DID YOU MISS ME?! VARNELL HILL IS BACK, BABY! Tommy Davidson’s Martin Character Gets His Own Show

“DID YOU MISS ME?!” 😂😂😂

BABYYYYYY, if you are old enough to understand why I just yelled that, then come on in here because VARNELL HILL IS BACK!

Yes, THAT Varnell Hill.

Tommy Davidson is bringing one of the funniest guest characters in Martin history back to television with The Varnell Hill Show, premiering September 1 on Paramount+. And Martin Lawrence isn't just producing the spinoff. He's popping up on the show too.

Now for the youngins wondering why all the grown folks just sat up in their chairs...

GO ASK SOMEBODY ABOUT THAT JODECI EPISODE.

Matter fact, don't ask nobody.

Go watch it.

Because you cannot fully appreciate Varnell Hill until you've experienced Martin Payne going to Hollywood and basically deciding:

“Well, I guess I'm in Jodeci now.” 😭😂

The original Varnell Hill appeared in a two-part Martin storyline back in 1993. Tommy Davidson played the flashy former WZUP radio personality who had gone Hollywood and gotten himself a television show. Martin eventually followed him to Los Angeles after believing Varnell was going to put him on.

Spoiler from 33 years ago:

VARNELL WAS FULL OF IT. 😂

And somehow all of that foolishness eventually led us to one of the greatest R&B/comedy collisions television has ever given us.

JODECI.

They're on The Varnell Hill Show performing their version of “Lately.”

K-Ci is K-Ci-ing.

JoJo is JoJo-ing.

DeVante is DeVante-ing.

Mr Dalvin is Dalvin-ng

Everybody minding their Jodeci business...

And here comes MARTIN.

😭😭😭😭

Sir, WHO INVITED YOU INTO THE GROUP?!

Martin came sliding into that performance dressed like he had been accepted into Jodeci four minutes earlier.

Pants sagging.

Belt hanging.

Tank top out.

Boots ready.

Whole body committed to R&B.

He didn't ask to join Jodeci.

HE INFORMED JODECI THAT THEY HAD A NEW MEMBER. 😂

And here's what makes that scene even crazier: K-Ci and JoJo later said they didn't know Martin Lawrence was going to interrupt their performance. Their reactions to him crashing the song weren't simply the guys acting out something they already knew was coming.

THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. 😂

Because K-Ci's face had that special kind of irritation that acting classes cannot teach.

It was giving:

“Security, come get this little man out my song.”

Meanwhile Martin was performing like Jodeci had been holding auditions and he had finally gotten THE CALL.

😂😂😂

That whole Varnell Hill storyline was ridiculous from beginning to end, and Tommy Davidson only needed two episodes to turn Varnell into a character people are STILL quoting more than three decades later.

That's impact.

So bringing him back now?

I'M HERE FOR IT.

The new series takes us behind the scenes of Varnell's late-night show, except Mr. Hollywood now has a new problem:

TIME DONE PASSED. 😂

Varnell is trying to stay relevant in a completely different entertainment world while dealing with network executives, writers, celebrity guests and, judging by the Varnell we already know, his own gigantic ego.

And they didn't come light on the cast either.

Kym Whitley and Wendy Raquel Robinson are joining Tommy Davidson, along with Emmanuel Hudson, Chris Williams and Nick Cafero. Guest appearances include Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Omarion, Mike Epps and Damon Wayans.

BABY...

WHO PUT ALL THESE FOOLS IN ONE SHOW?! 😭😂

And Martin Lawrence coming back as Martin Payne?

Now THAT'S what I needed to hear.

Because if Martin walks onto Varnell's set and somebody even WHISPERS the word Jodeci...

I'm done.

If K-Ci walks through the door?

CALL THE PARAMEDICS BEFORE THE SCENE STARTS.

Because Gen X is not gonna make it. 😂😂😂

There are television characters who need six seasons and 100 episodes before people remember their names.

Tommy Davidson walked onto Martin for TWO EPISODES, hollered “Did you miss me?”, aggravated Martin Payne, took us to Hollywood and accidentally helped create one of the most unforgettable scenes in Black sitcom history.

And 33 years later...

THE MAN GOT HIS OWN DAMN SHOW.

Now THAT is a delayed promotion. 😂

So yes, Paramount+.

You have my attention.

I'm pulling up September 1 with my snacks, my expectations and my imaginary Jodeci tank top.

And Tommy Davidson, you already know the answer:

YES, VARNELL.

WE MISSED YOU. 😂😂😂

The Varnell Hill Show premieres September 1, 2026, on Paramount+

730 RADIO BOOM.

IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