Playwright and Actor Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is a playwright, director, author, producer and actor—and is always working on an exciting new project. Gayle talks with Tyler about his latest endeavor, a sitcom called House of Payne that debuts in June 2007.

Tyler says House of Payne is about a loving African-American family that encounters some serious problems. He says the sitcom tackles big issues and teaches life lessons, yet it is funny and warm. "Sitcoms like this are not around anymore," he says. "I remember stories like The Jeffersons and All in the Family where they dealt with some really traumatic and dramatic issues in the sitcom, so I wanted to revisit that," he says.

House of Payne revolves around the multigenerational Payne family who faces their fair share of troubles while maintaining caring relationships. "I can't remember the last time where I have seen a black sitcom where there is a mother and father both present in the house," he says. "So, even little things like that—I wanted to speak to people and have it be something positive and reaffirming."

House of Payne isn't Tyler's only current project—he says he is working on a talk show called The Tyler Perry Show that will be posted on his website and a new movie called Why Did I Get Married?