BETTER SHOW : Martin or Fresh Prince :

[Tribal Outkast]

Martin and its not even close.

I don’t know how it’s even a debate

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I don’t know how it’s even a debate

because FP is better

 

[Braman]

I don’t know how it’s even a debate

Oh I do… that and young mfers (we need a smiley for young mfers)

It’s the young mfers that dont have a sense of humor, overly PC, influenced by women, grew up thinking everything funny needs to have a message or political statement. Its those cats that are saying ‘Martin was funnier but fresh Prince was the better show as if that makes them sound intellectual

In actuality, nah it was the better show too A show doesn’t need to have think pieces on it to make it entertaining. Seinfeld was literally about nothing….and even still, you can think piece anything. We could easily discuss how Martin examined power dynamics in relationships, the struggles of black monogamy, all that goofy shyt but who cares it was just better. Every show doesn’t have to be The Wire

 

[Tribal Outkast]

because FP is better

I respectfully disagree. Once Carlton took over and had Will trying to keep up I was done. Post dark skinned Aunt Viv was status

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I respectfully disagree. Once Carlton took over and had Will trying to keep up I was done. Post dark skinned Aunt Viv was status

carlton took over? and the only bad season was season 6, it's equivalent to the no gina season of martin

martin has classic moments, but the over the top silliness doesn't hold up for me

 

[LevelUp]

 

[BrehWyatt]

Fresh Prince is the better show.

Martin had more moments.

 

[Spiider]

In the last 2 seasons of Martin, everyone except for Pam was just phoning it in. It didn’t seem like any of them wanted to be doing the show anymore. But the first 3 seasons of Martin had higher highs than The Fresh Prince. So I guess, overall it was a better show

 

[Fresh]

I can't pick just one, they were both classic Black shows, just different, but both were hilarious

I wish there was an option to vote for a tie

 

[IIVI]

I gotta go with Fresh Prince.

Recently ran back that episode with Pam Grier

At the end of the day Will, Carlton and even Ashley got into some real goofy shyt together.

Married... with Children and The Fresh Prince I've said and still maintain to today are my two favorite shows of all-time.

Edit: Additionally, I have My Wife and Kids over Martin overall.

 

[KingsOfKings]

 

[LevelUp]

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I tried binging Martin a few months ago and found myself more annoyed than anything. Some stuff is still funny but most of it’s too damn goofy for me, like others said, you got more multidimensional stories and characters from fresh prince. FP is definitely my GOAT, Martin breaks my top 5 due to some timeless characters and jokes that have stuck around the black community, but as a TV show in and of itself - it’s an OLI

 

[Ziggiy]

Fresh Prince had an overall better run and a better finale

And nothing Martin ever did could touch the emotional resonance of “Why don’t he want me?” Will Smith grew into an incredible actor right in front of our eyes.

 

[Iverson_64]

Old thread but I couldn't post back then so I'm bumping it.

Martin easily but Fresh Prince is still good. It's 2 different lanes though......raw situational comedy verses a more serialized family sitcom. It's like comparing Sanford & Son to the Cosby Show.

I think, comedy wise, Martin was much more influential in Black comedy and the show holds up better overall when it comes to jokes, gags, iconic moments, guest appearances, and its roster of characters from the main cast to Bruh Man, Hustle Man, Reverend Leon, etc. There's just so many classic episodes and scenes like the one where Gina first found out Tommy and Pam were dating that just blow even the funniest scenes on Fresh Prince out of the water. But Fresh Prince was still pretty funny for a family friendly show. Will and Geoffrey were the funniest while Carlton and Hillary have a more gimmicky style comedy that's a bit more forced but still produced funny moments nonetheless. But there's just no comparison at all.

Fresh Prince technically does have a better and more developed storyline across the seasons with more deep moments with social commentary and life issues but I feel Martin did more with less. It wasn't that story driven or deep but it made up for it in comedy, a strong character ensemble, and relatable plots that showed working class Black people in a non-street/hood light.

Martin is a spiritual successor to Sanford and Son and In Living Color while Fresh Prince was a spiritual successor to the Cosby Show and Different Strokes.