Mike Judge sits in the pantheon of the greatest satirists the entertainment industry has ever known, producing smash hits and cult classic alike.
He delivered Office Space, Silicon Valley, King of the Hill and Beavis and Butt-Head, but not all of his creations are a rousing success – at least not at the box office. Twenty years ago today, Judge’s Idiocracy finally found a place in theaters in a limited run that kept the cult classic comedy from the masses.
In interview with Terry Crews he all but confirmed the speculation that 20th Century Fox did everything it could to make sure the film wouldn’t succeed at the box office and embarrass the corporations included in the movie.
“These companies gave us their name thinking they were gonna get ‘pumped up’, and then we’re like, ‘Welcome to Costco, we love you’. All these real corporations were like, ‘Wait a minute, wait a minute…’ A lot of people were trying to back out, but it was too late,” he said.
“And so Fox, who owned the movie, decided, ‘We’re going to release this in as few theaters as legally possible’. So it got a release in, probably, three theaters over one weekend and it was sucked out, into the vortex.”
Crews later revealed that he received praise from a number of the biggest names in the business like Will Ferrell, who loved his portrayal of President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho.
‘Idiocracy’ Named Among Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Variety ranked Idiocracy as the No. 86 best comedy movie of all time.
“If you think what’s going on in America right now happened from the top down, check yourself: The truth is that it happened just as much from the bottom up. And Mike Judge foresaw all that when he made his cracked satire of the dumbing down of America, conjuring a sick-joke vision of what it looks like when the USA hits bottom,” Variety wrote.
The movie owns a 71% from critics and 61% from the audience on Rotten Tomatoes.
Economic uncertainty be damned—the market for custom-built superyachts and megayachts has never been more explosive, with the industry projected to reach more than $19 billion in the next 10 years. According to Fortune Business Insights, demand is being driven by rising numbers of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, many of whom want customized, more technologically advanced yachts than have ever sailed the seven seas. The world’s top shipyards have risen to the challenge, delivering increasingly ambitious projects for the world’s wealthiest owners.
From Jeff Bezos’ $500 million sailing yacht Koru, built by Oceanco, to a new generation of custom vessels pushing the once unthinkable 400-foot mark, today’s superyachts and megayachts are larger, smarter, more eco-friendly, and more bespoke than ever before. And behind every headline-grabbing launch stand the designers, engineers, and craftsmen responsible for transforming a billionaire’s vision into oceangoing reality. While headlines often focus on eye-watering price tags and celebrity owners, “the true story of modern yachting lies in the extraordinary designers, engineers, and shipyards responsible for bringing these floating masterpieces to life,” as Assouline notes.
(Courtesy of Assouline)
The French luxury publisher has two gorgeous new books on a pair of the industry’s most celebrated names: famed shipyard Feadship and equally renowned yacht designer Terence Disdale. Feadship has dominated industry headlines in recent months following the delivery of the $645 million, hydrogen-powered Breakthrough, the 390-foot behemoth commissioned for Bill Gates. Incorporating groundbreaking sustainability technology, it is Feadship’s largest-ever yacht, featuring a cinema, gym, hospital, multiple hot tubs, an infinity pool, underwater viewing lounge, elevator, library, and a multi-level owner’s residence described as a “townhouse at sea.”
For many yachting enthusiasts, Feadship occupies a category all its own. The Dutch builder, also behind incredible launches for the likes of Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs, traces its shipbuilding roots to 1849 and has been creating entirely bespoke watercraft under the Feadship name since 1949, building vessels for an elite clientele including the world’s foremost entrepreneurs, captains of industry, and royalty, who, of course, value discretion as highly as innovation.
(Courtesy of Assouline)
That philosophy forms the foundation of Feadship, an impressive volume drawing extensively from the company’s private archives, to which Assouline gained unprecedented access. The book offers a rare inside look at a shipyard that has traditionally preferred its yachts to speak for themselves. Even its logo and visual identity are purposely understated. Yet anyone interested in seeing a Feadship needs only to head to Capri, Sardinia, St. Barts, or Monaco to see shining examples of its prowess on the water.
