As a devoted fan of comedic brilliance and someone who grew up watching the revolutionary antics of the Wayans brothers, I must say that their impact on the world of entertainment is nothing short of extraordinary. Their unique blend of humor, social commentary, and pure absurdity has left an indelible mark in the annals of comedy history.
Over roughly three decades, the Wayans brothers – Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Damon Wayans – have built a powerful comedy empire, using their distinctive sense of humor to satirize mainstream popular culture. The sketch comedy show “In Living Color”, created by Keenan, brought them into the limelight nationally and paved the way for their success. They then enjoyed a successful streak at the box office during the ’90s and early 2000s, while also scoring TV hits such as “The Wayans Bros” in 1995, “The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show” in 1997, and “My Wife and Kids” in 2001.
Despite the fact that the Wayans brothers were once ubiquitous in TV shows and movies, nowadays they are seldom starring in major comedies or prime-time sitcoms. Although they haven’t disappeared entirely, their presence isn’t as prominent as it used to be. You might be curious about why this change happened. Let us delve into the reasons behind their decreased visibility.
The Wayans brothers clashed with Fox over their hit sketch show
Back in the groove of the 80’s, the dynamic duo known as the Wayans brothers honed their skills in iconic films such as “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “Earth Girls are Easy.” However, it was in 1990 when they truly shone together on the Fox sketch show “In Living Color.” This groundbreaking TV series served as a springboard for stars like Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey. It provided us Wayans with the perfect platform to demonstrate our comedic prowess and we seized that opportunity, showing the world that we could compete with the comedy giants of the era — and we sure did!
“In Living Color” was a massive success for Fox, but the network’s choice to syndicate the show marked its downfall, negatively impacting creator Keenen Ivory Wayans financially. During an interview on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Marlon Wayans disclosed that they were all presented with lucrative offers to support the move, but they stood together and supported their brother. “It was damaging Keenen’s finances,” Marlon stated. “Keenen said, ‘No, you’re not doing this to me.’ My family declared, ‘We don’t need this money.’ And we all departed from In Living Color.
A reboot of In Living Color never got off the ground
The Wayans brothers seem content with their decision to depart from “In Living Color,” yet they may still feel a sense of nostalgia about it. Interestingly, Keenan Ivory Wayans tried to revive the successful comedy series in 2012, although his other siblings did not participate. Instead, he gathered a fresh batch of comedic talent like Lil Rey Howery, Jermaine Fowler, Cooper Barnes, and Kali Hawk for the new version.
A pilot episode was made for “In Living Color,” and there were high expectations at Fox. However, as stated by its creator in 2013 when the project was ultimately canceled, the show failed to deliver. Keenen expressed that the bar set by the original series was so high that if he didn’t believe they could maintain that level, he didn’t want to proceed. He attributed the failure to changing times and shifting sensibilities, as well as a limited pool of talent suitable for such a production. Fox President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly concurred, stating that “the stars didn’t align.” Essentially, despite the pilot being amusing, it didn’t seem like they had the right cast members.
Their style of comedy became dated
Initially, during their early days in showbiz, the Wayans brothers made their mark on the silver screen, following the popularity of “In Living Color.” Keenan Ivory Wayans played the lead in “A Low Down Dirty Shame,” while Shawn and Marlon joined forces for “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.” Their success extended into the new millennium, with Marlon leading the charge on comedy blockbusters like “Scary Movie,” “White Chicks,” and “Little Man.” Despite initial failure, “Little Man” eventually found success on Netflix.
Over time, the humor of the Wayans family seemed less appealing to audiences, and they started to move away from their comedies. The 2009 film “Dance Flick” was a significant financial flop, barely recovering its $25 million budget within U.S. borders. The landscape of comedy was shifting, as hinted at by Keenan when his revival of “In Living Color” encountered obstacles. In an interview with the New York Post, he acknowledged this change, saying, “I just feel like we’re in a different era.
Damon Wayans quit acting to focus on him personal life
2016 saw Damon Wayans return to television, this time spearheading a modern adaptation of the timeless action-comedy classic, “Lethal Weapon”. He stepped into Danny Glover’s shoes, portraying Roger Murtaugh in a version that emphasized humor over action more than its cinematic counterpart. While not universally praised by critics, they did acknowledge the strong chemistry between the leads as one of the show’s strengths, and it performed well during its first season. Regrettably, after the third season, Wayans decided to leave — a move that came shortly after co-star Clayne Crawford was dismissed from “Lethal Weapon”.
