Wayans Family Comedy ‘Poppa’s House’ Set to Premiere

Damon Wayans Jr. is set to take center stage in the upcoming comedy series “Poppa’s House,” alongside his real-life father, Damon Wayans. The new show, premiering on Monday, October 21 at 8:30 PM, will air on an undisclosed network and features a storyline where Wayans Jr.’s character grapples with balancing his artistic ambitions in filmmaking with the necessity of supporting his family through a job he finds unsatisfying.

The elder Wayans, known as Wayans Sr., portrays “Poppa,” a legendary and happily divorced radio host renowned for his traditionalist ways. The dynamics between the two characters reflect their onscreen and offscreen relationship with Poppa often taking on the role of a guiding figure for his grown son. Essence Atkins is also set to join the cast in the role of a new colleague who frequently clashes with Poppa at work.

Although the Wayans father-son duo previously appeared together in the ABC series “Happy Endings,” and shared screen time in CBS‘s “Happy Together” and “My Wife and Kids,” “Poppa’s House” marks the first series where they share the spotlight equally since its inception as a joint vehicle for the stars. Dean Lorey, the showrunner and executive producer, emphasized the project’s foundation was based on the genuine bond between Wayans Sr. and Jr., with many of the episodes’ narratives drawing inspiration from real experiences shared by the family.

For Wayans Jr., acting alongside his father in this capacity provides an opportunity for growth and expression of his comedic abilities. In an interview with TVLine, Wayans Jr. commented, “I’m just more assured of what I already thought I knew. Now it’s confirmed. I’ve done it with my family and away, and now I’m just bringing everything I’ve learned back to my dad.”

Damon Wayans Sr. expressed similar sentiments, drawing comparisons to iconic sports duos, and noted the joy of watching his son bring laughter to audiences beyond their familial circle. “It’s like in basketball, it’s LeBron [James] and AD [Anthony Davis]. I’m the vet, but this guy is the future,” remarked Wayans Sr.

The show embodies a family-centric environment not just in its narrative but in its production, with several family members, including daughters, granddaughters, and nephews, participating in various creative roles. Lorey’s son is also involved in the writing team. “It’s not just Wayanses, it’s people contributing,” said Wayans Sr. “They’re emotionally and creatively invested in making this as good as it can be.”

Both Wayans Sr. and Jr. hope to convey authenticity and genuine emotion through their comedic performances, aiming to resonate with audiences on a personal level. “Some of the greatest shows in television are when you sit down and you watch it, and then you find yourself smiling,” Wayans Sr. stated.