In Living Color was groundbreaking for a number of reasons, mostly due to it being a show that was targeted toward a mainstream audience despite having a predominantly black cast and it's cheerfully blatant refusal to be politically correct. It also featured a number of future stars including Jim Carrey and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, Marlon and Damon Wayans, David Allen Grier and Kim Coles.
The show also did what any great sketch show should do - introduced a number of recurring characters and catch-phrases that caught the public's imagination. Homey D. Clown ("Homey don't play that"), flaming film critics Blaine and Antoine of "Men on Film" ("Hated it!") and gossipy Bonita Bitrell ("But I ain't one to gossip...") were just a few. The show was also famous for its infectious theme song by Heavy D and The Boyz.
As a fan of the show, my two favorite performers were Kim Wayans and Kelly Coffield. Kim's Grace Jones is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen. The woman is just one thousand percent invested in her performance. Coffield, in addition to having awesome comedy chops was also just a fantastic actress. At the time, if you'd asked me who I thought would be the breakout stars of In Living Color, I would have picked these two.
"Would you like a piece of my tail, Harvey?"
"ADRIAN!!!"
"I find your little country really rather quaint,
in a third world sort of way."
in a third world sort of way."
I'm really looking forward to this. If Wayans can bring the magic again, this show could kick the crap out of SNL.
I wonder if they'll update Lassie again.
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