Feadship is a unique partnership between two legacy Dutch shipyards and the country’s most renowned naval architect: Royal Van Lent Shipyard (est. 1849), Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw (est. 1906), and De Voogt Naval Architects (est. 1913). Each is a shipbuilding dynasty in its own right, and both partner shipyards have been granted royal warrants. Collectively, the partners have more than 400 years of shipbuilding pedigree between them. Rather than focusing solely on individual vessels, the book—a handcrafted leather-bound volume with a matching leather clamshell case and a metal Feadship logo plate—explores the “culture, craftsmanship and collaborative process” that define the Feadship approach. Through previously unseen imagery and archival material, readers gain insight into the countless hours of design, engineering, and problem-solving required to create a fully bespoke yacht, where every detail is developed around a single owner’s vision.
(Courtesy of Assouline)
“This publication is not about celebrating individual yachts, but about documenting a way of working that has been shaped over generations,” notes Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director and CEO of Royal Van Lent Shipyard. “By opening our archives, we wanted to provide an honest and carefully curated view of what it takes to create a Feadship, from the first pencil line to delivery.”
If Feadship represents the pinnacle of yacht construction, Terence Disdale represents one of the most important creative forces behind modern yacht design. Since establishing his own studio in 1973 after working for the legendary Jon Bannenberg, Disdale has spent more than five decades creating some of the most coveted and talked-about superyachts ever launched, including vessels built for the likes of Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen and Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Designing just one of the world’s most famous yachts would be a career-defining achievement for most designers. For Disdale, it is merely one entry on a truly remarkable résumé. His portfolio includes such iconic superyachts as the 533-foot Eclipse, commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, and the 377-foot Pelorus. “Together, these yachts helped define the design language of the modern megayacht era,” Assouline notes. Terence Disdale: My Art of Yacht Design offers a rare glimpse into his creative process, featuring hundreds of photographs, including many never-before published. The book explores everything from imposing exterior architecture to serene and sophisticated interiors, “revealing the artistry, engineering, and vision behind some of the largest private yachts ever built.”
(Courtesy of Assouline)
In an era dominated by computer-generated concepts and renderings, Disdale continues to sketch every yacht and detail by hand. His reputation, aesthetic sense, and work ethic have earned him admiration throughout the industry. As Boat International Editor-in-Chief Stewart Campbell writes in the book’s introduction, “No one needs to be reminded that Terry occupies rare air in our industry; he’s one of the originals, with a back catalog that most designers could only dream about.” Campbell adds that despite a client list and portfolio that would justify a towering ego, Disdale remains approachable, humble, and widely respected throughout the yachting world.
As Peter Lürssen, Managing Partner at the famed shipyard that bears his name, puts it, “If you want to break convention, you want Terence Disdale, because he is one of the coolest designers—casual and smart but with meticulous attention to detail, attributes that feed directly into his designs.” Both Feadship and Disdale are paragons of an industry where ambition is measured not only in feet and tonnage, but in imagination and feats of engineering. And they will continue to shape the future of luxury yachting for many years to come.
This article originally appeared in Maxim’s Summer 2026 issue.
A newly updated federal map shows measles reaching nearly every corner of the United States as families head into a new school year. The CDC reported 2,903 confirmed cases in 2026 as of Aug. 27, including 2,887 infections across 47 jurisdictions and 16 among international visitors.
That is 614 cases—or nearly 27 percent—more than the 2,289 confirmed during all of 2025. The agency cautions that its national map reflects cases reported through Aug. 21 and that “states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.”
The affected jurisdictions stretch from Alaska to Florida and Maine to California. Thirty-seven new outbreaks have been reported this year, while 94 percent of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated. More than half of those linked infections belong to outbreaks that began in 2025, showing how transmission crossed into another calendar year.
The map demands careful reading. CDC counts New York City and New York State separately, and its 47-jurisdiction figure includes Washington, D.C. The agency also includes only confirmed cases formally reported to it—not every probable case under local investigation.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. “If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people who come into close contact with that person will become infected if they are not protected,” the CDC warns.
Falling Vaccination Coverage Leaves More Children Exposed
The timing is especially concerning as students return to close-contact classrooms. National MMR coverage among kindergartners fell from 95.2 percent in 2019–20 to 92.4 percent in 2025–26, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk.
Parents should check vaccination records now. The CDC recommends two MMR doses for children—at 12 to 15 months and again at ages 4 to 6—and says two doses are 97 percent effective against measles. “Most people who are vaccinated with MMR or MMRV will be protected for life,” the agency says.
