Ernest Lee Thomas: Martin Lawrence Got His Start on 'What's Happening Now!!'

[TMC]

• Part 11: https://youtu.be/xXBTaIEOKW0​
• Part 9: https://youtu.be/yaglPp64mZA​
• Part 1: https://youtu.be/4_zRTbbj2QM​

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In this clip, Ernest Lee Thomas opened up about his fight to get "What's Happening Now!!" on the air. He explained after a lot of rejection from executives and losing his manager and agent, he was told that a 2-year deal for the show was on the table. Excited, Ernest wanted to get original cast member Fred "Rerun" Berry back, but Ernest reveals that Berry wanted $1 million, which they couldn't do. Ernest also spoke about Martin Lawrence getting his first big break on the show, and he also spoke about being crushed when it was cancelled after three seasons.

[Old School]

Martin Lawrence got his first Hollywood acting gig on the show as Maurice Warfield a local high school kid that worked at Rob's Place.

I recall one episode when he turned Rob's Place into a Night Club in order to impress a girl then got caught in the act by both Shirley & Nadine...