Author: Jonathan P-Wright

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Drama Titan (The Haves and the Have Nots focus)

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

Introduction

While comedy brought Tyler Perry into millions of homes, it was drama that cemented his status as a titan of television. With The Haves and the Have Nots and If Loving You Is Wrong, Perry redefined prime-time drama, proving that Black-led shows could dominate ratings on cable networks.

Perry’s Legacy

The Haves and the Have Nots, which premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2013, quickly became the channel’s #1 show. It was a juicy, soap-opera-style drama that kept viewers glued to the screen for eight years. Its mix of class struggle, family conflict, and betrayal resonated deeply with audiences. If Loving You Is Wrong followed soon after, diving into stories of romance, scandal, and human vulnerability. Both series expanded Perry’s reach, proving he could deliver long-form drama just as effectively as sitcoms or stage adaptations. These shows didn’t just elevate ratings—they saved OWN from potential decline, proving Perry’s ability to revitalize entire networks.

Netflix Success

Netflix provided another outlet for Perry’s dramatic storytelling. A Jazzman’s Blues, his long-awaited passion project, became a critically acclaimed feature on the platform. Combined with Beauty in Black, these titles demonstrated that Perry could use Netflix to showcase both mainstream hits and deeply personal stories. His dramas gave Black actors opportunities to shine in complex, layered roles that Hollywood had long denied them.

Paramount Talks

As Paramount negotiates with Perry (see Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/09/paramount-tyler-perry-deal-1236546302/), the value of his dramatic catalog cannot be overstated. Paramount+ gains access to a proven storyteller who knows how to keep audiences binge-watching. Perry’s drama empire offers Paramount prestige and reliability. His proven ability to sustain shows for multiple seasons is exactly what streaming platforms need to retain subscribers.

Empowerment

By casting Black actors in leading roles across his dramas, Perry dismantled decades of Hollywood typecasting. Stars who once struggled to land meaningful roles now headline prime-time shows and international streaming hits. Perry pays them generously, ensuring they benefit financially as well as artistically. His dramas employ hundreds of crew members annually, generating millions of dollars in Atlanta’s economy and supporting an entire ecosystem of Black creativity.

Conclusion

Tyler Perry’s drama empire proves he is not confined to one genre. With Paramount now seeking his partnership, Perry stands ready to expand his influence yet again. From The Haves and the Have Nots to Beauty in Black, his dramas show that empowerment and profitability can walk hand in hand.

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FM News

The Joe Budden Podcast Turns Conversation Into Curriculum For Creators

Entertainment With Outcomes

What separates JBP is intention. The laughs are real, but so is the learning: marketing pivots, rollout timing, catalog leverage, and how fan communities actually move the needle.

Experience it yourself—watch on YouTube here.

The Chemistry You Can’t Manufacture

Great pods live or die on chemistry. This one thrives—Joe’s veteran POV, Ice’s angles, Parks’ engineering ear, and the room’s honest friction.

Fresh From Ep. 856 “Pillow Talk”

The episode maps the culture in real time: Young Thug interrogation clips and implications (30:09, 56:38). A candid ethics chat on pillow talking (1:15:00). Legal/media crossover with Cardi B’s testimony (1:34:00). Joe’s review of the Jussie Smollett documentary (1:44:19). Radio business with Funk Flex timeslot news (1:56:21). Album talk for Joey Bada$$ & Westside Gunn (2:09:48). Then curation mode: Kehlani’s “Folded” as the R&B song of summer (2:52:55) and a Mario remix reaction (2:55:05), plus cultural bites—ILoveMakonnen the chef (3:01:28), Cracker Barrel’s logo (3:07:57), and Micah Parsons trade analysis (3:12:40). (Apple Podcasts)

Network Built, Credibility Intact

Creator-owned, audience-centered, editorially fearless—the Joe Budden Podcast Network is a blueprint for sustainable independent media.

Press Play, Take Notes

If you build in music/media or just love smart talk, this episode belongs in your rotation.

Call to Action: Watch on YouTube here and bring your best take to the comments.

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FM News

The Cold Open: Joseph Sikora Turns Tension Into Currency

The image above was generated via Artificial Intelligence. This image is not associated, connected, or affiliated with the Starz show ‘FORCE’ or any of its subsidiary companies or the actors playing any role.

From the first frame of the Force teaser, you can tell the city’s pulse has changed—Tommy Egan is back, and Joseph Sikora is calibrating the tone with surgical control. No wasted lines. No empty gestures. Just intention, sharpened into threat.

