Marlon Wayans Says NBC Rejected The Wayans Bros...

Marlon Wayans Says NBC Rejected The Wayans Bros. for Being “Ghetto”

Marlon Wayans recently revealed that The Wayans Bros. was originally rejected by NBC because executives...

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Marlon Wayans is opening up about how The Wayans Bros., a show now considered a staple of ’90s Black sitcom culture, almost didn’t make it to TV—because executives thought it was “too ghetto.”

During an interview on Baby, This is Keke Palmer, Wayans recalled how NBC initially passed on the show after one key issue: they didn’t approve of John Witherspoon’s character, Pops.

“We didn’t make it to NBC,” Wayans explained. “We did a table read, and they thought [Witherspoon’s character] was too ghetto. They wanted us to have a different father… like a Danny Glover type. And we was like, ‘Nah.’”

Wayans, who co-starred with his brother Shawn, said they weren’t willing to compromise the essence of the show. “It’s the flavor of the show,” he said. “It’s John Witherspoon or it’s not. We ain’t doing it without him.”

NBC didn’t budge, and told them flat-out they wouldn’t move forward. Wayans joked that he briefly reconsidered when he heard “Danny Glover,” but in the end, they stayed true to their vision.

Luckily, the timing aligned with the launch of the WB network, which welcomed The Wayans Bros. with open arms.

The show ran for five seasons from 1995 to 1999 and became a cultural classic, remembered for its humor, heart, and unapologetic Blackness.

“Everything is God,” Marlon said. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. It’s not about the doors that close, it’s the ones that open up.”

John Witherspoon’s portrayal of Pops was one of the most beloved parts of the show. His quick wit, hilarious one-liners, and OG wisdom made him unforgettable—not just in The Wayans Bros., but also in Friday and The Boondocks, where he voiced Grandad.

Witherspoon passed away in 2019 at the age of 77. But his legacy lives on, especially in the memories of those who grew up watching him on screen.

Many fans have long suspected that TV networks often water down Black stories or try to reshape them to fit “mainstream” (read: white) standards. Wayans’ story confirms that suspicion—but also shows the power of saying no.

By standing by their people and keeping the integrity of the show intact, the Wayans brothers helped create a series that continues to resonate with Black audiences decades later.

And Pops? He wasn’t “too ghetto”—he was just right.