With both stars absent, the show was left with no other option but to shut down operations. Later, Wayans stated that his departure wasn’t due to contract issues or creative disagreements, but rather a decision to prioritize his health. “I’m a 58-year-old diabetic and I’m working 16-hour days,” Wayans told Eurweb. He emphasized that although he was proud of the show, he wanted to focus on improving his own wellbeing and spending more time with his family. “It’s tough for me to portray a loving, supportive father/husband/friend on TV, but in real life I’m telling everyone I can’t work,” he explained. “I have seven grandkids. I’ve been missing recitals and graduations. To me, it just isn’t worth the sacrifice.
Returning to stand-up comedy has kept them away from the screen
Following the halt in their “In Living Color” reboot and Damon Wayans departing from “Lethal Weapon,” the Wayans brothers decided to take a different path. They reunited and went back to their initial passion: stand-up comedy. In 2018, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Shawn Wayans took to the stage with microphones, and were accompanied by their former “In Living Color” colleagues David Alan Grier and Tommy Davidson for the Off Color Comedy Tour, creating a sense of reunion in the process.
Shawn had actually been doing stand-up for some time, and following the reunion tour he kept it going. He’s been performing stand-up ever since, with his 2023 tour taking him all over the United States. That tour was largely the result of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which the comedian says he used to craft a bunch of new material. Keenan and Shawn aren’t the only brothers who’ve been doing stand-up performances. Damon Wayans has also taken to the road, while Marlon has toured regularly in recent years and even released his own comedy special on Amazon Prime in 2024 titled “Good Grief.”
Damon Wayans defended Bill Cosby
For decades, Bill Cosby, a renowned comedian, was admired by many for his significant contributions to Black comedy and serving as an inspiration to aspiring artists such as the Wayans brothers. Known for his successful stand-up routines and popular sitcoms like “The Cosby Show,” he was widely recognized as one of Hollywood’s kindest personalities, earning the affectionate title “America’s Dad.” However, his reputation took a dramatic turn when he was convicted in 2018 for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand. This conviction was later overturned when his legal team revealed that an earlier district attorney had promised not to prosecute Cosby based on his testimony without invoking the Fifth Amendment.
When rumors about Cosby’s alleged predatory behavior came up back in 2015, Damon Wayans commented on them while appearing on “The Breakfast Club,” and his words caused quite the stir. Not only did he state that he didn’t believe Cosby’s accusers, he said that they weren’t attractive enough to be the target of sexual assault. “I don’t believe he was raping. He was in relationships with all of them,” Wayans said. “And some of them is unrapeable. I look at them and go, no, you don’t want that. Get out of here.” The backlash was swift, and Wayans’ reputation took a hit as a result. He rigorously defended his comments, claiming the media was twisting his words and urging people to watch the full interview — he also said: “For anybody who was raped by Bill Cosby, I’m sorry and I hope you get justice.”
Marlon Wayans has been relegated to supporting roles
Despite consistently going on stand-up comedy tours, Marlon Wayans didn’t want to abandon the silver screen. He may no longer have been the main actor, but he secured crucial supporting roles in not just one, but two prominent productions – one for cinema and another for television or streaming platforms.
In the movie “Air,” starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, which tells the story of the fierce corporate competition to secure a shoe endorsement deal with basketball sensation Michael Jordan in the 1980s, Wayans portrayed George Raveling, one of Jordan’s early coaches. Raveling played a significant role in helping Nike secure a contract with Jordan, eventually becoming their Director for International Basketball. His performance contributed to the film receiving a nomination for the Critic’s Choice Awards for outstanding ensemble acting.
Shortly following this, we saw the series “Bel-Air,” a heartfelt reinterpretation of the iconic ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” In this version, Marlon Wayans portrays Will Smith’s (Jabari Banks) father figure. The son is under the impression that his father deserted him; however, in the Season 1 finale, the father appears and clarifies that he has been imprisoned instead. He shares with Will that he didn’t want his son to witness him behind bars. This heart-wrenching scene served as a reminder of Marlon Wayans’ talent for dramatic performances.
Keenan Ivory Wayans moved into writing and producing
After the end of his hit show “In Living Color”, Keenan Ivory Wayans primarily moved to roles behind the camera, focusing on writing, directing, and producing. His last screen appearance was more than a decade back (he made a brief cameo in a 2013 episode of TV Land’s “Happily Divorced”). However, this didn’t stop him from being active in Hollywood. Interestingly, Keenan has been a key figure in many of his brothers’ major films, contributing through scriptwriting and direction rather than acting roles.
