Homey Don't Play That!: The Story of In Living Color and the Black Comedy Revolution

by David Peisner, J.D. Jackson (Narrator)

Discover the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and lasting impact of the trailblazing sketch comedy show that upended television, launched the careers of some of our biggest stars, and changed the way we talk, think, and laugh about race: In Living Color.

Few television shows revolutionized comedy as profoundly or have had such an enormous and continued impact on our culture as In Living Color. Inspired by Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, and Eddie Murphy, Keenen Ivory Wayans created a television series unlike any that had come before it. Along the way, he introduced the world to Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Rosie Perez, and Jennifer Lopez, not to mention his own brothers Damon, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans. In Living Color shaped American culture in ways both seen and unseen, and was part of a sea change that moved black comedy and hip-hop culture from the shadows into the spotlight.

Now, Homey Don’t Play That reveals the complete, captivating story of how In Living Color overcame enormous odds to become a major, zeitgeist-seizing hit. Through exclusive interviews with the cast, writers, producers, and network executives, this insightful and entertaining chronicle follows the show’s ups and downs, friendships and feuds, tragedies and triumphs, sketches and scandals, the famous and the infamous, unveiling a vital piece of history in the evolution of comedy, television, and black culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Tv, Comedy, Biography, History, Pop Culture

Audiobook

Published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

"Keenen Ivory Wayans could identify great talent, had great points of view, understands editing so well, and could support a comedic personality . . . [But Wayans] hasn't been given his due. He showed such leadership early in his career. 'In Living Color' launched a generation of showrunners and movie stars, and it really goes back to Keenen. It was HIS eye. He's one of the most undervalued assets in Hollywood." -- former talent manager / television & movie producer Eric Gold, on pages 336-337

Thankfully breaking free from the oral history style that is increasingly used - or is it overused? - on various television- and film-related narratives, author Peisner's Homey Don't Play That! details the creation, success, and ending of the TV sketch comedy series - which blended social / political satire, celebrity impressions, and raunchy / go-for-broke humor - on the then-fledgling FOX network in the early 1990's. Said show introduced the world to future movie stars Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and Jennifer Lopez, along with a talented and diverse line-up that included the Wayans family - creator Keenen and his younger siblings Kim, Damon, Shawn and Marlon - Tommy Davidson, Ali Wentworth, and my favorite cast member David Alan Grier. (*I was shocked to learn that Grier did not hail from a comedic background, but instead is a dramatist with a master in fine arts from Yale. Scenes featuring his character of the old blues vocalist / guitarist Calhoun Tubbs - known for warbling his ridiculous or nonsensically brief tunes, which were punctuated by a trademark high-pitched 'A-HAAA' wail - were always a highlight for me.) Back in the days of 'water-cooler TV' - in those waning years when the commercial networks still ruled the roost - this series, which coincided with my time in high school, was popular with my friends / classmates, and was essential Sunday-night viewing PLUS it spawned a number of catchphrases, like the book's title. Author Peisner has done some considerable work with detailing the show's genesis / background, and seems to have interviewed EVERYONE involved from the performers to the dancers to the writers to the producers to network executives. (One notable absence was former 'Fly Girl' Ms. Lopez, apparently intent on keeping a reputation for diva-ish behavior.) It's not always pretty to take a peek behind the curtain and learn how the sausage is made - to mangle metaphors - but Homey Don't Play That! was a telling account of the hard work, happiness, and heartbreaking grind in making and sustaining a weekly topical episodic series.

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the 90s sketch comedy show In Living Color, although it begins as a Wayans family biography since the family would go on to have such a large presence on the show. As he outlines the history of the show, the author also provides ample context so that the reader can understand just how revolutionary In Living Color was at the time and even after it was off the air, since its success proved that projects led by Black creatives could be financially lucrative, and thus, in the eyes of executives and producers, were worth backing. Highly recommend this one as a companion for a rewatch of In Living Color or as a highly educational (and fun) introduction to the show!

Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book (and other books on movies/TV shows) over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!

[EuroHackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I desperately wanted to enjoy this way more than I did. Some of that is on me - I was hoping for more of an oral history of the actual show than its spot in the greater cultural landscape - but wow. It was really difficult to read about how absolutely horrible the writers' room was (are we sure Les Firestein hasn't killed people??), and how bad it got when the Wayans family was going through their standoff with Fox. Even if you don't know anything about this show or the people who created it, it's obvious from merely watching it that things went downhill - and off the rails - very quickly. Unfortunately, it was just as ugly as it seemed.

I love the early seasons of the show (newsflash: Season 5 is considered awful because it was awful!). These episodes have a relevance and a resonance even now, 30 years later. I have a couple of the cast members' memoirs lined up to read, and it will be interesting to see how their reflections - in their own words - measure up against this book.

I also had a hard time with the thru line and conclusions this author draws about the legacy of the show and its cast, perhaps because it's a white man writing about the troubles black entertainers have pushed up against in the industry over the last 100 years. There's something...inauthentic about the voice, a kind of white-ally try hard earnestness that just rubbed me the wrong way.

One thing that is crystal clear, though, after reading this, is that the commodification of "successful" series/franchises - the endless culture of reboots and sequels and not-very-clever variations on the theme - grew out of Fox's decision to strip-mine the assets of this show, way back in 1994. How shocking that Rupert Murdoch's fingerprints are all over today's oversaturated, distinctly uncreative mainstream TV and movie culture. /sarcasm

[I Be Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that loved "In Living Color" and its stars and is also interested in the behind the scenes tea. Pretty much everyone of note was interviewed for the book.

[Nakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love history, Black folks, comedy, and television, so of course this was right up my ally.

"Home Don't Play That!" gives a lot of insight into Keenan Ivory Wayans' start in television, from growing up in the hood in NY, doing stand up, becoming best friends with Robert Townsend (another childhood fav), rubbing elbows with Eddie Murphy during his rise to fame, and creating In Living Color while Fox was a fledgling, alternative channel.

I enjoyed this one. I only wish there were pictures in the middle of the book that showcased the shows development, behind the scenes, and the directors, producers, executives, and writers that made it happen. This felt like a memoir, and many memoirs have photo memories to help tell the story. That was the only misstep here.

If you enjoyed In Living Color, or enjoy comedy period, this is a must read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic cultural history of not just In Living Color but the Black comedy revolution stretching roughly from Richard Pryor and Flip Wilson in the ’60s through Key and Peele in 2018 when the book was published. Peisner situates Keenan Ivory Wayans and the Wayans family as an essential link between The Richard Pryor Show and the '90s Black comedy golden era on TV (Fox, UPN, the WB, and Comedy Central) that it inspired, not only filling a void in TV left after the ’70s, but also centered on the larger explosion of African American art, culture, music, film, and television in the ’80s and ’90s. Just about every big name appears either on the close periphery or centered around this story: Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Robert Townshend, and Paul Mooney among them, not to mention the incredible pool of talent on ILC: Damon Wayans, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson, Kim Coles, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Rosie Perez, Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez, and writer Larry Wilmore. We get broader discussions of everything from film (Spike Lee) to music (Public Enemy).

Even more impressive is that Peisner was able to interview almost all the major players for the book, minus Lopez. This is the ultimate insider’s guide to the show that also chronicles an essential history of Black comedy. Peisner makes a strong case for how ILC was not only that essential link but was groundbreaking in both how Black humor was presented to American TV audiences and how American TV operated. It was aired on the cusp of networks (and cable) beginning to produce their own shows rather than rely on outside production companies; it is an important piece of Fox becoming a major network in the early years; it directly influenced UPN, the WB, and MadTV; and it’s the reason why we now have multi-million-dollar Super Bowl halftime shows by the biggest music stars in the world rather than “Pete Fountain and Up With People.” (ILC had a live Super Bowl halftime show that siphoned off so much of the audience that broadcasters had no choice but the create halftime spectacles to prevent such a thing from happening again.) It pushed the boundaries for what could be aired to the point where some of its most famous sketches likely wouldn't air today!

But beyond the cultural history (which Peisner nails), this is an infinitely readable book. The direct quotes from the stars, as well as the excellent personal background of the Wayans family, made it feel like a family biography of sorts – including the other cast members as an extended family. And if you like ILC, then this is a fun trip through Nostalgia Lane with Homey D. Clown, Men on Films, Fire Marshall Bill, the Brothers Brothers, Handi Man, Anton Jackson, etc.

