The Varnell Hill Show: A Spinoff of 'Martin' Premiering on Paramount+ in September
Paramount+ has unveiled a sneak peek of "The Varnell Hill Show," a spinoff of the popular series "Martin," set to premiere in September on the streaming service. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, will kick off with two episodes on Sept. 1, followed by a new episode every Tuesday until Oct. 13. Tommy Davidson reprises his role as Varnell Hill, who is determined to make a triumphant return to the entertainment scene with all the perks of a star.
"The Varnell Hill Show" takes viewers behind the scenes of Hill's fictional late-night talk show, showcasing his struggles to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving entertainment industry. With network executives pushing for modernization, a chaotic writers' room, celebrity guests, family conflicts, and Hill's own inflated ego, the challenges of maintaining a television empire become apparent.
Joining Davidson in the cast are Kym Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Nick Cafero, Emmanuel Hudson, and Chris Williams, with guest appearances by Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps, Omarion, and Martin Lawrence, who also serves as an executive producer. Bentley Kyle Evans directs, writes, and serves as showrunner and executive producer, with additional executive producers including Lawrence, Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Stacy Lyles, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, Mark Greenberg, and Andrew Horne.
"Martin," the original series that aired from 1992 to 1997 on Fox, starred Martin Lawrence as Martin Payne. In 2022, the original cast members reunited for a 90-minute BET+ special filmed on the sitcom's original set, showcasing the enduring popularity of the beloved show.