Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona

Episode: 09-26-25 - Damon Wayans Jr - Stand Up Live - In Studio

Date: September 26, 2025
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Guest: Damon Wayans Jr.
Special Appearances: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Additional Panelist

Episode Overview

This lively in-studio episode features Damon Wayans Jr. as he joins the Morning Sickness crew ahead of his shows at Stand Up Live in Phoenix. The conversation jumps between irreverent humor, personal stories, wild theories, and fun family banter, especially as Keenen Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans Sr. join in. Topics range from internet shock videos and conspiracy theories, Helen Keller skepticism, family dynamics in the Wayans clan, scary movies, going bald, and comedy career plans. It’s a blend of candid confessions, nostalgia, and comedic sharpness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Watching Shock Videos and Social Media Culture

• The group react to wild internet videos shown to Damon.
  • Damon Jr. jokes about never seeing such videos, with Keenen quipping, “Also never been harder.” (01:54)
• Commentary on why people record and share disturbing content.
  • “Because social media, we're all important...pretty soon it's just going to be somebody's prolapsed ass and then they're going to be like, free Palestine.” – Damon Wayans Jr. (02:39)

2. Rise of Conspiracy Theories

• Keenen discusses the mainstreaming of conspiracies.
  • “I do like how everyone is a conspiracy theorist now. I think that's great.” (02:53)
• Comparing old vs. new — even their grandmother is involved:
  • “Now my grandma's like, what about Building 7?” – Keenen Ivory Wayans (03:09)

3. Helen Keller Skepticism

• Damon Jr. has a longstanding disbelief in Helen Keller’s accomplishments.
  • “I don't think Helen Keller did anything.” – Damon Wayans Jr. (03:39)
  • “She was blind and deaf, and they also...her handler...they used to always throw in the word dumb.” (04:00)
  • They joke about the plausibility and why her communication methods aren’t more widespread if real.
  • “How did she know where the paper ended? None of it makes sense.” – Damon Wayans Jr. (07:02)

4. Stevie Wonder and Celebrity Blindness

• Jokes about Stevie Wonder’s career, rumors about his blindness, and a story about Dion Cole losing a girlfriend to Stevie at a concert.
  • “Dion doesn’t think he's really blind because...he was pointing right at her.” – Damon Wayans Jr. (05:46)

5. Tylenol, Autism, and Parental Warnings

• Discussion on recent articles warning against Tylenol use in pregnancy.
  • Keenen: “They have like a bunch of articles...if you're pregnant, you should take Tylenol because it may cause autism or ADHD.” (09:02)
• Damon Jr.: “We're men. I'll take all the Tylenol I want.” (09:24)
• Joke about parental paranoia and indifference:
  • “I've met their kids. I don't know what you're finding so attractive about it. Sounds awful.” – Damon Wayans Jr. (09:49)

6. Wayans Family Stories & Going Bald

• Keenen talks about Marlon’s movie and his aversion to scary movies, even those starring family.
  • “I just don’t like overtly demonic stuff.” – Keenen Ivory Wayans (10:25)
• Hair loss becomes a family roast.
  • Keenen: “All my uncles are bald now...I’m nervous.” (13:32)
  • Damon Jr. (as a bald man): “I’m telling you, as a bald guy, it does end.” (14:53)

7. Upcoming Projects

• Damon Wayans Jr. is working on his comedy special (“shooting top of the year, maybe in DC or Phoenix”) and developing a TV show with Jake Johnson. (15:35)
• Reflections on friendships after “New Girl,” staying connected via group texts, and how cast members remain involved in each other’s lives. (16:23)

8. Wayans Family Legacy & Next Generation

• Keenen: Reveals he has six kids and discusses which are funny and which are not.
  • “I don’t pull out to the baby shower.” (18:06)
  • “My second daughter is probably my funniest kid.” (18:33)
  • “I have one that’s just gorgeous...and she’s not funny. She didn’t have to be.” (19:36)
• Talk about other funny but non-famous family members:
  • “The funniest Wayans is probably someone that didn’t get into it...I have a cousin named Craig who we call the Funniest Wayans and he’s a writer.” (20:19)

9. Words of Wisdom – "Earn Your Food"

• Damon Wayans Jr. asks for planet-saving wisdom.
  • Keenen: “You have to earn your food. Meaning either you go on a walk before you eat or you go on a walk after you eat. Like 20 minutes, 30 minutes...It helps burn calories, digest your food, gives you clarity.” (20:47–21:06)
  • Damon Jr.: “Earn your food. That’s great advice.” (21:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On wild internet content:

  “Somebody is having a prolapse...right now. And then why record it? For the masses.”
  — Keenen Ivory Wayans & Damon Wayans Jr. (02:28–02:38)

• On skepticism about Helen Keller:

  “I just don’t buy it. I think it was a...it never really worked.”
  — Damon Wayans Jr. (07:01)

• On the pressure to be funny in the Wayans family:

  “The pressure to be funny in the Wayans family has to be immense.”
  — Damon Wayans Jr. (20:06)

• On going bald:

  “I’m telling you, as a bald guy, it does end.”
  — Damon Wayans Jr. (14:53)

• On taking care of yourself:

  “You have to earn your food...It helps burn calories, digest your food, gives you clarity.”
  — Keenen Ivory Wayans (20:47–21:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wild Internet Videos & Social Media: 01:21–02:53
• Conspiracy Theory Culture: 02:53–03:29
• Helen Keller Discussion: 03:39–07:19
• Stevie Wonder Story: 04:42–05:59
• Tylenol & Parental Paranoia: 09:02–09:49
• Wayans Family Hair/Jokes on Baldness: 13:32–15:04
• Damon Jr.’s Upcoming Projects: 15:35–16:24
• Wayans Next Generation/Family Comedy: 18:00–20:20
• Words of Wisdom (‘Earn Your Food’): 20:45–21:10

Episode Tone & Vibe

• Language: Candid, irreverent, teasing, and comfortable; plenty of family-style ribbing and absurdist humor.
• Atmosphere: Loose, conversational; the group riffs easily on everything from personal anecdotes to pop culture, always returning to their connections as comics and family.

Conclusion

Holmberg’s Morning Sickness delivers a hilarious and surprisingly thought-provoking episode with Damon Wayans Jr. and the Wayans comedic dynasty. Listeners are treated to raw family stories, behind-the-scenes TV tales, skeptical takes on cultural icons, and jokes about everything from conspiracies to going bald. Damon Jr. wraps things up with practical wisdom—“earn your food”—leaving the audience with a smile and something to walk (literally) away with.