It felt like a time machine. When Poppa's House first flickered onto CBS screens in late 2024, there was this weird, cozy sense of déjà vu. Damon Wayans Sr. was back. Not the gritty, "I'm too old for this" version from the Lethal Weapon reboot, but the classic, sharp-tongued Wayans we grew up watching. He was paired with his son, Damon Wayans Jr., and for a minute, it felt like the multi-cam sitcom might actually have a pulse again.
But then the news hit in April 2025. Canceled. Just like that.
Honestly, the "Damon Wayans new show" buzz was massive for a reason. You had two generations of comedic royalty sharing the same air. They weren't just playing father and son; they were living it. Yet, despite a full-season order of 18 episodes and some surprisingly decent early ratings, the "Tiffany Network" decided to pull the plug.
What Was Poppa's House Actually About?
The premise was pretty straightforward, maybe even a little too safe for 2025. Wayans Sr. played "Poppa" Fulton, a legendary NYC radio DJ. He’s the kind of guy who thinks vinyl is the only way to hear music and that "woke" culture is just something he hasn't had his coffee for yet. He’s set in his ways. Grumpy. Old school.
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Then comes the disruption.
His radio station hires Dr. Ivy Reed, played by the ageless Essence Atkins, to be his co-host. She’s a psychologist. She likes podcasts. She wants to talk about feelings. The clash between Poppa’s "get off my lawn" energy and Ivy’s modern sensibility was supposed to be the engine of the show.
At home, things weren't much quieter. Damon Wayans Jr. played "Junior," Poppa’s adult son who lives right across the street. Junior is a dreamer. He wants to make documentaries, but he’s stuck working for his father-in-law to pay the bills. It was a classic "father knows best" setup, except in this house, nobody was really sure if Poppa actually knew anything.
The Wayans Family Business
What made this project special wasn't just the two leads. It was a total family affair. If you looked at the credits, you’d see Wayans names everywhere.
- Marlon Wayans swung by for a guest spot that basically broke the internet for a night.
- Michael Wayans was in the writers' room.
- Amara Wayans, Junior's daughter, actually made her acting debut on the show.
There's something kinda beautiful about that. Wayans Sr. has been open about how this show started because he wanted to see his grandkids more. He literally moved across the street from Junior in real life, and the realtor told him, "Your daughter-in-law says whenever the kids are a pain, she’s sending them to Poppa’s house."
That’s the show. That was the heart of it.
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Why Poppa's House Couldn't Survive the 2025 Chop
So, if the chemistry was "comedy gold" (as Screen Rant called it), why did it get axed?
Ratings are a brutal mistress. While the show started strong with over 6 million multi-platform viewers, it eventually settled into being CBS’s weakest scripted performer in total viewers. It averaged about a 0.33 in the key 18-49 demo. In the world of 2026 broadcast TV, those numbers are "danger zone" territory.
There's also the budget. Reports from Deadline suggested that CBS asked the producers to trim the budget for a potential Season 2. Apparently, the math just didn't add up. When you're competing with massive streaming hits, a "middle-of-the-road" sitcom usually gets the boot to make room for the next big thing.
The Criticism Nobody Wants to Talk About
Some fans on Reddit were pretty vocal about why the show didn't click. A few common gripes:
- The Audience Laughter: It was loud. Really loud. For people used to the quiet, single-cam style of The Bear or Abbott Elementary, the old-school laugh track felt jarring.
- The Writing: While the physical comedy was top-tier—I mean, it’s Damon Wayans—some of the "situations" felt like they were plucked straight out of 1996.
- The "Goofy" Son: Some viewers felt Wayans Jr. was playing it a little too "big" for a grown man with a wife and kids.
But hey, for every hater, there were five people who loved seeing a Black family on TV that wasn't defined by trauma. It was just... fun.
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The Finale: "Magic Shine Again"
The series wrapped up on April 28, 2025. The final episode saw Poppa getting ready to tell Ivy a big secret. It felt like they were setting up a romance for Season 2. We never got to see it.
Instead, the show ends with Junior’s wife, Nina (played by Tetona Jackson), taking over his short film project. It was a sweet ending, but definitely not the "series finale" anyone planned.
What’s Next for the Wayans?
Don't worry about Damon Sr. The man is 64 and, in his own words, "peaced-out." He’s got ten grandkids and a legacy that most comedians would kill for. He’s not chasing "happy" anymore; he says he’s content.
As for Wayans Jr., he’s still one of the most sought-after comedic actors in Hollywood. You'll see him again soon. Probably on a streamer where he doesn't have to worry about Nielsen ratings.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you missed the boat and want to see what the fuss was about, you can still catch the entire 18-episode run. Here is how to handle the "afterlife" of the show:
- Stream It: All episodes are currently available on Paramount+. If you have the "Essential" plan, you’ll have to sit through a few ads, but it’s worth it for the Wayans/Atkins chemistry.
- Watch the Marlon Episode: If you only watch one, make it the one with Marlon Wayans. The "In Living Color" energy is off the charts.
- Sign the Petitions: There are already Change.org petitions floating around trying to get BET or Netflix to pick the show up. It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened (remember S.W.A.T.? That show has been canceled and un-canceled like four times).
The era of the "Damon Wayans new show" might be over for now, but in the world of TV reboots and second chances, Poppa's house might not stay empty forever.
Next Steps for You: Check out the pilot episode on Paramount+ to see if the "old school" vibe works for you. If you’re a fan of My Wife and Kids, it’s basically a spiritual successor that deserves at least one weekend binge.