Arsenio Hall | |
---|---|
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | February 12, 1956
Alma mater | Kent State University |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1981–present [1] [2] |
Partner | Cheryl Bonacci (1987–2002) [3] |
Children | 1 |
Website | arseniohall |
Arsenio Hall (born February 12, 1956) is an American comedian, actor and talk show host. He hosted a late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show , [4] from 1989 until 1994, and again from 2013 to 2014.
He has appeared in Martial Law , Coming to America (1988), Coming 2 America (2021), and Harlem Nights (1989). He was also the host of Star Search and appeared as Alan Thicke's sidekick on the talk show Thicke of the Night .
In 2012, he won NBC's reality-competition game show Celebrity Apprentice 5 . [5]
Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Fred and Annie Hall. His father is a Baptist minister. [6] Hall performed as a magician when he was a child. He graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973, after briefly attending John F. Kennedy High School. He later attended Ohio University [7] and Kent State University. [8]
Hall later moved to Chicago, and then Los Angeles, to pursue a career in comedy, making a couple of appearances on Soul Train . In 1984, he was the announcer/sidekick for Alan Thicke during the short-lived talk show Thicke of the Night (a role for which he has on occasion noted his confusion with Monty Hall).
He appeared on five weeks of episodes of the short-lived NBC game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour from 1983 to 1984. He was also the original voice of Winston Zeddemore in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, he co-starred in the comedy film Coming to America with Eddie Murphy. During his career, he set up Arsenio Hall Communications in 1987, and then he had signed a two-year, multi-picture agreement with Paramount Pictures to develop films for an exclusive agreement. [9]
In 1986, the Fox network introduced The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers , created to directly challenge The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson . After a moderate start, ratings for the show sagged. Relations between Rivers and network executives at Fox quickly eroded, and she left in 1987. [10] The series was subsequently renamed The Late Show, and featured several interim hosts, including Ross Shafer, Suzanne Somers, Shawn Thompson, Richard Belzer and Robert Townsend, before it was canceled in 1988. Hall was also chosen to host the show in the fall of 1987, and his stint proved immensely popular, leading to his being offered his own show in syndication. [11]
From January 2, 1989, to May 27, 1994, he had a Paramount contract to host a nationwide syndicated late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show . It was a breakout success, rating especially high among the coveted younger demographic, and it was known for its audience's distinctive alternative to applause in chanting, "Woof, woof, woof!" (which originated in the Cleveland Browns' Dawg Pound in the east end zone) while pumping their fists. The practice soon became such a ritual that by 1991 it had become a "pop culture stamp of approval"—one that Hall said had become "so popular it's getting on people's nerves". [12] The gesture was so well known that it appeared in films such as Pretty Woman and The Hard Way . [12]
He also had a rivalry with Jay Leno after the latter was named host of The Tonight Show , during which Hall said that he would "kick Jay's ass" in ratings. [13]
Hall was a supporter of gay rights long before the movement had become overwhelmingly popular and supported in the mainstream, especially in black culture. In the early 1990s, this culminated in an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show where Hall was protested by gay rights activists, who criticized that he didn't have any gay guests on the show and that he would occasionally play gay characters; Hall was clearly upset by the accusation, saying he had famously put LGBT celebrities on his show, including Elton John, and had others on who preferred not to publicly advocate their sexual orientation. [14] After passionately stating his points, Hall received overwhelming woof chants of support from his audience. Additionally, Hall used his fame during this period to help fight worldwide prejudice against HIV/AIDS after Magic Johnson contracted the virus. Hall and Johnson filmed a public service announcement about the disease that aired in the early 1990s. [15]
Between 1988 and 1991, Hall hosted the MTV Video Music Awards. [16] Over the years, he has appeared as a guest on numerous talk shows, in special features, as a voice actor, on game shows and other award shows. Since The Arsenio Hall Show ended, Hall had leading roles on television shows such as the short-lived sitcom Arsenio (1997) and Martial Law with Sammo Hung (1998–2000), and hosted the revival of Star Search (2003–2004). While hosting Star Search, he popularized the catchphrase "Hit me with the digits!"
Hall appeared as himself in Chappelle's Show in March 2004 (convinced by Swedish comedy director Saman Khadiri) when Chappelle was imagining "what Arsenio is doing right now" in a dinner scene. [17] Hall has guest co-hosted Wednesday evenings on The Tim Conway Jr. Show on KLSX 97.1 FM radio. [18] He hosted MyNetworkTV's comedic web video show The World's Funniest Moments and TV One's 100 Greatest Black Power Moves. [19] He also appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher in May 2012, in a discussion commemorating the 1992 Los Angeles riots. [20]
Hall was considered the host of the syndicated version of Deal or No Deal and filmed a pilot (there were six taped). [21] [22] However, by the time the syndicated series began on September 8, 2008, Howie Mandel was chosen as host.
Hall also appeared regularly on The Jay Leno Show , and was a guest on Lopez Tonight . [23] George Lopez credits Arsenio as the reason he had a late night show; Lopez appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show more times than any other comedian. Lopez requested Hall be a co-host on Lopez Tonight (November 25, 2009) since he regarded Hall as his inspiration and the first "late night party show host". [24] [25] [26] [27] Hall has filled in as guest host for NBC's Access Hollywood Live (2011) and CNN's evening talk/interview program Piers Morgan Tonight in 2012.
