Comedian Damon Wayans returns to weekly TV this week with The Underground, an ensemble sketch comedy show that harkens back to the 1990s hit show In Living Color. That ribald show, created by brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, launched careers for Wayans, several of his siblings, Jim Carrey, and David Alan Grier.
Critics so far have found the show, which runs 10 epidoses, mostly off-color, and at times unfunny. Check out the reviews from the Boston Globe (show is low on laughs), Hollywood Reporter (uneven), and the New York Times (not exactly groundbreaking).
Wayans spoke to Reuters in June about The Underground, ahead of the BET Awards, which he hosted on the cable TV network.
What new projects do you have going?
I got a sketch comedy show on Showtime called The Underground that airs Sept. 
14. It’s In Living Color on steroids, because I dont have to worry about profanity or nudity or any of those good things. Its a fast moving, hit-ya, hurt-ya, make-you-want-more-half hour.
Is it satisfying?
Its very satisfying. Because Im more in the Keenan role, but Im still in sketches andthat is fun. Ive got my son in the show and some new faces. I look around and I see what I was going through on “In Living Color.” Kenan ran such good interference, we didnt know it was a job.
Would you do the show again after its Showtime run ends?
I definitely want to do it again. Hopefully folks like (comedian David) Chappelle and (comedian) Cedric The Entertainer will see it and want to be down with it. I own it, so we can definitely work something out.
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4 comments so far
Hey, why can;t i access the website here in Canada? That totally sucks! I watched the show the other night and i thought it was awesome!!You bet i want to see the show again! We need more of this stuff up here in Candada, winter’s coming you know.
- Posted by DianaUnderground is outrageous! The Wayans brothers (and son) at their very best! Some great new characters and a few famaliar ones as well.
This is “In Living Colorz” on Steroids and uncensored!
Deaf Poetry, The Somolian Chef and The Real Vagina Monlolg are but a few examples ! Dont miss it if you really want to laugh your ass off !
If you liked In Living Color, you will LOVE this one !
- Posted by Kenny RogersThey also should NOT try to make fun of HBO’s shows, that’s a turn off!
- Posted by Odd OddyI live in Australia and would like to pass on to Mr Wayans how refreshing and enjoying “my wife and Kids” has been. I never miss an episode. I have cancer and it really helps me forget about it for a while, I laugh so much. Thanks Damon, not only are you a “looker”, but also orginal and entertaining. Thanks!
- Posted by Laren Egervary