Tommy Davidson is stepping back into the spotlight as Varnell Hill in the new eight-episode comedy series The Varnell Hill Show, premiering exclusively on Paramount+ September 1.
Nearly 30 years after audiences were first introduced to the larger-than-life Varnell Hill, Davidson revisits the beloved character in a new comedy that places him at the center of the entertainment industry once again. This time, however, Varnell isn’t simply trying to be the star, he’s trying to prove that he still belongs in the spotlight.
The Varnell Hill Show – Series Overview
Set behind the scenes of a long-running late-night television program, The Varnell Hill Show follows Varnell as he attempts to navigate an entertainment landscape that is changing faster than he can keep up.
Network executives want to modernize the program, the writers’ room is anything but predictable, and celebrity guests bring their own personalities and complications to the production. Add family drama and Varnell’s enormous ego to the mix, and keeping his television empire alive quickly becomes a much bigger challenge than expected.
The series combines workplace comedy with celebrity culture and plenty of behind-the-scenes chaos, while giving Tommy Davidson the opportunity to return to one of his most recognizable comedic characters.
The Varnell Hill Show
- Starring: Tommy Davidson, Kym Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Nick Cafero, Emmanuel Hudson, Chris Williams
- Genre: Comedy
Plot
Varnell Hill has spent years believing that the spotlight belongs to him. But as the entertainment industry evolves, he’s forced to confront an uncomfortable possibility: audiences may no longer see him as the superstar he believes himself to be.
Determined to remain relevant, Varnell fights to maintain control of his late-night show while dealing with demanding network executives, an unpredictable writing staff and an ever-changing lineup of celebrity guests.
Away from the studio, family complications and Varnell’s oversized personality create even more problems. His determination to remain at the top could ultimately become the very thing standing in his way.
Tommy Davidson Returns as Varnell Hill
At the heart of the series is Tommy Davidson, who reprises his iconic Varnell Hill character nearly three decades after audiences first encountered him.
The new series gives Davidson a chance to explore what happens when a larger-than-life entertainer who was once at the center of the culture finds himself fighting to remain there. Varnell’s confidence, ambition and ego provide plenty of opportunities for comedy as he struggles with a television industry that looks very different from the one he remembers.
Cast
The series stars:
- Tommy Davidson as Varnell Hill
- Kym Whitley
- Wendy Raquel Robinson
- Nick Cafero
- Emmanuel Hudson
- Chris Williams
The series will also feature special appearances by Martin Lawrence, along with a lineup of notable guest stars including Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps and Omarion, among others.
Eight-Episode Comedy Series
The Varnell Hill Show consists of eight episodes, giving the series plenty of room to explore Varnell’s increasingly chaotic attempts to keep his show—and his career—alive.
With its combination of television satire, workplace comedy, celebrity appearances and a familiar character returning to the spotlight, the series looks to blend nostalgia with a contemporary take on the entertainment business.
Release Date
The Varnell Hill Show premieres exclusively on Paramount+ on September 1, 2026.
For fans who remember Tommy Davidson’s original Varnell Hill character, the series offers a chance to see where the character is decades later. For new viewers, it introduces a wildly confident television personality who may finally have met his match: a changing entertainment industry that isn’t waiting for him to catch up.
