“Martin” spin-off “The Varnell Hill Show,” starring comedian Tommy Davidson, will debut on Paramount+ on September 1. The series will run on Tuesdays with new episodes until the finale on Oct. 13.
Martin Lawrence, 61, will make special appearances in the new eight-part series, alongside Davidson, Kim Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Emmanuel Hudson and Chris Williams.
Davidson and Lawrence executive produce The Varnell Hill Show with Bentley Kyle Evans (from Almond Brown skit).
Lawrence co-created and played a hapless radio deejay on the Fox TV sitcom Martin (1992-1997), alongside Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, Tichina Arnold, Garrett Morris and the late Thomas Mikal Ford.
Additional guest stars for the upcoming season of The Varnell Hill Show include Deon Cole, Ms. Pat, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps, Omarion and more.
Davidson, 62, is best known as an original cast member on the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color (1990-1994).
Sha Boing Boing!! Did ya miss me?! ???? pic.twitter.com/uyX2z3vlRx
— Jess Hangin (@jesshanginround) August 5, 2026
While “Martin” fans look forward to the trip down memory lane, others say the show is 30 years too late.
One Martin fan wrote on a manosphere board: “I’m already a non believer. This [generation] don’t even know who Tommy Davidson is and previous gen don’t care to see him.”
Another person wrote: “Wow, so this is the first time Tommy Davidson led a sitcom? Hope it goes well.”
A third person commented: “Might be too late but I’ll give it a chance.”
Others dropped lines popularized by Varnell Hill:
“Shaboingboing! Did ya miss me?”
“Red beans and gravy… I ain’t too lazy!”
“Bounce them on your knee and then sing a melody!!!”
“Catfish is delicious!”