There are few people who would disagree that Martin is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Another squarely solid favorite is Will Smith‘s The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. So, it would make sense that someone would figure a show from Martin Lawrence and starring a Fresh Prince alum to have at least some comedic potential. Those people, however, are sorely mistaken and stupid.
See, here’s the problem with Love That Girl!, the recently debuted, Martin Lawrence-produced show starring Tatyana Ali (little Ashley from Fresh Prince): it sucks donkey balls. Like, it’s bad. It’s just really, really bad. It’s so bad I can’t think of a metaphor bad enough to illlustrate how bad it is. I’ve been trying to pinpoint why this is exactly, and I’ve come up with some viable reasons.
#1 – It just isn’t fucking funny. It’s like lame stand-up comedy. The jokes aren’t funny. Tatyana Ali’s character, who, by the way, is about as interesting/exciting as a box of socks, does nothing but tell jokes with no punchline. Example: “I asked the waiter if he was from Receeda… because his hairline started way back here!! *points to the center of head*”
…
That was an actual joke from the actual show. Yeah. They’re all like that.
#2 – I can’t care about Tatyana or her character. Remember back when I said that Tatyana’s character (creatively named Tyana, by the way) is about as interesting/exciting as a box of socks? Unfortunately, that goes for Tatyana herself as well. It’s not that she isn’t a good actress, because I mean, I guess she does okay, but to play lead? In a sitcom, at that? Bold. Too bold. She doesn’t have the comedic timing or general all-around chops for it. In Fresh Prince? Hillary (Karyn Parsons) was the funny daughter. Ashley was good, but she was background, and I think that’s what’s wrong with this show. She does a better job of helping other people be funny.
#3 – Even in “post-racial,” black president havin’ America, the stereotypes are too much. Okay, first let me say that I’m not one of those uptight, Debbie Downer, can’t-take-a-joke-or-laugh-at-uncomfortable-things type of people. Example: remember when KFC’s grilled chicken first came out, and they had that commercial full of people talking about it and randomly two Asian guys dressed in like kimonos and rising sun bandanas come out of nowhere talkin’ bout’ ‘CHEEKEEEEEENNN!!’?? Remember that? I LOVED those guys!! They were so cute! There was a time when I’d have been pissed about it, but perhaps I, like 73% of the rest of America, have had my militancy softened by the sexy 6 foot 1 inch symbol of change in the White House*, so I can relax and not trip about potentially racist shit. But this?
On the left are characters Fabian and Adonis, who are pretty much white and Mexican versions of “Men on Film” from In Living Color. On the right is Imunique, who is pretty much Laquita, Sheneneh’s homegirl from Martin. Now, Laquita and Men on Film were hilarious! Why isn’t Imunique?? I truly don’t know. I just know that she makes me want to write a letter of apology to my ancestors. And Fabian? Adonis? Way too much and trying too hard.
This show is about as funny as the last season of Martin when Tisha Campbell refused to be on the set as the same time as Martin. It just falls flat on its face and, like Martin at its end, is better off canceled. Poor Martin. What gives?? Why is he just not funny anymore?! Maybe he’s suffering from Mary J. Blige syndrome–God bless her for being clean now, but Mary’s best music came from her doin’-drugs-with-K Ci period. Maybe Martin needs to run down a highway in his draws with a gun again to get his groove back?
In conclusion, maybe they just need to change the title. It’s misleading. How about Barely Tolerating That Girl? Or Want to Like That Girl But Finding It Quite Difficult? Or how about simply WTF?
Watch some clips from the show and get to know the cast, if you must, here (not recommended for those with weak constitutions).
*Sarcasm. America is still pretty racist. Obama is mighty fine, though.