When you think of a family that's long been affilated with comedy, one name comes to mind: Wayans. From In Living Color to the Wayans Brothers Show, they've kept audiences laughing for decades. One member who's a force to be reckoned with is Marlon. Since the age of 15, he's has been writing, producing, and starring in movies such as White Chicks, Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2 and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. He's starring with Regina Hall in a new NetFlix movie, Naked, that makes its debut today, and his brand-new sitcom, Marlon, premieres on NBC on August 16 at 9 p.m.
I caught up with the talented (and very busy) entertainer as he was in the midst of promoting his new show and doing a stand-up comedy tour.
Tell me about your new sitcom, Marlon.
Well, it is based on real-life experiences, and deals with a misguided, inappropriate dad that is divorced, raising his kids. He is a different kind of dad that is funny, has a lot of heart, and loves his family. It stars myself and Essence Atkins and will be premiering on NBC.
What prompted you to create a sitcom like this?
It was time. I have been doing stand-up for years, and wanted to give people a different view of myself. I felt like I have just matured to a point where I wanted to tell my story. It’s like I have an IV in my arm and I am going through the matrix. So, I just found a way to take my pain and create a little laughter.
What do you want people to get out of the show?
I want to be inspirational to families that are watching. We can’t pretend to love someone one day, and then you hate them tomorrow. That is false feelings mixed with real feelings. You should love your family, love people unconditionally, and accept them for who they are. Keep your family first. I just want to create something that will be classic that can put a smile on people’s faces.
I can tell by your responses, family is always first for you?
Man, I have no choice, ‘cause God gave me so much family! I have no choice. We just had a family softball game, and we had enough people to have two teams plus two designated hitters, back-up catcher and a short center fielder.
Your son plays basketball too?
Yeah, he has skills. He gets his sixth man skills from me, and my daughter has my above the rim skills.
You also have a new movie coming out on Netflix, Naked. What are fans in store for when they watch this?
It’s a hard-hitting romantic comedy that stars myself and Regina Hall. It’s about a guy who wakes up on his wedding day naked in an elevator, and is having to relive the hour before his wedding over and over again. It comes out on Netflix August 11.
You are a busy man.
Busy as hell.
With everything that is going on in the world right now, do you feel the climate of comedy has changed in a way that people have become more sensitive about what comedians joke about?
Absolutely. We live in a tighter society that people want you to apologize for every kind of joke. However, it challenges you as a comedian to know how to not talk about things, but how you talk about things. You still can say what you want to say, but just in a different way.
I heard in a recent interview on Big Boi’s radio show that you do standlup the way a deejay would rock a party. How do you go about setting up your "set list" in your mind to be able to rock the room and keep it fresh as a comedian?
I use the first 5 to 10 minutes on stage to tell me where I am going to navigate. As the show develops, you know where the crowd is going to take you. You have to be loose enough to flow with them and not be too rigid. I come out and give a great show. Every crowd is great from New York to Jersey all over.
Catch Marlon Wayans live in St. Louis at Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria, August 24 at 7 p.m., and 6:30 & 9 p.m. August 25 and 26. Tickets are $35–$45. For more informaiton, visit heliumcomedy.com.