My only minor criticism: I wish Peisner had given us background on the creation of the iconic opening sequences, particularly the use of paint (in Seasons 1 and 2) and clever artwork graphics (in Seasons 3 and 4). But beyond that minor point, this book more than delivers.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I was going to start this review by telling you how old I was when In Living Color first premiered. But better than that, let me tell you that Damon Wayans first started doing stand up comedy the year I was born.

Yeah. I was a very young white girl in the southern US when this show premiered. Not exactly their core demographic. I loved every single moment of it. Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans had the more memorable skits that have stuck with me 20 years later, but they made an impression that never has gone away, and probably will never.

This book not only gives me barrel-sized loads of information about the show, but also the cast, the writers, and the era. I grew up in this time, but on the very outskirts of it. Rodney King as the punch line, Al Sharpton as essentially a caricature. At the time, this was all very real, as real and as painful as the events in the world today.

This book is about not only what Keenan Ivory Wayans created, it's about what black actors struggling in Hollywood faced at the time, and before then. The roots of In Living Color can be found not only in The Flip Wilson Show, not only by veteran actors such as Red Foxx, but also in controversial figures like Stepin Fetchit. Pioneers like Richard Pryor, ground breakers like Eddie Murphy. Great actors like Garrett Morris, relegated to bit parts and background extras. All of them were the foundation that led to In Living Color being the explosive success it came to be.

And the doors it opened, the impact it had on the zeitgeist. Immeasurable. Things that are taken for granted now didn't exist then. Actors you recognize by name and face got their start on these shows, or would never have had a chance if it weren't for the walls KIW and his writers and producers and directors sledgehammered.

Let me put it this way. If you've ever uttered the phrase "Bye, Felicia"? You can thank KIW. Because Friday wouldn't have existed without In Living Color.

This book is so well written.* It's interesting, and so well crafted. Interviews with not only the cast and writers, but also the people responsible for the death of the show. When Keenan Ivory Wayans says, "I left because of this asshole", well, that asshole says, "Actually, what happened was..." The writer is utterly unbiased, and never understates or overstates how important any one thing is. It's refreshing and entertaining all at the same time.

If you're a fan of In Living Color, or even not, if you were alive during this period of time, and you're familiar with the show, you should absolutely give this a read. It's extraordinarily well done, informative, entertaining, and enlightening.


* And I say that even though my ARC copy actually has all of the editing notes in it. At first it was a neat novelty, but it got really annoying really fast.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is 3.5 stars.

I remembered when the pilot episode aired on Fox, and I was blown away. I watched every episode and loved it, well except the last season (horrible and it was horrible). So, when I was recommended this book, I couldn't be more excited. However, I didn't really read the small print about...and the black comedy revolution, which I'm all for, but I expected this book to be only about In Living Color with outside events and ideas and people sprinkled lightly in there as inspiration.

And majority of the book was about the show and Keenan and the Wayans family. The author does a great job researching and giving different points of view. I never felt like he was just trying to force my hand on how I should think and feel about a situation. He presented what the two people said you and have to determine what the true outcome was; usually, it was a gray area. I also didn't realize how much In Living Color influenced many things on TV, and allowed for much more accepting of black culture representation.

What I didn't like was that it took forever to get to the actual show. I didn't need a chapter on Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor (or Chappelle Show or Key and Peele at the end). All those things could have been shortened. By the time, I got to the show, I was felt like I was hit with too much information. The book dragged on and on and it really should have ended at Chapter 35, but replace that chapter with the actual last chapter that summed everything up. It also repeated information, especially when it came to the writers and what the writers did after they left In Living Color.

However, you will get the information you need about the show and the family. You will learn the drama that happened and I absolutely think Rupert Murdoch's basis for many things were racial based on how he is as a person and his shows. But just know you will get more information than you expect. And sometimes, the drama will be too much to read. I would still recommend this book if you are fan. It really was a fascinating read to learn about this time in TV history.

[Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

It read like a history lesson. I enjoy history so I had no issues. It began giving you a biography of the Wayans Family. Then the story simply propelled forward through the history of the show. All great black comedians were mentioned in this book. From Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor , Paul Mooney and more. Of course it mentioned tid bits about the show from Shawn not really playing and using DJ equipment. From J.Lo not getting along with other Fly girls. AJ Johnson was the chorographer for the show but Keenen gave her an option either in Living Color or House Party, she wanted to do both but chose of course House Party .Mo Money was written by Damon base loosely on his life experience. Laura Ann Gibson was a fly girl . It speaks about Keenen being bought out by Fox. So overall if you love the industry and you love history it's a decent read.

[Ben M · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who grew up watching In Living Color, this book is a nice inside look at what lead to its creation, success, and ending.

Book reads like an extended magazine article (which according to the acknowledgements is what it started out at) taking quotes from various interviews over the years along with new quotes/interviews specifically for this book. It starts off as kind of a Keenen Ivory Wayans biography, how he grew up and what lead him to comedy, and his rise up the comedy ranks. This provides the background of "Black Comedy Revolution."

But what you're probably reading the book for the story of In Living Color which happens about 1/3 of the way into the book. With a lot of different people recollecting events from 25ish years ago, obviously some people might have differing opinions of how things actually went down, but the author does a good job of giving all sides/opinions and not going with any set narrative (Keenen was a genius, or Keenen was a jerk) or making this just a Wayans fluff piece.

While some attention is given to the cast and the behind the scenes dynamics (people worried they weren't getting enough screen time and in competition with each other, Keenen pushing his siblings over other cast members, etc.), most of the inside stories seem to come more from the writers room and the process there, where Keenen ruled as a dictator until he left the show, and what the creative process was after he left.

If you're reading this for stories about the big names who went onto bigger and better things (like Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Jenifer Lopez, etc.), while you find a few sprinkled throughout, you'll probably be disappointed. This book is part Wayans biography and part interviews with the writers and executives who made it all happen. A good book if you want to know the history and the behind the scenes story of how it started and ultimately ended.

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Living Color was my favorite show for 4 years of my childhood (I desperately wanted to be a Fly Girl), so it was super interesting to bring an adult eye to it, with all this information I wouldn’t have understood as a child. The book does a great job laying out the racial and political groundwork for the show, as well as what was happening in comedy, and in the Wayans family. It read like a long essay, one of those Vulture Oral History pieces. It gave me a lot of perspective on a part of personal and shared history.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook) I can still remember as a child when this show was on. Many of the characters were discussed and parodied in school. This work is a behind the scenes account. It is as much a biography of the Wayans Brothers (Keenan and Damon) who were the driving forces behind the show as it was about the rise and fall of the program. Yet, it also discusses the story of black comedians and their role in Hollywood. In Living Color came about at a time when some black comedians could make a career and name for themselves, but it was primarily a white-dominated world. The show’s timing was key as it tapped into a previously undeveloped vein of entertainment. In addition to bringing to the forefront a plethora of talent (The Wayans family, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez), it also helped make hip-hop mainstream, setting it on the path of cultural dominance that it still holds today.

The show lasted 5 seasons. Like many other productions, it had its highs and lows. Egos grew, competing corporate and creative differences grew, and eventually, the show became a victim of its own success. Yet, much of the ground-breaking impact remains. You can find plenty of re-runs, and their characters, when discussed, can bring back memories of laughter and smirking. People have tried to recreate it and pattern shows after it, but it does hold its own special place.

A solid audiobook. Perhaps the scope was a little too big (was it about the show or Keenan Wayans...both are intermixed, but it could sometimes lose focus), but what it presents is informative and entertaining. Worth the checkout.

[SerenaBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were a fan of In Living Color then this is the book for you! I listened to this on audiobook and it was over 12 hours and I have to say I was entertained every second. This talks about Keenan Wayans and his humble beginnings and how he created a power house of a comedy show in the early days of Fox. There is some tea spilled but if you read Tommy Davidson's book you'll already know the drama with a lot of people thinking Keenan favored his siblings over everyone else. I mean...duh? Of course he put his siblings on. This also talks about the writers of ILC, the Fly Girls, when ILC ended and that drama. They also go into the career of Jim Carey who became a household name after being on ILC. This was really good and well written and this narrator on the audiobook had a very soothing voice. I'll end this by saying GIVE US THE HOMEY THE CLOWN MOVIE!

[Calvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a book club selection but prior to that, I didn’t even know the book existed. In Living Color was one of the few comedy shows my parents actually allowed me to watch. Gaining insight into all the behind the scenes drama that unfolded leading up to and during the shows’ time on FOX is mind blowing. There are some great interview excerpts from folks on the show like the Wayans’, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier and Flyy Girl Rosie Perez. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who grew up laughing at the sketches from this show.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homey Don’t Play That!: The Story of In Living Color and the Black Comedy Revolution

I Picked Up This Book Because: Hoopla discovery

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via PP Library
Dates Read: 3/29/21 - 4/3/21
Stars: 3.5 Stars


The Story:

This is part biography of Keenan (with mentions of the other Wayans siblings) , part history for the show and all the tea you can take. An enjoyable read.


The Random Thoughts:

[Genesis Britigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering that this was a revolutionary show when I was young, & one of my favorites, I was looking forward to this book. It ended up being kind of a downer for me... not due to the writing, but due to the crap that these guys had to put up with just to get comedy out to the people! It didn't diminish the show for me at all, just made me sad that it had to be so hard for everybody involved! This is a truly well researched book & I enjoyed reading it. I do wish that there had been pictures though... what a colorful (pun intended) cast of characters!

[Jai Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book - it had a lot of information and could be a bit confusing on the editing side, but the overall arch of how revolutionary this show was well fleshed out.

[Ray Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our journey begins like any good biography, with the story of the childhood of the First Family of In Living Color. We learn the family backstory of Keenen Ivory Wayans and how his impoverished family, ten siblings and all, collected the experiences that would lead to comic genius. As our little family begins to go off into the world, Keenen is the focus of the book.

In the 1980s, African-American entertainers were still typically pets. In other words, we can all point to an important African-American artist, but only one at a time. There is no time when multiple African-Americans dominate "the scene". This changes as Eddy Murphy climbs the ladder making a path for a group of talented your comics who refer to themselves as the "Black Pack" as opposed to the "Brat Pack". Through this journey, Peisner is showing us how Wayans is connected and where many of his later characters and skits would come from. He is also establishing the lineage of a group of connected artists who would dominate the comedy scene as we enter the 1990.

By half way through this fascinating, funny history, Keenen Ivory Wayans has made it and his break through sketch comedy, In Living Color, has begun. The remainder of the book shifts to the story of how the show evolved, how the cast was established, changed and broke apart as well as highlights of the elements of the show that made it edgy, groundbreaking and heart-breaking.

By the end of the book I was overwhelmed with the truth of Peisner's thesis, this silly show I watched back in the 90s changed America, brought Hip-Hop culture into the main stream and launched dozens of comics who would dominate comedy, not as pet "black" comics, but as the driving forces behind main stream TV, film and club comedy. Everyone from Jamie Fox to Jennifer Lopez came from this show. This was an important water shed moment in our culture and entertainment history and I loved delving into it. This is a first class history with the bonus of bringing to mind some of the best laughs and craziest characters I've seen on TV. Well worth a read!

[Tasha (Amaysn Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the show or of black comedies in the early 90's you definitely need to read this book. It goes not only into the conception and run of In Living Color. It also talks about the Waynes family, young black comics that were garnering fame in the early 90's, and events that were happening across the country during that time that were significant to the show and television in general. I enjoyed how the author was able to tie back all these various things to the show and we got an in dept look at the behind the scenes of In Living Color. I do indeed recommend this book.

[Rashida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview and book about the Wayans brothers and the progression/history of Black Comedy from the 1970s and forward.
Love the inside scoop about the Wayans brothers and their family atmosphere- their parents deserve a medal.
I'm curious how much was the research for this book is from primary interviews with the Wayans.
Some parts of the book really dragged and perhaps it could have been 20% briefer.

[Phil Overeem · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely enjoyable and informative account. So many fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, many of which may change your perspective, I'd bet for the better, even if you loved the show to begin with.

