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Would "Martin" have lasted longer if the drugs/harrassment never ensued?

posted 8 years ago by !!!deleted!!! (64867252)
8 replies | jump to latest

To quote Marlon Wayans in regards to the short-lived "The Wayans Bros." regarding when a black sitcom goes to a commercial break, "We MIGHT be back after these messages." The only black sitcoms that I can think of which succeeded in longevity are "The Jeffersons" (ten years) and "Family Matters" (nine years). I think "Martin" would've had that much potential if he hadn't let his substance abuse interfere with his work. As for the harassment allegations, I don't know the whole story. But whatever the case may be, Marlon Wayans' perception of black sitcoms definitely didn't apply to "Martin." Yes, the African American demographic seems to get the sh*t end of the stick (sitcoms, the Oscars, to name a few). However, "Martin" was in a class all by itself.

[–] Monkeydigital 8 years ago

Most sitcoms at the time were running a solid 5 seasons. Don't forget Living Single and NY Undercover also went 5 seasons. The problem with attempting to go beyond 5 seasons is that you tend to run out of new material to bring to each episode. I think if a solid comedy can get at least 3 seasons, it is generally regarded as a success.

[–] TampaOutlaw84 8 years ago

I agree

[–] TampaOutlaw84 8 years ago

I must admit i was very sad when Martin ended:( I've never felt sad to see a show end until Martin ended. This show was an all around great show.

[–] blaque108 8 years ago

Most sitcoms at the time were running a solid 5 seasons. Don't forget Living Single and NY Undercover also went 5 seasons. The problem with attempting to go beyond 5 seasons is that you tend to run out of new material to bring to each episode. I think if a solid comedy can get at least 3 seasons, it is generally regarded as a success.

First off Monkey New York Undercover only had 4 seasons I wish they had five. Anyways, I agree with you Family Matters was a great sitcom but it should have ended after season 6 or became a spin off because the show after season 6 wasn't that funny and I was getting tired of Urkel. That is why now Jaleel White is type casted as Steve Urkel because he been playing him so long and he played Urkel on 2 other different sitcoms.

I noticed most black sitcoms end around 5 or 6 seasons and that might be a good thing so we don't get tired of the show. The last good black sitcom I watched (Everybody Hates Chris) that was a hilarious show I wish that show would have went on for about 8 seasons but I think Chris Rock wanted to end it.

[–] guillermoportuondo 8 years ago

New York Undercover went downhill fast after they decided to kill off Torres

[–] abajasds 8 years ago

I agree strongly, not too many show that run past 5 seasons tend to have good material. I really think season 5 for Martin wasn't the greatest because it's sad seeing how Martin and Gina were married but they didn't have screen time together after hearing about the backstage issues. That chemistry between Lawernce and Campbell-Martin was amazing!

But if you look at black sitcoms in the past that were hits like 227,Amen, Living Single, and The Parkers for example. I feel as if they ended those shows at the right time, because shows like Fresh Prince, A Different World, Moesha and Good Times ran for six and seasons and their final seasons or rather towards the end you lost a lot of the charm the show once had.

My job is to inform, not persuade- Dan Rather

[–] blaque108 7 years ago

Remember how Moesha ended? I hated that cliffhanger the show left us with I heard that they was suppose to continue the story on The Parkers it never happened. Moesha was another show that I didn't mind watching but when Ray J came into the picture he made it worse I can't stand Ray acting.

[–] movienchill31 (222) 5 years ago

I do think Martin could have at least lasted one more season had it not been for the sexual harassment stuff between him and Tisha.