Funny business is Wayans family business

August 22, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Sibling rivalry isn’t an issue when stand-up comedians Shawn and Marlon Wayans hit the road.

Even though Marlon said his older brother Shawn took his toys when he was a kid, the two have apparently patched things up by furthering the Wayans name that over the past two decades has become synonymous with the comedy world.

Invariably the funnymen are still in the shadow of their big brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, who gave each their acting debut in his 1989 feature film “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.” That was immediately followed by the Wayans’ family affair and Emmy Award-winning comedy series “In Living Color.” Talk about an auspicious start in the entertainment business.

Today, Shawn and Marlon spend many weekends touring the nation together, but this is no comedy team. Each brother performs separately, which naturally leads to competition of sorts. The Wayans return to Cleveland for shows Thursday through Sunday at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre.

The Vindicator talked to both comics in a hilarious conference call that covered everything from the Cleveland Browns’ woes to brotherly love.

Q. First of all, how did you guys get started in stand-up comedy?

Shawn Wayans: It’s something I’ve always done. I came in the game doing stand-up. Marlon on the other hand has dabbled with it and when he got the role of Richard Pryor, so he had to get on stage. We’re not sure what’s happening with the movie right now but he just loves doing stand-up, and he just has a good time doing it.

[Marlon’s entrance into the conference call is announced by a loud bell tone]

Shawn: Marlon, you nice guy, what’s up buddy?

Marlon Wayans: What’s up, jerk.

Q. Marlon, what topics are currently in your set?

Marlon: Everything, but it changes up. Sometimes it’s relationships and sometimes it’s politics and sometimes it’s sports. I love sports so I always have something to say about sports.

Q. Yeah, it’s tough being a sports fan in Cleveland right now.

Marlon: You guys got a 58-year-old quarterback, good luck.

Q. Thanks. Recently much of the cast of “In Living Color” reunited for a few events. What was your experience like on the legendary show?

Shawn: Me and Marlon have a whole different perspective on it because we were there, and we witnessed the whole experience. For us, the commonality was the great breakthrough groundbreaking sketch series, but it was also a comedy college. We were around the best of the best at the top of their game at that time. And we’d be sponges sitting around and learning and putting things in our pockets and just learning everything we needed to know about comedy. It helped us a great, great deal.

Q. Finally, Marlon, why do you enjoy touring with your brother?

Marlon: I love my brother. We’ve been best friends since were babies. I remember I had this crazy kid over me talking, playing and dragging me around and stealing my toys. There’s a bond that nobody can ever take from us. It’s a blessing. I love hanging out with him, even though we’re completely different and we will have our argument or two or three a day, we always end it with “I love you” and begin the next day with “I love you.”