Arnold’s comments came in response to Lennox’s public statements that watching Martin reawakened color sensibilities and jokes aimed at darker-skinned women.
Actor Tichina Arnold has hit back at singer Arie Lennox’s latest claims that the sitcom Martin promotes colorism.
Arnold addressed the issue in comments that went viral after appearing on Deon Cole’s YouTube series It’s fun getting to know you. In the clip, Arnold said that Pam was “never written around skin color.” She explained that the role was originally intended for a “heavier actress” and that the writers had to adjust when they cast her.
The comedienne says the character of Pamela James it wasn’t written about skin color and many of the jokes that viewers remember weren’t originally written.
“So that’s a little story. Pam was originally meant to be a tough shoot girl. So all the jokes in my audition were fat jokes. So I literally listen, I say, like fat jokes, right? They ended up changing it when I got the part.”
Arnold said that many of the jokes later associated with Pam were born organically on set rather than in the writers’ room. With cast members frequently grilling and joking with each other off-camera, the chemistry seemed natural. The ease between the actors and the joy of their grilling sessions led the writers to later incorporate some of those moments and jokes into the show.
“All the fun on that set really happened when those cameras weren’t rolling. When I told you we were cold, that was bad. Like we used to hack. I was also around a lot of gay people. So my readings and my cracks were quick. That was bad. And it was vicious,” he said.
Her comments came in response to Lennox’s public statements that watching Martin reawakened color sensibilities and jokes directed at darker-skinned women.
Arnold suggested that too personal experiences outside of the series can shape viewers’ reactions to the show. Arnold said if Lennox had been hurt while looking at Martin, he might have thought about “messages from his family and friends during that time” rather than putting the full weight of those feelings on him. Martin.
Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Lennox has previously spoken out about colorism in black media in podcast interviews and on social media. He quoted Martin as one example that influenced him as a viewer.
Martin, which aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997, was frequent praised for its focus on dark humor and culture, while facing criticism in retrospect for some of its jokes. Arnold played the role of Pamela James in all five seasons of the show.
Martin Lawrence has said in previous interviews that the character’s confidence and refusal to falter were central to his character, even when the jokes were harsh.
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