In Living Color was a popular sketch comedy television series that originally aired on Fox from 1990 to 1994. The show helped launch the careers of several prominent Black comedians and actors, such as Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, and the Wayans brothers. So is In Living Color still on the air today? The quick answer is no, In Living Color is no longer on the air. The show had a five season run from 1990 to 1994 before being canceled by Fox. There have not been any new episodes since then. However, In Living Color did have a short-lived revival in 2012, which aired two new episodes on TV One before being canceled again. But the original 1990-1994 series has lived on in pop culture significance and syndication. Let’s take a deeper look at the history of In Living Color and whether you can still watch episodes of the iconic sketch comedy show.
History of In Living Color
In Living Color was created by Keenen Ivory Wayans and aired for 5 seasons from 1990 to 1994. It featured a predominantly African American cast of comedians and actors, including Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, and newcomers like Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, and Jennifer Lopez. The show became known for its edgy, boundary-pushing comedy sketches that often addressed racial issues head on. Popular recurring sketches included Homey D. Clown, Men on Film, and Fire Marshall Bill.
After a successful 5 season run, Fox chose to cancel In Living Color in 1994 despite still decent ratings. The network cited expensive production costs and Wayans leaving the show as reasons for the cancellation. Reruns of In Living Color continued in syndication for a few years after it ended.
In Living Color Revival in 2012
In 2012, there was an attempt to revive In Living Color for two new episodes on TV One. Keenen Ivory Wayans returned as the showrunner along with Shawn Wayans serving as host. The reboot brought back familiar In Living Color sketches like Homey D. Clown and Fire Marshall Bill, while also featuring new cast members like Kali Hawk and Jennifer Bartels.
The revival received mixed to negative reviews from critics and ultimately only lasted two episodes before being canceled again. The poorly received reboot did not generate enough interest or viewership for TV One to continue making new episodes. So while there was an attempt to bring back In Living Color in 2012, it was short-lived.
Availability on Streaming and Reruns
While In Living Color is no longer producing new episodes, reruns from the original 1990-1994 run still air sporadically in syndication. Select sketches and musical performances from In Living Color can also be found on YouTube and other video sites.
Unfortunately, In Living Color is not currently available to stream on any major subscription streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or HBO Max. The rights to stream the full episodes appear to still be tied up. DVD collections with select episodes and sketches have been released over the years from companies like 20th Century Fox. But a comprehensive streaming home does not yet exist for the series.
So while it is difficult to stream In Living Color online, the show does still have a broadcasting presence through intermittent rerun airings. And the most iconic sketches can be viewed piecemeal online. But a full binge of In Living Color episodes is not possible unless you have access to the DVD releases.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
Even though In Living Color is no longer on the air, the show left behind an undeniable cultural imprint in the early 1990s and helped launch many high-profile careers in comedy.
In Living Color broke new ground for Black representation and comedy on television. It featured a wide array of Black comedic voices and unafraid to tackle racially-charged topics through humor. The show paved the way for future Black sketch shows like Chappelle’s Show and Key & Peele.
Many big comedy stars of today got their first major exposure on In Living Color. This includes Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey of Ace Ventura and The Mask fame, Jennifer Lopez in her dancing “Fly Girl” role, and the Wayans brothers who went on to create the Scary Movie franchise.
Some of the most memorable In Living Color sketches like Homey D. Clown, Fire Marshall Bill, and Men on Film became integral pieces of 1990s pop culture. Even younger generations recognize the iconic characters.
So while In Living Color is no longer producing new episodes, the show’s legacy lives on through its talent discoveries and its cultural footprint that still resonates today.
Conclusion
In Living Color aired its final episode in 1994 after a 5 season run on Fox that defined comedy for a generation. A brief 2012 revival on TV One only lasted 2 episodes before being canceled again. As of 2023, In Living Color is not currently still on the air producing new episodes. Reruns surface occasionally in syndication and select sketches can be found online. But full episodes are not readily available on streaming platforms. Despite being off the air for nearly 30 years now, In Living Color still resonates as an influential sketch comedy series that launched major careers and changed the face of TV comedy.
The show lives on through its cultural significance, memorable characters, and talent discoveries like Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx. But those looking to rewatch full episodes today have limited options outside of expensive DVD releases. While demand for a streaming home for In Living Color still exists, rights issues have prevented it from landing on platforms like Netflix or Hulu so far. For now, fragments of In Living Color’s enduring comedy legacy remain, but new episodes are a thing of the distant past.
