Homey Don't Play That!

The Story of In Living Color and the Black Comedy Revolution

By: David Peisner

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Few television shows revolutionized comedy as profoundly or have had such an enormous and continued impact on our culture as In Living Color. Inspired by Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, and Eddie Murphy, Keenen Ivory Wayans created a television series unlike any that had come before it. Along the way, he introduced the world to Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Rosie Perez, and Jennifer Lopez, not to mention his own brothers Damon, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans.

In Living Color shaped American culture in ways both seen and unseen, and was part of a sea change that moved Black comedy and hip-hop culture from the shadows into the spotlight. Now, Homey Don't Play That! reveals the complete, captivating story of how In Living Color overcame enormous odds to become a major, zeitgeist-seizing hit.

Through exclusive interviews with the cast, writers, producers, and network executives, this insightful and entertaining chronicle follows the show's ups and downs, friendships and feuds, tragedies and triumphs, sketches and scandals, the famous and the infamous, unveiling a vital piece of history in the evolution of comedy, television, and black culture.

©2018 David Peisner (P)2018 Tantor

fascinating

On par with so many others that analyze what makes a show great. More than just behind the scenes stories, it is a deep dive into the rise and fall of the show.

Very informational

I’m thoroughly enjoyed this book. Detailed Chronicle, the black comedic evolution in living color. It was much more than I bargained for much more than a book on Living Color the television program it was intrinsic insight on the people in front of the camera behind the camera, and in the boarding homes of the cameras.

History of Iconic Show

This book is the story of one of the most influential, funny and ground breaking comedy shows ever. In Living Color tells the story of Keenan Ivory Wayans, his talented family and the rise of black comedy in the 1990s. We start with the childhood of the Wayans family and the influences that shaped them. As Keenan grows and hones his craft he envisions a show. A show that came at the right time on the right network. Lots of behind the scenes, cast and show stories and a mini history of black comedians, writers, shows and films give a picture of the era. I used to watch this show and loved it. It is still funny today and has a number of iconic characters. It covers the talented cast, Fly Girls, crazy writers and more throughout the shows history, including Keenan's exit and the eventual end. Great book that makes you want to watch it again. Great narration by JD Jackson.

History Lesson on Comedy and Hip-Hop

I really enjoyed this audiobook. So much information about In Living Color and how it’s shape so much of the comedy that I personally enjoy. It goes to explain what and who inspired this show, it goes to talk about all the people involved in the making of the show and how many shows it has been the inspiration for. Great read if you enjoy comedy.

Extremely well-written

The author absolutely did his homework on this one. Covers all angles well, and doesn’t go off on tangents at all. Sticks to his story. He also tackles the delicate issue of race with class and wit, and even if he gives an opinion, it is well-versed in fact. The narrator has a fantastic voice for this, and doesn’t try to change his voice for quotes, which I think really helped keep the mood of the piece. The narrator could stand to use a little more energy, but he still delivers a great script, and because of that, can be forgiven for the 6 or 7 things he mispronounced in the book.

Before you purchase this book...

This was a well researched and entertaining behind the scenes story of one of my favorite shows growing up. I will tell you that if you get this audiobook, and only care about the story of In Living Color, skip to chapter 12 when that story begins. The chapters before that talk about other comedian/actors careers like Eddie Murphy. There are also several beginning chapters about the Wayans’ childhoods. From chapter 12 on its about ILC. And though I thought I knew a lot about the show before, I learned A LOT about every aspect of making the show and how important it was at the time and for the future of television. Overall- great listen. Hope this review helps!

Not what I expected…but not bad

Story was good but over the years I was hoping this would offer the sole perspective of some key figures. Instead it was a compilation of stories tied through the narrative. And that’s fine. I was just hoping for a true behind the scenes look at what this was. Holding out hope keenan or damon or any of the stars have an autobiography on the way.

Wow, that sucked......

One of the most derivative books I've ever listened to. 97% of this is Cliff Notes on Black America from 1980 to 2010's. These same facts that fill up the bulk of the book are easily found on Wikipedia.

What I wanted was a book about In Living Color. You know, the TV show. Not notes from a community college sociology class. Taught by a bored professor. On weekends. At night. In a blizzard.....

And when the book does actually get to the show, everything is third party. So & so said this: type of writing. The writing is so uninspired, that I had to finish it in order to know if it got better. It didn't.

The performance is not much better. Feels like JD Jackson hated the book just as much as I did. Let's just say he took one for the team here.

If you are interested in African American Comedy, the recent Richard Pryor book Furious Cool, is head and shoulders above this sad excuse for a book.

It was just ok

There is a lot of repetition and this book could have easily been half the length.