In recent years we’ve seen the cast of “Martin” reunite to celebrate the series’ legacy and influence. However, the renewed interest in the comedy has also led fans to once again debate why the popular show really ended. That discussion got louder over the weekend when a 2018 clip of Tichina Arnold on TV One’s “Uncensored” circulated through Instagram revealing the very familiar, very Hollywood reason why the show called it quits.
While she admits that it was “intoxicating” to witness Martin Lawrence’s “comedic brilliance” on a daily basis, his growing fame became an issue that led to a certain amount of “distance” from the rest of the cast.
“Unfortunately…Martin…you get to a certain place in stardom where he is no longer part of the cast, but he was the executive producer, so that distance started being created between the two,” she said. “The network has a lot to do with that as well. They take care of the star and everybody else is a piece of shit. That’s just how it goes down. You embrace being a piece of shit.”
Arnold, who played Martin’s nemesis Pam during the comedy’s five season run, went on to describe how his rise to stardom came with the usual downfalls, like arrests and health issues. The public controversies had fans and friends worried about him at the time.
“Martin…show business at a certain point in his life got the best of him,” Arnold said. “And when that happens, you see it happening and there’s nothing you could do about it. You just pray for that person. It’s almost like watching a car crash that you can’t stop.”
“The Neighborhood” star’s resurfaced comments had fans reexamining the show’s final season and the comedy’s ultimate end.
One person noted how the series’ intro sent a very loud signal about its status, replying, “When the intro to ‘Martin’ switched up to him having the ‘huge head’ and saying ‘I’m The Man,’ we all know he was starting to feel himself. Lol. I’m not surprised by anything she said.”
Someone else pointed out the importance of the ensemble, writing, “Martin was THE star but his show would not have been as successful without Gina, Pam, Tommy, and Cole…”
Another user criticized how the show changed over the years, replying, “He completely lost the plot and appeal of his own show! It started out being a cute show about a cute couple. The appeal to women was that he completely supported her goals. ‘You go girl!’ was the catchphrase of the day! He also played a lot of crazy characters. That was a lot of work. It devolved into a show where everyone just insulted everybody else. The love was gone and they could not fake it either. Fame is a monster. I don’t want it.”
With some distance from the series’ ending and the issues surrounding it, the cast has been able to heal and rediscover their love for one another, leading to the renewed interest in the comedy.
If you’re in the mood for a “Martin” re-watch, it’s available to stream on Max and Netflix.