'It Might as Well Be YouTube': Jaleel White Casually Trashes Tyler Perry
You might have missed it through all the smoke and scorched earth of the film's opening weekend, but Jaleel White appeared as a banjo-playing teacher in Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. That got White an audience with VanityFair.com, where the actor wasn't about to regret or apologize for his run as one of the most notorious TV child stars of the '90s. Not only that, but guess what? According to White, they don't make them like Family Matters any more.
At least that was how White put it to Mike Ryan, who dared to set the record straight when the actor explained holding on to his iconic-ish gig as Steve Urkel for as long as possible:
I'm the highest-paid black kid in the history of television, just so you understand that. I was trying to prolong the checks! For all of the people who want to scratch their heads about this . . . we're probably the second-longest-running African American show in the history of television.
I believe Tyler Perry's House of Payne has put you in third.
Did we get passed by Tyler Perry's show? Did we? He's shooting them so fast, I don't even know if that counts.
That's a good point.
He's shooting like four a week! I think you've got to make something that everyone's willing to watch in droves. I don't know what category to put that in. I don't want to sound like I'm dissing Tyler Perry, but making three or four episodes in one week is not the same in terms of production value of what we did, one a week. Technically, I guess he passed us. More power to him, but it might as well be YouTube videos.
Well, then. For those keeping score at home, it has come to this: The man who once played sitcoms' most ruinous, space-exploring dork just shot over the bow of the man who currently plays the movies' most rancorous, purse-swinging grandma with a penis. Your summer can only improve from here, right? Oh.
· Q&A: Jaleel White on His 31-Year Career [VF.com]
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Comments
I found Urkel as annoying as every other carbon-based being, but damn I love Jaleel White. And that is a working actor's answer: I kept the checks coming. Hell yes, Jaleel, you get yours, and stay fine.
Listen, I totally agree, but come on. Tyler Perry is signing a lot of checks for working actors these days. I wouldn't think of Family Matters vs. House of Payne as one of those proverbial battles you choose in life.
You're quite right, framing it like that - it read to me more like an off-hand response, not a total slam on Perry. Who does give some amazing and underused actors pay cheques, of which I approve. Plus of course, the sitcom market is a different one from the days of Family Matters. Which White also mentions with that nice line about what happened to Judy Winslow.
Let's be honest> How could anything EVER top the production value of "Family Matters"?? But, then again, Green Lantern hasn't hit theaters yet....
Damn you, I was just getting around to recognizing National Bourbon Day! That was a very costly spit-take for me.
Everybody do the Urkel!
Just had to take what may be my only opportunity ever here at ML to pay tribute to the legend. TGIF 4eva.
I thought Family Matters was an awesome show with truly endearing characters (Carl the father/cop being my personal favorite) and great stories. A great childhood memory of mine. And damnit, I loved Urkel. I find everything Perry does viciously unappealing, so.....White FTW.
Well First and formost Family Matters was a HIT! I loved that show from the bottom of my heart. I am not a House Of Payne Fan at all, BUT I am a Tyler Perry fan. I watch all his plays etc I just feel that Jaleel White has to realize that Family Matters is from so many years ago, and people are getting more and more talented. It wont always be the best is my point! I honestly think Martin beat Family Matters but thats just my opinion.....lol Keep up the good work Tyler Perry and Jaleel White! Both Black men doing really really well, give credit when credit is due!
well as fo me Iam really glad when I see any one durning some thing great and wonderful with their life and when we knock some one down we knock our self down I enjoyed Family matter as well and still could still watch it. But yes I do Loves me some Tyler Perry and God gave us all a gift it is up to us to seek him and find out what it is. our gift can take us places but only our Charact can keep us there.
La Joyce
Jaleel Who? It takes a lot of nerve to trash a man who overcame numerous hardships to become a self-made billionaire. Don't be hatin' on a brother who employs his own "neighbors". He had NOTHING handed to him. He earned his money the hard way, and he gives it back to the community. When you are grown enough to walk in Mr. Perry's shoes, be the 2nd black man to own a tv and movie studio in these United States, my hat will go off to you! You'd better check yourself before you wreck yourself Mr. Who, or you will find yourself going down the tube (toilet) as a celebrity. There may come a day when you will only get exposure through YouTube. I thought you were funny AND annoying as a child actor. My now 27 year old son wasn't thrilled at the time about being named Stefan, but he's since gotten over it, like I got over you a looooooong time ago!
OMG it was not an intention omission.. the man said that! He was just speaking his truth no disrespect to T.P. Why are people trying to start beef between this to powerful black men who obviously have an affect on millions of people! Stop it!
And yes before someone tries to correct my grammar i meant "these" two powerful black men.... I was typing a little too fast, lol peace