Tichina Arnold Ignites Heated Debate With Bold Claims About Martin Lawrence As Downfall of ‘Martin’

Martin Lawrence’s run because the titular character within the ’90s sitcom “Martin” ended on a sour note, with the favored Fox show limping through its final fifth season following a feud between castmates.

“Martin” aired for five seasons from 1992 to 1997. In addition to Martin Lawrence, the essential solid included Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, and the late Thomas Mikal Ford.

Arnold played Pamela “Pam” James on the show. In a remastered clip from a 2018 episode of TV One’s “Uncensored” docuseries, she opened up about life behind the scenes and the drama that went down.

“We had this amazing thing on ‘Martin,’” she began. “We came to work to laugh every day. Like, Martin’s comedic genius was, you know, intoxicating.”

She added: “Unfortunately… Martin… you get to a certain point in stardom where you’re no longer part of the cast, but you’re an executive producer, so there’s a distance between them. The network has a lot to do with that. They look after the star, and everyone else is a piece of shit. That’s just the way it is. You accept being a piece of shit.”

Arnold suggested that show business had “exploited” Martin Lawrence.

“Martin, unfortunately, you know, at some point in his life, show business got the better of him,” he says. “And when it happens, you see it happening and you can’t do anything about it. You just pray for that person. It’s almost like watching a car crash that you can’t stop.”

Arnold then addressed her friend Campbell’s departure, describing it as something she felt the actress “had to do.”

A clip from Arnold’s “Uncensored” segment has resurfaced on the channel Stories of the Golden Age Instagram account. The film has sparked mixed reactions from “Martin” fans, with some agreeing that Martin Lawrence’s ego caused the classic TV series to finish in an unsatisfying way.

“When the intro to ‘Martin’ changed to him having a ‘huge head’ and saying ‘I’m that guy’ we all knew he was starting to feel like himself. Lol. I’m not surprised by anything she said,” one Instagram user commented, referring to Arnold.

Another wrote, “His co-stars shouldn’t be treated this way. Yes he was the star but all the characters brought so much to the show. The network should have done better.” And a Martin Lawrence supporter wrote, “Martin is our guy. Y’all need to forget about this old stuff. I still watch Martin. Bless you.”

Another person said, “No, her best friend was the reason the show ended.”

Arnold has been long-time friends along with his “Martin” co-star Campbell, who played Gina Waters-Payne.

Campbell left Martin in November 1996 and filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Lawrence and other producers of the show two months later. Campbell cited “unbearable” working conditions, including alleged unwanted sexual advances, in addition to verbal abuse from Lawrence. He has denied the allegations.

After reaching a settlement, Campbell returned to “Martin” for the ultimate two episodes of the series. However, she didn’t appear on screen with Lawrence through the final showings. They reconciled in 2022 for a special “Martin: The Reunion” on BET alongside Arnold and Payne.

“I love Tisha,” Lawrence said. GQ in January 2020. “I saw her then and now, from time to time, always with nothing but love. I have nothing but love for her and I always have.” That same month, Lawrence also posted on Instagram“I have nothing but love for Tisha then and now. We are good and always will be!”

Campbell addressed the reconnection with Lawrence during an interview with “CBS Mornings” in 2022 to advertise “Martin: The Reunion.” Host Gayle King asked Campbell about resolving past issues with the slapstick comedian.

“We’ve worked really hard to come together, to forgive, and this reunion is a celebration of everything we’ve done, everything we’ve accomplished, and our growth as human beings. And so that’s what we focused on,” Campbell replied.

Lawrence recently reunited with Will Smith within the 2024 film “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment within the “Bad Boys” film series. Campbell stars within the Bounce TV sitcom “Act Your Age.” Arnold will return to voice Rochelle within the upcoming animated reboot “Everybody Still Hates Chris.”