Is Robert Townsend not more celebrated within the black community

[TMC]

Robert Townsend was arguably the closest thing to Tyler Perry during the '80s and '90s. Although, Townsend seemed to make a more conscientious effort when compared to Perry, to avoid depicting black people in constant struggle and strife, but that's another topic for another time.

Besides The Parent 'hood, he had Hollywood Shuffle, his Partners in Crime specials on HBO, The Five Heartbeats, Townsend Television, Eddie Murphy's Raw, The Meteor Man, B.A.P.s with Halle Berry, Carmen: A Hip Hopra with Beyoncé, Up, Up and Away, etc.

Was Townsend not bigger in the entertainment industry because his brand was considered very safe, wholesome, and perhaps unfortunately, really corny when you get right down to it? Plus, his projects were not huge commercial successes at the time.

Do you think that he may have also been overlooked because when compared to his peers, he wasn't as flashy or bombastic as Spike Lee, John Singleton, the Hughes Brothers or even the Wayans (who were his early co-conspirators)?