If exposure is possible, call a healthcare provider before arriving in person. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days later and can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash. The CDC’s warning is blunt: “Measles isn’t just a little rash.”
On this day, 72 years ago, a classic mystery movie was released in theaters, and legendary actor James Stewart called it one of his favorites.
September 1 marked the anniversary of many different movies throughout the years. Howard Keel starred in the Western film Waco in 1966. In 1995, Christopher Walken played the lead role in the supernatural horror film The Prophecy. The comedy Idiocracy, starring Luke Wilson and Terry Crews, came out in 2006. And Denzel Washington’s Equalizer 3 was released in 2023.
And on September 1, 1954, Stewart’s classic thriller mystery film Rear Window was released in theaters.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Rear Window follows L.B. Jefferies (Stewart), a photographer who is recovering from a broken leg in a wheelchair. To pass the time, he begins watching the neighbors, before he begins to believe that one of them committed murder. Grace Kelly stars as L.B. Jefferies’ fiancée, Lisa Fremont, as well.
With a budget of just $1 million, Rear Window became a major financial success, earning just under $37.8 million at the worldwide box office. While the movie did not win any Oscars, it did earn four nominations at the 27th Academy Awards, including Best Director.
James Stewart Called Rear Window His ‘Personal Favorite’ With Alfred Hitchcock
James Stewart watches Raymond Burr through a camera lens in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.”
Stewart and Hitchcock teamed up for four different movies during their Hollywood careers. This includes the 1948 crime thriller Rope, the 1956 mystery thriller The Man Who Knew Too Much and, arguably the most popular of the four, the 1958 psychological thriller Vertigo.
And before his passing in 1997, Stewart had previously noted that among the films he made with Hitchcock, Rear Window was his “personal favorite.”
Google Maps users in the United States searching for Lake Ontario on Sept. 1 will find a startling change: The familiar Great Lake is now labeled “Lake America.” Cross into Canada—or open the map elsewhere—and the name changes again.
This is not a glitch. Google intentionally divided the labels after President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. government to rename Lake Ontario, turning one shared body of water into three different digital maps.
In an Aug. 29 explanation, Google said the U.S. Geographic Names Information System had formally adopted Lake America. The company then spelled out exactly what users would see: “People using Maps in the U.S. will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of the U.S. and Canada will see both names.”
That means an American and Canadian standing near opposite shores can open the same app and see different labels. International users should encounter both—Lake Ontario and Lake America—rather than one definitive name.
The physical geography, border and navigation information have not changed. The difference is the label Google serves according to a user’s country.
Trump’s Aug. 27 executive order directed the Interior secretary to take “all appropriate actions” to rename the lake in federal records. The order described the waterway as an economic resource important to American energy, manufacturing, agriculture and shipping.
However, the federal designation does not compel Canada, international organizations, private companies or individual states to adopt it. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected the change with a five-word response: “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that the Lake Ontario name is more than 400 years old and predates both countries’ founding milestones. “Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario—then, now and always,” Carney said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association updated its prediction for the El Niño, which continues to strengthen and now has a greater than 90% chance of becoming a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2026-27
In fact, the NOAA revealed that during the October-December 2026 season, there is now a 69% chance of a historic event that would exceed the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950 – which is as far back as NOAA records go – and could potentially be a “once in a lifetime” event.
This El Niño “is something that’s very unusual, if not a once in a lifetime type of strength,” according to Nat Johnson, a meteorologist with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
What Is Super El Niño?
In a Super El Niño, the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean around the equator are more than two degrees Celsius warmer than the average.
“The warmer waters cause the Pacific jet stream to move south of its neutral position. With this shift, areas in the northern U.S. and Canada are dryer and warmer than usual. But in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Southeast, these periods are wetter than usual and have increased flooding,” the NOAA said.
With a potentially historic El Niño in the works, some states will start to see snow as early as September.
Which States are Expecting Snowfall in September?
Accuweather revealed that the “first snowflakes of the season will be confined mainly to the mountains but could reach more populated areas later in November.”
However, the highest elevations of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming should expect their first snowfall as early as September. Meanwhile, snow in the Cascades in Oregon and Washington are expected to arrive a bit later this season due to a warmer start to fall.
