Marlon Wayans Reveals Shocking Reason He and His Family Wore Black Sunglasses During ‘In Living Color’ Protest Episode

“In Living Color” has helped launch the careers of many Hollywood stars, most notably the Keenen Ivory Wayans comedy series that made the Wayans family a household name.

In addition to Keenan Ivory Wayans, “In Living Color” introduced Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans to national audiences.

This week, during an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, Keenen’s younger brother, Marlon, shared his thoughts on why he and his siblings left the enduring show.

“I remember when we left ‘In Living Color,’ because Fox was syndicating the show and it was hurting Keenen’s pockets. Keenen said, ‘No, you’re not going to do that to me.’ My family said, ‘Fuck the money.’ And we all left ‘In Living Color,’” Marlon recalled.

The 52-year-old actor added that through the December 20, 1992, Christmas episode of “Driving Miss Schott,” his siblings wore black sunglasses as an indication of protest against the network’s treatment of Keenen.

“We’re like, ‘You’re not going to f**k my brother. We’re family. You touch one, you touch all,'” Marlon explained to Shannon Sharpe of the on-air screening.

He said the production offered everyone “big checks” to remain on the show, but he couldn’t do it. “After all this, I’m still a brother. No, I’m going to support my brother,” he said. “And we all left the show. That’s why season five got weird.”

Speaking of Marlon, he added: “God bless Chris Rock. He came in at the wrong time. As brilliant as he was, he couldn’t save it because the eyes of the show were gone… the vision. You can’t replicate Wayans’ shit. Every time they try, you’re going to fail.”

Rock joined In Living Color after leaving Saturday Night Life, where he felt frustrated playing stereotypical rolesfor instance, portraying a rapper or a black political activist.

In Living Color aired on Fox Broadcasting from April 15, 1990, to May 19, 1994. Keenen Ivory Wayans served because the show’s original executive producer, author, and solid member.

Keenen reportedly clashed with Fox executives over creative and syndication rights issues. The “Scary Movie” director left the series in 1992 after the episode “Driving Miss Schott.”

“It was always a comedy from an African-American perspective,” Keenen said. Entertainment per week in 1993. “But now they have all-white consultants. There’s a fine line between African-American humor and making fun of African-Americans. Fox didn’t even have the good taste to introduce that second voice, and it’s offensive not only to the show but to a large segment of the population.”

In an article published in June 2019 by Hollywood ReporterKeenen stated, “What started happening in the fourth season was that it was a business. Fox started re-airing the show before it went into syndication. They were using the show to launch other shows. And they were devaluing it. I felt like they were taking advantage of me. So I left (midseason).”

By the top of the fourth season, your entire Wayans family had parted ways with In Living Color. After Keenen, Marlon and Damon left the show in January 1993 without signing a contract, his brother Shawn and sister Kim didn’t leave until May of that very same 12 months.

“Kim and I were contractually obligated to be there for the last season. It was hell. I knew we were on the Titanic without a captain, and the iceberg was in front of us, and I was handcuffed to the railing. None of the sketches would have worked without Keenen’s touch,” Shawn Wayans told The Hollywood Reporter.

In Living Color’s series regular solid also includes Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson, Kim Coles, Kelly Coffield, T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh and Anne-Marie Johnson.

Additionally, Rosie Perez, Jennifer Lopez and Laurieann Gibson appeared on “In Living Color” as Fly Girl dancers. Fellow “Saturday Night Live” alum and rapper Biz Markie appeared as a special guest in season five.