Source: WENN

It seems that one sure sign you’ve “made it” to the Hollywood big leagues is when folks are hurling lawsuits at you left and right. The latest celebrity to be slapped with a lawsuit is famed producer, writer and director Tyler Perry. According to TMZ, a small-time screenwriter from Gary, Indiana by the name of William James claims that the plot from Perry’s latest flick Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor was actually stolen from a script that he wrote in 2009 called Lovers Kill.

In the suit, James says that he never actually gave a copy of his screenplay to Perry, but he did give a copy to an “associate” of Oprah Winfrey in hopes that it would somehow make it to Perry.

Now even if James’ screenplay did somehow make it into the hands of Perry, there’s just one problem with his story. Temptation: Confessions of Marriage Counselor is only a big screen adaptation of Tyler’s 2008 play, The Marriage Counselor. With the exception of a few minor tweaks and the addition of a little “Hollywood action,” Tyler pretty much stuck with his original storyline.

Lionsgate and Perry have yet to comment on these allegations.

If it seems like it was just yesterday that Tyler Perry was rolling out another movie, it probably was. We know how he does when it comes to pushing his flicks and the time has come for yet another to hit the big screen. On March 29, 2013, the controversial film, “The Marriage Counselor,” will make it’s big screen debut and Lionsgate has just released the first trailer for the movie.

If you recall earlier this year, everyone was up in arms about Kim Kardashian being cast in this production — and Tyler Perry getting brand new and trying to act like he had no idea who she was — but thankfully she has just a small part in the movie. The film’s real stars are Jurnee Smollet, Lance Gross, Vanessa Williams, Robbie Jones, Ella Joyce, and Brandy.

According to the synopsis:

The film tells the story of Judith (Smollett), an Ivy League-educated relationship expert who makes her living dispensing marital advice, but is so bored with her own marriage (to Gross) that she breaks her professional code and cheats with a smooth talking client (Jones) only to realize she has made a huge mistake.

As for the other characters, Vanessa Williams will play the owner of the firm where Jurnee practices; Brandy will portray Lance’s co-worker; and Kim K. will play Smollett’s friend and co-worker.

The plot falls somewhere between extremely far-fetched and undoubtedly entertaining for me so I’m sure I’ll be heading to the theaters to see this. Check out the clip below and tell us what you think.

Will you be watching?

Source: WENN

Tyler Perry may be hanging up the Madea costumes and putting his plays on hold but he is more than ready to crank out more movies back to back. Right after wrapping work on “Alex Cross” and preparing to release the much talked about film (mostly because of Kim Kardashian’s inclusion) “The Marriage Counselor” next year, Tyler Perry already has his next project idea nailed down, the “Single Mom’s Club.”

According to Variety:

Perry is expected to write, direct, produce and star in the pic, which follows a group of single mothers from different walks of life who are brought together by an incident at their children’s school. They bond and create a support group that helps them find comedy in the obstacles of life, as well as their inner strength to overcome their personal challenges.

Perry will produce along with Ozzie Areu and Matt Moore. Production is expected to start next month in Atlanta, where Perry’s shingle is based.

I love a good Tyler Perry movie — when Madea isn’t around — but I also understand the criticisms of them and wonder if he would just take a little more time putting his films out, would that be time well spent making the movies more dimensional, interesting, and engaging.

Next year, “The Marriage Counselor” is slated for a March 29 release and less than two months later, the Tyler Perry-produced comedy, “We the Peeples,” will hit theaters. At that rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if “Single Mom’s Club” was out by next Fall. That is a lot of work, not to mention the TBS sitcoms Tyler has on his plate and his new partnership with Oprah. I definitely love the hustle, but Tyler seems highly focused on quantity over quality and he might be spreading himself a little thin.

All that said, I’m sure I’ll have my black tale at the theater for at least one or two of his flicks next year.

What do you think about the “Single Mom’s Club” idea?

Source: BET.com

Reality TV shows may be somewhat of a comeup for people who we wouldn’t know otherwise, but when it comes to people who are famous in their own right, they’ve quite been a good look. That hasn’t stopped many a celeb from giving the genre a try of course, but there’s a least one famous person whose come out of it to say been there, done that, won’t do it again.

That person is Brandy, whose been down the reality TV road twice already and has no interest in going back. What’s interesting is Brandy doesn’t necessarily think reality TV was bad for her, she thinks she’s bad for it.

“I don’t want to do reality shows,” she told Sister 2 Sister. “I watch reality shows here and there, but I don’t think I work well on reality shows. I think I’m too boring for reality. It’s much more fun playing somebody else.”

