In Living Color was a groundbreaking sketch comedy television series that originally aired on Fox from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. The series was created by Keenen Ivory Wayans and featured a predominantly African-American cast. Living Color was known for pushing the envelope with its edgy, satirical sketches that often addressed racial issues and poked fun at popular culture. So how many seasons was this influential sketch comedy show on the air?
The Series Ran for 5 Seasons
In total, In Living Color had 5 seasons during its original run on Fox from 1990 to 1994:
- Season 1 – 1990 (13 episodes)
- Season 2 – 1991 (26 episodes)
- Season 3 – 1992 (28 episodes)
- Season 4 – 1993 (26 episodes)
- Season 5 – 1994 (13 episodes)
The series debuted midseason in 1990 as a replacement for the short-lived sketch comedy The Tom Dixon Show. Season 1 consisted of just 13 episodes and introduced audiences to the multitalented Wayans family, including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, as well as other rising comedians like Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and David Alan Grier.
Why Did Living Color End After 5 Seasons?
There are a few factors that contributed to In Living Color ending its original run after 5 seasons in 1994:
- Keenen Ivory Wayans departed the show after Season 3 due to creative differences and exhaustion.
- The remaining Wayans siblings left after Season 4, dealing another major blow.
- Declining ratings in the later seasons made the sketch comedy too expensive for Fox to continue justifying.
- The network and creators felt they had accomplished what they set out to do after a successful 5-year run.
Despite its relatively short original run, In Living Color made a large impact on sketch comedy and launched the careers of many Black comedians who went on to great success. The show paved the way for other Black-led sketch series like Chappelle’s Show and Key & Peele.
In Living Color Revival
After ending its original run in 1994, In Living Color returned for a short-lived revival season on Fox in 2012. This 1 season reboot featured a new cast of up-and-coming comedians along with appearances from original cast members like David Alan Grier. Unfortunately, the revival was unable to recapture the magic of the original series and was cancelled after just 8 episodes due to low ratings.
| Season | Year | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (Original Series) | 1990 | 13 |
| Season 2 | 1991 | 26 |
| Season 3 | 1992 | 28 |
| Season 4 | 1993 | 26 |
| Season 5 | 1994 | 13 |
| Season 1 (Revival) | 2012 | 8 |
Conclusion
In total, the groundbreaking sketch comedy series In Living Color had 5 seasons in its original 1990-1994 run plus 1 revival season in 2012. The show ended its initial 5-year run due to the departure of the Wayans family, declining ratings, and a feeling that they had accomplished their goals. Though short-lived, In Living Color made a lasting impact on sketch comedy and launched the careers of many talented Black comedians and actors who went on to great success. The series paved the way for more diversity in sketch comedy television in the years that followed.
