Marlon Wayans on Why His Family Left ‘In Living Color’: “You Ain’t Going to F*** My Brother”

Marlon Wayans on Why His Family Left ‘In Living Color’: “You Ain’t Going to F*** My Brother”

As a gamer who grew up in the ’90s and was a dedicated viewer of In Living Color, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for the Wayans family. Marlon’s recent revelations about their decision to walk away from the show after its fourth season have given me a whole new appreciation for the values they held dear. They chose to put brotherhood and family above personal gain, even when offered “big checks” by Fox. That level of loyalty is something that’s rare in today’s world, especially in the cutthroat business of Hollywood.


Thirty years following the conclusion of “In Living Color”, Marlon Wayans is now disclosing the reasons behind his family’s decision to depart from the Fox program that catapulted their fame.

In a recent conversation on the Club Shay Shay podcast, the multi-talented individual opened up about their departure from the ’90s comedy series they co-created with their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, following its fourth season.

“Marlon recalled the time when we stopped working on In Living Color, as Fox was re-airing the show which was negatively impacting Keenen’s earnings, Marlon explained to host Shannon Sharpe. Keenen reportedly responded, ‘No, you can’t do this to me.’ My family and I felt strongly about it and decided, ‘Forget this money,’ and we all left In Living Color.”

The series that aired from 1990 to 1994 prominently showcased Marlon’s siblings: Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, and served as a stepping stone for the careers of numerous other notable figures in Hollywood such as Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, and Jamie Foxx.

During the podcast, the actor from White Chicks reminisced about a time when he and his siblings staged a protest by donning dark sunglasses, while Foxx performed “This Christmas” in the 1992 Christmas special titled “Driving Miss Schott”.

“Marlon clarified the reasoning behind their actions as, ‘We’re demonstrating and saying, ‘He’s not yours. He’s our kin. If you harm one, you harm us all,'”

As a dedicated gamer, I chose to step away from my favorite multiplayer game ahead of its grand finale, even though it meant passing up on some hefty in-game rewards. My decision was fueled by the need to stand by my fellow player, my teammate, who needed my unwavering support off-screen, reminding me that I’m not just a team member, but also a brother.

“Marlon went on to explain why season five felt unusual. It took a turn with Biz Markie, but despite Chris Rock’s brilliance, he arrived too late. His presence wasn’t enough to rescue it because the heart of the show was missing.”

Following his exit from “In Living Color”, Marlon confessed that he was financially struggling, with only $700 in his bank account and owing $900 in rent. Yet, this predicament motivated him to work on “The Wayans Bros.”, a series that aired from 1995-99.

In another part of their conversation, the comedian expressed during an interview with Sharpe that the fall of Harvey Weinstein seemed like a form of divine retribution, as Weinstein had allegedly stolen his family’s movie concepts, such as the Scary Movie franchise.

View this post on Instagram

Read More

2024-09-06 14:24