Damon Wayans Jr. discusses growing up in LA, following his family's footsteps, acting in Let's Be Cops, The Other Guys, The New Girl and Happy Endings. They also talk about growing up with comedian fathers, the challenges of show business, controversy and harassment in NYC, and the impact of cameras and the internet on comedy performances.
Damon Wayans Jr. discussed his upbringing in a wealthy and famous family and his experiences in the entertainment industry, including his success in TV shows and movies like 'Happy Endings' and 'Let's Be Cops'.
The podcast episode explored the challenges faced by comedians in the modern age, including the impact of technology, social media, and video recording on the stand-up comedy industry and the need for comedians to navigate sensitivities and constant scrutiny.
Deep dives
Summary of Podcast Episode
The podcast episode featured Damon Wayans Jr. as a guest. Wayans discussed his upbringing in a wealthy and famous family, including growing up with Paul Mooney's and Richard Pryor's children. He also talked about his experience in the entertainment industry, from starting out in stand-up comedy to his success in TV shows and movies like 'Happy Endings' and 'Let's Be Cops'. Wayans mentioned his future aspirations, including a desire to work on an animated project and potentially collaborate with his father, Damon Wayans Sr., on a film. The conversation also touched on topics like catcalling, the role of cameras in society, and the different experiences of women in New York and Los Angeles.
Growing up with identity split
The podcast episode discussed the speaker's experience of growing up in a household with privilege while also navigating his identity as a young black teenager. He shared how he had friends from different racial backgrounds and how he gradually gravitated towards hanging out more with his black friends. The speaker reflected on the darker paths they took and the behavior they engaged in, including fighting and engaging with drugs. He acknowledged that he may have manufactured angst or hoodness in search of an identity, but emphasized that at a young age, he was impressionable and influenced by the company he kept.
The challenges of comedy in the modern age
The conversation shifted to the challenges of comedy in the modern age, with the hosts and the guest discussing the impact of technology, social media, and video recording on the stand-up comedy industry. They touched upon the dilemma of working on new material and having it filmed and shared without context or control. There was a discussion about the changing landscape of comedy and how comedians have to navigate sensitivities and be cautious about what they say on stage. The conversation also touched on the blurred lines between personal and political topics in comedy, and how everything is under constant scrutiny.
The comedian and actor sits down with The Champs to discuss growing up rich and poor in LA, being a knucklehead, and finally following in his family's footsteps, starring in Let's Be Cops, The Other Guys, The New Girl and Happy Endings.
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