“In Living Color” is one of the most groundbreaking, important series in TV history. We have the endlessly talented Wayans family to thank for its creation and success. It helped put the brand new Fox network on the map, contributing to its identity as the edgy alternative to ABC, CBS and NBC.
It was truly a Wayans family affair, with Keenan Ivory Wayans starring and executive producing, while the cast included his siblings Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon. Of course, networks don’t like giving that level of control to Black artists, so it wasn’t long before Keenan found himself butting heads with Fox execs. While appearing on “Club Shay Shay,” Marlon explained that the reason he and his family left the show in Season 4 is because they felt Keenan wasn’t being fairly compensated. You can check out his comments around the 47:00 mark.
“I remember when we left ‘In Living Color’ because Fox was syndicating the show and it was hurting Keenen’s pockets,” he said. “Keenen was like, ‘Nah, you ain’t gonna do this to me.’ My family said, ‘Fuck this money.’ And we all left ‘In Living Color.’”
The family protested the situation between Keenan and the network during the 1992 Christmas episode. As Jamie Foxx sang “This Christmas,” Marlon, Shawn, Kim, cast members David Alan Grier, Kelly Coffield and DJ Leroy “Twist” Casey wore sunglasses, refusing to participate in all the holiday festivities.
“You ain’t going to fuck my brother. We a family. You touch one, you touch all,” he said.
The series ran for five seasons, but without the Wayans’ influence and with other cast members starting their film careers, Season 5 felt phoned in, becoming very forgettable.
“That’s why season five, it got weird,” he said. “It got Biz Markie. God bless Chris Rock, he came at the wrong time. As brilliant as he is, he couldn’t save it. Because the eyes of the show is gone.”
In his conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Marlon expresses his frustration that the sketch comedy show ended the way it did, because he feels like it should still be on the air, enjoying a run similar to “Saturday Night Live,” which is entering Season 50.
Sadly, if you want to check out classic “In Living Color” sketches and episodes, YouTube is the only place they’re available.