Former DJ and interviewer DJ Vlad went viral at the end of August after airing out personal information regarding actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer Marlon Wayans. DJ Vlad invited Wayans to his popular YouTube channel, Vlad TV, which hosts interviews with prominent celebrities and entertainers. Wayans refused the interview request as he was not offered the proper monetary compensation for his time. DJ Vlad took to social media to blast Wayans for being “entitled.” But this plan backfired, as DJ Vlad immediately received backlash from the Black community.
Black people were particularly offended because DJ Vlad’s actions were unprofessional, and many felt that he was attempting to minimize the cultural impact of Marlon Wayans. In the aftermath of DJ Vlad’s faux pas, let’s unpack why Marlon Wayans is a powerhouse by reflecting on the cultural shift the Wayans family created in the entertainment industry.
The Cultural Impact of In Living Color
The Black-led sketch comedy series In Living Color which first aired in 1990 was created, written, and produced by Keenan Wayans, Marlon’s older brother. The comedy series only lasted for five seasons due to censorship and exploitation issues, but within that time frame, it had a huge impact on the newly formed FOX television network. The network was looking to tap into its urban audience and, although they were initially hesitant, Keenan’s sketch show proved to be very lucrative. Even though some people referred to it as the “Black version of SNL,” In Living Color was more diverse, featuring other members of the Wayans family in addition to Hispanic, Asian, and White cast members including Jim Carrey. Unlike SNL, In Living Color was only 30 minutes, pushed the envelope on the hot topics addressed and became popular for using parody to confront race relations in America. While some viewers considered the show to be raw and raunchy, it consistently had all-time high ratings because most of the other Black shows at the time were safe and family-friendly.
In addition to Keenan, In Living Color popularized the rest of the Wayans family — Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon — who had regular roles on the show. Previously unknown comedians such as Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey and David Grier were also introduced through the show and had successful careers afterward. A popular segment of the show featured an in-house dance group known as “Fly Girls” who were choreographed by Rosie Perez. This group introduced popular singer, dancer, and actress Jennifer Lopez to the world. On top of launching the careers of a lot of actors and comedians, the show also highlighted several hip-hop acts such as Queen Latifah and deceased rapper Tupac Shakur.
While it put so many stars on the map, In Living Color is most known for shifting how we experience the Superbowl Halftime Show. Before the impact of the Wayans family, the Halftime Show was a gimmick of magicians, actors dressing up as characters for spectacle, and marching band performances. In 1992, FOX Network wanted to counter-program CBS’ broadcasting of the Superbowl Halftime Show by airing a live episode of In Living Color at the same time. The episode garnered over 20 million viewers. This resulted in the NFL booking high-profile celebrity acts to maintain their viewership, starting with Michael Jackson in 1993.
The Cultural Impact of Parody Movies
The Wayans family are also considered Hollywood royalty in Black households because they popularized parody movies. They were particularly skilled at dramatically mocking blaxploitation films, which were low-budget movies meant to cater to Black audiences in the 1970s. Keenan was the first sibling to produce a Wayan parody movie — his 1988 film I’m Gonna Git You Sucka featured his brother Shawn and Marlon. Although he received mixed reactions from critics, the film grossed $13 million at the box office against its $3 million production budget. Most Black audiences appreciated seeing a predominantly Black cast on screen and Keenan’s ability to satirically showcase the blaxploitation era.
After creating and starring in their hit sitcom known as the Wayan Bros., Shawn and Marlon followed in their brother’s footsteps and worked on a screenplay that would become the 1996 film Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film grossed $20 million against its production budget of $3.8 million and gained a cult following. It was particularly praised for its comedic commentary on 1990s Black hood films, featuring cameos by actors from those films, and its amazing soundtrack.
Other notable franchise movies that were created by the Wayans family were Scary Movie and A Haunted House. The 2000 Scary Movie and its 2001 sequel were both written by Marlon and Shawn and directed by their big brother Keenan. Scary Movie was unlike anything that had been created in the comedy world because it broke the ceiling for using horror and thriller genres as a parody. Despite being R-rated, the film grossed $278 million against its $19 million production budget and managed to launch the careers of actresses Anna Faris and Regina Hall whose comedic roles shined in the films. The sequel went on to do well at the box office but unfortunately, the third installment did not include the Wayans brothers who were cut out of their franchise by the production company.
As a result of being pushed out, the brothers decided to create something new: the cult classic 2004 comedy film White Chicks. Unlike their other parodies that centered on Black experiences, this film made fun of White women and their mannerisms using whiteface. The critical response was negative, but the mass appeal of the movie has made it an American national treasure. After the box-office success of the film Marlon eventually wrote and produced his 2013 satirical horror comedy A Haunted House and a 2004 sequel A Haunted House 2. Both films made fun of the “found footage” horror genre and even though they were met with negative critical reviews, they did well in the box office.
The Legacy of the Wayans Family
Upon reflection into the cultural impact of the Wayans family, it is clear why the Black community was in an uproar at DJ Vlad’s dismissal of Marlon Wayans. With the inception of In Living Color and the popularization of Black parody movies, the Wayans family tapped into the underserved Black audience that had been long neglected by Hollywood. They not only gave Black comedians and actors the spotlight, but they were also very intentional about inclusivity, helping stars like Jim Carrey find their place in Hollywood. Their popularization of parody movies, especially in the 2000s when the genre was not common, affirms the Wayans’ genius in capitalizing on an untapped audience. Despite not being critically acclaimed movies, these films have been a vehicle for nuanced social commentary while also managing to break your ribs from laughter.
Even though the Wayans family is overlooked and underappreciated by Hollywood, they deserve their flowers because they turned the entertainment industry on its head. And if there’s something we can all take away from this iconic comedic family, it’s to trust in your craft when you are undervalued and have faith that the right audience will appreciate your labor.
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