A snowfall map from AccuWeather shows when each state can expect its first snowfall of the season.
Map shows the first snow coming to the United States in September.
AccuWeather
“Snow chances should increase in the Rockies during November, especially in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, where a couple of early-season snow events are possible,” Accuweather said.
An historic snowfall map from the NOAA revealed what typically happens during a “moderate-to-strong” El Niño in winter with much higher than typical snowfall in states like California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Virginia, Delaware and Southern parts of New Jersey.
Goodbye, summer…Okay, so it’s not exactly fall yet. But with only a few weeks left on the calendar until its official start, it’s natural to feel excited about a new season, especially if you’ve been itching to update your wardrobe. While there are plenty of ways to transition your closet—including adopting new trends, styling formulas, or timeless staples—one of the simplest ways to micro-dose fall is to embrace a new color palette. No, friends, we’re not talking about going back to only wearing black! Fall can be just as vibrant as summer, or at least, that’s what you can take away from recent runway shows, which featured unexpected shades like royal purple and pool blue. Considering that we’ve seen so many bright tones crop up in collections, it’s only a matter of time before these color trends take over your closet, too.
But if you’re shaking your head in disbelief over the idea of wearing anything but your beloved shades of black, beige, or brown this fall, you’ll want to keep reading. We know it’s challenging for some to ditch their neutrals (no shade intended), so we’ve compiled our version of receipts, aka recent street style photos of stylish it-girls and some must-shop new arrivals that prove embracing color can be easier than you think. From Dua Lipa to Zendaya, countless celebrities have shown that vibrant hues can not only be as versatile as any other neutral, but can be, dare we say, a far chicer choice for fall. If these celebrity looks can’t make you excited to embrace color this fall, then nothing will.
Celebrity-Approved Color Trends for Fall
1. Purple Reign
(Image credit: Jacopo Raule/GC Images)
WHO: Dua Lipa
WHAT: Cannes Film Festival
WEAR: Ferragamo F/W 26
One color trend that’s sure to reign supreme this fall? Royal purple. While this darker shade of purple was once the color of choice among royal insiders centuries ago, it’s recently recaptured the fashion crowd’s attention thanks to its presence in the F/W 26 collections of Prada, Celine, and Miu Miu. Since then, we’ve seen countless styling examples and even more shopping picks, but our favorite example of this color trend in the wild was at the Cannes Film Festival. Dua Lipa dialed up the innate decadence of this shade by styling it with a contrasting pop of pink, proving that this color trend’s supremacy will continue well into the fall.
LE SUNDIAL
Venice Opera Tasseled Sterling Silver Amerthyst Earrings
WHAT: Chanel and Charles Finch Annual Pre-Oscar Dinner
WEAR: Chanel Pre-Fall 2026
If you’re looking for a color trend that feels, well, a little fresher, then look no further than mint green. Over the last few months, we’ve seen the fashion crowd gravitate toward variations of green and blue, from aquamarine to turquoise to pool blue, so it was only a matter of time before mint came back onto the menu. But this color’s triumphant return can be attributed to two things: Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’art 2026 collection for Chanel and chic red carpet looks from celebrities like Sarah Pidgeon. Whether worn as a slinky slip dress or two-tone pumps, this color has never felt more refreshing, making it the perfect shade to adopt this fall.
chanel
Small Shopping Bag
J.Crew
Cable-Knit Cardigan in Merino Wool Blend
AGOLDE
Arc Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
STEVE MADDEN
Tadan Heels
ALIGNE
Parker Blazer
3. Tomato Red
(Image credit: Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
WHO: Kaia Gerber
WEAR: Alaïa Dress; The Row Sandals
Beyond shades of mint, there’s another color trend that seems to be making fashion people expand their taste buds, or at least, that’s what we can infer from the overwhelming presence of tomato red. Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen variations of wine-and saffron-inspired colors dominate, so it only makes sense that this juicy shade would also surface in the S/S 26 and F/W 26 collections. But what’s kept this color in the pantry—we mean, in conversation—is how it’s been spotted on countless celebrities, including Emmy Rossum, Tracee Ellis Ross, and even Kaia Gerber. Whether worn as a bodycon knit dress or a crescent bag, celebrities have shown you can embrace this shade in a way that suits your taste.
