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Shawn and Marlon Wayans are usually thought of as one entity because of their longtime partnership, whether it be their former sitcom "The Wayans Bros." or their work in films such as "White Chicks," "Scary Movie and "Little Man."
But that doesn't mean they will share the same stage when they perform stand-up at WiseGuys West Valley City this weekend.
"We're not the Smothers Brothers," Marlon, 38, said.
The brothers will perform separately in five shows, with older brother Shawn, 39, headlining with a 45-minute set and Marlon opening with 20 minutes.
In a dual interview, Shawn said he began performing stand-up before he got career boosts from his successful siblings Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans and Damon Wayans, while Marlon has only recently begun dabbling with stand-up as part of his preparations to portray Richard Pryor in an upcoming biopic titled "Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?"
"[Shawn] has the habit of giving me advice right before I go on," Marlon said, mock-complaining.
Both brothers got their starts on the popular Fox sketch comedy "In Living Color," where Jim Carrey also got his first big break. Their brothers Keenen and Damon created, wrote and starred in the program and gave their younger brothers opportunities to appear in the series before it ended in 1994.
In 1995, Shawn and Marlon began starring in the WB sitcom "The Wayans Bros.," which ran until 1999. In 1996, Shawn co-wrote, co-executive produced and starred in the pioneering parody film "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood," which began a string of low-budget but financially successful films that parodied film genres, such as "Scary Movie" in 2000 and "Dance Flick" in 2009.
While Shawn was more involved in stand-up and film production, Marlon appeared in his brothers' films but also took parts that challenged his image as the goofy brother. Most notably, he starred in the Oscar-nominated "Requiem for a Dream," directed by Darren Aronofsky and co-starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly, that depicted harrowing stories of drug addiction.
Shawn said taking a break from filmmaking reminds him of his days filming "The Wayans Bros." in front of a studio audience. Every Friday night from 1995 to 1999, the brothers would film the sitcom and they remembered the jolt of energy the crowd gave them — something missing during making movies. He said provoking laughs from an audience is a "high."
Onstage, don't expect Marlon or Shawn to depict characters from their films, like the black men portraying white sorority girls in "White Chicks" or extremely short men who pose as toddlers in "Little Man." They also don't plan to spend any time parodying film genres, saying the idea has played itself out. "Others have done it when it wasn't right," said Shawn, referencing the recent spoof they weren't involved in, "Vampires Suck." "We're staying away from parodies for the time being."
Marlon joked that their comedy is based on them being "the philosophers of today," and then added that each develops his own observational humor based on headlines, race and relationships. "Pop culture is not the only well we draw from," said Shawn. "Relationships are timeless. Pop culture gets old fast."
Marlon remembered one piece of advice he learned from his brother. "You talk about what you're passionate about."
It also sounds like something Richard Pryor would say.
In Living Color
P Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans perform stand-up comedy.
When • Tonight and Saturday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 and 10; Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.
Where • WiseGuys West Valley City, 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City
Tickets • $40 at wiseguyscomedy.com