If you search for "Stewart" and "sketch comedy" today, your brain probably defaults to a very specific image. You see a tall, lanky man in a bowl-cut wig and a colorful shirt, shrieking "Look what I can do!" while doing a spastic little hop. That's Stuart Larkin. He was played by Michael McDonald. But here is the thing: that was MADtv.
People constantly conflate the two shows. It's a Mandela Effect for the 90s comedy crowd. You’ll hear someone swear up and down they remember seeing the In Living Color Stewart character back when Jim Carrey was still Fire Marshall Bill. Honestly, it didn't happen.
The confusion is understandable. Both shows were Fox’s edgy, irreverent answers to the "whiteness" of Saturday Night Live. They shared a similar DNA, a similar energy, and even some of the same viewers who stayed on the couch for the whole block of programming. But In Living Color was the pioneer. It was the Wayans family's house. MADtv didn't even premiere until 1995, a full year after In Living Color had already signed off the air.
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The Stewart vs. Stuart Identity Crisis
Why do we keep mixing them up? Basically, it’s because both shows leaned heavily into physical, borderline-grotesque character work. When people think of the In Living Color Stewart myth, they are usually mashing up the "giant man-child" energy of Michael McDonald’s Stuart with the high-octane physicality of Damon Wayans or Jim Carrey.
Think about it.
Damon Wayans had Handi-Man. Jim Carrey had Vera de Milo. These were characters that pushed the limits of what you could do with a human body and a face made of rubber. By the time MADtv rolled around and introduced Stuart Larkin in 1998 (four years after In Living Color ended), the audience was already primed for that specific brand of "weird kid" humor.
What Really Happened on In Living Color
If there isn't a "Stewart" on In Living Color, what are people actually remembering? Usually, it's one of three things.
First, there’s the "Homey D. Clown" era. People remember the kids in those sketches. They remember the bright colors, the playground settings, and the chaotic energy. Sometimes a minor character name sticks in the back of the brain and gets cross-pollinated with a later show.
Second, there is the Jamie Foxx factor. Foxx joined the cast later in the run and brought a series of manic characters that felt very "Stewart-esque." If you look at his character Carl "The Tooth" Williams, you see the same kind of specific, rhythmic catchphrases and bizarre physical tics. People often misattribute characters from the final seasons of In Living Color to MADtv and vice-versa because the shows felt like two halves of the same cultural moment.
Third, let’s talk about the guest stars.
The show was a revolving door of talent. You had the Fly Girls dancing to 90s hip-hop, David Alan Grier doing Antoine Meriweather, and T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh bringing incredible range. It was a fast-paced environment. Honestly, if you blinked, you missed a character. But "Stewart" just wasn't in the credits.
Why the Confusion Matters for Comedy History
Misremembering the In Living Color Stewart connection isn't just a "whoops" moment for trivia night. It’s about how we categorize Black comedy vs. "alternative" sketch comedy from that era.
In Living Color was a revolution. Keenen Ivory Wayans created a space that was unapologetically Black, urban, and satirical. It targeted everything from the United Negro College Fund to the Royal Family. MADtv, while diverse, had a slightly different flavor. It was more "theatrical" in its absurdity.
When we lump them together, we sort of erase the specific cultural impact In Living Color had. This was the show that gave us Jennifer Lopez. It gave us Jamie Foxx. It gave us a version of the 90s that didn't feel like it was filtered through a Midtown Manhattan lens.
How to Tell the Difference (The Quick Guide)
If you're ever in an argument at a bar about whether "Stewart" was on In Living Color, here is your cheat sheet:
- Check the Year: In Living Color ran from 1990 to 1994. MADtv started in 1995.
- Check the Catchphrase: "Look what I can do!" is 100% Michael McDonald on MADtv.
- Check the Vibe: If the sketch feels like a sharp parody of Black culture or 90s TV tropes, it’s probably In Living Color. If it feels like a weird, isolated character study about a creepy kid, it’s MADtv.
Actionable Insights for Comedy Fans
If you want to actually revisit the genius of this era without the "Stewart" confusion, do these three things:
- Watch the "Homey D. Clown" Sketches: This is the peak of the show’s power. It perfectly balances physical comedy with a very real social message about how the world treats Black performers.
- Look for the Early Jim Carrey Clips: Before he was a $20 million-per-movie star, he was doing stuff like "The Background Guy" and "Fire Marshall Bill." It is a masterclass in using your body as a prop.
- Stream the First Two Seasons: This is when the Wayans family had total creative control. The writing is tighter, the jokes are meaner, and the energy is untouchable.
Stop looking for the In Living Color Stewart character and start looking for the real gems. You’ve got four seasons of groundbreaking TV to get through. Basically, don't let a 30-year-old memory of a bowl cut trick you into missing out on the show that actually changed the game.
Next Steps for the Nostalgic:
Start by hunting down the "Men on Film" sketches on YouTube. They are a perfect example of the high-energy, controversial, and deeply funny writing that defined the actual In Living Color experience.