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Promotional art for Woke-ish
Cover image credit: via TMDB

Woke-ish

Marlon Wayans

Netflix · 2018

An energetic physical showcase weighed down by outdated social commentary.

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Marlon Wayans brings the same rubber-faced, hyper-athletic physicality to his stand-up debut that defined his 1990s sketch work and film career. Performing at The Theater at MGM National Harbor, near Washington, D.C., Wayans uses his entire body to bridge the gap between his screen persona and the microphone. He spends a significant portion of the hour throwing himself into physical bits, whether he is humping a stool, aggressively slapping his microphone, or jumping into the crowd to hug white audience members during a riff on O.J. Simpson.

Released in 2018 while Wayans was starring in his self-titled NBC sitcom, Woke-ish positions him as an observer who wants to stay culturally relevant but admits he is only halfway there. He spends considerable time on generational divides, contrasting classic hip-hop with modern mumble rap and imagining aging rappers writing verses about arthritis and diabetes. However, his attempt to address contemporary social shifts received significant pushback. Critics noted a sharp contrast between his tender moments, like recounting his teenage daughter coming out to him, and his regressive, outdated caricatures of LGBTQ+ figures, particularly during an extended segment about Caitlyn Jenner.

The set list

8 bits

  1. Martin Luther Queen

    An elaborate, physical act-out portraying a fictional gay civil rights icon giving an LGBTQ+ activist version of the 'I Have A Dream' speech.

  2. Caitlyn Jenner and the Kardashians

    Discusses the Kardashian family's adjustment to Caitlyn Jenner transitioning, deflecting the mockery back onto himself and his role in White Chicks.

  3. Daughter coming out

    Recalls the conversation when his 15-year-old daughter told him she might be gay, responding with both parental affection and candid humor.

  4. Aging rappers and hip-hop lyrics

    Jokes about how rappers need their lyrics to mature with them as they age, contrasting early hip-hop with contemporary artists like Future and offering age-appropriate, financially prudent rhymes.

  5. White man applying for a hood pass

    Imagines the strict bureaucratic process, tests, and hurdles a white person would have to navigate to earn clearance to say the N-word.

  6. Donald Trump's White House

    Compares the Trump presidency to a reality TV show competition and characterizes Donald Trump as the Flavor Flav of white people.

  7. Wendy Williams fainting impression

    Performs an imitation of daytime host Wendy Williams fainting on live television while taking a sip of water on stage.

  8. Black experiences in America and police interactions

    Addresses the realities of systemic racism, the response to Barack Obama's presidency, and having serious conversations with his children about dealing with the police.

How it plays

Tone
Raunchy, irreverent, audacious, and outrageous, mixed with moments of personal sincerity and warmth.
On stage
Animated, physical, uninhibited, energetic, and goofy, utilizing his entire body and willing to embrace effeminate mannerisms.
Pace
High-energy and manic with continuous physical movement across the stage, beginning with an initial warm-up period before accelerating into rapid-fire delivery.
About
racism in America, LGBTQ+ rights and gender identity, parenting teenagers, aging rappers and hip-hop culture, Donald Trump and politics, celebrity culture and the Kardashians

What the critics said

Polarized; some reviewers commended his tireless physical comedy, comedic timing, and heartfelt family stories, while others criticized the special as regressive, outdated, and mean-spirited in its handling of LGBTQ+ and transgender issues.

In the room: Recorded before an energetic, packed theater audience, with Wayans interacting directly and at one point jumping off the stage to hug audience members.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: imdb.com, rapentertainment.com, wikidata.org, decider.com, rottentomatoes.com, pastemagazine.com, wherever-i-look.com, en.wikipedia.org, ebony.com.

Backstory

Filmed during the presidency of Donald Trump amidst cultural debates over political correctness and wokeness, drawing heavily on his perspective as a father raising teenage children.

Details

Released
Taped
The Theater at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill
Where
Netflix
Director
Marcus Raboy
Topics
After
You Know What It Is (2021)

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