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Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.'s​

"Working beside you has been one of the greatest joys," Wayans said of his son, while sending off their short-lived sitcom.

By Shania Russell

Published on April 22, 2025 06:28PM EDT
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Damon Wayans, Jr. as Junior and Damon Wayans as Poppa in the CBS Original series 'Poppa's House'.

Damon Wayans, Jr. as Junior and Damon Wayans as Poppa on 'Poppa's House'.Credit:
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
Poppa's House is no more.


The sitcom starring father-son duo Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. has been canceled at CBS after a single season, Entertainment Weekly can confirm.


The elder Wayans reflected on the show's creation in an emotional Instagram post, writing, "Creating Poppa's House was such a beautiful journey. My heart is full as I say thank you to every single person who made Poppa’s House such a meaningful experience.




He went on to thank the show's cast and crew, with a special shout-out for his son and co-lead.


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"A very special thank you to my son, Damon Jr. working beside you has been one of the greatest joys of my life," he wrote. "And to my incredible family, siblings, children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, who showed up as writers, guest stars, and creative forces you made this journey even more meaningful. It’s such a blessing to have so much love on one set and to be able to create and laugh with family and friends."


He concluded, "Though Poppa’s House is coming to a close, I’m walking away with deep gratitude, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories. This show gave me more than I could’ve ever imagined. To everyone who watched, supported, and believed in us thank you. Your love means everything. On to the next chapter, with nothing but love in my heart."


Essence Atkins as Ivy, Damon Wayans as Poppa, Damon Wayans Jr. as Junior, Tetona Jackson as Nina, River Blossom as Maya, Wendy Raquel Robinson as Catherine, Caleb R. Johnson as Trey, and Geoffrey Owens as J.J. in Poppa's House.

Essence Atkins, Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Tetona Jackson, River Blossom, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Caleb R. Johnson, and Geoffrey Owens on Poppa's House.
CBS via Getty
Poppa's House was the latest collaboration between the father and son, starring Wayans as a legendary talk show host and happily divorced "Poppa" forced to change his ways when his station brings on brash, young podcaster, Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins); meanwhile, Wayans Jr. played his idealistic filmmaker son, navigating life with his wife Nina (Tetona Jackson) as they struggle to raise their two kids. Thankfully, the family lives right next door to Poppa's massive home — giving them somewhere to send their misbehaving kids.


Like many Wayans projects, the series was a family affair. It featured appearances from Wayans' brother Marlon Wayans and Wayans Jr.'s daughter, Amora Wayans, making her onscreen debut. Wayans' sister, Kim, and nephew Damien Dante served as directors on the series, while his son Michael was a staff writer.


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Prior to the series premiere, the duo spoke to EW about the real-life incident that inspired the sitcom's concept.


"I was going to actually go live next door to my son," Wayans said. "I was lonely, and he's got all these wonderful kids. And there was a house across the street from him that was for sale. I go look at the house, and his family comes with him, and his wife, Samara, keeps going, 'Oh, this is perfect. When you mess up, I'm sending you to Poppa's house!' She's telling that to all the kids, and I started getting anxiety. I'm like, ‘Oh, hell no.’ So I just kind of bailed on it."


Damon Wayans, Jr. as Junior and Damon Wayans as Poppa in Poppa's House

Damon Wayans, Jr. and Damon Wayans on Poppa's House.
Robert Voets/CBS via Getty
But while his move didn't pan out, it did serve as inspiration for a team-up with his son. But before looping Wayans Jr. in, he worked with writer Kevin Hench to pen the pilot and shopped it around, getting three offers, before Wayans was ready to get his son involved.


"I felt like I had to do more than just show him a good script,” he explained. “I had to let him know that people really want this and were excited about it. And together we're undeniable."
 
My advice is to watch the news with your children and when someone does something stupid, discuss their mistakes and how thinking rationally could have bought on a different outcome.
 


*deep breath* I cannot be a hypocrite because this speech he gave is a super direct quote from me. I actually said this recently. And to my baby girl. BUT I HATE doing this for social media. Was this staged? Does the younger one understand? Is this sincere? The words are great but I don't know if STAGING it sends an even worse message about social media obsession attention whoring craving validation from outside or if you want to get deeper saying that a coach is allowed to yell ANYTHING at you under the guise of MOTIVATION.

If it was "really" a captured moment which I GUESS is very possible in 2025? then I support it 100%.

If not? I guess it can STILL be positive. But it also raises other issues for me.
 
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*deep breath* I cannot be a hypocrite because this speech he gave is a super direct quote from me. I actually said this recently. And to my baby girl. BUT I HATE doing this for social media. Was this staged? Does the younger one understand? Is this sincere? The words are great but I don't know if STAGING it sends an even worse message about social media obsession attention whoring craving validation from outside or if you want to get deeper saying that a coach is allowed to yell ANYTHING at you under the guise of MOTIVATION.

If it was "really" a captured moment which I GUESS is very possible in 2025? then I support it 100%.

If not? I guess it can STILL be positive. But it also raises other issues for me.

@Camille do I sound old ass f**k now?
 
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