Interviews
On Wednesday, May 19th, barnesandnoble.com welcomed Damon Wayans to discuss BOOTLEG.
Moderator: Welcome, Damon Wayans! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening. How are you doing tonight?
Damon Wayans: Mucho gusto!
Pac87@aol.com from xx: With this book out, you are riding that wave of comedians that put books out. Question: Is this book funny? Is it more like Seinfeld's, Drew Carey's, or Joan Rivers's new book?
Damon Wayans: Yes, it is funny, do buy it and see. More like Seinfeld's book in terms of every place you open the book there is some humor. I didn't bore you with the drama of my life.
Kate from Baltimore: Were you the class clown growing up? Did you always know that you wanted to be a comedian?
Damon Wayans: I was the class clown, and I got thrown out of many classes to prove it. I actually went to three different schools and got thrown out of three different high schools, but I was funny at all three. No, I didn't know what I was going to be until 1982. My mother told me to be like Keenen -- whatever he should do I should follow -- because he had it all together.
Jwc901@aol.com from NJ: Do you ever feel like you are going overboard? What does Sinbad have to say of your depiction of him in the book as being pink with freckles?
Damon Wayans: [laughs] It is just funny. I am sure Sinbad, being a comedian, must have to laugh and has to go get a tan.
Skeeter from Queens, NY: Are you happiest when you are acting? Do you prefer stand-up or acting? Or writing?
Damon Wayans: Stand-up, because I feel like I am on the edge and I really have to use my gift every moment when I am on stage because you are only as funny as the last thing you said.
Dr. Steven Rothman from California: You portray marriage counselors in such a negative light. I think you need a good marriage counselor. If interested, feel free to contact me. I can give my email address if you want.
Damon Wayans: Is this for free? No? Then that is why I don't like marriage counselors.
Doug S. from Studio City, CA: Do you miss working on "In Living Color"? Any chances of hooking back up with Jim Carrey and the cast for a reunion show?
Damon Wayans: I definitely miss "In Living Color." There are so many different things we could be doing: O. J., Bob Dole, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton -- there are so many things we could have so much fun with. I don't think it is possible to do a reunion show -- there are too many egos now. Now it would be about money and position, who the star is, and what planet do we pay Jim Carrey to be in it?
Paul from Morris Plains, NJ: What do you think of Howard Stern? Do you think comedy goes too far sometimes? How do you determine what is too far?
Damon Wayans: Howard Stern I think is really funny, and what is funny is that he is an asshole and committed to being one. I do think sometimes people go too far, but I do feel it is a comic's job to push the envelope, and who you are determines where you draw the line.
Carly Lockard from Oakwood, IL: Hey Damon! I just wanted to say how cool you are, and I was wondering: If you had a pet monkey and you caught him choking your chicken, would you spank your monkey for choking your chicken? Peace --out!
Damon Wayans: Get a life! And stay away from the zoo.
Shana from Philadelphia: Your No. 1 tip for women is "Don't fake orgasms." Why's that, brother?
Damon Wayans: Because you make a man think that he did something. You have to challenge a man and make him have to work for you. If you fake it, then you miss out because guys can't fake it -- we leave evidence.
Niki from Niki_palek@yahoo.com: Do you ever worry about your younger brothers or kids in Hollywood? Child stars sure do have a tough life, or so it seems from recent incidents.
Damon Wayans: No, we abused them enough as children to give them a tough skin. I think it comes from not knowing abuse and rejection and fear of being poor -- all of which my younger brothers have overcome and the greatest thing my family has is each other.
Quentin from LA, CA: I loved you in "The Last Boy Scout." It was the ultimate badass action flick -- very underrated in my opinion. With that football experience, did you want to audition for the new Oliver Stone football flick, or were you originally signed up for the movie, until they realized you threw like a girl like what the
NY Post reported as being the reason Puffy isn't still in the movie?
Damon Wayans: Thanks for the backhanded compliment. No, I was never signed up for "Any Given Sunday." I thought it was a great script, but I think everything happens for a reason and I never trip for somebody else working, especially when I am working.
Katie from Washington: What's the most important thing Bill Clinton could learn from your book?
Damon Wayans: That as the head of state, "head" shouldn't be your main goal in life.
Lane Williams from Detroit, MI: I first want say I love you and your work. What's next for Mr. Wayans, and are you going on tour any time soon? If so, are you visiting Detroit? We would love to have you. Keep up the great work and have a great day.
Damon Wayans: Thank you, thank you, and thank you! And yes, I will be going on tour starting June 11th and I will be in Detroit in July or August. I will be shooting a concert film.
Your #1 Fan from USA: How has your life changed since having children? Also, how is it mixing a family with Hollywood? Are you ever freaked by press?