[John Brunetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book and lots of history. But, it felt meandering and lacking any real theme. Most of the dialogue seemed second or third hand and older.

[A Cesspool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitive deep dive, with near-countless background threads, either investigated or commemorated; And plenty of historical tangents (again, adequately memorialized or exceptionally chronicled). Everything you could want, regarding...

early-1980s standup comedy / small, growing faction of black comics

Making of Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Making of Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)

Robin Harris + Comedy Act Theatre

1986 Apartheid Sanctions

Mid-1980s NYPD Murder-officers (against African-Americans): Michael Stewart, Eleanor Bumpurs, Edmund Perry

Mo’ Money's (1992) Non-fictional premise

Keenan Wayans vs. Arsineo Hall [albeit, mostly one-sided low-ballin', jealousy-rage]

In Living Color’s for real show author(s)

In Living Color’s unvarnished, absolute nepotism (e.g. seasons 1–4)

Never ending anecdotals & demonstrations of Keenan Ivory Wayans autocratic dictatorship, hopelessly unfunny original parody ideas, demonstrative vainglorious ego (swoll on Fox Broadcast dividends) lording over writers’ room, pitch meetings, show tapings, and talent assignments.

The lone cast member to serve Keenan a literal ass-full of humbling-Fck-You,-Tyrant pie

My lone gripe is with the [author's] summation…
David Peisner preserves the lazy buffoonery of lump-heralding [comedic] TV milestones by race; By shows with prominently non-white cast(s); Specifically, insisting
　　　The Richard Pryor Show ‌(1977)
　　　In Living Color (1990–94)
and
　　　Chappelle’s Show (2003–06)
are equally funny, deserving of the same accolades and landmark achievement status. [??]

Srsly, fck off!

Peisner’s book documents ILC origins: starting with [Jewish, former marketing exec] Tamara Rawitt pitching Keenan an “anti-SNL sketch show.” Moreover, neither Pryor, nor Chappelle’s shows might be described as the “the Black Hee Haw ” [again, as commemorated in Peisner’s book]. Keenan Wayans has repeatedly exclaimed his fondness for [legacy series] Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In …ILC is nothing more than retreading that traditional comedy sketch show. And You Know This.
Moreover, just look to Wayans post-ILC work, lackin output. Wayans only other hit was with the [first two] Scary Movie ip – in other words: PARODY. Keenan Wayans was never even in the same ballpark as original content creators Richard Pryor and/or Dave Chappelle. Lumping the Wayans’ ILC achievement with Pryor’s legit groundbreaking show, or Chappelle’s genuine record-breaking [cable/DVD] series is just lazy and narrow-minded.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was around eight or nine years old when my mom and brother would watch In Living Color together. Being as young as I was, and the show being as over the top as IT was, I wasn’t allowed to watch it. I was able to JUST get a glimpse of Fire Marshall Bill and Homey the Clown before I was sent out of the room: “It’s time for you to go to bed, Anna!” So I missed out on In Living Color’s heyday and didn’t watch this hilarious sketch comedy until decades after it aired, when my husband (a big fan of Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier) reintroduced it to me. I thought the show was fantastic and entertaining..

Reading this history of In Living Color was almost as entertaining as watching the show! Reading about the early years of the Wayans family was definitely my favorite part of this book. Keenan Ivory Wayans grew up with nine siblings raised in a Seventh Day Adventist home (comedy was a part of his daily life). Reading about their childhood shenanigans made me laugh out loud.

To his mother’s dismay, Keenan ended up dropping out of college to pursue a career in comedy. He learned the ropes of stand-up in New York before moving to LA to try to make it in the movie industry. In Living Color came about because of Keenan’s love of comedy as well as his frustrations over limited (and stereotypical) roles for black actors. This book also (very interestingly) touches on the history of other black comedians, from Richard Pryor to Eddie Murphy to Dave Chapelle.

[Kevin Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compulsively readable, well-constructed book that details one of the funniest, and deservedly most successful sketch comedy shows ever aired. I was only just old enough to watch In Living Color during its initial run, prior to the the years of syndication that followed it, though in retrospect I concede I may have been a little young for some of the bawdy, controversial content. To this day, I remember the catch-phrases and a parade of legendary characters--from Fire Marshal Bill to the Homeboy Shopping Network, from Homey D. Clown to Calhoun Tubbs. The show gave rise to a brand new crop of A-list stars who had previously toiled in relative obscurity: Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Jamie Foxx, and David Alan Grier, to name but a few.

