History of Late Night TV

Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Arsenio moved to Los Angeles to pursue a comedy career. He appeared on the program Soul Train a few times. He was the sidekick on the 1984 short lived late night talk show, Thicke of the Night with Alan Thicke.

 

Arsenio's original syndicated late night show aired from 1989-1994. He was first noticed as one of the many rotating guest hosts for The Late Show on Fox. After the poor ratings for that show when it was hosted by Joan Rivers during 1986-87, Hall was tapped a a guest host and proved to be a popular choice.

 

His show was coveted by advertisers since it attracted a young audience and African American viewers. Bill Clinton played the sax on the show with the band when he was campaigning for president.

 

Arsenio is a high energy, confident performer, pumping his fist along with the part of the audience called the "dog pound". He called his band "The Posse".

 

Hosted Star Search Live on CBS (2003-2004).

 

Hall appeared in a few films including Coming to America and Harlem Nights.

 

He won Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice on NBC in 2012.

 

He returned to late night TV in 2013 with a syndicated talk show, similar to his earlier program from almost 20 years earlier. On February 26, 2014, a newly retired Jay Leno interrupted Arsenio's monologue. He had a message for him. The Arsenio Hall show had been renewed for a second season. But, the celebration was short-lived. In May of 2014, it was announced that Arsenio's show would not be returning for a second season. Apparently, the show did not get clearance by enough stations to air in the late night time slot.