When the trailer for Shawn Wayans’ latest movie declared, “Every line will be crossed,” it wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.
Released in June, “Scary Movie” is invariably inappropriate – full of gross-out gags, heavy slapstick and over-the-top absurdity. It also happens to be ridiculously funny.
While turning political correctness on its ear, the hit comedy doesn’t stoop to mean-spirited invective disguised as humor. That’s because Wayans doesn’t set out to abuse; he aims to amuse.
“My approach isn’t, ‘Am I going to offend them?’ My approach is, ‘Am I going to make them laugh’?
“If I make you laugh, there’s a certain amount of forgiveness in your heart for what I said,” the 55-year-old actor and comic told The Dispatch recently.
Wayans, who’ll appear
at Columbus Funny Bone on Aug. 14-15, knows that earning the big yuks can require taking risks. “Sometimes you have to push the envelope to make people laugh,” he said.
The second-youngest sibling of a veritable comedy dynasty has crafted envelope-pushing to an art form through screenwork like the much-anticipated “Scary Movie.”
A reboot for the parody franchise, the film marks the reunion of the “Core Four” – Wayans and brother Marlon, Regina Hall and Anna Faris – 26 years after the original film massacre.
Wayans and his brother are also known for starring in the 2004 "White Chicks" film.
Spoofing horror flicks and pop culture, “Scary Movie” also features a bevy of new stars including Deon Cole, Kenan Thompson, Chris Elliott and Cheri Oteri, Wayans’ sister Kim and nephews Gregg and Damon Jr.
Wayans, his family and co-stars are often credited with reshaping the parody movie genre, but he modestly attributes that achievement to filmmakers before him.
“I just feel like we took what was already out there. Mel Brooks was doing it for years, and the Zucker Brothers,” he said.
Wayans’ knowledge of pop culture is also evident in his stand-up, which ranges from family stories to astute social commentary. He said he always has his “antenna up” for material.
“I’ll observe something funny that happens to me while running errands or hanging out with my children or my girl. Or I’ll see something funny happening in the news. It’s all about breaking it down to what’s funny,” he said.
Looking for laughs?
Wayans will show you the funny – if you’re 21 or older – when he comes to Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center.
Here are the door and performance times for each show:
- Aug. 14: Doors 5:30 p.m., show 7 p.m.
- Aug. 14: Doors 9:15 p.m., show 9:45 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Doors 5 p.m., show 6:30 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Doors 8:45 p.m., show 9:15 p.m.
Tickets cost $54 for general admission and $64 for VIP, with a limit of eight tickets per order at columbus.funnybone.com.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Scary Movie' star Shawn Wayans to bring laughs to Columbus Funny Bone
