Did You Know: ‘In Living Color’ Revolutionized the Super Bowl Halftime Show [VIDEO]

In the early ’90s, when FOX positioned itself as the “Bad Boys of Television,” it took a bold step to counterprogram against the most-watched TV event of the year—the Super Bowl. The groundbreaking sketch comedy series “In Living Color,” created by Keenen Ivory Wayans, played a pivotal role in this strategic move, ultimately influencing the transformation of the Super Bowl Halftime Show into the spectacle we know today.

FOX’s then-president, Jamie Kellner, recognized the halftime break as an opportunity to capture the massive Super Bowl audience. The idea, proposed by Wayans’s manager Eric Gold and marketing expert Jay Coleman, was to air a live episode of “In Living Color” during the halftime, offering an alternative to the traditionally lackluster halftime programming.

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The show, known for its edgy and diverse content, had already gained popularity as a hip alternative to “Saturday Night Live.” With characters like Damon Wayans’s Homey D. Clown and Jim Carrey’s Fire Marshal Bill becoming cultural phenomena, FOX saw an opportunity to engage a young and urban audience.

The groundbreaking move came to fruition during Super Bowl XXVI on January 26, 1992, with “In Living Color” going head-to-head with CBS’s halftime ice skating show. The live episode showcased iconic sketches, including “Homeboys Shopping Network” and Carrey’s fire “expert” in a sports bar, along with the hilarious “Men on Film” segment by Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier.

FOX’s gamble paid off, attracting over 20 million viewers away from the traditional halftime programming. The success prompted a shift in the Super Bowl Halftime Show’s direction, moving from hokey acts to more serious and eye-catching performances by music superstars.

Keenen Ivory Wayans reflected on the bold move, stating, “The Super Bowl was the biggest thing in television. No one would dare take on the Super Bowl. We have to do that.” Despite concerns about the live nature of the show, FOX and its sponsors, including Frito-Lay, embraced the risk.

“In Living Color” not only left its mark on television history but also contributed to reshaping the Super Bowl Halftime Show into a platform for major entertainment acts. As we continue to enjoy the grandeur of today’s performances, it’s worth acknowledging the comedic brilliance that sparked a revolution on one memorable Super Bowl Sunday.