Ah, relationships … some of us yearn to be in one yet we don’t know the first thing about how to make them last. That sounded like an old proverb, didn’t it? One of the things that I’ve noticed about family sitcoms is that my particular adage doesn’t seem to apply. The couples seen in these kinds of television shows are super strong and super affectionate. I implore you to examine any situational comedy — Family Matters, Step by Step, The Cosby Show, George Lopez — to see just how factual that statement is. Maybe there’s no such thing as divorce in family sitcoms.
Being a romantic at heart, that’s fine by me. There’s something about seeing positive happy couples on television that just does something to me. I’m still trying to decide whether it’s butterflies that I feel or acid reflux. Perchance it’s the former. Either way, I get a real kick out of seeing on screen couples that are funny and real. I’m sure we all have our favorites. When I was younger, I used to really enjoy seeing Cliff and Claire Huxtable team up to discipline their children who always seemed to be up to something … well everyone except for Sondra, who was my personal favorite. Cliff and Claire were the ultimate power couple. They were smart. They were loving. They knew what each other was thinking. However, they weren’t the only primetime couple that could make an audience smile.
Does anyone remember the sitcom Martin? Now, that was good programming! Martin Payne and Gina Waters, played to perfection by Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell respectively, were probably one of my favorite couples on television. Those characters managed to take affection to a whole new level. I think all of us were privy to their sexual shenanigans. Their love knew no bounds. Not only that, but Gina would co-sign on most of the crazy antics that Martin would embark upon. If that’s not love then I don’t know what is.
So, what’s the secret to creating a successful sitcom couple? What’s the mystery?
It’s actually rather simple — chemistry. Lawrence and Campbell had it. Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad had it. And even some of the stars of recent sitcoms seem to have it as well. Thank the casting gods for that. George Lopez and Constance Marie come to mind. I was a high school student when the sitcom George Lopez aired on ABC. As a matter of fact, I think My Wife and Kids, another sitcom starring Campbell and featuring minorities as the focus, was on ABC at the same time. Jeez. What happened to ABC’s racially diverse sitcoms? Now, we’re just stuck with crap like Man Up and Work It. Yeah. That’s right. I said it.
I often wonder why there aren’t many sitcoms with African-Americans around. Don’t get me wrong. I know every word of the Step by Step theme song and my mother and I would watch Full House when I was a kid. However, it’s recently hit me that there aren’t many sitcoms with minorities as the leads period. For me, that’s a problem. George Lopez focused on the lives of a Hispanic family and, in my humble opinion, was funny as hell. I enjoyed seeing Lopez on screen and it was nice to see a sitcom built around a different race — one that does make up a noticeable percentage of the United States. The chemistry between Lopez and Marie was palpable. They made a good team.
In fact, seeing the two of them together honestly inspired me to want to play the on-screen husband of a funny comedienne in a future sitcom. In addition to being a journalist, I act as well. Melissa McCarthy, if you’re reading this, call me. There may be some individuals that will argue that some of these couples are, in fact, phony. After all, it is very rare that any of them argued. Carl and Harriet Winslow of Family Matters had disagreements, but I don’t ever recall them arguing. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Phil and Vivian Banks disagreed from time to time but did they ever really argue? Hmm …
Well, maybe it’s good to have a little escapism. So, with that being said and done, who’s your favorite sitcom couple? I don’t know if I have a favorite. Maybe I’ll go with Martin and Gina for the sake of this column. Campbell was just as funny as Lawrence and she really knew how to keep up with him. However, I’m really intrigued to hear who your favorite TV lovebirds are. Don’t be shy.
Make like your favorite sitcom couple and spread the love!
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Jun 12, 2012 @ 15:14 EST5EDT
I abosolutely love Martin and Gina and Cliff and Clair as well! However, you can’t forget Whitley and Dwayne from A Different World! Great article! It takes me down the nice trip of memory lane when sitcoms ruled the networks as opposed to reality shows!