Keenan Wayans has been involved in various collaborations, such as co-writing movies like “White Chicks,” “Little Man,” and “Dance Flick,” which featured brothers Marlon and Shawn. His nephew, Damien Dante Wayans, directed “Dance Flick.” Recently, in 2020, he worked as a writer for the Tracy Morgan comedy “The Last O.G.,” contributing to eight episodes of the TBS show. He also directed many films starring his brothers, including the first two “Scary Movie” movies, and his own movie, “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” from 1994.
Hollywood turned to the next generation of Wayans
Although Hollywood seems to have moved on from the Wayans who initially made the name famous, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the studios and networks in Hollywood have completely written off the family. In fact, a new member of the Wayans clan is making waves: Damon Wayans Jr. His debut was in his father’s 1994 superhero spoof “Blankman,” where he portrayed the younger version of David Alan Grier’s character, Kevin Walker. Since then, Damon Jr. has made appearances in numerous films and series, with notable roles in “Let’s Be Cops” and “New Girl.” He also lent his voice to Wasabi in “Big Hero 6.
It’s intriguing to note that the newer generation of Wayans, particularly Damon Wayans Jr., are playing a significant role in reviving the older members of their family’s acting careers. The father-son duo will be starring together in a new CBS sitcom titled “Poppa’s House,” set to premiere on CBS in October 2024. In this series, Damon Wayans Sr. portrays a seasoned radio host. He expressed to Entertainment Tonight that he has been trying to make this project happen for approximately ten years, but his son’s team felt he wasn’t ready yet. However, the idea has finally materialized after much discussion and planning. Both father and son are executive producers on the show, with Damon Sr. also contributing as a co-writer, making it truly a family endeavor.
Do the Wayans brothers have another act left in them?
Acting careers in film and television don’t end until an actor decides to retire. In 2023, we saw some popular actors make a return to Hollywood. Could it be possible that all of the Wayans brothers will appear together on screen sometime soon? While they haven’t done so yet, according to Damon Wayans Jr., it’s not because there hasn’t been an effort. He shared that discussions have taken place about resurrecting “In Living Color.” As Damon Jr. told CBS This Morning, “I believe they’ve attempted it a couple of times, but it never quite took off. If I were to take charge, maybe it could work out.
For enthusiasts of the initial series, this probably brought delight, yet Damon Jr. admitted that recapturing the same enchantment might prove challenging, particularly given the present circumstances. This perspective is echoed by David Alan Grier, who discussed reviving “In Living Color” during an interview on The Daily Show in 2024. “The world has evolved,” Grier stated, further explaining that criticizing TV shows was much more difficult prior to social media. “You can’t be pulling off the wild stunts we did back then. Frankly, I’m amazed we even got away with it last time!
The Wayans brothers’ legacy is already secure
Regardless of whether the Wayans brothers fail to recapture the fame they enjoyed in the early ’90s, their impact on entertainment is already indelible. A significant portion of this enduring influence stems from the fact that “In Living Color” remains a groundbreaking television series. As cast member Tommy Davidson stated during a 25th anniversary panel (through The Hollywood Reporter), “We knew it was going to make an impact.” The nation was eager for something fresh and exciting, as there was immense energy and anticipation surrounding the show’s debut.
Initially, it gained popularity and soon became a source of inspiration and admiration for a wave of up-and-coming comedians who regarded the Wayans as role models. However, its influence on the comedy world isn’t the only reason why “In Living Color” left an indelible mark in Hollywood history. It might even be the originator of today’s grandiose Super Bowl Half-time Shows. The show aired a special episode during the 1992 championship game that was so successful, it compelled the NFL to enhance the halftime show to prevent losing viewers.
As a consequence of this, Michael Jackson became the headliner for the halftime show the following year. Nevertheless, according to its creator Keenan Ivory Wayans, he is particularly proud of the opportunities the show provided to women. “If you were to examine the credits on ‘In Living Color,’ I would say that around 80% of our staff were all women, and women of color,” Wayans stated at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. “From the co-executive producer to the line producer, to the first black woman to direct a sketch comedy, Terri McCoy, to Pam Veasey who was our head writer.” This show not only revolutionized comedy but also left an indelible mark due to its significant contributions to women in the industry.
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2024-10-05 14:30