As one of the many scripts he wrote back in 2019, revealed on IG last month as a strong example of his work ethic, a revival of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne has been one of the famed producer’s most anticipated projects so far. Now, it looks like we’ll be seeing it come to fruition way sooner than expected.  

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It’s no surprise that Tyler Perry would revisit his popular sitcom that aired on TBS from 2006 to 2012, especially given the consecutive NAACP Image Award wins the show received for “Outstanding Comedy Series” in 2008, 2009 (seen above), 2010, 2011 and 2012. According to Deadline, the revival will actually be more of a continuation by serving as a new season that picks up five years later from where we last saw the Payne family. All the original stars are set to reprise their roles, including LaVan Davis as “Curtis Payne,” Cassi Davis Patton as his wife “Ella Payne,” Lance Gross as “Calvin Payne,” Demetria McKinney as “Janine Shelton-Payne,” China Anne McClain as “Jazmine Payne,” Larramie “Doc” Shaw as “Malik Payne,” Keshia Knight Pulliam as “Miranda Lucas-Payne” and finally Allen Payne as “C.J. Payne.” Although re-runs of the original series have already been airing on BET, the network will be the official home for Perry’s reboot when it arrives this summer.

Lance Gross already showed his excitement for the series reboot a few days ago on IG (seen below), but let us know down in the comments if you’ll be looking forward to watching a revival of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne on BET.

There were the “#OscarsSoWhite” protest and the complaints over the years that the Academy Awards’ lack of diversity is a problem in Hollywood. Entertainers have spoken openly about how they believe the Academy has snubbed actors, filmmakers, and movies considered to be “of color,” but if you ask Tyler Perry about the controversy, he’ll let you know that he doesn’t want any part of it as he minds his business in the ATL.

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The studio head caught up with CBS This Morning last week to chat about his recently released Netflix thriller A Fall From Grace. He praised the streaming platform for their diverse staff who met with him when they negotiated the film’s release, but when questioned about the Oscars, he didn’t care to get involved.

“I think that Jennifer Lopez should have been recognized. I think that Awkwafina should have been recognized, absolutely,” he said. “But I don’t have an opinion of it either way. Whereas I said before, build your own table so that you don’t have to keep asking someone to sit at theirs. I think that the Academy has tried to invite more people of color into the voting process.”

With his hands up in the air as a sign of retreat, Perry added, “I’m down in Atlanta doing my own thing. I don’t even want to focus on it. God bless ’em. I wanna let it go and I want to encourage everybody else to be owners, entrepreneurs that take the bull by the horns, become more producers, writers, and direct themselves.” Check out his clip below.

He may have taken a little flack online after sharing that he writes all of his television shows himself without help from other creatives, but Tyler Perry’s good deeds are changing lives. The Tyler Perry Studios mogul has created jobs for thousands of people over the years, but his recent move gave a former inmate hope for his future. A report by Atlanta’s 11Alive news states that a 52-year-old man recently released from prison was being stonewalled by employers, that is until Perry decided to give him a chance.

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Back in the 1990s, Darrell Hall was sentenced to life in prison for possession of two grams of cocaine. He served out 13 years before he was released with the help of Fulton County’s Conviction Integrity Unit, a project that reexamines past convictions that they believe were excessive given the circumstances involved.

While Hall was thrilled to taste freedom once again, he was finding it impossible to obtain employment. Then, the Fulton County District Attorney’s office was notified that Perry was willing to offer Hall a job at his studio and to come in for work on Monday. To prove that he’s ready to work, Hall said he’s going to go in wearing his work boots.

“I’ll say, ‘Can I start now? I’ll be ready to start.” When asked what he wanted to do, Hall wasn’t picky. “Anything – I could do a lot of things,” he said. “I have a lot of skills. Horticulture, lawn care, cooking skills, janitorial skills.” Hall also shared a bit about his time in prison, saying that being away from his loved ones was extremely difficult.

“I always tried to be stern and keep myself upright. I didn’t try to fit in with anyone,” he said. “Always keep your head up, always look forward. Everybody is not out to get you. Don’t always think that everybody is out to get you.” Watch clips of this heartwarming story below.