*POST AUTHOR*
Hey, I forgot all about ‘A Different World!’ Sheesh! How could I forget Dwayne and Whitley?! That show was so funny. Jasmine Guy was a genius! Dwayne and Whitley did make a good couple, and they did have chemistry…but I don’t think it was as strong as Cliff and Claire Huxtable. It was more so like puppy love in my opinion.
Florida and James Evans, on Good Times, were a couple that worked together to make a better life for their family. Don’t ever remember them fighting or an argument about some wacky skeem that James thought up.
*POST AUTHOR*
Ooooh, nice! That’s a good one! It’s just a pity that the writers killed James off. What was the name of the dude that they hooked Florida up in his absence? I can’t remember. Yes, Florida and James were a loving couple, and Esther Rolle did have a good comedic chemistry with James Amos. I definitely agree with you on that one. Good couple!
James Evans/John Amos. With the rise of J.J. Walker, John Amos exited. After that, Good Times became something else.
*POST AUTHOR*
Ooops! I so meant John Amos. LOL Hey, I remember Florida coming back after a few seasons away. I think she had a new main squeeze. Who was he? I think I read somewhere that Esther Rolle agreed to come back if there was no mention of James or something like that.
I personally loved Martin. There chemistry was amazing and I use to laugh every time. I can actually see some of there issues that could happen to real couples. I truly miss those shows now we have reality tv instead of sitcoms which definitely isn’t the same.
*POST AUTHOR*
I liked ‘Martin’ too! I own every season on DVD! I agree with you about Martin and Gina having the kind of issues that most people can relate to. We need more of these kinds of sitcoms. Check out my column about ‘Martin’ if you have free time! :-) https://cliqueclack.com/tv/2012/05/01/martin-lawrence-clacking-in-color/
Good post. Many of the commenters have already taken so many of the unmentioned sitcom couples (I was hoping to mention A Different World!) but I guess since I can’t think of any, I’d like to say that My Wife and Kids TV couple didn’t have great chemistry if you ask me. That couple needed to retake the the course and Martin and Gina needed to be the teachers. (Well said, Matt.) Something was just lacking with that TV couple…something was lacking with that show all together but I won’t let this become a rant…I’ll leave that to you, Jaylen. Perhaps you should compile a list of some of the “off” shows that tv use to have. My Wife and Kids would make the list and perhaps Let’s Stay Together (NO CHEMISTRY AT ALL!!!)Btw, I think I thought of a TV couple! All Of Us with Duane Martin and LisaRaye. It was an offbeat couple with a seperation, but hey, she was around enough to call it what it was.
*POST AUTHOR*
When I was in high school, ‘All of Us’ used to be my favorite sitcom. I liked it because it was honestly very funny. However, I didn’t like the relationship between Duane Martin and LisaRaye McCoy. If you remember correctly, the writers didn’t force them together until Elise Neal left the show. Remember it was Duane and Elise’s characters that were together in seasons one and two. Now, THEY had pretty good chemistry! They were a nice couple. I remember whenever they’d have a problem, she’d hop on his back for a piggy back ride to talk it out. I thought that was a nice touch. Maybe I’ll use that technique on my girlfriend…whenever I get one. LOL
Amazing article! I can hear your voice all in it :) I’m a Martin fan myself, I could watch that foolishness all day!
My favorite comedy couple was Martin and Gina. The two of them were hilarious. I still enjoy watching their old shows and getting my laugh on!!! One of my favorite espisodes was when Martin proposed to Gina in the park!
I enjoyed this article and always look forward to your clacking!! Keep up the excellent job you are doing, Jay!!
My favorite comedy couple was Martin and Gina. My favorite episodes are when Martin plays Jerome.
I Love Martin Payne and Gina Waters, and Michael and Janet Kyle !!!
I love Tisha Campbell-Martin <3
Martin and My wife and kids are the best series that i've ever seen ! It's so funny !!!!!!
Love Gina and Jay <3