Minimalism With Muscle

Sikora works in micro-beats: a half-smile that isn’t friendly, a nod that greenlights a move, a pause that rearranges a room. Tommy’s code—clean, direct, unforgiving—lands because Sikora never overplays it. He underlines nothing yet communicates everything.

Urban Geometry, Human Drama

Chicago’s grid becomes story architecture. Long shots promise long odds; tight rooms collapse options. The teaser leans into that pressure, and Sikora answers it with stillness that feels dangerous.

Built by Icons, Tuned for Today

With 50 Cent’s entrepreneurial imprint and the Power universe’s cultural gravity, Force blends street-level authenticity with big-screen discipline. Sikora is the anchor: part strategist, part storm front, all consequence.

Loyalty, Priced Daily

Empires aren’t free; they’re financed. Every deal, every line crossed, sends a bill to tomorrow. Sikora shows that cost without speeches—just a look that says the calculation is already finished.

Why You Can’t Look Away

Because Force respects anticipation. The teaser stacks moments that feel like pulled pins, and Sikora holds them long enough to raise your heartbeat. That’s presence; that’s pressure.

Press Play, Then Pull Up

Watch the official teaser and tune in to the hit series Power Book IV: Force, exclusively on STARZ.

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FM News

Young Thug’s *Man I Miss My Dogs*: A Call for Loyalty and Renewal

A Testament of Growth

Young Thug’s latest track isn’t just a song—it’s proof of transformation. He embraces accountability, reflecting on mistakes to rise stronger than ever. His words hit different because they are drenched in reality, not fiction. Every bar in *Man I Miss My Dogs* is stitched together with honesty, making it one of his most heartfelt creations to date.Young Thug’s latest track isn’t just a song—it’s proof of transformation. He embraces accountability, reflecting on mistakes to rise stronger than ever. His words hit different because they are drenched in reality, not fiction. Every bar in *Man I Miss My Dogs* is stitched together with honesty, making it one of his most heartfelt creations to date.Young Thug’s latest track isn’t just a song—it’s proof of transformation. He embraces accountability, reflecting on mistakes to rise stronger than ever. His words hit different because they are drenched in reality, not fiction. Every bar in *Man I Miss My Dogs* is stitched together with honesty, making it one of his most heartfelt creations to date.Young Thug’s latest track isn’t just a song—it’s proof of transformation. He embraces accountability, reflecting on mistakes to rise stronger than ever. His words hit different because they are drenched in reality, not fiction. Every bar in *Man I Miss My Dogs* is stitched together with honesty, making it one of his most heartfelt creations to date.Young Thug’s latest track isn’t just a song—it’s proof of transformation. He embraces accountability, reflecting on mistakes to rise stronger than ever. His words hit different because they are drenched in reality, not fiction. Every bar in *Man I Miss My Dogs* is stitched together with honesty, making it one of his most heartfelt creations to date.

The Power of Community

In his most vulnerable state, Young Thug calls on his brothers, his collaborators, and the culture itself to stand with him. Support from the streets is no longer optional; it is necessary. He shows us that loyalty goes both ways, and that even when he’s at his lowest, he still believes in the power of community to heal and uplift.In his most vulnerable state, Young Thug calls on his brothers, his collaborators, and the culture itself to stand with him. Support from the streets is no longer optional; it is necessary. He shows us that loyalty goes both ways, and that even when he’s at his lowest, he still believes in the power of community to heal and uplift.In his most vulnerable state, Young Thug calls on his brothers, his collaborators, and the culture itself to stand with him. Support from the streets is no longer optional; it is necessary. He shows us that loyalty goes both ways, and that even when he’s at his lowest, he still believes in the power of community to heal and uplift.In his most vulnerable state, Young Thug calls on his brothers, his collaborators, and the culture itself to stand with him. Support from the streets is no longer optional; it is necessary. He shows us that loyalty goes both ways, and that even when he’s at his lowest, he still believes in the power of community to heal and uplift.In his most vulnerable state, Young Thug calls on his brothers, his collaborators, and the culture itself to stand with him. Support from the streets is no longer optional; it is necessary. He shows us that loyalty goes both ways, and that even when he’s at his lowest, he still believes in the power of community to heal and uplift.

