The time has come to sadly say goodbye to the outrageously funny, outspoken and at times vindictive grandma we all love and hate, Mabel “Madea” Simmons.
Lionsgate and Tyler Perry’s, A Madea Family Funeral will be the last film in the highly successful 14 year franchise. The Madea films started in 2005 with Diary of a Mad Black Woman in which it gained massive success. Audiences all over could not get over the hilarious Madea created and played by Tyler Perry. After widespread attention, 10 more films were made as well as 11 plays. Madea even made guest appearances on shows such as House of Payne and Love Thy Neighbor. In 2009, Entertainment Weekly put the character on its end-of-the-decade, “best-of” list, saying, “Whether she’s going to jail or just opening up a can of whoop ass, Tyler Perry’s Madea is the profane, gun-toting granny you never had but (maybe) wish you did.” As the franchise comes to an end, The Knockturnal was invited to an all black affair to celebrate and say goodbye to the iconic character.
Guests arrived in all black to a private, speakeasy bar, Rendition Room in Los Angeles, CA. While the reason for the occasion was a funeral, guests were certainly not in mourning. Waiters strolled through the intimate venue with delicious small bites as the bartenders concocted exquisite specialty cocktails. It couldn’t be a Madea celebration without some laughs which is exactly why there was a special comedy performance that led to a karaoke open mic night. The lively guests mingled, laughed, enjoyed the music and most importantly, poured out one for a good one. Be sure to check out A Madea Family Funeral, currently in theaters. Halleluler!