My Favorite Wayans Family Projects

 

This coming weekend the Wayans Family will receive the honor, of being inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. If there's any family in the entertainment world that deserves this honor, the Wayans Family is it. They have been making folks laugh for well over forty years and have created legendary projects. 

So it's time to give them their flowers and share my favorite projects created by The Wayans Family. I'm omitting In Living Color and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and My Wife & Kids because it's a given why those are favorites.

Second Generation Wayans

This 2013 BET original dramedy was actually pretty good. I just think it was not what viewers were expecting from members of the Wayans Family. Focusing on Damien and Craig Wayans who both wrote the series, trying to navigate Hollywood keeping the Wayans name going.

It focuses on the cousins lamenting that they have had achieved the success their uncles and aunt have. With a relatable story of trying to keep family legacies alive, while making your own mark. It's a shame it was only given one season.

Fifty Shades of Black

When released in 2016, this movie was given a lot of flak. Co-written by Marlon, it is however a very funny spoof, you would expect from a Wayans. It's silly, doesn't take itself too serious and is harmless. If you need a good laugh and have some time to kill give it a chance.

Marlon

Another sitcom in the long list of one's not given a chance, and cancelled too soon. Co-starring Essence Atkins (who now costars in Poppa's House with Damon and Damon Jr.), the two play a divorced couple trying to co-parent in the modern world.

A real topic inspired by Marlon's real life, the show touched on the seriousness of the subject but used laughter to heal it. Debuting in 2017 it was cancelled by NBC after it's second season.

Scary Movie 2

The sequel to the surprise hit of 2000 and released a year later. I personally find Scary Movie 2 funnier than the first one. Spoofing primarily the supernatural and haunted house genre of horror movies. The jokes in my opinion just land a bit better.

I didn't appreciate it when it released but it truly is a gem.

Damon Wayans Still Standing

To me Damon Wayans is the funniest member of The Wayans Family. And this HBO stand up special from 1997 shows why. For a hour Damon captives you with his storytelling, using the stage as a prop, there's not a dull second in his performance. His performance in this special shows how much of an art stand up comedy is, and how its been lost. Some of his material later is the basis for My Wife & Kids.

Have an hour? Thanks to the power of YouTube check out the Special .

Blankman

Released in 1994 and co-written by Damon Wayans based on a story he developed. BlankMan is a silly ass movie if I'm being honest, but if I have an opportunity to watch it I will. It also was a early form of representation that went over my head as a child.

A Black superhero saving the city, but not just a Black superhero he's a "nerd" so to speak. So geek culture was on display in Blankman's alter ego Daryl, of course played over the top by Wayans. Daryl was also an inventor, handyman, computer whiz, and mechanic based on what he was able to build from junk. All components of the STEM field. 

While silly it has alot of heart and that makes it enjoyable.

Hollywood Shuffle

A lot of people don't know this, but Keenan Ivory Wayans co-wrote Hollywood Shuffle alongside Robert Townsend (another guy who deserves more flowers). The film follows an aspiring actor Bobby Taylor (played by Townsend) as he navigates the stereotypical world of Hollywood.

Wayans has a small role in the role, but it is a gem for how it is a satire on Hollywood back in the 80's. And much of the topics it covers and calls out is still relevant today.

Low Down Dirty Shame

Also released in 1994 Keenan Ivory Wayan's wrote, directed, and starred in A Low Down Dirty Shame. Playing a P.I. trying to get by who gets wrapped up in a case involving an old flame and foe. With Jada Pinkett Smith's character Peaches by his side, he sets out to close the case once and for all.

A homage to the Blaxploitation era of P.I.'s like John Shaft, I'm shocked a sequel was never made. The movie is funny enough to warrant one and still holds up today.

Major Payne

Major Payne a guy who's a pain in the ass. Released in 1995, 30 years later I can watch this movie beginning to end multiple times, like I have never seen it. The movie was co-written by Damon and it's just so funny with many quotable lines. And hasn't really aged as far as jokes being in bad taste or anything.

I know it's considered a cult classic, but I'm not sure how it is not a bonafide classic. Here's one of my favorite scenes and a collection of other funny ass scenes from the movie.

Mo' Money

Loosely based on the Mo'Money skits from In Living Color, Damon Wayans wrote and starred in this one with Marlon by his side. Playing brothers who hustle for a living, strongly opposed to working. Until Amber played by Stacey Dash catches Damon's character Johnny eye. Soon enough he has a job at her company and gets himself entangled in a credit card identity theft scheme.

It has comedy, and some action. And if if comes on TV or is available to stream and I have free time, I'm sitting down to watch it.

Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood

I don't give a damn what anyone says Don't Be A Menace is the funniest spoof film ever, and the overall funniest movie by The Wayans Family. Released in 1996 it is a spoof of the 90's Hood movie genres, it targets and hits every movie from Boyz N The Hood on released up to that point.

Almost 30 years later I will watch it and laugh my ass off. Lines from the movie randomly pop in my head, so I have to quote them. It has alot of Easter eggs jokes you may miss, and things going on in the background to help drive jokes you may miss. 

