The cast of 'Martin' reunited for the first time in 25 years in 2022.
Wazzup, with the cast of Martin and their long-standing legacy on TV!
On Monday, ET spoke with Tisha Campbell at the 75 Primetime Emmy Awards, where she reflected on the legacy the comedy series left behind, despite never landing any Emmys of its own.
"Yes, this is my first time here and it is very important," Campbell, who played Martin's leading lady, Gina Waters-Payne, told ET's Kevin Frazier. "You know, during the '90s it's funny Kevin, we weren't nominated ever and UI had a publicist back then and I said, 'Can I well, you know, can I be nominated? You think we can get a nomination for lead actress?' And she was like, 'Tisha, you're not going to be nominated, you can't get on the ballot.' And I said, 'Why not?' And she says, 'You know why, you're Black.' And so I was like, 'Can I get best supporting actress, we can sneak in that way.' And she was like, 'You'll never get on the ballot,' and so to see the diversity today. To see my sisters from Abbott Elementary and Scandal and all these people who are representing. Representation really does matter."
"We lay the groundwork and I'm very proud of it," Campbell continued. "We worked it out in our minds to not want the accolades, and that's OK, 'cause now people are being seen and I'm very, very proud of that."
Tichina Arnold, who played Pamela James, also shared how much she appreciates the love the cast and show still receive 25 years after it ended.
"We love everybody's support," Arnold said.
Missing from the evening was Thomas Mikal Ford, who played Martin's lovable (and unemployed) best friend, Tommy Strawn. Ford died in 2016 at the age of 52.
For the cast, Monday night's reunion will be bittersweet.
"Every time we get together, we miss him," Campbell told ET. "We think about him all the time, he's a sweetheart."
While fans would love a reboot, Arnold admitted it would be hard to do without one of the key characters.
"I said it would never be the same without Tommy," she revealed. "It would have to be something that really gets to my heart, gets to his heart."
She added, "I think some things are better left alone."
Carl Anthony Payne II, who played Cole Brown, noted that it would be different.
"Yeah, we wouldn't do the same thing," he said.
On stage, Campbell, Arnold and Payne reunited with Martin Lawrence, where they sat in a replicated set of Martin's iconic living room, and reflected on their comedy, while hilariously clearing up any confusion about them taking home a win.
Ford's memory wasn't far, as a picture of the actor was placed in the middle of the table facing the audience.
Lawrence presented the Best Actor in a Comedy Series trophy to The Bear's Jeremy Allen White.
The last time Lawrence and the crew reunited was in 2022 for the beloved show's 30th anniversary.
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, originally set to take place last September, was postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Hosted by Anthony Anderson at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony will air live Monday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. PT, 8 p.m. ET on Fox, and will be streamed Tuesday, Jan. 16 on Hulu. Keep checking ETonline.com for complete Emmys coverage and for the full winners' list.
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