J.Crew
Perfect Cashmere Crewneck
Gucci
Jackie Slim Medium Shoulder Bag
ZARA
Zw Collection Wide-Leg Trousers
LE MONDE BERYL
Luna Leather Ballet Flats
MANGO
100% Wool High-Neck Coat
4. Fall Foliage
(Image credit: TheStewartofNY/WireImage)
WHO: Zendaya
WHAT: Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 Show
WEAR: Louis Vuitton Resort Look; Tiffany & Co. Jewelry
We know what you’re thinking… mint green and tomato red don’t exactly feel, well, fall-coded. For those who want to adopt a more traditional color trend, consider referencing one of fall’s most visually ubiquitous elements: foliage. What better way to transition your wardrobe than by embracing a variation of dark ochre or burnt butterscotch that’s reminiscent of the changing leaves outside? By embracing dark yellow, you’ll not only make your closet feel more fall-forward, but you can also recreate iconic runway looks from Alaïa, Sergio Hudson, and Dior. If you’re worried this color will come off as “cliché,” consider taking styling notes from Zendaya’s street style look by pairing the shade with other neutrals.
Balenciaga
Rodeo Suede Top Handle Bagm
Wilfred
Softspoke Dear Wrap Sweater
LyreBird
Heirloom Lace-Trim Satin Shorts
Reformation
Inez Flat Mule
House of dagmar
Draped Maxi Dress
5. Dusty Pink
(Image credit: Laurent Hou / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
WHO: Olivia Rodrigo
WHAT: Chloé F/W 26 show
WEAR: Chloé Head-to-Toe
Hopefully by now, you’ve realized fall’s biggest color trends won’t necessarily be considered “traditional”, but that’s the whole point. The coolest people are looking for shades that add an element of surprise-and-delight to their closet, and for so many celebrities (Olivia Rodrigo included), dusty pink seems to be achieving that aim. Although we’ve seen variations of light pink pop up in the past, rosier shades dominated the F/W 26 collections of Chloé and Chanel. The presence of this softer, semi-romantic, dusty pink proves that if you love a color enough, even those you might consider “summer” adjacent, you can transition it into any season.
A friend recently told me I need to start golfing. Before I priced clubs or thought about lessons, my sneakerhead brain went straight to footwear. That search led me to the Reebok x MANORS Club C Revenge Golf ‘Espresso’ (100284837) and ‘Legacy Green’ (100284838), both priced at $130. I’ve worn Reebok since the ’90s, through my G-Unit sneaker phase and, more recently, the Shaqnosis Low. Golf is new territory for me. Reebok isn’t.
Key Facts at a Glance
Detail
Information
Collection
Reebok x MANORS Golf
Sneakers
Club C Revenge Golf ‘Espresso’ (100284837); ‘Legacy Green’ (100284838)
Release Date
September 30, 2026
Release Time
10 a.m. ET
Sneaker Price
$130
Where to Buy
Reebok
Why the Reebok x MANORS Club C Revenge Golf Got My Attention
Reebok x Manors Club C Revenge Golf Shoes ‘Espresso’
Reebok h/t Shoe Sagas
MANORS is a golf lifestyle brand with a modern approach to what players wear on and around the course, making Reebok a natural sneaker partner. The Club C Revenge Golf keeps the low-profile shape that makes the Club C easy to wear, but adds a leather upper, EVA midsole and lugged rubber outsole with non-metallic spikes.
Reebok describes the idea as style from the course to the clubhouse. That’s exactly what I wanted from my first golf shoe: something functional without abandoning my sneaker identity.
What’s in the Reebok x MANORS Golf Collection?
Reebok didn’t stop at footwear. Its U.S. lineup currently features 13 listings across seven styles, giving me enough pieces to build the entire fit before I even buy the clubs.
Reebok x MANORS Product
Price
Club C Revenge Golf Shoes
$130
Men’s Tour Shirt
$160
Men’s Polo
$105
Men’s Quarter-Zip Pullover
$140
Men’s Mockneck Polo
$125
Men’s Pique Polo
$120
Men’s Retro Crown Cap
$60
Several pieces come in multiple colorways, including greens, browns and neutral tones that coordinate easily with either Club C.
The United Kingdom of Golf is starting to feel like its own little universe. Volume II features some crowd-favorite @manorsgolf pieces, two new @Reebok Club C Revenge colorways, and another ridiculously good campaign.
I don’t want to start golfing and suddenly dress like somebody else’s idea of a golfer.
Golf and sneaker culture have crossed paths for years. Nike has translated familiar sneakers for the course, while Michael Jordan’s love of golf helped make Jordan Brand golf shoes feel completely natural.
Reebok and MANORS enter that same space through familiar Reebok DNA and understated golf apparel.
Would I Wear Reebok x MANORS?
Absolutely. I’m not going to pretend I can evaluate golf performance like somebody who plays 18 holes every Sunday. I can judge sneakers, comfort and style, and the Club C Revenge Golf gives me a familiar starting point.
My friend still has to help me with my swing. Reebok may have already handled my first golf fit.
Back in the early 90s, Martin Lawrence found himself entertaining millions on a weekly basis with his TV sitcom. Over the course of five seasons, Martin managed to build a legacy that still stands the test of time and is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Black comedy shows ever. Now, over thirty years later, Martin is finally getting a long-overdue spinoff — The Varnell Hill Show. Debuting on September 1 on Paramount+, it follows a late-night talk show host “fighting to stay relevant in an ever-changing television industry,” despite his stubborn commitment to his own ways of entertaining and doing business.
The sequel series is not only unique given the amount of time that’s lapsed between when the foundational show ended in 1997 and now, but it’s also rather interesting because it’s based on Tommy Davidson’s Varnell Hill, a character that appeared just twice in Martin (Season 2 Episode 11 and Season 2 Episode 12). However, as fans are likely to tell you, Davidson’s Hill created a hilarious story arc. Take a look at one scene where Davidson nearly made Lawrence break character in front of a live studio audience.
All that being said, before the premiere of The Varnell Hill Show, I got the chance to speak with series stars Emmanuel Hudson and Benji Brown, who portray AJ Hill and Big Chris, respectively. Hudson has spent years cracking jokes on Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out, and Brown is a veteran stand-up comedian who became a viral sensation with his Kiki persona. The two opened up about their new series and shed light on what it was like to work with Lawrence (who is an executive producer on The Varnell Hill Show) and show lead Davidson. Which, based on our discussion, sounds like a remarkable time.
Brown and Hudson’s Excitement about a Show “30 Years in the Making”
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 05: Comedian Benji Brown performs during the Best of the South Comedy Show at James L Knight Center on September 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)
Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic
Men’s Journal: Now that the show’s premiere is finally here, do you have anxiety about a sequel of this caliber, or just excitement?
Brown: I more so would say, we got some great anticipation, excitement about it. You know, a year ago we filmed this. And so it’s full circle. Been a long time coming. Found a home on Paramount Plus. And, you know, we couldn’t be more excited than what we are right now. I mean, it’s just amazing, all the feedback from social media and all of the Martin and Varnell Hill fans throughout the years. It’s been 30 years in the making, and we’re excited to be a part of it.
Hudson: I feel the same way. At first, when I got on set, I had a little bit of anxiety, especially being able to work with two of my favorite childhood comedians growing up, which was Tommy Davidson and Martin Lawrence. So when I got the call to even audition for it, I was kind of shocked.
So I did the audition. Of course, I thought it was terrible because I had to do it on the cell phone. I had to call my barber to read with me over speakerphone while he at work. And when I sent it in, I’m like, man, I ain’t gonna get it. Four days later, I get the call saying that I got it.
I met Martin for the first time in my life on set. Turns out he was a fan and everything. So that was pretty dope to be able to experience that. Now that we’re at the finish line, I’m more excited, more than anything.
Martin Lawrence Being an Emmanuel Hudson Fan Shocks Emmanuel
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 20: Martin Lawrence attends the Premiere of Lionsgate’s “Michael” at Dolby Theatre on April 20, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic)
Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic
Men’s Journal: Well, Emmanuel, speaking to your background on Wild ‘n Out, did you take any of your experience from it into the Varnell Hill Show?
Hudson: Oh man, to be honest with you, I don’t really think about it, man. I just be myself. But that was actually one of the things that Martin said to me. He was like, ‘Yo, man, I’m, you know, I’m a big fan.’ And Benji is actually the one that pointed it out to me.
