The Hollywood Reporter reviews "The Varnell Hill Show," a Paramount+ spinoff of the 1990s sitcom Martin that brings back Tommy Davidson as talk-show host Varnell Hill, a minor character from the original series. The workplace comedy trades on nostalgia rather than innovation, offering an old-fashioned multi-camera, laugh-track format reminiscent of the era when Martin first aired, and the reviewer finds it an amiable if not groundbreaking watch.

The plot centres on Varnell's talk show being threatened by network changes after a supportive CEO is replaced by his resentful son, who brings in a new executive producer to push Varnell out under the guise of modernising the programme for younger viewers. Despite this push for freshness, the show's storylines and jokes largely rehash familiar, dated territory, with mixed success, though supporting cast members Wendy Raquel Robinson and Kym Whitley are praised for fitting comfortably into the throwback style. Martin creator and star Martin Lawrence executive produces and makes a guest appearance as a different character, but the series requires no prior knowledge of Martin to follow.