Tommy Davidson’s bringing back Varnell Hill, the cult-favorite character from Martin that only appeared twice but never left fans’ minds.
Tommy Davidson is bringing back one of the most iconic ’90s characters who barely got any screen time, and the internet’s already hyped about it.
After nearly three decades, Varnell Hill, the slick talk show host that Davidson played in just a two-part episode of Martin, is finally getting his own series on Paramount+.
The Varnell Hill Show drops September 1 and runs for eight episodes, with new installments every Tuesday until the finale on October 13.
That’s a long time coming for a character who only appeared once but somehow became unforgettable.
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Back in Season 2 of “Martin,” Davidson showed up as Varnell Hill in the “Hollywood Swinging” double episode, playing a pompous late-night talk show host who represented everything slick and fake about the entertainment industry.
The character was designed to be over-the-top and ridiculous, but something about Davidson’s performance stuck with people.
Fans never forgot him, and now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the spinoff is finally happening with Martin Lawrence making special appearances and executive producing alongside Bentley Kyle Evans.
The new workplace comedy centers on Varnell trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
He’s dealing with network executives who want to modernize his show, a chaotic writers’ room, celebrity guests, family drama, and his own massive ego.
It’s basically a love letter to the original character while exploring what happens when a relic of old-school entertainment tries to survive in the modern world.
The ensemble cast includes Kym Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Nick Cafero, Emmanuel Hudson, and Chris Williams, with guest appearances from Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps, and Omarion.
This isn’t just a nostalgia play either. The show’s got real creative muscle behind it, and the first look images show Davidson fully committed to bringing Varnell back with the same energy that made the character legendary in the first place.
What makes this even more interesting is how the show’s premise mirrors real conversations happening in entertainment right now about legacy, relevance, and whether the old guard can adapt or get left behind.
