Marlon Wayans and his brothers rose to fame in the 1990s as a result of their older brother Keenen Ivory Wayans’ sketch comedy series “In Living Color.”
The groundbreaking program, which ran from 1990 to 1994, pushed boundaries and questioned social standards with its frank commentary on pop culture, politics, and race.
But after around five years, Keenen and his family—the show’s stars Danon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon—found themselves at loggerheads with the network management.
In a recent episode of Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay,
Marlon Wayans spoke candidly about his family’s exit from In Living Color, including the behind-the-scenes choices that led up to their departure from the ground-breaking program.
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He also gave an explanation of the rationale behind his and his siblings’ decision to leave the legendary TV program and their little-known silent protest.
“I remember when we left ‘In Living Color’ because Fox was syndicating the show and it was hurting Keenen’s pockets.
Keenen was like, ‘Nah, you’re not going to do this to me.’
My family said, ‘F—k this money.’ And we all left ‘In Living Color,’” Marlon recounted.
The 52-year-old actor also revealed that his siblings wore black sunglasses on December 20, 1992, during the “Driving Miss Schott” Christmas episode, as a silent protest against the network’s treatment of Keenen.
“We’re going, ‘You ain’t going to f—k my brother.
We’re family. You touch one, you touch all,’” Marlon declared.
The “Scary Movie” director eventually quit the show after the protest episode due to disagreements over creative control and syndication rights.
Marlon claimed that despite receiving “huge checks” from the show’s producers to continue, he was unable to accept it.
“Despite everything, I remain a brother.
No, I’m going to support my brother,” he shared. “And we all left the show. That’s why season five got weird.”
After the fourth season concluded, Keenen, Marlon, and Damon had all walked out, while Kim and Shawn remained until May of that year.
