My Generation of Men Idolize Martin & Gina. Here’s Why That’s Annoying.
My early 20’s dating experience centered around the same local, seemingly fancy restaurants, the two cool theaters in my hometown, and watching old Martin DVDs — a predecessor to today's "Netflix and chill."
Even if a man didn’t make it to the Martin DVD and chill stage, Martin and his relationship with longtime girlfriend Gina always seemed to be a topic of conversation and a (pardon the reference) sort of Cosby-esque, idealized North star of bf/gf vibes.
Naturally, I maxed out on the series during this time and only recently began to rewatch. With a refreshed (read: older) perspective, I could go the rest of my life without seeing another Martin and Gina meme or have their relationship style imparted onto me.
Sure, they grow together but the older episodes were arguably funnier and that’s what's… not funny.
Gina makes more than Martin. He couldn’t take it.
When Pam drops the bomb that Gina makes more money than Martin, he pouts about it and eventually asks her to leave the house mid- kick it.
At the end of the episode she convinces him that he actually makes more since he works fewer hours and she tallies 12-hour days at times. So he makes less but hour by hour he’s technically earning more, this assuages his ego. If your date laughs too hard at this, just go ahead and lie. Make as much money as you can and let his goofy ass deal with it.
The Pam and Shenehneh thing is a panty drier
Yes, it's a show. Yes its for comic value, but can you imagine if your best friend and your man go back and forth non-muhfuckin-stop?
All her jokes ladder up to him being short with big ears, all his jokes center around her appearance, her weave, yada, yada yada. In my opinion, it gives sexual tension more than anything else.
And as much drama as he and Gina endure with Shenehneh, painting her as the messy local hoodrat, Martin later admits that he once tried to sleep with her?! Okay, Martin, if you a slut shamer just say that!
He’s basically a podcaster
Asking dumb “Why do women always do this” -type questions on a popular radio station? Spewing his skewed opinions all up and through my city? The embarrassment.
Much like real relationships, Martin and Gina’s issues revolve around trust and ego. If we’re to take anything from the duo it’s that some issues can be eradicated at the root, and some are doomed to return season after season.
Even in his best moments, (like when he bought her the footstool for their anniversary), they always come after an initial fuck up. Great to watch, but living in the margins of the same arguments and behavior? I could never. Where is Tisha Campbell’s Oscar?