The Varnell Hill Show‘s premiere received mixed ratings. The “Martin” spin-off, starring comedian Tommy Davidson, debuted on Paramount+ on September 1. The series will run on Tuesdays with new episodes until the finale on Oct. 13.
Davidson reprises his “Martin” role as late-night talk show host Varnell Hill who deals with network executives, his writers, celebrity guests, and his family as he tries to keep his show on the air.
While one reviewer called the premiere “Paramount+’s Amiable Throwback of a ‘Martin’ Spinoff,” others criticized the show for straying too far off course from the ’90s series.
Some X.com users complained that Davidson’s Varnell Hill’s character is very different from the one he played on Martin.
Others were disappointed that Martin Lawrence plays a loan shark in the series.
C-Note has come to collect, and he's not taking payment plans. ?? He also has a message from one of Detroit's famous radio hosts.
Watch the series premiere of #TheVarnellHillShow only on #ParamountPlus. pic.twitter.com/BMNUDX3ERC
— BET+ (@betplus) September 2, 2026
One bright spot in the series premiere was Teresa Celeste who plays Varnell’s high-maintenance wife, Alexa.
The curvaceous Alexa is upset that Varnell financed her BBL instead of paying cash for it. As she complains, Varnell threatens to have her BBL repossessed.
Alexa is also outraged that her credit card was declined at Gucci. Varnell tells her it happens to rappers all the time. Alexa replies, “Do I look like a rapper to you Varnell?”
Okay so the ‘Martin’ spinoff show, ‘The Varnell Hill Show’ introducing us to Varnell’s wife,Alexa like this was…a lot
Because wdym he got her a financed BBL and threatened to get it repo’d ???? pic.twitter.com/Ku8evWgVXd https://t.co/r2909I2CQX
— sitcom crave (@sitcomcrave) September 2, 2026
One Manosphere board member wrote: “Can’t believe that was real. Reminds me of a bootleg Mad TV skit with a fake a$s laugh track.”
Another member wrote: “It looks like they barely rehearsed. Tommy looks like he ain’t really into it. Also I don’t think the supporting cast is good, maybe it’s the writing.”
An X.com user commented: “With everything we knew about Varnell, his wife would’ve definitely been white.”