Wendy Raquel Robinson Stars As Rachel Perkins On ‘Martin’ Spinoff ‘The Varnell Hill Show’
Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson has been a staple in Black television and film for over 30 years. She has graced our screens time and time again, bringing us countless characters we can still quote today, including Tasha Mack from ‘The Game’ and Regina from ‘The Steve Harvey Show.’ Now she is bringing us professional, strong-minded executive producer Rachel Perkins on ‘Martin’ spinoff ‘The Varnell Hill Show.’ The show dropped on Paramount+ on September 1 with eight episodes and combines workplace comedy with satire, cutaways, and fourth-wall breaks. ‘The Varnell Hill Show’ is set behind the scenes of the titular character Varnell’s late-night talk show, as he tries to stay relevant in today’s digital media world. Tommy Davidson returns to reprise his beloved ‘Martin’ character alongside Wendy, Kym Whitley, and Martin Lawrence. Wendy spoke with Her Agenda about bringing her new character to life, what decades in the industry have taught her, and which one of her characters would win in a read-off.
Her Agenda: Tell me about ‘The Varnell Hill’ show and what about it drew you in
Wendy Raquel: ‘The Varnell Hill Show’ is a spinoff of the ‘Martin’ show. Here we are 30 years later with a character that Tommy Davidson created that was so memorable and so funny that we’re dusting him off and bringing him to the present. The premise is that it’s a late-night talk show with a live band, and we bring in live musicians. We have everybody from Kirk Franklin to Omarion to October London, all of the yummy artists that are coming in, all of the comics that come in, and they actually play guests on ‘The Varnell Hill Show.’ So you see the makings of a real talk show, including the writers’ room, all of the antics that go on with that, the network show, all the different things that happened with the network from the owner of the network to the executive producer to Varnell and him just being the artist and every tornado that comes all around.
Her Agenda: You’re no stranger to starring in a popular sitcom. We’ve seen you on the ‘Steve Harvey Show’ and ‘The Game’. How did it feel to get that call that you would be joining this show set in the same universe as Martin?
Wendy Raquel: I like that, the universe. When Martin calls, you come. Needless to say, it was like, ‘Hey, what are you doing tomorrow? We need you to jump in and do this.’ I was just so blessed and so thankful that he thought of me for this particular role. It was a no-brainer, actually. Then when I read the character, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is definitely in my wheelhouse.’ To play the collegiate, the Ivy League, and then break the fourth wall, talk to the audience, and keep it real with the sisters. It doesn’t happen. I haven’t seen it on television like this, especially in this format. It felt great.
Her Agenda: You’re working alongside such an incredible cast. You have Tommy Davidson. You have Kym Whitley and, of course, Martin as well. What have you loved most about getting to work with this group of people?
Wendy Raquel: I’m standing left and right of some people that I have admired for my entire career. Kym and I go back over 30 years. We did theater together, but we have never worked together in TV and film before. Martin and I, same thing. We go back all these years together. To be working alongside and be at the same table and bring something good to eat and chow down together feels so good. I had never worked with Tommy or had even met Tommy. I showed up, and I was a fan. We became fast friends, and I’m just so thankful he’s a kind man. So it’s been a party. I call it the Paramount Plus party.
Her Agenda: You’ve worked with [Martin] Lawrence multiple times. I know it’s been over 20 years since you guys were together on ‘Rebound.’ What was it like coming to the set and reuniting with him?
Wendy Raquel: He was so humble, and so gracious, and really grateful that we all said yes. With that, it was just welcoming to bring it. There was no ego. It was just like, ‘y’all, let’s do this.’ You realize, especially the way this industry is right now, just to be so grateful for the opportunities that come and that we’re still here. We’re still standing and standing strong, and we get to do something that we freaking love. It just felt so good. It felt like putting on one of those shoes that’s just broken in. You know, that good pair of pumps. You know what heels I’m wearing. I’m wearing the ones that feel good. I can walk in them and stand tall and strong and just show up. That’s what it feels like.
Her Agenda: How would you describe your character, Rachel Perkins, in three words?
Wendy Raquel: Harvard, Howard, Inglewood.
