It's been 20 years since the comedic spoof "Don't be a Menace" was released, and Marlon Wayans, the film's star, still doesn't regret a single punchline from the film. In fact, he says he never regretted a joke he's ever told.
Wayans, who sat down with HuffPost Live alongside his "50 Shades of Black" co-star Kali Hawk, said that hindsight hasn't impacted how he sees his humor -- even as the public conversation about race has shifted.
"You never regret any joke that you tell. As a comedian, some [jokes] pass, some fail, but the beauty of what we've done is 20 years later, we find new audiences," he said.
Wayans said his older films like "Don't be a Menace" and "White Chicks" have become favorites among teens growing up today.
"When we tell jokes, they're long-staying. I don't tell a joke that just lasts for a moment. I like to do a joke that 20 years from now is still relevant and still funny," he said.
The comedian added that the "cyclical" nature of racial issues means Wayans' popular and unfiltered take on race will be relevant for years to come.
"I don't think the racial landscape has changed much. It changed for a while, but I think it's starting to recess. So those jokes that you told that were so biting become relevant again," he said. "I regret no jokes. You did it and it was perfect for the time. And believe me, the racial stuff -- it's cyclical. It'll happen again."
Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation with Marlon Wayans here.
Want more HuffPost Live? Stream us anytime on Go90, Verizon's mobile social entertainment network, and listen to our best interviews on iTunes.
Also on HuffPost:
