The Wayans Bros.
The Complete Series
review by Bobby Blakey
The Wayans family has been bringing the laughs to audiences for years. Through various movies and the hit series In Living Color they not only brought their own brand of humor but launched a ton of careers. In 1995 Shawn and Marlon Wayans set out on their own for a new sitcom aptly titled The Wayans Bros that ran for 5 seasons and co-stared the late great John Witherspoon.
The Wayans Bros. follows Shawn and Marlon Williams, two very different brothers who live together in New York City while searching for success. As the series begins, Shawn wants to be promoted from delivery man to dispatcher to impress his girlfriend, Lisa. Marlon works in the diner operated by his and Shawn’s father, Pops. The two brothers often get into trouble with their moneymaking schemes — but it’s always entertaining to watch!
This is one of those types of series that would sadly not get made today for the exact reason that makes it funny. They pulled no punches and embraced the ridiculousness of it to make sure there were plenty of laughs throughout. They took the standard sitcom format and turned it on its head by going all
in with laughter and goofiness. They still brought the heart hear there with family but make no mistake this is all about the comedy and they nail it.
The first season came out the gate swinging with craziness and very much the Wayans’ voice and set up a great dynamic of characters and settings that was just enough that it worked. For whatever reason the second season got a full overhaul keeping the idea and style intact but completely changed the setting to get all the cast together in more of an ensemble. I loved the first season and thought the strange sudden change was a bit too much but still managed to work for the bigger picture and the future of the series.
The same happened to various characters throughout that just suddenly changed without many expectations and some throwaway lines to keep it moving. Even weirder there are two characters that joined the second season that are major players that are suddenly replaced and if you look closely see both of them show up in the background during an episode with a basketball game, but no mention of them. Despite this strange shake-up in the second season, it never lost its comedy footing and is still fun.
Whatever the reason for the changes, they stuck most of them out for the rest of the series run with some new and old characters in and out and constant comedy gold. AS great as both Marlon and Shawn are, the real star will always be the always hilarious late great John Witherspoon. His ongoing old school style, funny ticks and personality will never be matched and is easily one of my all-time favorite comics and characters on TV.
I loved revisiting this series and forgot how hilarious every episode is. Filled with so many then unknown actors and a who’s who list of guest starts including Richard Roundtree, Sherman Hemsley, Cary Coleman, Garrett Morris, Anthony Anderson, Keith Sweat, En Vogue, Jerry Springer, Busta Rhymes, Bernie Mac and so many more.
Step back into the diner and grab your copy of The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series available now from Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment.