The Varnell Hill Show Sets Paramount+ Premiere as Martin Payne Returns

Get your silk suits ready, because nineties television nostalgia is officially coming back to claim its crown. For anyone who spent years shouting "Don't you know no local dudes?!" at their television screens, the long-rumored television revival is locked in. The Varnell Hill Show is officially headed to Paramount+, bringing a high-stakes, workplace comedy spin to one of the most memorable pieces of lore from the original Martin universe. With original star Tommy Davidson slipping back into the flashy shoes of the titular late-night host and Martin Lawrence himself pulling double duty on and off-screen, the anticipation is hitting a fever pitch. Whew, the sheer nostalgia of it all.

From Guest Star to Leading Man

When Tommy Davidson first crashed the original sitcom three decades ago as the slick, catchphrase-stealing superstar talk-show host, nobody expected a multi-episode arc to turn into a full-blown television empire thirty years later. Yet, here we are. The eight-episode, half-hour comedy series catches up with an older, though certainly not humbler, Varnell Hill.

This time around, he is desperately trying to keep his late-night television kingdom from crumbling under the weight of corporate network pressure, a dysfunctional writers' room, and his own fiercely fragile ego. Davidson has always possessed an electric, unpredictable comedic energy, and giving him a solo sandbox to play in feels like a well-deserved victory lap.

Martin Lawrence Pulls the Strings

If you were worried this project would lack the DNA of the original series, you can officially breathe a sigh of relief. Martin Lawrence is heavily involved, serving as a co-creator and executive producer under his Runteldat Entertainment banner. Yes, girl, he is actually going to be on your screen, too. Lawrence is locked in for multiple special guest appearances throughout the season, reprising his legendary role as Martin Payne.

Seeing Martin Payne navigate Varnell’s television studio after their historical rivalry is worth the price of admission alone. Adding even more legitimacy to the production is the return of Bentley Kyle Evans. The original executive producer and showrunner of Martin is directing, writing, and steering the ship for this new chapter.

A New Streaming Home

The road to production came with a few behind-the-scenes plot twists. The series wrapped filming in Los Angeles and was initially set to debut on BET+. However, following strategic programming shifts, the workplace comedy migrated over to Paramount+. The strategic move gives the high-profile spinoff a massive global platform just in time for the fall television rush.

The Varnell Hill Show will debut with a special two-episode premiere on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. New episodes will drop weekly on the platform, leading up to the season finale on October 13. Not us counting down the days until the premiere.

The revival manages to honor its roots while carving out a sharp, modern comedic lane. Between Davidson’s unmatched physical comedy and Lawrence’s creative leadership, the series is shaping up to be the ultimate nostalgic treat of the year.

Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts. Are you tuning in to see Martin and Varnell face off again, or should nineties classics stay in the past?