Why the People Matter

Young Thug has always given his all to the culture. Now, he asks the people to give back—to see his humanity, his growth, and his determination to be better. The relationship between artist and audience is a sacred one, and this moment calls for the people to show up for him. By supporting Young Thug, we are supporting the idea that pain doesn’t end a legacy—it refines it.Young Thug has always given his all to the culture. Now, he asks the people to give back—to see his humanity, his growth, and his determination to be better. The relationship between artist and audience is a sacred one, and this moment calls for the people to show up for him. By supporting Young Thug, we are supporting the idea that pain doesn’t end a legacy—it refines it.Young Thug has always given his all to the culture. Now, he asks the people to give back—to see his humanity, his growth, and his determination to be better. The relationship between artist and audience is a sacred one, and this moment calls for the people to show up for him. By supporting Young Thug, we are supporting the idea that pain doesn’t end a legacy—it refines it.Young Thug has always given his all to the culture. Now, he asks the people to give back—to see his humanity, his growth, and his determination to be better. The relationship between artist and audience is a sacred one, and this moment calls for the people to show up for him. By supporting Young Thug, we are supporting the idea that pain doesn’t end a legacy—it refines it.Young Thug has always given his all to the culture. Now, he asks the people to give back—to see his humanity, his growth, and his determination to be better. The relationship between artist and audience is a sacred one, and this moment calls for the people to show up for him. By supporting Young Thug, we are supporting the idea that pain doesn’t end a legacy—it refines it.

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FM News

What Peloton’s Move Signals for the Fitness Industry

Photo by Andrew Valdivia on Unsplash 

The End of the Big Box Era

Peloton is closing a chapter many competitors will likely end soon. Expansive showrooms made sense when connected fitness was novel. Now, audiences trust instructor credibility, peer results, and creator content more than floor-space theater.

Agility Will Beat Footprint

Peloton is modeling the future: modular retail, partner distribution, and pop-ups tied to content drops. It’s a playbook that consumer tech and wellness brands can adopt—less lease risk, more data, faster pivots.

The Access Economy Comes to Premium Fitness

Peloton shows that premium doesn’t need to be precious. Refurb channels, financing, and service quality can expand the TAM without diluting the brand.

Content Quality as the Moat

Peloton is a content company as much as a hardware maker. Competitors who spend on space but skimp on programming will struggle.

Data-Led Retail Decisions

Peloton can open, move, or close micro-stores based on measured conversion and engagement uplift. That’s software thinking applied to real estate—and it’s contagious.

The Bottom Line

Peloton isn’t just changing itself; it’s changing the rules. The winners will be those who spend less on square feet and more on reasons to press ‘Start.’

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FM Cinema FM News

The Winner’s Circle: Why Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Belongs at the Top of Your Queue

Momentum, mastery, and a lead performance that turns every scene into a question—now streaming on Hulu

Confidence From the First Gavel

Season 3 opens like a champion defending its title. The hook is immediate, the tone assured, and the storytelling crisp. Cross-exams sting, private moments breathe, and the long game is clever enough to reward careful viewers without punishing casual ones.

Jax, In Full

What makes Jax unforgettable is not invincibility but calibration. She measures risk in real time—legal, political, personal—and the series lets us watch her math. When she miscalculates, the fallout feels earned; when she nails it, the satisfaction is electric.

Chemistry and Conflict

The ensemble feels like a world, not a backdrop. Allies are allowed to be wrong; rivals are allowed to be right. That balance keeps momentum honest and turns every scene into a potential pivot. You don’t just wait for the verdict—you wait to see who each decision makes Jax become.

The Invitation

Want to know why the energy around Season 3 feels louder? Watch the official trailer and you’ll see the precision. Then stream the season on Hulu. The court of public opinion is convening, and Reasonable Doubt is ready for the argument.

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FM Politics New Music

Sound Without Limits: Spotify’s Lossless Era Begins

Spotify

Photo by Imtiyaz Ali on Unsplash

The Road to Reality

For years, Spotify teased a future of better sound. Today, that future is real. Premium users across dozens of countries are now entering a lossless era—where CD-quality sound is the default.

Raising the Stakes

The move redefines what a subscription service should deliver. Lossless is no longer a perk, but a baseline expectation. Competitors must now recalibrate.

What Listeners Gain

Lossless is about detail: the breath before a lyric, the resonance of an acoustic guitar, the echo of a live venue. Spotify ensures those moments are preserved, not flattened.

Market Disruption

Spotify’s rivals may tout higher-resolution audio, but Spotify’s trump card is scale. By democratizing fidelity, it reshapes user expectations across the entire industry.

