Photo of Damon Wayans Courtesy of Houston Improv
There is a comedian, whose contribution is so meteoric, he was the headliner of the greatest comedy sketch show in television history, In Living Color (1990-1994). If you were not alive, you missed the show that inspired the generation of comedians we now know and love today. Before Kevin Hart or Dave Chappelle, our previous Comedians of the Decade reigned, Damon Wayans made us laugh from the stomach, by way of the ground. And although, the series, created by Keenan Ivory Wayans solidified the Wayans Family as Comedy Royalty, the show catapulted such acts as Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson, Kelly Coffield Park, Kim Wayans, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah', Jamie Foxx, Anna Marie Johnson, Kim Cole, Rosie Perez, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn and Marlon Wayans. If one is a true connoisseur of comedy, one must digest these facts. No other show, besides Saturday Night Live or Def Comedy Jam, produced such a star quality catalog in such as short time. Still, if you watched In Living Color, Damon Wayans was the Star among Stars.
"Never underestimate the power of the Handi-Cap Man!" "So what have we
learned children, that Homey don't play that!" "The first time I saw
Damon Wayans on television, I cried from laughter."
If you remember Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop, Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle, and Keenen Ivory Wayans' I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, you discovered the hilarious genius of Damon Wayans. It is important to go back and enjoy the early films. Even as a minor character in 1980s films, the brilliance of Damon often stole the show. This brilliance would lead to a career that blessed the lives of millions with genuine laughter and healing. Our Comedian of the Decade is Damon Wayans, The Avante Guard of Comedy. He is a brilliant star worthy of our accolades.
Fast forward to 1991, the premiere of, The Last Boy Scout, Damon Wayans appears alongside a young, Bruce Willis in the edgy thriller, marking the rise of his stardom and the paradigm domination of the Wayans Family as the Gate Keepers of American Comedy. Damon Wayans was at the top of the Hollywood Food Chain. It was a perfect storm ushered in by the commercialization of Hip Hop, the popularity of social commentary and Comedy Stand-Up routines, and a new era of tolerance. All of Black America, cheered the debut of Damon Wayans' Hollywood Headlining performance in, Mo' Money, which was a cultural phenomena. The film even added to the local slang with, "Mo' Money, Mo' Money, Mo!;"To describe Damon Wayans as meteoric, is not an understatement. Hollywood had found an unlikely, King of Comedy, versatile enough, to act alongside, Arnold Schwarzeneggar in, The Last Action Hero. All the dreams, disappointments, and hard work, finally paid off. But what was even more exciting, was that the success was not exclusive to Damon, and the wealth spread within the Wayans Family, and to all their 'wisely chosen,' talented friends. Keenan may have had the golden touch, and his genius deserves an award of another category, but Damon was the Gold. And Damon too, could write and spin his own tales of golden strings & webs. Ask the fans, who watched Blankman, and laughed until they cried, and then laughed some more. White America did not understand the funny. However, not only was Blankman, hilariously funny, but it was a risk to his career to teach the American populous the virtues of the common man, life's lessons, and manners. To Black America, the movie was a treasure, but to Hollywood, Damon needed to show them more! His golden performance in Major Payne, was a comedic accomplishment, which went beyond the concept & expectations of Hollywood and finally, everyone bowed down to the acting skills, superior writing, and brilliant showmanship of Damon Wayans. Damon Wayans became a staple to Americans and in turn, a fixture in Hollywood. Throughout the 1990s, the Wayans controlled 'funny,' in America with the precision of Naked Gun. No one can forget how Damon Wayans' star power ushered in the comedic rise of Adam Sandler in the film, Bulletproof (1996). The accolades of a diamond do not need to be mentioned because everyone knows, its a diamond. Still, Hollywood is yet to praise our honoree in grandiose & pomp, as is deserved by his impact on American society and his influence on later generations.
The filmography of Damon Wayans can stand alongside the greatest Comedians of all time.Yet, if you had the opportunity to view during primetime, My Wife & Kids, the television show, one would agree, the comedy genius of Damon & the Wayans Family tree had no equal. The impact of the stardom, parody, and genuine comedy set many celebrities off, but also touched the souls of ordinary Americans, as the Wayans exposed the Emperors being naked. America needed to see that behind the perfect exterior of our famous icons, were regular and often, fallible people. Damon Wayans, as a staple to the American diet, played a hardworking Father, alongside the great actress, Tisha Campbell, to a beautiful Black family and the message was to show that regardless of the issues, the ups and downs, the ebbs & flows of multiple individuals, a family can remain together, united. As a fan, this series was climatic. What else could Damon achieve? Cartoons? Producer & Writing credits? True stars never wane.
Our honoree, The Comedian of the Decade 2020-2030, is the Avant-Garde of Comedy. This award is not just for Damon, but to the host of people in which his success is inextricable bound. Damon Wayons is a star within a great American movement, which happened to take place in comedy at the dawn of the second Millennium, the 21st Century. This movement told the Emperor, that He had no clothes, and this had never been done so eloquently before. One might say, the entire Wayans Clan from Keenan to Jim Carrey to David Alan Grier, to Tommy Davidson, to Jamie Foxx to Kelly, Kim & even, Jennifer Lopez... Handing the torch to Shawn & Marlon Wayans, and consequently, Damon Wayans Jr. Do not doubt, that 'funny,' was once owned by one family. To rename, this Honor, "The Decade of In Living Color," and roll out a train of accolades & honorary titles to our Heroes, would be in-sync with praise of our Honoree. We lift up in appreciation and celebrate, The Comedian of the Decade, Damon Wayans.
Written by Cowan Amaye-Obu & Uriel Wise of The American Mastodon Publication 2022
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