Though you may be thinking that’s not true, Brandy recognizes the formula that works for reality TV, and though she doesn’t have a problem playing a neck-snapping drama starter in a scripted series, she’s not doing that in real life.

“I don’t even argue like some of these women on TV,” she said. “I just watched ‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,’ and I was like, ‘whoa.’ It’s not that you have to compete [with other shows], but if you look at things from a business standpoint, you want to get the kind of ratings that the ‘Basketball Wives’ are getting.

“Why aren’t we getting those ratings? Your life is just too boring,” she joked. “People want to see drama. They want to see that. So, reality is not for me.”

That’s not a problem though. As we know, the singer and teen actress has landed what appears to be a permanent spot on “The Game” and she’s also got another recurring role on Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva.” On that series, Brandy plays Elisa, the former love of co-star Josh Stamberg. Last season, she appeared on the dramedy and surprised the attorney by revealing that he was the father of her child and this season they’ve been following that story line off and on.

“I relate to her in so many ways, just being a mother, having her heart broken, Brandy told S2S. “I’ve been through everything she’s been through, probably more.”

Brandy will also be in Tyler Perry’s 2013 flick, “The Marriage Counselor,” so she appears to be doing quite well acting in front of the cameras without messing up her real life. Kudos to her for not selling out for cash or ratings.

Do you like Brandy as an actress?

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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Not many people can forgive someone for leaking a sex tape featuring their family member, but apparently Brandy can. In a side-eye Wendy Williams moment, the singer/actress said that she’s over her beef with Kim Kardashian and she actually misses her.

When Wendy asked how things were on the set of “The Marriage Counselor,” the upcoming Tyler Perry film both women will star in, she said:

“I never saw Kim because we didn’t have any scenes together. Not because I cleared the way for her not to be around me but honestly I can just take this moment and say I really miss my friendship with Kim, I really do. I can’t wait to see her at the premiere and try to say something to her; tell her I love her and I’m here whenever she needs me.”

Of course Wendy Williams, the instigator, says, there’s a camera right there, urging Brandy to reach out to Kim from her show. So Brandy looks into the camera and says:

“Kim, I love you, and I’m here whenever you need me, and keep your chin up.”

I guess. That whole sex tape situation with Kim and Brandy’s brother Ray J erupted nearly five years, why forgive her now? Could it be Brandy is trying to step back into the spotlight and she wants some of that Kim K star power to rub off on her? probably. Besides, I wonder what Ray J would have to say if these two reunited? In most breakups, family members cut all ties with exes—especially ones with drama.

What do you think about Brandy wanting to reconnect with Kim? Is it a good idea to remain friends with your siblings ex?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Tyler Perry has written a letter to his fans explaining why Kim Kardashian was given a role in his upcoming film, “The Marriage Counselor,” after receiving a ton of backlash over the casting choice. Tyler Perry already gets plenty of side eyes for his films, but his casting of the reality TV star tocuhed a nerve with many fans, especially after news of Kim’s divorce hit.

In looking over the letter, I’m not convinced this gesture will do anything to halt the grassroots boycott efforts that are popping up. He writes:

About two months ago, long before I even heard about Kim’s marriage or divorce, I was trying to finish up the casting. I said to one of my producers, “who else is out there that young people are looking up to?” One of my producers showed me pictures that his daughter had taken of several hundred kids lined up around the corner to get into a Kardashian store. They wanted to meet Kim. I thought, what better person! She literally has millions of young people following her. I thought and still do think, that it would be very responsible of her to be a part of this film. To have the young people that look up to her, see her in a film that is about, what happens in life when you make the wrong choices.

Tyler seems to equate teen’s fascination with Kim Kardashian with her being a role model and I think there is a thin line between the two. I’m not saying Kim is the worst person on the planet, but let’s not forget how she rose to fame in the first place. If you really want to teach young people what happens in life when you make the wrong choices, you don’t grant more fame to a chic who is in the media on a daily basis because of her sexcapades. That right there is a mixed message sir.

You can check out the full letter on theybf.com. What did you think about Kim Kardashian being cast in Tyler Perry’s latest film? Does this effort do anything to change your mind about seeing the film?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Tyler Perry keeps adding to the star power of his newest film “The Marriage Counselor.” After finding out Kim Kardashian would play the coworker of the movie’s lead, Jurnee Smollett, it’s been announced that Brandy will play coworker to Lance Gross’s character, who is Smolett’s husband.

Jerry Stiller and Vanessa Williams are also supposed to have parts in the film, but there’s no word yet on what part they’ll play. “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” is the last movie I can remember watching Brandy in… she was decent enough for a horror flick. I hope she can pull off this supporting role.

What do you think about Tyler Perry adding her to his cast? It’s been a long time since her “Moesha” days.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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