Where the Story Goes Next

Lossless could be just the start. Future innovations like immersive audio and adaptive bit-rates may follow. For now, Spotify has made a statement: fidelity is the future.

Discover it for yourself today at Spotify.

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FM News

“More Evolved Than Me”: Sterling K. Brown’s Pride in His Son’s Restraint

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

A Father Humbled by His Child’s Strength

Sterling K. Brown’s recounting of his son’s experience isn’t just a story about racism—it’s a testimony about growth, resilience, and generational progress.

When Andrew came off the field and explained that another boy spat on him and used the N-word, Sterling expected anger. Instead, his son gave him reason to hope: “I didn’t want to make things worse. I didn’t want to upset you.”

Sterling admitted that his younger self might have reacted with fists. But in praising Andrew’s response, he revealed something critical: each generation has the chance to evolve. Where one man might have chosen confrontation, his son chose compassion and strategy.

This evolution is more than personal—it’s cultural. Black families have long had to prepare their children for racism. Yet, Sterling’s story suggests a shift: perhaps young people like Andrew are forging new paths of dignity, resilience, and calm resistance.

By sharing this moment publicly, Sterling amplifies a message bigger than his family: that measured strength can silence hate more powerfully than any punch.

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FM News

From Sticker Shock to Savings: McDonald’s Bets Big on Bundled Meals

AI‑generated editorial illustration. 

Inflation reshaped how people read a menu. When prices rise across the board, guests don’t just spend less—they rethink the entire occasion. McDonald’s latest moves aim squarely at that reality with a bigger bet on bundled value and a simpler path to “yes” at the drive‑thru and on the app.

The company’s recent report highlights a familiar theme with new urgency: customers want clarity and control. Bundled meals provide both. By curating combinations around beloved items and pairing them with sides and drinks, the brand makes the total easier to predict and the savings easier to recognize. That doesn’t just lower perceived cost; it raises perceived fairness.

Breakfast is the proving ground. Remote work, fluctuating campus schedules, and tighter wallets have chipped away at the morning routine that once powered daily traffic. To rebuild that habit, the value message has to be unmistakable: classic breakfast builds, quick service, and small digital perks that make it feel like you’re getting more than you paid for. When the morning feels like a win, guests are more likely to return later in the day.

Behind the scenes, predictable bundles help kitchens move faster and cut down on errors, which protects the value story at the window. The app then completes the loop with loyalty accelerators, personalized add‑ons, and daypart‑specific tiles that reduce scrolling and decision fatigue. The result is a smoother experience that matches what today’s price‑sensitive consumer is asking for—no surprises, just dependable savings.

The broader takeaway is simple: in a cautious spending cycle, the brands that treat value as both arithmetic and emotion will earn the edge. McDonald’s isn’t changing its identity to get there. It’s doubling down on it—signature flavors, fast service, transparent pricing, and digital convenience that makes everyday meals feel smart again. That’s how the Golden Arches plans to turn sticker shock into satisfaction—and occasional visits into a steady routine. 

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FM News

From Courtroom to Cover Art: Cardi B’s Genius Marketing Move

AI-generated image created using artificial intelligence. This image does not infringe upon any copyrights and is in no way associated with Cardi B, her court case, or any third parties or individuals affiliated with this case.

In a powerful demonstration of resilience and artistry, Cardi B has once again taken center stage, turning legal challenges into cultural capital. Her recent victory in a defamation lawsuit—valued at $4 million—solidifies not just her legal standing, but also her ability to dominate headlines on her own terms.

Rather than letting the courtroom moments pass quietly, the Bronx superstar has transformed viral memes from her trial into album cover art. This move showcases her brilliance as a marketer and trendsetter, repurposing cultural moments into branding assets. By doing so, she’s proving that what others might see as vulnerability, she reframes as empowerment and innovation.

Industry insiders have praised Cardi B for her relentless drive to protect her name and her legacy. By leveraging courtroom memes into viral visuals, she has turned potential ridicule into powerful storytelling. The strategy not only reinforces her influence within hip-hop and pop culture but also underlines her business acumen as one of the most forward-thinking figures in the industry.

This isn’t just another headline about a lawsuit—it’s about resilience, entrepreneurship, and genius-level marketing. Cardi B has once again redefined what it means to be an artist in the digital age, reclaiming narratives and amplifying her voice through every platform possible.