Peisner discusses the history and trajectory of Black comedy, starting from its ignoble beginnings in minstrelsy and broad racial stereotype, progressing through the pioneering work of Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. Executive Producer and cast member Keenan Ivory Wayans' exacting vision made the show a huge success, particularly during its first two stellar seasons. Interviews reveal a robust behind-the-scenes combination of creativity, workaholic culture, rivalry, ego, and corporate meddling that limited the show to a paltry five seasons.

Homey Don't Play That! suffers a little at its conclusion, as it details the often-harrowing end of the series. Many books run out of gas at the end. This one could have been far longer and, had it been written that way, would still have been a compelling, interesting read.

[Damien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong, exhaustively researched, and an easy read, Homey tells the story of Keenan Ivory Wayans and all in his orbit. Nearly everyone involved in In Living Color is on record here, most in new interviews, some via other press. Peisner tells it like it was, good and bad on all fronts: Successes weren't all Wayans and failures weren't all studio.

Peisner does a good job of setting the stage for ILC in its time, providing historical context as the ILC story unfolds. Cast and crew rarely seem to be withholding in their opinions or recollections (okay, a few of the execs seem to pull punches, but that's to be expected by their position, no?), and only a few come off as needlessly bitter or harboring a grudge that isn't deserved.

As with so many comedy stories, there was lots of drama behind the scenes that we weren't privy to at the time, and it's interesting to think how this show would have existed in our current "tell-all" social media world, and if this would have made the show better, or hastened its demise.

(fair review provided in exchange for advance copy via Net Galley)

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the story of one of the most influential, funny and ground breaking comedy shows ever. In Living Color tells the story of Keenan Ivory Wayans, his talented family and the rise of black comedy in the 1990s. We start with the childhood of the Wayans family and the influences that shaped them. As Keenan grows and hones his craft he envisions a show. A show that came at the right time on the right network. Lots of behind the scenes, cast and show stories and a mini history of black comedians, writers, shows and films give a picture of the era. I used to watch this show and loved it. It is still funny today and has a number of iconic characters. It covers the talented cast, Fly Girls, crazy writers and more throughout the shows history, including Keenan's exit and the eventual end. Great book that makes you want to watch it again. Great narration by JD Jackson.

[Steven Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a standard historical reference style of book but it gets extra points for being about a subject I think that many people might skip over, the birth and eventual death of In Living Color. This gave me a lot of insight behind both the show and it's creator Keenan Ivory Wayans. This was enlightening for myself because I think Keenan is almost somewhat forgotten and overlooked as the leader of what has become a comedic behemoth.

This was also a great way to see how things have progressed over the years and the influence that the show had in so many facets. For people who love television and the 90's I think this is as much of a must read as the story behind Seinfeld, ESPN, and Top of the Rock, about NBC.

[Greg Allan Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Snaps Up!! And then double it to give this book 4*s.

Great history of Television.

I didn't know that Dancing With a Star had any relevance to my life, but one of them was a Fly Girl! There was a lot mentioned of Tupac, but Tribe Called Quest was only mentioned like a name drop. If there was a page listing the bands that preformed I think it would be great, because I actually saw nearly four of the bands in concert.

My favorite sketch, of DAG as a bluesman didn't get a mention. Would've been good to read all those songs. "I wrote a song about it, wanna hear it? Here it goes..."

[cory1906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for anyone who calls them self an In Living Color fan. The book basically begins the day Keneen was born and takes you through his childhood growing up with 9 very funny brothers (Damon, Marlon, and Shawn) and at least one hilarious sister (Kim). The book then goes through his journey of becoming a comedian, moving to Hollywood, partnering with Robert Townsend, writing for Eddie Murphy and eventually creating one of the most iconic shows in television history. While reading this book, you’ll reminisce on some of those funny sketches and learn how they were made. And finally you’ll be sad that the book is over and In Living Color is no longer on air.