Arsenio Hall Show, The – Nostalgia Central

1 9 8 9 – 1 9 9 4 (USA)
1248 x 60 minute episodes

This hip, late-night talk show debuted in syndication on 3 January 1989 and ended on 27 May 1994, running for 1,248 episodes.

The show appealed to a young, diverse audience and challenged Johnny Carson‘s dominance for a few years.

Comedian Arsenio Hall had a house band, an opening monologue of topical jokes, and lots of audience participation – a section of the audience known as the Dog Pound, located near the band, would interact with Hall throughout the show, and frequently shout, “Woof! Woof!”

Arsenio’s guests ranged from Tupac Shakur, Prince, Paula Abdul and Eddie Murphy to Tony Bennett, Robert De Niro, Zsa Zsa Gabor and wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Many thought that Bill Clinton‘s surprise 1992 visit to Hall’s show while he was the Democratic candidate for the presidency swung the election in his favour.

Until then, papers had focused on his alleged womanising. That didn’t seem to matter, however, when he put on a pair of dark glasses, pulled out his saxophone and blasted out a (pretty good) version of Heartbreak Hotel.

As he sat down for an interview with his wife, Hillary, the audience went wild, young voters were hooked, and Hall joked, “It’s good to see a Democrat blowing something other than the election.”

An attempt by Hall to revive the show in 2013 failed to sustain its initial high ratings and was pulled prematurely.

“Good night, with a kiss!”

Host
Arsenio Hall
Announcer
Burton Richardson

Video