Brown: Eman just kept catching his [Martin Lawrence] eye. You could just see it, and he’s excited. And so that was cool to be on set of Varnell Hill and to see it, you know, play out in front of you, where I’m behind the scenes watching Martin go crazy over this guy.
I’ve been a fan of his [Emmanuel Hudson] myself, watching on social media. And then, you meet people that you admire, and it’s everything that you expected and more, like, wow, down to earth, all the talent in the room. And I ain’t gonna lie, [smirking] I told myself if I had that kind of talent, oh, man, I’d be walking around arrogant around here. But he’s just so humble and down to earth. And that speaks to how the entire cast is. It was amazing.
Hudson: [Laughing] I ain’t gonna lie. Y’all getting the exclusive just like I am.
Martin Lawrence’s Advice to Benji Brown
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 14: Comedian Benji Brown perfoms onstage at the Miami Festival of Laughs at James L Knight Center on January 14, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/FilmMagic)
Photo by Johnny Louis/FilmMagic
Men’s Journal: Benji, you’re walking into this project where Martin and Tommy are legendary stand-up comedians who made it big on stage and on TV. Did they give you any advice on how to transition your stand-up comedy talents from the stage to the small screen?
Brown: Yeah, it’s night and day. Stand-up is like being on the island by yourself, like Cast Away with Tom Hanks. You and the volleyball, or that stool is the island, that stage is the island. It’s not a team effort on stage.
And then when you get on a set or scripted project, you got castmates and cast members that, you know, it’s ‘teamwork, make the dream work,’ to speak. And you’re right. Martin and Tommy and different ones, they’re veterans. They got so much experience. I lean on Martin for the simple fact that we’ve been touring together for like 10 years.
The cool thing is, when it came to Varnell Hill, he’ll [Martin Lawrence] just tell you, ‘Man, just have fun, you know. Just have fun.’
His main thing is to have fun and let your hands go. He’s a boxing fan, so he always gives me those boxing [metaphors]. ‘Let your hands go.’
Emmanuel Hudson Is a Lyricist and Benji Brown Talks Return of Kiki
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Emmanuel Hudson speaks during 2023 A3C Conference day 1 on September 29, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
Men’s Journal: Given the level of comedic talent on set, I have to ask. Who caused the cast to break character the most and erupt into laughter?
Hudson: I’m gonna go with Tommy, man. You gotta go with Tommy, like first and foremost… On set, you just don’t see it coming. He just does what he wants. Like, I’m watching him on set, they’re trying to tell him what to say and how to do. He’s like, ‘No, I got it. I’m gonna do it like this. Just watch, just watch. You guys, just watch.’ You don’t know what he’s gonna do.’
Men’s Journal: Emmanuel, aside from the new show, I’ve noticed you’re quite the gifted rapper, and the spelling bee you do with your brothers on social media is quite funny. Should fans expect new music and more content with your family?
Hudson: Of course, man. Yes. Shout out to my Hudson brothers, man. We’re finally coming together as brothers, as a family, and seeing what we can explore. And it just so happens that we don’t know how to spell.
But yes, you can definitely expect more content from me and the brothers. Definitely more music. As a matter of fact, I dropped a single the other day called ‘Heed the Woes.’ That video is out now. And then, I just finished the video to one of my songs called ‘Emmanuel.’ [Hudson releases music under the name Kosher.]
Men’s Journal: And Benji, looking at stand-up, should fans expect to see more shows? Also, because I personally got introduced to you via your viral character Kiki, should we anticipate Kiki making a bolder appearance in the future?
Brown: You know, Kiki came early 2000s, mid-2000s. It was just really something to do. It was just a hobby, you know, bored. And I was like, let me see if I can do this voice and that voice. And I began to put a face to the character and vice versa. And it kind of grew wings or grew legs and ran.
So there’ll be more content coming with the Kiki as far as sketch comedy and even potentially being written to some scripted shows, like a Varnell. I got my first comedy special in the works. And that’ll be executive produced by Martin Lawrence. And so I’m excited about that. And more touring to be announced.
Once again, The Varnell Hill Show streams on Paramount Plus. You’ll need a subscription to the service to watch all of the episodes.
