Leslie Ray Movies

Premiering January 11, 1995, the WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. actually stars only two members of that large and apparently ever-expanding family of African-American entertainers. Fresh from their In Living Color success, siblings Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans (who also co-created this series) star as Shawn and Marlon Williams, polar-opposite brothers sharing the same New York brownstone. Shawn was the "serious" brother, who during the first season held down a solid job with an overnight delivery service and was diligently saving up enough money to marry Lisa Saunders (Lela Rochon), daughter of a prominent doctor. In contrast, Marlon lived to have fun, only occasionally showing up for his job as kitchen help at Pops' Place, a restaurant owned by the brothers' dad, John "Pops" Williams (John Witherspoon), a former boxer and R&B singer. Also working at Pops' during season one were counter girl Lupe (Joanna Sanchez) and cook Benny (Benny Quan). Losing his job and his girlfriend at the outset of season two, Shawn set up a newsstand in the lobby of the Niedermayer Building, which also housed his dad's restaurant. The building's main security guard had been diminutive Lou Malino (Jill Tasker) during the first season; she was replaced by Anna Maria Horsford as the corpulent Dee Baxter. Also added to the cast in season two was Paula Jai Parker as Monique Lattimore, a wealthy young lady who took a job in a nearby card shop when she lost her fortune -- and who during her single season on the series provided a verbal combatant for Shawn and an "unattainable dream" for the moonstruck Marlon. In season three, Ja'net DuBois joined the cast as the Williams boys' feisty Grandmother Ellington, who briefly moved in with the brothers. Weaving in and out the proceedings were a pair of shady street characters, White Mike (Mitch Mullany) and T.C. (Phill Lewis). In season four, Marlon launched an acting career and Shawn lost his newsstand to a fire. Come the next season, the brothers' "roles" had reversed: Marlon was now the responsible breadwinner, holding down steady employment as a regular on the TV sitcom "Everybody Loves Everybody," while Shawn was the wheeler-dealer, serving as Shawn's agent -- and skimming 50 percent off the top of each paycheck! The Wayans Bros. proved to be one of the fledgling WB's most popular early offerings, and went on to even greater success in off-net reruns after its September 9, 1999, cancellation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Will (Will Smith) is attracted to Monique (played by Kim Fields of Living Single fame), but she steadfastly refuses to "put out" until she is married. This explains why Will goes through an elaborate charade to convince Monique that they're having a wedding--with his disreputable pal Jazz (Jeff Townes) posing as the minister (and hitting upon the "bride" in the process!) The sham ceremony extends all the way to a hotel-room "honeymoon"--but will Will's conscience finally kick in before it's too late? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While attending Aunt Viv's lamaze class, Will (Will Smith) befriends Dani Mitchell (played by former Miss America Vanessa Williams), a very attractive--and very pregnant--TV sportswriter. Subsequently, Will is invited to attend a sold-out Lakers game as Dani's special guest. But there's more action in the parking lot than on the basketball court when Dani suddenly goes into labor--and Will is the only one around to help! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Oprah Winfrey appears as herself in this episode, in which Philip (James Avery) and the Bankses are invited to appear on Oprah's show during a week spotlighting "Political Candidates and Their Families." Conspicuous by his absence is Will (Will Smith), who was not invited on the grounds that he isn't really a Banks. But when Will shows up as a member of the studio audience, an angry Oprah challenges an embarrassed Philip on his "family values"--or lack of same! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Banks family begins to panic when Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) announces that he has written his "tell-all" memoirs. At the same time, Will (Will Smith) is terrified at the prospect of having his tonsils removed. The latter plotline eventually segues into a surrealistic nightmare sequence before settling into a zany hospital-room sequence straight out of the Marx Brothers. Veteran funnyman Milton Berle steals the show as Will's elderly roommate Max--and listen for a fleeting "inside" joke involving former General Hospital leading man John Beradino). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Upon returning from their honeymoon, Jesse (John Stamos) and Becky (Lisa Loughlin) begin moving Jesse's things out of the Tanner house and into Becky's apartment. This confuses and frightens Michelle (played by the Olsen twins), who thinks that everyone is going to be moving out soon. Ultimately Jesse has second thoughts about leaving, and comes up with an alternate plan--one that will please just about everyone except, curiously, DJ (Candace Cameron). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On the eve of his 10-year class reunion, Jesse's high school sweetheart Carrie Fowler (Erika Eleniak) comes back into his life. Because of his commitment to Becky (Lisa Loughlin), Jesse (John Stamos) is reluctant to see Carrie--but the girl is very, very persistent. Elsewhere, a birthday party for Comet the dog (with an all-canine guest list) results in another crisis...and Michelle (played by the Olsen twins) just might be the cause of it all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide