 2005/2006, Perry was able to use those ticket sales to finance his first motion picture, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which included the introduction to mass audiences of Perry-world staple character, Mabel “Madea” Simmons, a colorful, protective, and memorable aging black woman, as well as coincidentally a lifelong resident of Atlanta, played by Perry. A long list of Madea comedies would follow, and I am admittedly a fan.

Perry could have stopped there and been a very wealthy man, but instead, he branched out into television production, first with Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, which ran for eight seasons on TBS, from 2006-2011.

In 2011, Forbes magazine noted that Perry was the highest-paid man in the entertainment industry, yet he was still aiming higher. In 2015, he acquired 330 acres of the former Fort McPherson U.S. Army Military Base, straddling East Point and the southernmost tip of the City of Atlanta. What has become Tyler Perry Studios now includes twelve sound stages, a White House replica stage, and dozens of structures remaining from Fort Mac dating back to the late 1800s.

Perry Studios was also the home production facility for the blockbuster Black Panther in 2018. Perry entered into long-term agreements with Viacom and later BET Plus for new programs and content production during 2017 and 2019. Lionsgate Films has been co-producing and distributing Perry’s films, and in 2022 it announced the construction and development of a $200-million studio and production facility in Douglas County, Georgia. Perry also made Douglas County his home, building a spectacular $100-million compound there. In 2021, Forbes magazine estimated Perry’s net worth to be in excess of $1 billion.

It now appears Perry has won a bidding war of sorts to acquire the entire B.E.T. Entertainment Group. Perry’s work for the BET Plus streaming service helped generate the bulk of BET revenue growth and three million paying subscribers. However, B.E.T. and VH-1 are currently based in New York City, where production, talent, and certainly housing costs are among the highest in the nation.

I’m betting that once the deal closes, Tyler Perry might look to add the title “developer” to his resume, much as the Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Studios) in nearby Fayetteville have become a fast-growing live, work, and play community. Whether within the existing Tyler Perry Studios campus, perhaps at the new Lionsgate facilities, or even closer to Perry’s residential compound, Perrywood has a nice ring to it. The capital needed, given current interest rates, to build out such a complex might be best found in the IPO market. To date, Tyler Perry owns everything that he has created, but if he decides to share that ownership in the form of stock in his latest expansion and combined enterprise, I will be betting on Tyler Perry. Makes a nice home for the new HQ of B.E.T., too.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Exercise Matters: Interested But Intimidated

By Joining

a Gym?

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

You know staying active is important, especially as you age, so you’re considering signing up for a local gym. The problem is that a gym can be intimidating! If you’ve put off joining a gym for this reason, here’s what you need to know to feel comfortable and confident.

Exercise and healthy aging

Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle at every age, but it is particularly important for seniors. Why? Sharlyn Green, a national trainer with SilverSneakers, says it goes beyond physical wellness.

“Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, boost your memory and decrease the risk for some diseases such as Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” she said. “It can help you stay independent and able to keep doing the things you enjoy. It’s time to bust the misconception that gyms are only for younger people and fitness enthusiasts. Gyms are for everyone, no matter their age or abilities.”

To help everyone feel comfortable and confident as a new gym member, Green recommends these steps.

Step 1: Get a tour. Have someone who works for the gym show you where everything is. Don’t expect to understand immediately what it all does or how to use it. You’re simply establishing baseline knowledge to build your experience from there. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask questions during or after your tour. Employees at a good gym will take an inclusive approach and be happy to help you by clarifying information or guiding you appropriately.

Step 2: Request a training program. People new to gyms typically get the best results from a personalized program created by a trainer. Print out the program for reference and to record what you do: which machines, how much weight, how many times you lift, etc.

Step 3: Know the exercises in your program. It’s important to know where the equipment you need is and how to use it. Work with a trainer if you have questions. This person can guide you on proper techniques, so you get the most out of your workouts and prevent accidents. Understanding the equipment and gym etiquette is important for your safety and others. For example, you don’t want to unintentionally walk into someone’s workout space and cause them to trip, fall, or drop heavy weights.

Step 4: Learn how to adjust machines. Understanding the purpose of a machine is the first step, then you need to know how to adjust it to fit your needs. Depending on your height, weight, fitness level, and goals, you may need to adjust certain machines every time you use them. When in doubt, ask. It’s better to pause and use a machine correctly than go forward and risk hurting yourself or others. A trainer or gym employee can help you, so don’t be shy.

Step 5: Know how much weight or resistance to use. A good trainer will guide you in finding the appropriate weight or resistance for each exercise and share that information in your program. Use this as a foundation and adjust as needed, keeping in mind that as you progress, you’ll likely make changes to continue your health journey.

Again, if something isn’t clear, ask. It’s always better to start easier and adjust up rather than start too difficult and risk hurting yourself.

“The machines and different spaces at the gym can be a great asset for seniors who want to focus on their well-being,” said Green. “Remember to create a well-rounded workout routine that includes stretching, strength training, and cardio to help improve flexibility, muscle mass, heart health, and much more.”

SilverSneakers offers a broad range of physical activity, mental enrichment, and social engagement opportunities in 2023. Members can go to thousands of fitness locations nationwide, plus take group exercise classes designed for seniors and led by supportive instructors. (BPT)

More information at SilverSneakers.com

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from

page 7

Remember, each day is a new chapter waiting to be written. Let’s embrace the opportunities that come our way and dare to dream big. Whether pursuing a personal passion, nurturing a talent, or simply finding joy in the little things, let this summer be a season of growth, fulfillment, and positivity.

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community and allowing us to share the stories that inspire, inform, and bring us closer together. Your support fuels our passion, and we are committed to delivering a magazine that reflects the heart and soul of our local community. I wish each of you a July filled with laughter, sunshine, and endless possibilities. Let’s make this summer our best one yet!

Here is to a great July 2023. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!