Marlon Wayans, a comedic actor and the youngest of the Wayans family, joins Shannon Sharpe for an engaging chat. He reflects on his unique upbringing, growing up as the 'butt' of family jokes with a strict Jehovah's Witness background. Marlon shares anecdotes about legendary visitors like Eddie Murphy and his early sketch writing. He discusses the struggle against labels of nepotism, his experiences with networks, and the inspiration drawn from both his family's humor and hardship, revealing the true essence of laughter and legacy.
Marlon Wayans shares how growing up in a large family of comedians shaped his resilience and understanding of humor from an early age.
He reflects on the values imparted by his parents, highlighting the importance of family unity and a strong work ethic despite financial struggles.
Marlon expresses a desire to create impactful comedy that resonates with audiences, motivated by the rich legacy of the Wayans family in entertainment.
Deep dives
Wendy's March Madness Promotion
Wendy's is offering a special promotion during March Madness, providing a junior bacon cheeseburger or a double stack for just $1 with an in-app offer and purchase. The junior bacon cheeseburger features fresh beef, applewood smoked bacon, cheese, crispy lettuce, tomato, and mayo, while the double stack includes two patties of fresh, never frozen beef topped with cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickled onion. This promotion excites customers by highlighting Wendy’s commitment to serving freshly made burgers. It reinforces Wendy's branding as a go-to option for fast food enjoyment during sporting events.
Upcoming Film: Sinners
A new film titled 'Sinners,' directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, is set to release on April 18th. The film follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown seeking a fresh start, only to confront an unspeakable evil waiting for their arrival. This genre-bending thriller is anticipated to impress audiences, especially with its unique filming techniques using IMAX cameras. The collaboration with a renowned filmmaker adds to the excitement surrounding its release.
Marlon Wayans' Journey in Comedy
Marlon Wayans reflects on growing up in a large family of comedians and how it influenced his career. Being the youngest of ten children allowed him to gain resilience and understanding of humor from an early age. He recalls the nurturing yet tough environment driven by his parents, which shaped his comedic style and work ethic. This upbringing prepared him for a successful career in entertainment, considering the Wayans family's collective achievements in comedy and acting.
Lessons from Parents and the Importance of Family
Marlon discusses the valuable lessons imparted by his parents, especially the importance of family unity and support. His mother instilled a strong sense of independence and survival while his father emphasized discipline and respect. They faced financial struggles, but love and stability were consistent elements of their upbringing. The conversations highlight how those foundational values fostered a strong bond among the Wayans siblings, contributing to their collective successes.
The Evolution of Comedy and Legacy
Marlon expresses a desire to create comedy that leaves a lasting impact, emphasizing the importance of making people smile. He reflects on the rich history and influence of the Wayans family in the comedy realm, especially with shows like 'In Living Color.' This legacy serves as motivation for him to craft unique and memorable content that resonates with audiences. Such reflections underscore Marlon’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to the entertainment landscape and creating joy through his artistic endeavors.
Marlon Wayans joins Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for an honest conversation about life, comedy, and family. Marlon, the youngest of the Wayans siblings, reflects on growing up as the "butt" of his family's jokes. He shares how his childhood was shaped by his mom's hands-on approach and his father's strict religious beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness. He talks about how his mom foresaw New York real estate's value skyrocketing and recounts wearing hand-me-downs from his brothers—a habit he's kept up even today.
Marlon dives deep into his upbringing, recalling how different his family was from others in the neighborhood because they had both a mother and a father. He recounts having legendary entertainers like Eddie Murphy and Robert Townsend visit his home, and how he was writing sketches from a young age. Marlon also discusses the tension with his father over attending a performance arts high school and eventually leaving Howard University because of his experience with professors treating him differently due to In Living Color.
He opens up about his career in comedy, from his early auditions for his brother's movie Mo' Money to the creation of The Wayans Bros TV show with his brother Shawn. Marlon reflects on his family being labeled with nepotism despite their immense talent and discusses the challenges they faced with networks, including their decision to leave In Living Color when NBC attempted to blackball his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans. Lastly, Marlon reminisces about an In Living Color special that led to the invention of the Super Bowl halftime show and the history of his family on Saturday Night Live.
