Meet the new cast of FOX’s “In Living Color” reboot

It’s a big month for past, present and future fans of FOX’s sketch comedy show, In Living Color, as the network plans to celebrate the anniversary of its star-making series and also launch a new edition to hopefully do the same for today’s young comedic actors.

Who is FOX and host, executive producer, and original creator/leader Keenen Ivory Wayans entrusting to reboot In Living Color in 2012?

So far we’ve learned of five new cast members (will update if/when necessary — because this very well could be the full cast, since they’re only committed to two episodes so far), and here they are: Jennifer Bartels, Josh Duvendeck, Jermaine Fowler, Kali Hawk and “Lil’ Rel” Howery.

Get to know them!

Jennifer Bartels

Originally from Raleigh, N.C., Bartels moved to New York City, where she began studying with the Upright Citizens Brigade in 2006, performed with several house improv teams, as well as the UCB house sketch team Gramps.

She has appeared in several TV commercials.

She also auditioned for SNL before, and her character reel shows you what she’s capable of out in the world, including a mean Jillian Michaels, Lady Gaga and Judy Garland.

Josh Duvendeck

Born in Santa Barbara, Duvendeck has been performing stand-up and with improv groups in Los Angeles and best recognized for playing Ben (the boyfriend of April’s “boyfriend”) in several episodes of NBC’s Parks and Recreation.

And lookie here, he just uploaded a new video of his ability to inhabit characters and celebrity impersonations, including Eminem, Jason Statham, Orlando Bloom and more.

That should come in handy.

Jermaine Fowler

From Washington, D.C., Fowler was only 20 when he moved to New York City (where John Mulaney first introduced him to me, so that’s a good sign) to pursue his comedy career.

Since then, he has performed stand-up, as well as produced his own webseries and appeared in sketch videos for CollegeHumor.

Here is his reel:

Kali Hawk

Hawk already is on your FOX TV channel this season as the hot girl Shelby on New Girl.

Before that, though, she appeared in several TV shows and movies (including Bridesmaids), and has the distinction of recording a music video that was the first to play in the back of NYC taxis.

This video she did for Funny or Die has more than 1.4 million views.

Lil Rel

Milton “Lil Rel” Howery grew up in Chicago’s West Side.

He has performed on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, as well as the Chicago Just For Laughs Festival, Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up on Starz, and Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy.

Here is a clip from his 2010 performance on Comedy Central’s Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at The El Rey.

The cast will film two half-hour shows to air on FOX later this spring (probably in May).

Meanwhile, FOX will celebrate the original cast’s 25th anniversary with a special airing April 22.

The following week, April 29, TV will honor Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Kelly Coffield Park, Kim Wayans and T’Keyah Crystal Keymah with the Groundbreaking Award at the TV Land Awards.

Oh, one more thing…

Don’t be surprised if ONE or perhaps TWO former all-star originals show up in addition to Keenen Ivory Wayans for special cameos. Ahem. Not trying to get your hopes up. But let’s all hope for the best!

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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