A Stunning Trade Confession from Marlon Wayans

In a candid new interview on Child, That is Keke Palmer, actor and comic Marlon Wayans revealed a behind-the-scenes second that ceaselessly formed the trajectory of his iconic ‘90s sitcom, The Wayans Bros.. Whereas discussing the early days of the present, Marlon shared that NBC, one of many networks initially pitched the sequence, turned it down—particularly as a result of portrayal of the character “Pops,” performed by the late, nice John Witherspoon.

“NBC advised us that Pops was too ‘ghetto,’” Marlon recalled. “And that was heartbreaking as a result of John Witherspoon wasn’t enjoying a stereotype—he was enjoying our real-life dad.”

The story sheds new gentle on the troublesome choices Black creatives typically face in Hollywood, significantly when navigating how Black household life is perceived by mainstream networks. It additionally reminds audiences of the resilience that helped The Wayans Bros. grow to be a cult basic—simply not on NBC. As an alternative, the Wayans brothers took their imaginative and prescient to The WB, a then-fledgling community that gave the present room to breathe, thrive, and grow to be one of many cornerstones of Black sitcom historical past.

Who Was “Pops”? John Witherspoon’s Legendary Function

In The Wayans Bros., John Witherspoon portrayed “Pops,” the loud, loving, over-the-top father of Marlon and Shawn Wayans’ characters. He owned a diner in New York Metropolis and sometimes served as each comedian aid and emotional anchor for the present’s many hilarious misadventures.

However Pops wasn’t only a character—he was a mirrored image of a really actual Black father determine. Witherspoon’s capability to mix humor, coronary heart, and a dose of ridiculousness made Pops beloved by generations. His exaggerated mannerisms and basic one-liners (“Bang! Bang! Bang!”) weren’t simply humorous—they have been culturally vital.

Marlon was fast to defend Witherspoon’s portrayal, explaining that Pops wasn’t “ghetto” however grounded, real, and a real illustration of their real-life father. “That was us. That was our upbringing,” he advised Keke. “It wasn’t faux or pressured—it was actual.”

Why NBC Rejected The Wayans Bros.

Whereas NBC has lengthy been seen as a juggernaut for profitable sitcoms (Buddies, Seinfeld, The Recent Prince of Bel-Air), Marlon says their determination to go on The Wayans Bros. got here all the way down to a lack of awareness in regards to the nuances of Black storytelling.

“They didn’t get it,” he mentioned. “They didn’t see the wonder in our tradition. Took one take a look at Pops and labeled him as ghetto, and that’s once we knew we needed to take it someplace that might allow us to be us.”

This rejection prompted the Wayans household to pitch their thought to The WB, which was simply launching on the time. The community welcomed the present—and the remaining was historical past.

The WB’s Danger Turned a Cultural Win

The Wayans Bros. debuted on The WB in 1995 and ran for 5 profitable seasons till 1999. Whereas it didn’t obtain the identical mainstream acclaim as different exhibits of the period, it turned a family staple, particularly in Black communities. The chemistry between Shawn, Marlon, and John Witherspoon made it really feel like an actual household sitcom—humorous, relatable, and stuffed with soul.

In hindsight, the choice to go along with The WB as an alternative of NBC might have been a blessing in disguise. “They allow us to cook dinner,” Marlon mentioned. “They didn’t attempt to water us down.”

The present finally discovered a second life in syndication, with reruns airing on BET, MTV2, and streaming platforms—cementing its legacy as one of the underrated sitcoms of the ‘90s.

John Witherspoon: A Comedic Big

John Witherspoon was extra than simply “Pops” on The Wayans Bros.. Born in Detroit, Witherspoon started his profession as a stand-up comedian earlier than transitioning into appearing. Through the years, he constructed a profession outlined by iconic father-figure roles, most notably in Friday, Boomerang, and Black Jesus.

Witherspoon’s model of comedy was loud, bodily, and deeply rooted within the Black American expertise. He wasn’t simply humorous—he was acquainted. To many followers, he reminded them of their very own uncles, fathers, or old-school barbers. His authenticity made his characters timeless.

When he handed away in 2019, tributes poured in from each nook of the leisure business. Marlon Wayans was among the many most vocal, calling him “a comedic genius and a father determine in actual life.”

Respecting the Previous and Constructing the Future

Marlon Wayans has grow to be recognized for retaining it actual in interviews, and his look on Child, That is Keke Palmerwas no totally different. The dialog, which additionally touched on comedy, progress, and navigating Hollywood as a Black man, was each eye-opening and galvanizing.

“I’ve been on this enterprise since I used to be a child,” he mentioned. “And I’ve seen firsthand how networks label us—how they gatekeep tales that appear to be ours.”

By talking out about NBC’s previous dismissal, Marlon isn’t simply airing previous grievances—he’s calling consideration to the continued challenges that Black creatives nonetheless face immediately. From community bias to stereotyping, the battle for genuine illustration is way from over.

Past the Wayans Bros

Marlon Wayans has come a great distance since his sitcom days. Over the past twenty years, he’s starred in and produced blockbuster comedy movies like Scary Film, White Chicks, Little Man, and A Haunted Home. Identified for his slapstick model and boundary-pushing humor, Wayans has additionally confirmed he can ship extra dramatic and introspective performances, as seen in Respect (2021) and his Netflix particular God Loves Me. He additionally carried out a particular standup particular titled Good Grief on Amazon Prime.

He’s a part of the legendary Wayans household dynasty, which incorporates his siblings Keenen Ivory, Damon, Shawn, Kim, and others—every of whom helped pioneer Black comedy on tv and in movie in the course of the ‘90s and 2000s.

Wayans continues to advocate for artistic freedom, possession, and truthful illustration within the leisure business. His capability to straddle comedy and commentary is what makes moments like his interview with Keke Palmer resonate far past laughs.

A Reminder About Who Will get to Inform the Story

Marlon’s story about NBC’s rejection isn’t nearly a single present or a single community—it’s about who will get to outline what’s “ghetto,” what’s “marketable,” and what’s “relatable.” It speaks to a bigger subject in media: the gatekeeping of Black voices and the sanitizing of Black tradition for mainstream consumption.

Fortunately, creatives like Marlon Wayans proceed to problem these narratives, not simply by what they are saying, however by what they create. The Wayans Bros. might not have gotten NBC’s stamp of approval, but it surely received one thing higher: cultural impression, neighborhood love, and longevity.