Keenen Ivory Wayans

Performer/ Producer/ Show Creator

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Keenen Ivory Wayans talks about his career as a comedian, writer, and producer. He discusses growing up in New York City with his five brothers and five sisters, and describes honing his comedy skills at an early age. He explains what made him decide to leave college and move back to New York City to become a stand-up comedian at the Improv, and recalls getting his first big break on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He tells of writing his first film script, Hollywood Shuffle, and shares what he learned from the experience. Wayans also talks about the cult-fave movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and its short-lived TV spinoff. He then outlines his acting career and talks of his roles on For Love and Honor and Benson. He describes his relationship with Eddie Murphy and recounts writing/producing the documentary Eddie Murphy Raw. He details his TV series In Living Color, explaining improv on the show, censorship, working with his family, and the program's legacy. He also comments on the inspiration for many of the In Living Color characters such as "Frenchie," "Homey the Clown," and "Men on Football." Amy Harrington conducted the interview on July 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"That's the thing about comedy, your intention is to be funny. Once it goes out to the world, you don't know how it's received. And that's the downside of the comedian. 90% of the room laughs-- or somebody may be crying. That's the chance you take."

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Keenen Ivory Wayans

Highlights

Keenen Ivory Wayans on battling racism with humor at a young age

01:46

Keenen Ivory Wayans on dealing with hot-button, topical issues in the news on In Living Color and handling it with humor

Kennen Ivory Wayans on parody in comedy "once it goes out to the world" you take a chance on whether or not it's deemed as funny or hurtful; on the effect of his "Men on Football" sketch on the Superbowl

02:28

Keenen Ivory Wayans on his view of comedy as pain disguised as laughter

01:15

Keenen Ivory Wayans on the highlight of his career: delivering a speech at a party for Richard Pryor

02:19

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On growing up in New York City with five brothers and five sisters; on living in the projects and what survival skills he took from that experience.

On his family's sense of humor; on dealing with racism at a young age; on realizing he was funny, and deciding to become a comedian after seeing Richard Pryor and the comedians on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson; on beginning to write comedy; on the TV shows that influenced him

On going to college at Tuskegee University in Alabama; on finding out about The Improv and moving back to New York to be a comic; on honing his stand-up act and his "comedy family" at that time; on the comedian's code

On two big career moments: appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and deciding to write his first movie "Hollywood Shuffle" with Robert Townsend; on his movie "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and its spinoff TV pilot

On playing a dramatic role in the TV series For Love and Honor on NBC; on appearing on Benson; on writing and producing the documentary "Eddie Murphy: Raw"

Chapter 2

On network notes and audience reaction to In Living Color; on coming up with ideas and characters of the show

On casting In Living Color; Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Kelly Coffield, Damon Wayans, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Jamie Foxx

On working with his family on In Living Color; on the Fly-Girls; on the writers' room, dealing with topical issues, and how improv was used on the show; on drawing inspiration from his own life

Chapter 3

Keenen Ivory Wayans wraps up the story from Part 2 on his "Frenchie" character

On the In Living Color character "Homie the Clown" based on comedian/writer Paul Mooney; on what he loves about each character he created on the show; on his favorite sketches

On dealing with censorship with the network; on some controversial sketches on In Living Color such as the Colt 45 sketch, "Men on Football" and how it changed the rules for the Superbowl halftime show; on leaving the show; on winning an Emmy for In Living Color and the legacy for the show

On hosting The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show and why he dislike the experience; on his film career with brothers Marlon and Shawn Wayans: on "White Chicks" and other movie projects

On his interest in pop culture movies; on his interest in HGTV and architecture; on his view of comedy; on Richard Pryor

On how television has changed; on the portrayal of African Americans on TV; on his proudest career moments; on advice to actors and his legacy

Shows

Benson

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Keenen Ivory Wayans on appearing on Benson with Robert Guillaume as Benson's nephew "Clete" in 1986

01:12

CHiPs

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Keenen Ivory Wayans on playing "Robert" on an episode of CHiPs called "Meet the New Guy"

00:21

Cheers

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Keenen Ivory Wayans on one of his first gigs on television appearing on the first episode of Cheers as "Customer #1"; on working with the cast and crew

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Keenen Ivory Wayans on winning an Emmy for In Living Color and his seven Emmy nominations