Tisha Campbell says Fans Convinced Her to Finally Watch "Martin" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-29-2025, 09:38 PM

"Martin" Star Tisha Campbell Explains how Fans Convinced Her to Finally Watch the Show
by Shania Russell
July 29, 2025

Thanks to a new generation of fans, Tisha Campbell's relationship to "Martin" is still evolving.

While joining fellow actress Lena Waithe for an episode of her Legacy Talk podcast, Campbell looked back on starring in the beloved Martin Lawrence sitcom — and revealed why she only just began watching the show herself.

"Martin would never let us see certain characters until we were in front of the camera," Campbell recalled, referencing occasions where Lawrence would go through extensive hair and makeup to transform into characters like Sheneneh Jenkins. She explained that in the spirit of keeping her reactions true to the moment of filming, she also avoided watching the show while it was still on the air.

Now decades later, she's more motivated than ever to see what all the buzz is about.

"I started watching the show because millennials and Gen Z's really enjoy the show and they often run up to me and quote s--- at me and I don't know what the f--- they're talking about," Campbell explained. "That's why I started watching the show.”

Looking back on the origins of "Martin", Campbell said it was clear from the very first table read that the cast had something special.

"We were all friends. We all knew each other," she recalled. "Here was the brilliant part of it all, they surrounded Martin with everybody...from the theater. Me, Tashina [Arnold], Carl [Anthony Payne II], Tommy [Mikal Ford], we were all thespians. And it really gave him support and structure so that he could just do whatever he wanted to do."

She also delved into her relationship with Lawrence. As onscreen husband and wife, the duo balanced laughter and love with some pretty fiery disagreements — which Campbell said was helped by their previous work together in the 1990's film House Party.

"Martin is like an elephant. He don't forget nothing," she quipped. "He never forgot the chemistry we had. So, it just made sense that he was surrounded by people who could really support him."

https://ew.com/tisha-campbell-never-...ently-11781463

07-29-2025, 09:38 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	Tisha Campbell says Fans Convinced Her to Finally Watch "Martin" *"Martin" Star Tisha Campbell Explains how Fans Convinced Her to Finally Watch the Show* by Shania Russell July 29, 2025 Thanks to a new generation of fans, Tisha Campbell's relationship to "Martin" is still evolving. While joining fellow actress Lena Waithe for an episode of her Legacy Talk podcast, Campbell looked back on starring in the beloved Martin Lawrence sitcom — and revealed why she only just began watching the show herself. "Martin would never let us see certain characters until we were in front of the camera," Campbell recalled, referencing occasions where Lawrence would go through extensive hair and makeup to transform into characters like Sheneneh Jenkins. She explained that in the spirit of keeping her reactions true to the moment of filming, she also avoided watching the show while it was still on the air. Now decades later, she's more motivated than ever to see what all the buzz is about. "I started watching the show because millennials and Gen Z's really enjoy the show and they often run up to me and quote s--- at me and I don't know what the f--- they're talking about," Campbell explained. "That's why I started watching the show.” Looking back on the origins of "Martin", Campbell said it was clear from the very first table read that the cast had something special. "We were all friends. We all knew each other," she recalled. "Here was the brilliant part of it all, they surrounded Martin with everybody...from the theater. Me, Tashina [Arnold], Carl [Anthony Payne II], Tommy [Mikal Ford], we were all thespians. And it really gave him support and structure so that he could just do whatever he wanted to do." She also delved into her relationship with Lawrence. As onscreen husband and wife, the duo balanced laughter and love with some pretty fiery disagreements — which Campbell said was helped by their previous work together in the 1990's film House Party. "Martin is like an elephant. He don't forget nothing," she quipped. "He never forgot the chemistry we had. So, it just made sense that he was surrounded by people who could really support him." https://ew.com/tisha-campbell-never-...ently-11781463 Attached Images