All the characters are good. Martin and Gina have great chemistry (even though the show ended because the actors in real life had a dispute). There were some cliched humor but it had a great mix of good writing and physical comedy. I think it was the funniest black sitcom in history. Martin's characters were the greatest including Ms. Shanene Jenkins and Mama Payne.
shareTrue, if this wasn't a TV show I would swear that Martin and Tisha was a couple in real life they actually looked great together.
shareI love Martin but wouldn't put it at #1. I would rank
1 A different world
2 Living single
3 Martin
I totally agree. Martin and Gina was a great couple. I would say they were television's best couple ever.
I don't know why I raised my hand.
I'm putting the Fresh Prince and The Cosby Show up there with this one.
shareBest black sitcom hands down is Cosby. It was a non stereotypical African-American show that had all it's main characters college graduates (or attendees) with careers with real issues - which they made funny and educational at the same time.
As much as I love the show Martin, it set black entertainment back by showcasing a black man in drag, acting profane, and coonish to many degrees. Cosby was extremely upset that after 8 years of showing the world that blacks weren't bufoons but could be intelligent members of society and good parents - only to be replaced by Martin the fall following his departure (even though it was on FOX it took his Thursday 8pm slot.)
When Martin hit it big, a plethora of other ignorant black shows like The Wayans Brothers, Homeboys from Outer Space, and Jamie Foxx hit the airwaves and promoted the "fried chicken and greens" coon stereotype.
I personally think this was a strategic move by racist (not all) White America who pretty much wanted to send a message to all the aspiring black folks that "this is what you really are."
Now we have a ton of shows with black women and white men - and the black men are all crooks and thieves. What message are they sending to our impressionable youth by doing this. More young black women are educated than the men (who are often without degrees on average and with records/in jail) so options are limited for mates. So long and behold we get a ton of shows starring black women and white men. Nothing ever is coincidence.
That is true about The Cosby I do agree. I have to say out of all the black sitcoms I've seen in the 90s and 80s, The Cosby Show was the only one that I know that really cared about getting an education going to college. I forgot about A Different World that was another great sitcom by Bill Cosby.
In the 00s I can't really think of any positive black sitcoms, in the early 00s most of them consisted of blacks acting a fool especially Tyler Perry sitcoms that is why I don't really watch them.
There were many where people didn't act a fool.
family matters
sister sister
smart guy
my wife and kids
The Hughleys
there were probably others. I didn't like any of these shows because I don't really care for sitcoms. Only on occasion. These shows were showing strong family units and they had smart well behaved kids.
I never considered Cosby to be a black show. It had a black cast but was designed for a to appeal to a large demographic. Now different world was a black show that had appeal across demographics. It was a black cast, at a HBCU, the music they listen to, the way they talked, the way they dressed, and many of the issues they faced were black. Same thing with living single.
off topic: what was the show with Lisa Ray and Dwayne Martin? It was produced by Will and Jada
I don't know why I raised my hand.
My top 3 would be:
1. Sanford and Son
2. The Jeffersons
3. Martin
And by "best" I consider that to be "most funny." The Cosby Show was a good show that was fun to watch for the first 3 years or so but wasn't an overly funny sitcom. It was funny in parts but it was more just fun to watch.
Just my opinion...carry on...
Always somebody with the racism card. That wasn't the *beep* topic at hand. No doubt there's plenty of racism in the world, but people like you are a big reason.
Martin was created by Martin Lawrence and was also executived produced. Meaning guy had a lot of control. Rather than blame white America put the blame on Martin Lawrence.
This show is really no different than white themed sitcoms. Just the color of the skin.
Exactly.
share[deleted]
I agree The_King, but i think the point the guy was trying to make was that the networks put Martin on the air because of his antics, and that propelled a racial stereotype. Yes martin created it but that means nothing if its not aired.
shareWell said The King Of Cool, but I would like to add that there were a lot of postive images in Martin, Gina being number 1. She was a successful single black female. Held a high position at a Marketing firm and had no kids. The same can be said about Pam, except her position was not as high as Gina's. Heck, even martin had a good job, DJ turned talked show host. Cole was a hard working brother. May not have been the best job, but he was employed and we all no Tommy aint got no job, so I'll give the op that.
So there were positive things to go along with the foolishness. People really need to get past color and look at it for what it was, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time!
By Best Black sitcom, if you guys mean how it addressed issues with the Black Experience, it depends which experience you are coming from.
But I choose Martin because of his obvious ties to the entertainment business. Martin has to have the most cameos of all the shows listed on this topic so far. Biggie Smalls, Billy Dee Williams, the cast of Love Boat, Chip from CHIPS, gosh the list is large.
My list is
The Jefferson's
Good times season 1-3
Martin
Sanford and son
Wayne Bros
The black shows today are horrible bad acting low budget bad writing. Tyler Perry can write good movies but his tv shows sucks hes lucky for his Church following.
cosby show and fresh prince might have something to say about that.
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"I'M IDAHO!!" - Ralph Wiggum
I like your list.
shareMartin was the best, other sitcoms that were just as good was:
The Fresh Prince
Sanford and Son
The Jeffersons
The Boondocks
The Wayans Bros.
Smart Guy
[deleted]
SANFORD AND SON IS IN MY OPINION
QUIT WATCHIN ME SO I CAN BREATHE