"The Arsenio Hall Show" (1989) TV series 1989-1994

Directors:

Sandra Fullerton
Scott Schaefer

Writers:

J. Anthony Brown (writer)
Scott Schaefer (writer)

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

3 January 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Talk-Show

Plot:

Arsenio Hall hosts this hip, late-night talk show.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Non Fiction | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Arsenio Hall

...

Himself - Host (96 episodes, 1989-1994)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Stage 29, Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Arsenio Hall Communications

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Larry Sanders Show: What Have You Done for Me Lately? (#1.1)" (1992)

Decent talk show, hurt by the backlash of Americans against hip-hop culture.

Arsenio Hall's talk show debuted after Joan Rivers' talk show failed- though syndicated, the show was carried mostly by Fox affiliates who had the empty time slot left by Joan Rivers. Riding the wave of popularity of "safe" hip-hop culture (represented by such things as the comedian Sinbad, Young MC, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince), Arsenio struck a chord with a fairly large percentage of America's youth and wanna-be-hip; instead of the boring antics of Carson and the "establishment" Letterman, here was someone who represented the new popular element in American culture.

For a couple of years, the hype and excitement surrounding the show was akin to that of Saturday Night Live's first years. People stopped what they were doing to watch- there were parties centered around the show. The excitement carried through to the show, where the audience would be boisterous- catcalling, yelling at guests and Arsenio... meanwhile Arsenio played the genial, hip host. Jokes more risque than Carson, none of the self-deprecating humor or embarrassing stunts Letterman.

Unfortunately, within a few years, the party was over. White America decided they were tired of the hip-hop culture (probably because the very thing that made hip-hop exciting was sanitized by businessmen to appeal to white youth), and many others began seeing Arsenio as a sell-out- someone who pandered more to whites than blacks. Almost as quickly as the show's popularity flared up, it waned...

In retrospect the show isn't that bad. Arsenio was too genial to guests- much was made over his fawning- but the show was a breath of fresh air for an audience used to, and sick of, NBC's offerings.