Network: Fox
Martin is an American television sitcom that aired for five seasons on Fox from August 27, 1992, to May 1, 1997. The show starred comedian and namesake Martin Lawrence as the titular character. Lawrence also played several other characters. Martin was one of Fox’s highest-rated shows during the sitcom’s run. Martin has frequently been regarded as one of the most influential and “pivotal”, sitcoms of all time.
Very few programs remain every bit as entertaining over 15 years after their conclusion as Martin, a show about a big-eared radio DJ from Detroit with enough personality for an entire cast. Fox was the network to watch back in the 1990s, rivaling the popularity of NBC’s “Must See TV” block of Thursday night programming with a lineup that drew an engaged urban audience. Between New York Undercover, Living Single, and Martin, Fox’s Thursday night lineup ran the triangle offense better than the Chicago Bulls did in the 1990s. During the 1996-1997 television season, these shows were the three highest rated programs among African American households, with Martin serving as the jump-off for one of the best two hours of television ever organized.
Comedian and actor Martin Lawrence played Martin Payne, a DJ for WZUP (and eventually the host of his own talk show, “Word on the Street”). Central to the show was Martin’s relationship with Gina Waters, the large-headed (literally) love of his life. They broke up and got back together throughout the series, but their genuine love provided a complement to the show’s constant comedy.
Also important were Martin’s relationships with his biggest adversary, Gina’s best friend, Pam James, and his two best friends, the comically inept Cole Brown and the tall, bald, and possibly unemployed Tommy Strawn.
Beyond the central cast, the wild gang of side characters played by Lawrence regularly stole the spotlight. Martin had no problem dressing up in drag to play his too-hood-for-her-own-good neighbor Sheneneh, or Martin’s mother, the mustached Mama Payne. Lawrence’s other legendary characters include Jerome the has-been Detroit pimp, Dragonfly Jones, Bob from Marketing, Roscoe, and Otis.
From Jim’s Barbershop to Nipsey’s Lounge, Martin had classic locations where the main cast ran into other hilarious characters, like Tracy Morgan’s Hustle Man. Even when Martin retired to the solace of his own home, he couldn’t escape unexpected visits from Bruh-man, who climbed through the window before using that infamous slow bop to help himself to whatever he wanted from Martin’s apartment. Martin also had numerous amazing guest stars like Richard Pryor, Billy Dee Williams, Keith Washington, Snoop Dogg, Tommy Hearns, Randall Cunningham, Method Man, Jodeci, and even Biggie. No show is landing cameos like that.
Syndication
Martin went into second run syndication on August 8, 1995, airing on local stations primarily of the WB and UPN (later merged as CW) and Fox affiliates mostly near the 10:30/11:00pm time-slots.
Martin formerly aired reruns on TV One, WCIU, USA Network, VH1, and MTV2.
As of March 2023, BET air reruns of the series.
In 2009, it started to have a Spanish version aired on V-me, Azteca Latino, Sudamérica Televisión and in the Dominican Republic on Telemicro Channel 5.
Warner Bros. Television Distribution holds the national syndication rights of Martin.
Streaming
The series is able to be purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, Vudu, and the iTunes Store as of July 2020.
The series is available to be streamed on BET+.
The series was added to HBO Max on November 1, 2021.
Home media
HBO Home Video has released all five seasons of Martin on DVD in Region 1.
Not only was Martin instrumental in African-American culture and hip-hop culture, it played a role in popular culture.