It came as no surprise when it was announced months ago that the always exuberant Wayne Brady would be the host of the updated version of the game show classic “Let’s Make a Deal,” airing on CBS.
Brady, one of those naturally upbeat people, always has something going on. If he is off the scene at all, it will be for a very short time.
It has been that way ever since he first came to the general public’s attention in 1998 when ABC began airing the “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” program.
It was an improv show; Brady was one of four performers creating characters, scenes and songs on the spot. Interestingly, this was the U.S. version of a show that originated in Britain.
Doing improvisational comedy requires a special skill and a willingness to take chances. Brady described it as “something that you either have or you don’t. It’s just the way you’re wired. You can’t teach it to someone.”
IT SEEMS that the omnipresent star, born Wayne Alphonso Brady in 1972 in Orlando, Florida, can do everything.
His comedic and emceeing skills are well established, but Brady always manages to come up with another surprise.
For example, he demonstrated impressive dancing skills in the 2004 television special “Motown 45,” while performing an effective rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.” And last year he was on the national charts with a contemporary R&B album titled “A Long Time Coming.” Sales were not “through the roof” but brisk enough for a second album when the time and circumstances are right.
“A Long Time Coming” is a fine album. Highlights include “You and Me,” “Back in the Day” and “Ordinary,” as well as a heartfelt rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” a strong interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” and an intriguing, drastically restructured version of the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
“I FINALLY got to a place where I felt like I could make an album that said something personally and meant something,” he said, adding, “I had lived enough to where I could make an album and feel good about it.”
The awards for Brady have been numerous. The first was a Primetime Emmy Award in 2003 for his work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The category was Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety, Musical or Comedy Series.
Recalling the Emmy ceremony, which was almost surreal to him, Brady said, “It was absolutely amazing. Robin Williams is one of my heroes as far as what I do, and to win an award with him sitting in the audience was incredible. I’m still pinching myself.”
Brady was soon hosting his own variety show, “The Wayne Brady Show,” 2001, as well as a daytime talk show, also titled “The Wayne Brady Show.” He won a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Talk Show Host category.
Described as “a true showman,” in 2004 Brady responded to a beckoning call from Broadway, accepting a role in the revival of “Chicago.”
He portrayed the conniving Billy Flynn, a role Richard Gere had in the film version of the long-running musical, and that Usher recently won raves for on Broadway.
“THAT WAS a dream I started acting with,” Brady said. “I’d done musicals and theater, but I hadn’t cracked Broadway until ‘Chicago.’ My hope is to go back to Broadway at some point. I’d really love to originate a role, too.”
Brady is one of those entertainers, like Sammy Davis Jr., whom he paid homage to in his Las Vegas show, who believes in giving an audience 100 percent, every time.
“I come from the old school way of thinking,” he explained. “I’m going to give you everything I have. The whole nine. That’s who I am.”
Brady’s television work also includes the musical game show “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” It made its debut in 2007 and came to its conclusion earlier this year.
He has a long history of guest star appearances. Among the shows are “30 Rock,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Girlfriends,” “The Chappelle Show,” “Celebrity Duets,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “Hollywood Squares,” “American Dreams” and “The Drew Carey Show.”
It has often been acknowledged that a person will always do better at something they enjoy and believe in. One wise philosophical writer advised choosing work that you would do for free if you could afford to.
“I’m being paid to have a good time,” said Wayne Brady. — SVH