Her Agenda: Your character, Rachel Perkins, and Tasha Mack from ‘The Game,’ seem to have some similar characteristics. Which one of them do you think would win in the read-off?
Wendy Raquel: Oh, come on—definitely Rachel. Tasha didn’t even finish high school. So, no, they’re very different. The only thing that they do have, maybe it’s that Inglewood and Richmond, that underlying thing. For the most part, Rachel speaks the King’s language very well.
Her Agenda: You’ve played so many pivotal characters in your career, so many eras. From Tasha Mack to Karen from ‘Two Can Play That Game’ and ‘The Steve Harvey Show.’ What did each new role and each new era teach you about yourself and acting in general?
Wendy Raquel: That the only thing constant is change, and not to be so fixed. Whereas I have a phrase: it’s just the word of the day is adjustment and being able to be palatable and just be like water and flow. Flow to flow. I’m a Leo; I want to control everything, and it’s like you can’t. It’s taught me to relax and give myself grace, not to be so hard on myself and judge myself, and just be in the moment and enjoy it. It’s okay for me to smell my flowers. I’m always okay; next. You know, you do that one project, next. Now I’m living in the now. That’s what they’ve taught me.
Her Agenda: I think that’s important, especially when you’re in this business for a long time. Keep going with the flow, keep pivoting. Now, younger people have access to your work. With you being on ‘Insecure,’ I felt like you were getting your flowers.
Wendy Raquel: It’s so crazy. Issa was one of my students at Amazing Grace Conservatory. I’ve also noticed that your seeds should exceed you. Passing it on and creating a pipeline is just so rich and wonderful. I have a pipeline with Howard University. I send a lot of my students there; same thing with the industry. I want to have a pipeline in this industry. I can’t guarantee jobs, but I can guarantee that when you walk out the doors of Amazing Grace Conservatory, you’re going to show up and know what you’re doing.
Her Agenda: How long have you been doing the Amazing Grace Conservatory?
Wendy Raquel: 30 years. This is the year of anniversaries for me. It’s 30 years at ‘The Steve Harvey Show,’ 30 years of Amazing Grace Conservatory, 20 years of ‘The Game.’ I’m like, ‘What is happening?’ It’s a beautiful thing. It’s a season of gratitude and just walking in that and knowing that the sky is the limit and I’m not dreaming big enough.
Her Agenda: How do you hope people feel when they see you on ‘The Varnell Hill Show?’ What do you hope people take away from watching the show?
Wendy Raquel: A good laugh, to stop thinking so much, just to take a pause. Saying, ‘Let me just have some fun.’ It’s fun. It’s television, but it’s fun-a-vision. Come and have a good time. Turn the news off because it’s doom and gloom. Let’s just laugh at ourselves in spite of ourselves and have a good time and escape for 30 minutes. That’s it.
Her Agenda: What has the reception been like for the show, and for your character?
Wendy Raquel: I’m hoping they’re loving it. The producers are happy. As long as the studio and the producers are happy, I’m happy. That’s been the feedback.
Her Agenda: Is Rachel a character you can see yourself playing for more seasons?
Wendy Raquel: Abso-freaking-lutely, because the thing is, she gets to talk to the audience. Nobody gets to do that. My character and Tommy’s character do that, and the fact that she code-switches is so interesting because I do that in my real life, and probably too much. She gets to wear those different hats, and the audience becomes her confidant, because she is by herself. She’s this Black woman trying to make things happen, and it’s not happening. But who’s going to understand her plight? Not Tommy, not Kim, not Martin’s character, not even the studio exec. The audience becomes her ally. That’s what I really love about it.
Her Agenda: For yourself, what’s next for you?
Wendy Raquel: The now. I’m actually directing a show this semester at my school; we’re doing our version of ‘Annie.’ We’re really making it colorful and all of that. It’s the 50th anniversary of Annie going back to Broadway. It’s our 30th for the school. So I’m just connecting the dots. I’m enjoying life. I’m getting some work done on my house finally. You know, I’m in the now. But I do enjoy directing. I’ve directed two features. So I’m putting it out there. I’m also working on my memoir.
