Marlon Wayans is a ball of kinetic energy. If you’ve ever seen him perform, you know he doesn’t just tell a joke; he wrestles it to the ground, does a backflip, and then makes a face that looks like his skin is made of rubber. In 2018, he dropped a special on Netflix called Marlon Wayans Woke-ish, and honestly, people are still trying to figure out if it was a brilliant social commentary or just a chaotic mess of skinny jeans and sweat.
It was his first-ever stand-up special. Think about that for a second. The man has been a household name since the '90s, from In Living Color to White Chicks, yet he waited decades to stand alone on a stage with just a mic and a stool. He filmed it at the MGM National Harbor in D.C., a city he knows well from his Howard University days. He came out swinging.
What is Marlon Wayans Woke-ish Actually About?
The title is the first clue. It’s a play on the show Black-ish, sure, but Marlon explained it best himself during an interview with The Breakfast Club. He basically said he’s "up," he’s aware of what’s going on in the world, but he isn’t all the way there. He’s "woke-ish." Like a guy who went to see Black Panther but watched a bootleg version.
The special covers a lot of ground. He hits on:
- Politics: Comparing Donald Trump’s White House to a reality TV show.
- Family: Dealing with his teenage daughter coming out as a lesbian.
- Aging: The struggle of being 45 and trying to keep up with hip-hop culture.
- Race: The deep, heavy importance of Barack Obama’s presidency for Black Americans.
It’s a weird mix. One minute he’s doing a deeply moving bit about how Black people just "needed a win," and the next he’s sitting on a stool, legs spread, describing—in graphic detail—the sensations of getting a "gooch" wax.
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The Physicality of the Funny
Marlon is a physical comedian at his core. He’s sweating through his black bomber jacket within the first ten minutes. He uses his entire body to land a punchline. In one of the most famous bits from the special, he mocks modern "mumble rap" by comparing the sounds of rappers like Desiigner to the noises someone makes while being waxed in sensitive areas.
He’s loud. He’s vulgar. He’s relentless.
Some critics, like those at JARO Magazine, found the energy a bit dizzying. They felt like he spent so much time on certain bits—like the Kardashian satire—that the jokes lost their "pop." But if you’re a fan of the Wayans family brand of humor, that over-the-top style is exactly what you’re there for.
The Controversy: Was It Too Offensive?
You can’t talk about Marlon Wayans Woke-ish without talking about the backlash. Marlon has always been a vocal critic of "cancel culture." He’s gone on record saying that people are "too damn sensitive" these days.
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In the special, he takes some big swings that didn’t land for everyone. He does an impression of a "gay" Martin Luther King Jr. and makes jokes about Caitlyn Jenner that many found dated and mean-spirited. He leans heavily into LGBTQ+ stereotypes, which is a sharp contrast to the moments where he talks about supporting his daughter’s journey.
It’s that "ish" in the title again. He wants to be progressive, but he’s still a comedian from the '90s who loves a good "yo mama" style jab.
Why the Critics Hated It (and Fans Loved It)
On Rotten Tomatoes, the special didn't exactly get a standing ovation. Some reviewers called it "Facebook Status Comedy"—the kind of jokes about Trump or the Kardashians that you’ve already seen a million times on your feed. There’s an awkwardness to the editing, too. You’ll see him deliver a line, cut to a crowd shot, and then there’s a clear audio jump to the next bit.
But here’s the thing: Marlon knows his audience. He doesn’t care about a 30% rating. He recently defended his work, pointing out that White Chicks and Scary Movie were also trashed by critics when they first came out. Now? They’re cult classics. He believes art is subjective and that "laughter is healing," even if it’s messy.
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Key Insights from the Special
If you’re planning to watch it, or if you’re still debating its merits with your friends, keep these points in mind:
- The Obama Section is the Heart: Beneath all the jokes about hemorrhoids and rap lyrics, there is a very sincere moment where Marlon stops being a "maniac" and explains why Obama mattered. It’s the most "woke" part of the special.
- Parenting as a Theme: He’s honest about the fear and confusion of raising kids in a world that is changing faster than he can keep up with.
- The "N-Word" Pass: He has a whole bit about white people needing a "visa" to use the word, which is a classic Wayans-style social satire that actually makes a point about cultural boundaries.
- Physical Comedy vs. Writing: If you’re looking for tight, George Carlin-style wordplay, this isn't it. This is a performance. Marlon’s face is his greatest tool.
Actionable Takeaways for Comedy Fans
Watching Marlon Wayans Woke-ish is a lesson in the evolution of comedy. If you want to dive deeper into his style or the context of this special, here’s what to do next:
- Compare the Specials: Watch Woke-ish on Netflix and then check out his later specials like God Loves Me (HBO Max) or Good Grief (Amazon Prime). You can see him getting more comfortable with the "serious" side of stand-up as he gets older.
- Look Beyond the Jokes: Pay attention to when he stops moving. The moments where he stands still are usually the ones where he’s trying to say something real.
- Research the Wayans Legacy: If you don't know In Living Color, look up clips on YouTube. It explains so much about why Marlon performs the way he does.
Marlon Wayans isn't trying to be the most "woke" guy in the room. He’s trying to be the funniest. Whether he succeeds or fails in Woke-ish depends entirely on whether you’re willing to go on that sweaty, loud, and occasionally cringey ride with him. He’s going to keep making jokes regardless of what the internet thinks, and honestly, that’s the most Wayans thing he could do.