BET+ Orders Martin Spinoff Varnell Hill; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns in July

Thursday, April 17, 2025

BET+ Orders Martin Spinoff Varnell Hill; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns in July

BET+ has greenlit Varnell Hill, a workplace comedy series based on the beloved character made famous by actor and comedian Tommy Davidson from the original series Martin, which starred Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Thomas Mikal Ford, and Carl Anthony Payne. Davidson is set to star, reprising his namesake guest role. The straight-to-series order will showcase a mixture of exciting new characters and celebrity guest cameos.

Set behind the scenes of a long-running late-night talk show, The Varnell Hill Show is a workplace comedy that delves into the chaotic world of television production. The series explores Varnell's journey to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry and the corporate dynamics of network executives, business stakeholders, and creative teams involved in the making of the show. With its blend of satire, humor, cutaways, and fourth-wall breaks, the show promises to engage audiences in a fresh and innovative way. Martin Lawrence, co-creator, will serve as an executive producer. Co-creator, writer, and director Bentley Kyle Evans will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Andy Horne, Stacy Lyles, Robert Lawrence, and Rae Proctor will also serve as executive producers. Rose Catherine Pinkney and Jason Harvey will executive produce for BET+. The series will be produced by Bentley Evans and his production team. Production for the new season and a premiere will be announced at a later date.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the longest-running live-action comedy series in television history, will premiere its 17th season on Wednesday, July 9. The premiere will include the first two episodes beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, with episodes streaming next day on Hulu. The new season is also coming to Disney+ internationally. The first promo for season 17 was also released - see below. The fan-favorite, ever-inventive series marks the 20th anniversary of its series premiere this year. The new season will include The Gang's take on meeting ABC's Abbott Elementary in the conclusion to the highly-anticipated crossover.

In the latest season, "The Gang Embraces The Corporate Era:" The story of how greed and the New American Dream have consumed Paddy's Pub. Seventeen seasons on, Ronald "Mac" MacDonald (Rob McElhenney), Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day), Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) return to shamelessly shed their "niche" label for grander aspirations. They'll exploit cross-network promotion to increase market share; they'll scapegoat one of their own to avoid a PR backlash; they'll risk everything for a handshake with the Saudis; they'll bend the laws with side hustles to pad their pockets; and they'll change everything about themselves to appeal to a broader audience. And sure, like any corporate goon, the Gang craves money and parasitic social privileges. That's been plain since 2005. But they're also human beings. They crave love.. respect... conditional freedom... constant adulation... histrionic amounts of attention... non-stop gratification... and unfiltered, slaphappy eroticism.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, June 8

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Babies and Bathwater" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dave’s ambitious home improvement plans take a turn, prompting Calvin to step in, while Malcolm seeks Gemma’s help to overcome writer’s block. Meanwhile, Tina’s suggestion for Daphne sparks a parenting dilemma for Courtney.

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Secrets and Santa" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Butlers’ anniversary plans take an unexpected turn when a blast from the past, Calvin’s ex-girlfriend, resurfaces. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s meeting gets hijacked, Marty makes a big move toward commitment and Gemma finds herself caught in a holiday misunderstanding.

St. Denis Medical - "Mama Bear Activated" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Bruce is attacked at the hospital, Matt helps him deal with the aftermath; Alex motivates Joyce to amp up security, while Ron and Serena debate who is more qualified to defend themselves.

St. Denis Medical - "Get Me in the Pod, Brother" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Alex and Ron spar over the wisdom of open communication; Joyce brings in a body scanner that proves overly distracting.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 8)

Monday, June 8

Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Watch Tom on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Eric André (Man Seeking Woman/2 Broke Girls/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Eric is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Eve Hewson (Bad Sisters) - Eve appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Disclosure Day on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) and Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Josh and Andrew are guests on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jennifer Lopez (South Central) and Betty Gilpin (GLOW/Nurse Jackie) - Andy Cohen interviews Jennifer and Betty on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9:15pm on Bravo.
John Reynolds (Four Weddings and a Funeral/Search Party) - John talks about Never Change! on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Laverne Cox (Clean Slate) - Laverne talks about Transcendent: A Memoir on Live with Kelly and Mark (check your local listings) and with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - All Access with Linsey Davis sits down with Wanda Sykes for an in-depth conversation on her 40-year career in comedy and what's next on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Meagan Good (Cousin Skeeter/Raising Dad) - Meagan and Jonathan Majors talk about their much-talked-about romance, wedding, and the story behind their new fitness brand on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - NBC's Today catches up with Mariska in the 10am hour.
Jaleel White (Family Matters/Grown Ups) and Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Jaleel tells Valerie and Ross Mathews about being a child actor and his game show Flip Side on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.