Ep 27. Checks, Lies, and Videotape

Martin is a sitcom that first aired on Fox in 1992. The show revolves around Martin Payne, a radio personality working for station WZUP in Detroit. Martin is a bit of a ladies' man, with a sharp tongue and an outrageous sense of humor that gets him into trouble with his girlfriend, Gina Waters. In season 1 episode 27, titled "Checks, Lies, and Videotape," Martin is facing a financial crisis, and he tries to come up with a plan to get out of debt.

The episode begins with Martin and his best friend Tommy riding in Martin's car, which is in dire need of repairs. Martin explains that he has been in a financial bind ever since he took out a loan to buy a new sound system for his apartment. He thought he could make the money back by DJing at a local club, but instead, he ended up losing money on the deal. To make matters worse, he owes a large amount of money to both his landlady and Tommy, who lent him the money to buy the new sound system in the first place.

Tommy suggests that Martin go to his job at WZUP and ask for an advance on his next paycheck, but Martin is hesitant because he has already taken out several advances in the past. He decides to try and get a loan from a bank instead, but he quickly learns that he doesn't have enough credit to qualify for one. At his wit's end, Martin turns to his old friend Hustle Man for help.

Hustle Man is a street vendor who always has a scheme up his sleeve. He tells Martin that he can make some quick cash by selling pirated tapes of a new movie that hasn't been released yet. Martin is hesitant at first, but Hustle Man convinces him that it's a foolproof plan. They set up shop on the street corner and start selling the tapes, but their success is short-lived when they are caught by the police.

Martin and Hustle Man are taken to the police station, where they meet a wealthy woman named Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell believes that Martin and Hustle Man are innocent, and she offers to pay their bail and give them a loan to help them get back on their feet. Martin is grateful for her help, but he soon learns that Mrs. Campbell has an ulterior motive for helping him.

Meanwhile, Gina is shopping at the mall with her friend Pam. They run into a man named Tony who is interested in Gina, much to her dismay. She tries to avoid him, but he keeps popping up everywhere she goes. She finally confronts him and tells him that she has a boyfriend, but Tony seems unfazed. As it turns out, Tony is actually a private detective who has been hired by Martin's landlady to investigate his financial situation.

Throughout the episode, Martin tries to keep the truth about his money problems hidden from Gina. He lies to her about where a large sum of money came from, but his lies are eventually exposed when he is caught on videotape doing something embarrassing.

"Checks, Lies, and Videotape" is a classic episode of Martin that showcases the show's signature blend of humor and heart. Despite Martin's financial struggles, his loyalty to his friends and his love for Gina prove to be his saving grace. The episode also tackles issues of trust, honesty, and the consequences of lying. Overall, it's a hilarious and heartwarming episode that leaves the viewer rooting for Martin and his crew.