Marlon Wayans says NBC called Pops character “too ghetto” for their network [VIDEO]

A Shocking Industry Confession from Marlon Wayans

In a candid new interview on Baby, This is Keke Palmer, actor and comedian Marlon Wayans revealed a behind-the-scenes moment that forever shaped the trajectory of his iconic ‘90s sitcom, The Wayans Bros.. While discussing the early days of the show, Marlon shared that NBC, one of the networks initially pitched the series, turned it down—specifically due to the portrayal of the character “Pops,” played by the late, great John Witherspoon.

“NBC told us that Pops was too ‘ghetto,’” Marlon recalled. “And that was heartbreaking because John Witherspoon wasn’t playing a stereotype—he was playing our real-life dad.”

The story sheds new light on the difficult decisions Black creatives often face in Hollywood, particularly when navigating how Black family life is perceived by mainstream networks. It also reminds audiences of the resilience that helped The Wayans Bros. become a cult classic—just not on NBC. Instead, the Wayans brothers took their vision to The WB, a then-fledgling network that gave the show room to breathe, thrive, and become one of the cornerstones of Black sitcom history.

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

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 City and often served as both comic relief and emotional anchor for the show’s many hilarious misadventures.

But Pops wasn’t just a character—he was a reflection of a very real Black father figure. Witherspoon’s ability to blend humor, heart, and a dose of ridiculousness made Pops beloved by generations. His exaggerated mannerisms and classic one-liners (“Bang! Bang! Bang!”) weren’t just funny—they were culturally significant.

Marlon was quick to defend Witherspoon’s portrayal, explaining that Pops wasn’t “ghetto” but grounded, genuine, and a true representation of their real-life father. “That was us. That was our upbringing,” he told Keke. “It wasn’t fake or forced—it was real.”

Why NBC Rejected The Wayans Bros.

While NBC has long been seen as a juggernaut for successful sitcoms (Friends, Seinfeld, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Marlon says their decision to pass on The Wayans Bros. came down to a lack of understanding about the nuances of Black storytelling.

“They didn’t get it,” he said. “They didn’t see the beauty in our culture. Took one look at Pops and labeled him as ghetto, and that’s when we knew we had to take it somewhere that would let us be us.”

This rejection prompted the Wayans family to pitch their idea to The WB, which was just launching at the time. The network welcomed the show—and the rest was history.

The WB’s Risk Became a Cultural Win

The Wayans Bros. debuted on The WB in 1995 and ran for five successful seasons until 1999. While it didn’t receive the same mainstream acclaim as other shows of the era, it became a household staple, especially in Black communities. The chemistry between Shawn, Marlon, and John Witherspoon made it feel like a real family sitcom—funny, relatable, and filled with soul.

In hindsight, the decision to go with The WB instead of NBC may have been a blessing in disguise. “They let us cook,” Marlon said. “They didn’t try to water us down.”

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

John Witherspoon: A Comedic Giant

John Witherspoon was more than just “Pops” on The Wayans Bros.. Born in Detroit, Witherspoon began his career as a stand-up comic before transitioning into acting. Over the years, he built a career defined by iconic father-figure roles, most notably in Friday, Boomerang, and Black Jesus.

Witherspoon’s brand of comedy was loud, physical, and deeply rooted in the Black American experience. He wasn’t just funny—he was familiar. To many fans, he reminded them of their own uncles, fathers, or old-school barbers. His authenticity made his characters timeless.

When he passed away in 2019, tributes poured in from every corner of the entertainment industry. Marlon Wayans was among the most vocal, calling him “a comedic genius and a father figure in real life.”

Respecting the Past and Building the Future

Marlon Wayans has become known for keeping it real in interviews, and his appearance on Baby, This is Keke Palmerwas no different. The conversation, which also touched on comedy, growth, and navigating Hollywood as a Black man, was both eye-opening and inspiring.

“I’ve been in this business since I was a kid,” he said. “And I’ve seen firsthand how networks label us—how they gatekeep stories that look like ours.”

By speaking out about NBC’s past dismissal, Marlon isn’t just airing old grievances—he’s calling attention to the ongoing challenges that Black creatives still face today. From network bias to stereotyping, the battle for authentic representation is far from over.

Beyond the Wayans Bros

Marlon Wayans has come a long way since his sitcom days. Over the last two decades, he’s starred in and produced blockbuster comedy films like Scary Movie, White Chicks, Little Man, and A Haunted House. Known for his slapstick style and boundary-pushing humor, Wayans has also proven he can deliver more dramatic and introspective performances, as seen in Respect (2021) and his Netflix special God Loves Me. He also performed a special standup special titled Good Grief on Amazon Prime.

He’s part of the legendary Wayans family dynasty, which includes his siblings Keenen Ivory, Damon, Shawn, Kim, and others—each of whom helped pioneer Black comedy on television and in film during the ‘90s and 2000s.

Wayans continues to advocate for creative freedom, ownership, and fair representation in the entertainment industry. His ability to straddle comedy and commentary is what makes moments like his interview with Keke Palmer resonate far beyond laughs.

A Reminder About Who Gets to Tell the Story

Marlon’s story about NBC’s rejection isn’t just about a single show or a single network—it’s about who gets to define what’s “ghetto,” what’s “marketable,” and what’s “relatable.” It speaks to a larger issue in media: the gatekeeping of Black voices and the sanitizing of Black culture for mainstream consumption.

Thankfully, creatives like Marlon Wayans continue to challenge those narratives, not just through what they say, but through what they create. The Wayans Bros. may not have gotten NBC’s stamp of approval, but it got something better: cultural impact, community love, and longevity.