For instance I never noticed until someone pointed it out on social media a few years back, that Ashtrays father had slip covers in his kitchen. The Wayans definitely took their time to make sure this movie was one of a kind and it shows.

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Underrated TV Dads

 

It’s Father’s Day Weekend and around this time you’ll see articles about the best TV dads. Frequent names that make the list are often familiar, like James Evans, Mike Brady, Cliff Huxtable (regardless of the man who played him transgressions), Phil Banks, Carl Winslow, Randall Pearson, Jack Pearson, Andy Griffith, and Richard Cunningham. Throughout the history of TV there have been several great dad characters, here is a list of ten underrated TV dads in my opinion.

10. Rome Howard-A Million Little Things

Since A Million Little Things is still on the air Rome’s story as a father isn’t over, but so far, he has done an exceptional job as a foster parent to Tyrell. Rome wanted nothing more to be a parent, in case you haven’t seen the show and want to I won’t give away too much. I will say though Tyrell came into Rome and his wife’s Regina lives at the right time. Rome has shown foster parents are just as important and influential as biological parents.

9. Alan Matthews-Boy Meets World

Alans Matthews wasn’t a hard-nosed dad by any stretch, but he was a realistic, likeable and caring dad. He worked hard to provide for his three kids. He even showed them that when your hard work isn’t appreciated, sometimes you have to step out and take a chance on yourself. Alan also took a role as a father figure for Corey’s best friend Shawn when he would need it the most.

8. Keith Mars-Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars overall is a very underrated and underappreciated show, think it had a lot to do with being ahead of it’s time and airing on UPN. That’s another story for another day, anyway Keith Mars is a very underrated dad. A county sheriff who later transitioned to a private investigator, he encouraged Veronica to use her sleuth skills for causes that were important. He always stressed to be safe and did everything he could to protect Veronica. Veronica’s mom left the family before the series started and it did a good job covering single dads and how hard it can be at times.

7. Graham Lubbock-Just The Ten Of Us

Just The Ten Of Us is a often forgotten sitcom that was a spin-off of Growing Pains. The series featured a high school basketball coach along with his wife raising their eight children. Four of them being teenage girls. Graham’s daughters also attended the school he coached at which gave him new headaches. He had to juggle catering to his wife, his children they’re varying personalities and needs. Budgeting for his family and so much more. Graham Lubbock does not get talked about enough in the land of TV dads.

6. Phillip Drummond-Diff'rent Strokes 

Phillip Drummond was the archetype of the white savior trope often used in television. That doesn't mean he wasn't a damn good dad though. Taking in his former housekeepers sons as her dying wish, he instantly took to the boys and raised them as his own. Providing them with love, care, and guidance as if they were his own. He also was stern when he needed to be, never letting the kids including his daughter get too mischievous.

5. Floyd Henderson-Smart Guy

Floyd Henderson often is overlooked when it comes to TV dads. That man had a lot on his plate, the widowed father of three kids. He juggled running a small roofing company, and three very different children with very different personalities. Child Genius TJ, popular but always looking to get rich quick Marcus, and activist daughter Yvette. Somehow Floyd kept it all together, always there for his children to help them in their time of need and provide advice.

4. Eddie Sutton-Lincoln Heights

Eddie Sutton is an LAPD police officer who moves his family into his old neighborhood hoping to make a difference. His family doesn’t initially approve of the move from their comfortable suburban home. Throughout the series, Eddie helps his family navigate through many challenges while navigating throughout challenges of his own. Always levelheaded and rarely losing his composure despite his stressful job and environment. Eddie Sutton is a very underrated TV dad much like the show is underrated.

3. Pops-The Wayans Bros.

Pops played by the legendary John Witherspoon was often a highlight of the Wayans Bros. He loved both his son’s and supported them every step of the way but was not afraid one bit to let them know they were being stupid etc. Pops also was known for his outlandish style which everyone made fun of, but he didn’t give a damn. He also felt his sons were never too old for an ass whipping and often pulled his belt out to beat two grown men.

2. Julius Rock-Everybody Hate's Chris

Julius Rock is probably the father many wouldn’t care to have as a child, but as an adult would appreciate. He’s one of the cheapest mofos you ever would want to meet but did what he had to do to support his wife and three kids. Working multiple jobs to make ends meet and counting every penny, he does not let a thing go to waste. He may not get you the things you want, but he will get you the things you need. At the end of the day when you look at what’s important that’s all that matters. 

1. Robert Peterson-Parent'Hood

Robert Peterson is a father of four who is a college professor. He is a caring but strict father and his imagination is just as vivid as any child. He often dreams of elaborate scenarios and stories in his head. A very good and caring man overall he took in a trouble youth and helped steer him towards a better path. Along with his wife they did the best they could to give their kids what they could without spoiling them rotten. Parent’Hood is an underrated sitcom and Robert Peterson is the most underrated TV dad in my opinion. 

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