Nervous energy fuels BET Awards host Damon Wayans

Tue Jun 27, 3:11 PM ET


After more than a decade making hit movies and TV characters, actor Damon Wayans still gets chills around some superstars, an affliction he hopes to overcome this week when he stands arms length from one -- singer Prince.

"Certain people I get nervous around, in a good way, like a fan. Prince, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, these guys I'm so in awe of them and what they have accomplished, I just don't want them to look at me and say, "Why are you here?" Wayans told Reuters in an interview.

Nerves and all, Wayans on Monday night hosts the 2006 BET Awards, the sixth annual cultural gala from the cable network whose programming is geared toward African-American viewers.

The live broadcast will feature appearances from artists such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige and Harry Belafonte.

The awards show come about a year after Wayans' sitcom "My Wife and Kids," which he wrote, produced and starred in, ended its run as a top-rated show on the ABC network.

Wayans, 45, insists he is not afraid to host the celebrity bash, but he has some reservations about going it alone after Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith last year emceed the event and delivered big ratings.

"Being a host -- I can do it, although it's not where my head is right now," he said. I'm trying to get back in the clubs and find my love of the (comedy) game. I'll go up there and keep a smile on my eye, do a little monologue upfront and keep it moving."

Wayans' trepidation is surprising considering the extent of his success. After all, he's a former member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" cast, starred in films like "The Last Boy Scout" with Bruce Willis and is perhaps best known for such offbeat as Homey the Clown on the groundbreaking sketch comedy show "In Living Color."

Moreover, he's a key member of what is arguably Hollywood's hardest-working comedy family. Younger brothers Marlon and Shawn Wayans have found a niche making broad comedic films, such as "Little Man," which opens in July. The film, by the way, is directed by their older brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans.

Damon Wayans says his brothers, whose screen credits also include the "Scary Movie" franchise, are considering building a movie studio, of sorts, in northern California.

"Up in Oakland, it used to be a military base," he says of the proposed site for the facility, which might include an amusement park. "I'll believe it when I see it, when the doors open, but I know my brothers are very passionate about this studio. They are in the trenches trying to make it happen."

In the meantime, Damon Wayans is focusing on recapturing his edge as a stand-up comic, performing at local clubs almost nightly. This fall he debuts a sketch comedy show on Showtime called "Damon Wayans Presents the Underground," which he described as "In Living Color on steroids."

But first comes the live awards show in Hollywood, and the inevitable moment when Prince performs.
Wayans said his stand-up experience proves he knows how to handle an audience, and that his jitters may work to his benefit.

"I'm nervous all the time," he said. "But that is good -- it means I want to do well."http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/va/20060627/115144630900.html

So cute!

the same bug that bit jamie foxx must've bitten damon, too.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

You read my mind!

Jamie musta told him something...

FunkMistress said:

yeah: if you gotta present the award to 'im, damon, whatever you do...DON'T LOOK INTO HIS EYES. just...just don't look him in the eyes!!!!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

He's just....I mean, he's....you know...he's PRETTY, ok?? Like a, like a fawn!

FunkMistress said:

that'd be some crazy chit if damon were to look into prince's eyes and suddenly get...y'know, hyp-no-tized on national teevee.

FunkMistress said:

Are any of these lines from their stand-up? I remember Damon Wayans had some Prince reference in Last Boy Scout.

FunkMistress said:

Well both Damon and Jamie do seem 2 have a little sugar in their blood, sooooo...

Giovanni777 said:

f'real? my cooter-sense registers "negative" on the both of those guys.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

What are you guys saying?

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Nah... I'm just playin'... just maybe comfortable with their feminine sides, that's all...

On another tip... Damon is the funniest Wayans brother by a long shot. Talented 2, 'cause his role in 'Bamboozled' tripped me the (uh) out.

Easy,

G.

I really admire Damon Wayans. He's managed to build for himself quite a successful career in comedy despite never having said or done anything remotely funny. Now THAT, my friends, is talent!

Giovanni777 said:

Isn't that like being the smartest Hilton sister? I mean, the competition ain't exactly tough.

eh, I joke...I joke because I love.

Where's my 2 fav org-a-women at now?

I have been a Damon fan for many, many years but I think there was a typeo....SNL I think they ment to say In living color.

SDNafka said:

Prince's eyes are like the Cheetah, right around the time that he pounces on the wild, running Gazelle.

prime said:

They did say In Living Color. Damon was on SNL for a season back in the day...

Giovanni777 said:

He's the best standup, Marlon is the best actor (when he gets a decent role), Keenan is the best all around talent, Shawn is... well, just Shawn

CalhounSq said:

SW1!! Give it up!! Wooooo!!

kidelrich said:

1. That Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx are not gay.
2. That Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx are a little bit gay.
3. That Jamie Foxx has a standup bit in which he admits that looking into Prince's eyes turned him gay for two minutes because he's just so damn pretty.

Does that clear it up?

FunkMistress said:

i damn near forgot about that sw-1 shit.

prime said:

No Damon WAS on SNL for a year.

Giovanni777 said:

aaaaa.....No.

Giovanni777 said:

That's complete bollocks and you know it

CalhounSq said:

True but Shawn is GETTING paid just like the rest of them.

SDNafka said:

Graycap23 said:

And he's lucky his family is so talented 'cause you know his "talent" is limited. He gets by b/c of his family, PERIOD. Ain't nobody else hiring Shawn

He fine as shit though

Remember damon in "the last boy scou"t, doing his prince impression to bruce willis? Ha, that was love.


I wished they show the wayans bros. again. Marlon is too funny.

CalhounSq said:

Shawn is my boy so I'm NOT going 2 say anything negative about him. I do get your point though.