Tyler Perry’s Second Major Problem Speaks

Creator Christian Keyes called out alleged behind-the-scenes dysfunction at BET and possibly Tyler Perry himself without ever mentioning his name.

Christian Keyes Reignites Tensions With Tyler Perry Without Saying His Name

Christian Keyes is talking again and this time he’s making it count.

The All the Queen’s Men creator recently took to social media criticizing how the network handled his hit series. While Keyes never mentioned exectutive producer Tyler Perry, the message was loud, clear and pointed straight at the top. And, loaded.

“It is continuously disappointing to find out that your show is coming back on the internet instead of finding out from the network,” Keyes said in a TikTok post. He added that he wasn’t even sent the official trailer.

“To see the trailer online and have to go search for [it], so I can try and download the trailer for the hit show that I created for this studio and this network instead of getting it sent when everybody else is getting theirs.”

Keyes was calling out the machine behind the scenes, but some think the white whale is Tyler Perry.

Keyes’ relationship with Perry appears to have quietly frayed. Though Perry executive produces the show, Keyes has long maintained that he created the series himself over 15 years ago. We believe this. And in this latest video, he also shared that his “created by” credit was stripped away in season two. SMH! The credit was regained after involving the Writers Guild of America. That’s a heavy move for someone operating under Perry’s shadow. I am glad he made bold moves to protect his IP.

But there is bigger drama.

Tyler Perry currently faces a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from a man accusing him of sexual harassment. The case is pending and the motivations behind it have been questioned. Some say the lawsuit is a thinly veiled attempt to out Perry as gay. Tyler Perry is not gay, he had said over and over.

Keyes never touches on the lawsuit. But the timing and tone of his statements have triggered rumors. About two years ago, Keyes hinted at dropping bombshells on someone powerful, a mentor. Many assumed was Perry. They go back to those Madea plays. Nevertheless, those revelations never came. Now, he’s once again venting. He’s checking BET and BET+, but the big boss is Perry.

Not not, because Keyes is taking his ball and going to play elsewhere. “It’s not up to the studio. It’s not up to the network. It’s up to me, thankfully,” he said. His prequel and spinoff projects will find new homes on other streaming platforms.

This saga is another case of behind-the-scenes industry politics. Keyes might have a deeper story, but not ready to tell it yet. Whatever the truth is, he seems determined to protect himself even if it means playing chess. Of course, the world wants him to flip the board over!

Keep pushing!

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