Damon Wayans: Having a family has been the greatest thing in the world for me -- a great motivation. To have something that you love more than yourself is great; also I have some free labor around the house -- someone to wash the car and do laundry and all that stuff. And yes, there are times when the press is not friendly and, you know, it irritates you, but there is nothing you can do but have a great relationship with your family. And as long as you can huddle and say everything is cool, then everything is cool.
Brian from DE: Any plans of movies in the genre of "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and "Don't Be a Menace..."? I loved them!!
Damon Wayans: My brother is actually directing a film they just wrote, "I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Hear You Scream and It Was Friday the 13th When Freddy Krueger Chopped Your Ass in Half." They are shooting it in June.
Trixie from New Jersey: I think you are so funny. Will you be coming out with any movies or TV shows soon?
Damon Wayans: Yeah, I just did a movie called "Harlem Aria" and it will be out soon. It is a dramedy, independent film, meaning I didn't get paid anything.
Texter T from AOL: Say there, Damon, what do you think of ODB from the Wu-Tan? Does he fall into the rapper portrayal you write about in the book? Loved BOOTLEG!
Damon Wayans: I think ODB is funny. I think he changed his name to Baby Jesus or something. There is comic relief in these big rap groups and he happens to be the guy. He is the '90s version of Flavor.
Terry from Chicago: How did you get your start in comedy? Was "In Living Color" your first big break?
Damon Wayans: I started at a comedy club -- going late night and bombing a lot, trying to figure out my voice. I went from Richard Pryor to the guy at the door at the comedy club to Eddie Murphy to my own voice. I am glad I did, because the guy is still working the door at the comedy club.
Steve from Bellingham, WA: Have you seen any good movies lately? Are there any new movies you are psyched to see?
Damon Wayans: "The Matrix" was amazing -- the story was shit and the acting was horrible, the special effects were off the hook. It raised the bar in terms of action films like "T2" did; it will be hard to duplicate that until they do something new with technology.
Megan from New York: Love that tip for women...now let's get some advice for the brothers! What's your biggest tip to men?
Damon Wayans: Don't let her stick her finger in your ass.
Lane from Detroit: I love your work first of all. What is it like now for the Wayans family, and who do you get along with the best?
Damon Wayans: Right now it is fun. My little brother's show just got canceled so we are all at the point now where we are coming together as a family and working together. The most fun we have is working together. I get along with all of them differently for different reasons. My younger brothers are just fun, it is all about jokes with them, they don't have the responsibilities.
Charlie from Mobile, AL: Do you read a lot? What is the funniest book Damon Wayans has ever read? I loved you on "In Living Color"!
Damon Wayans: When I was younger it was CATCHER IN THE RYE. Older, Richard Pryor's book, and yes, I read a lot.
Janine from Richmond: What do you think Hollywood is doing right these days and what's it doing wrong?
Damon Wayans: Right? It is really taking advantage of technology and the synergy is wonderful. Wrong? Making bad movies and letting lawyers and people with no creative bones in their bodies make decisions and make movies and think that if you mix one star with a director, you have a hit. People want to go to the movies to see people do something they haven't seen them do.
Terrence from San Fran: How would you describe your personal style?
Damon Wayans: Hopefully, funny first with a bit of cool, a dash of handsome, and teaspoon of horny.
Greg from Reno, TX: What are some of your favorite TV shows these days? Do you ever think we will see you teaming up with your brother in another sitcom?
Damon Wayans: I like the "Tom Green Show" -- I think he is insane; I like "South Park." No, you will never see me and my brother team up for another show.
Patty from California: My husband and I love your comedy. Really miss "In Living Color." Great to hear you have a book -- look forward to reading it. I understand that you have four children -- any humor on the crazy life parents lead in your book?
Damon Wayans: Yeah, there is a whole section on raising kids and raising kids that are comedians. It is hard for me now; my son actually told me, "Daddy, I shouldn't go to school because we are rich." I told him, "No, you are broke, you got socks and those are borrowed."
Moderator: What are your plans for New Year's Eve 1999?
Damon Wayans: First thing I am going to do is check my bank accounts and then if that is all intact, I will have some bubbly and hang out with my family.
It's Lane again from Detroit: How would you compare Damon Wayans now to Damon when on "In Living Color"? By the way, I catch every rerun I can.
Damon Wayans: I think I am more mature and probably a little more outspoken. I don't really care about making it any more. I think, also, I have a little less hair.
Moderator: Thanks for joining us this evening, Damon. Do you have any closing comments for your online audience?
Damon Wayans: Be smart about what you take in, be smart about what you put out. And if you meet that little girl in the chat room, let her stay there.