Marlon Wayans is standing up for edgy comedy — and defending comedians’ right to push boundaries, no matter how uncomfortable it makes people feel.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Wayans said he’s never watered down his humor and encouraged fellow comics to stay fearless. “There's always going to be different sides of me, but I'm always going to be like 85% comedian,” he said. “And I think comedians have every right to poke fun at everything.”
He addressed the controversy surrounding comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who joked at a Trump rally that Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage.” While the joke sparked backlash, Wayans defended Hinchcliffe’s right to say it — even if it didn’t land with everyone.
“If you'd have told that joke maybe a different way, Puerto Ricans may have found it funny,” he said. “But I'm pretty sure there's some Puerto Ricans that found it funny… It depends on how dark your humor is.”
Wayans made it clear: “I'm not gonna cancel any comedian for a joke. Even if it was a Black joke.” He pointed to late comic Don Rickles as someone who delivered offensive material but was still beloved. “Man, was he funny. And I'm always gonna subscribe to comedy.”
He sees comedy as a battle — one that requires risk. “Finding jokes is war,” Wayans said. “Sometimes you step on land mines, and that's okay. Next joke.”
Wayans said he’s seen Hinchcliffe perform and considers him “a funny dude.” While some people may be offended, he said that’s just part of the process: “You gotta just walk through that landmine. Some is going to blow up in your face… But, next joke.”
Fellow comedian Bill Maher also defended Hinchcliffe last week on his Club Random podcast. “There’s no doubt it’s insulting to Puerto Ricans,” Maher said. “But everybody has to accept, in the framework of comedy, insults… and they’re never fair.”
Wayans, known for his work on the iconic sketch show In Living Color, says the heart of comedy is in the courage to keep pushing — no matter who gets uncomfortable.