Damon Wayans Jr. makes anxious fussiness and physical silliness fit comfortably into a group. We rate his comic timing, particularly when the writing gives him other people to play against.
Fi1m perspective
In Big Hero 6 (2014), Wasabi is anxious about precision and order, and Damon Wayans Jr. is a sensible choice to voice him. He can make fussiness funny without making it wearisome. That precise timing is useful in live-action ensembles, where several people need space to be funny. We were moved by Baymax's inability to stop caring, and Wayans fits comfortably into the warm comedy around him. He contributes without being the reason to choose the film.
His breakthrough was Brad Williams in Happy Endings (2011–2013), working alongside Eliza Coupe and Casey Wilson. The quick dialogue suited his timing, while his physical comedy and giggliness kept the performance loose. That combination matters: precision can become tiresome if we start noticing the actor carefully placing every joke. Coach in New Girl (2011) gave him another ensemble, including Jake Johnson, though his appearances were intermittent: the pilot, seasons three and four, and guest returns.
The friendships are the reason we recommend New Girl, once Jess's awkwardness stops having to supply the whole joke. Wayans's appeal fits that improvement: he is a performer we want in the conversation, with other people available to answer back. It would be too much to credit him with the programme's success, and our affection is for the ensemble, with Zooey Deschanel good company at its centre. The romantic plotting is the caveat; it sometimes works harder than it needs to.
He also took a film lead as Justin Chang in Let's Be Cops (2014). We would not assume that a larger part necessarily makes better use of someone whose timing helps a whole group be funny. The writing still has to hold up, and Big Hero 6 loses some of its appeal when its warm, precise first hour gives way to armour and familiar superhero action. Start with New Girl for the friendships, and give the programme time to stop making such a fuss over Jess.
Biography
Damon Wayans Jr. (born 18 November 1982) is an American actor and comedian. He is the son of actor Damon Wayans and a member of the Wayans family.
He provided the voice of Wasabi in the 2014 animated film Big Hero 6. He starred as Brad Williams in the ABC sitcom Happy Endings (2011–2013), for which he received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination, and as Coach in the Fox sitcom New Girl. Other film roles include Fosse in The Other Guys (2010) and Justin in Let's Be Cops (2014).