In 2012, Hall was a contestant on the fifth edition of The Celebrity Apprentice , which began airing February 19, 2012. [28] Hall represented his charity, the Magic Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing economic and social equality by engaging minorities in every aspect of their communities; increasing academic and innovative achievement; and raising HIV/AIDS awareness, treatment and prevention. While Hall clashed with Aubrey O'Day, he befriended a majority of the cast. [29] [30] On May 20, 2012, in the live season finale, he was chosen as the Celebrity Apprentice winner, being "hired" by Donald Trump over the other celebrity finalist, singer Clay Aiken. For winning The Celebrity Apprentice, Hall won the $250,000 grand prize for his charity, in addition to money for the tasks he and his team performed when he was a team leader. [31] [32] [33] [34]
A revival of Hall's syndicated late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show, premiered September 9, 2013, on Tribune owned stations and other networks via CBS Television Distribution. [35] It was canceled after one season due to low ratings. The last taping aired May 30, 2014. [36]
Arsenio appeared in a bit in the January 2024 Emmys. [37]
In 1997, after being out of the public eye for three years, Hall gave an interview to dispel rumors regarding what had driven him off stage. "I went on the Internet," he said, "and read I was in detox at Betty Ford. I got online under a fake name and typed in, 'I know Arsenio better than anyone else and he's not in detox, you idiots!'" [38]
Hall has one son, born in 1998. [39] Hall says he took time off to raise his son before resuming The Arsenio Hall Show in 2013. [40] Hall had an interest in returning to the business eventually, but his decision was not confirmed until he appeared on Lopez Tonight in 2009 (although he initially considered a weekend show because he did not want to compete in ratings against his friend George Lopez). [41]
On May 5, 2016, Hall filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against Sinéad O'Connor after she claimed he had fueled Prince's drug habit and had also spiked his drink at a party at Eddie Murphy's house. [42] Hall dropped the lawsuit after O'Connor apologized and retracted her allegations. [43]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | Amazon Women on the Moon | Apartment Victim | |
1988 | Coming to America | Semmi, Extremely Ugly Girl, Morris, Reverend Brown | |
1989 | Harlem Nights | Reggie (The Crying Man) | |
1989 | Paula Abdul: Straight Up | Himself | Music video |
1994 | Blankman | Himself | |
2005 | The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie | Himself | |
2005 | The Proud Family Movie | Dr. Carver, Bobby Proud | |
2006 | Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! | Captain Crothers | |
2007 | Heckler | Himself | |
2008 | Igor | Carl Cristall | |
2009 | Black Dynamite | Tasty Freeze | |
2017 | Gilbert | Himself | |
2017 | Sandy Wexler | Himself | |
2021 | Coming 2 America | Semmi, Morris, Reverend Brown, Baba (witch doctor), Extremely Ugly Girl (archival footage) |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1981, 1989 | Soul Train | Himself | 2 episodes | [45] |
1982 | Madame's Place | Himself | ||
1982 | Elvira's Movie Macabre | Dr. Mustapha Abdul Raheem Jamaal X Muhammad, Tyrone | ||
1983 | The 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour | Host | [46] | |
1983–1984 | Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour | Celebrity panelist | ||
1983–1984 | Thicke of the Night | Actor / Himself (1984) | ||
1985 | The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson | Regular | [47] | |
1985 | New Love, American Style | Actor | [48] | |
1986 | The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Cleavon | Episode titled Happy Birthday air date March 23, 1986 | |
1986–1987 | The Real Ghostbusters | Winston Zeddemore, Mooglie | seasons 1–3 | |
1987 | Uptown Comedy Express | Himself | ||
1987 | Comedy Club | Himself | ||
1987–1988 | The Late Show | Host | ||
1988 | Solid Gold | Himself | ||
1989 | Comic Relief III | Himself | ||
1989–1994 | The Arsenio Hall Show | Host | Also writer and producer | |
1990 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Himself | ||
1990 | Cheers | Himself | ||
1992 | Ebony/Jet Showcase | Himself | [49] | |
1992 | The Jackie Thomas Show | Himself | Ep. "The Joke" | [50] |
1993 | Blossom | Himself | ||
1994 | Living Single | Himself | ||
1997 | Arsenio | Michael Atwood | [51] | |
1997 | Behind the Music | Himself | Ep. "MC Hammer: Behind the Music #2" | [52] |
1997 | Muppets Tonight | Guest | ||
1998 | Intimate Portrait | Narrator | ||
1998–2000 | Martial Law | Terrell Parker | 36 episodes | |
2000 | The Norm Show | Joe | Episode titled Norm vs. the Kid air date December 8, 2000 | |
2002–2003 | Hollywood Squares | Celebrity panel | ||
2003–2004 | Star Search | Host | ||
2003 | Tinseltown TV | Himself | ||
2004 | CBS Cares | Himself | PSA | |
2008–2009 | The World's Funniest Moments | Host | ||
2009–2010 | The Jay Leno Show | Correspondent | ||
2009 | Brothers | Himself | ||
2012 | The Celebrity Apprentice 5 | Contestant | Winner of competition | |
2013–2014 | The Arsenio Hall Show | Host | Also producer | |
2015–2016 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself - Guest star | ||
2016 | Greatest Hits | Host | [53] | |
2017–2018 | The Mayor | Ocho Okoye | Guest; 2 episodes | |
2018 | All About the Washingtons | Himself | Guest; 2 episodes |
Year | Title | Episode | Notes | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996–2008 | Biography | 5 episodes | ||
2001 | E! True Hollywood Story | |||
2008 | Pioneers of Television (PBS) | |||
2012 | American Masters |
A talk show is a television programming, radio programming or podcast genre structured around the act of spontaneous conversation. A talk show is distinguished from other television programs by certain common attributes. In a talk show, one person discusses various topics put forth by a talk show host. This discussion can be in the form of an interview or a simple conversation about important social, political or religious issues and events. The personality of the host shapes the tone and style of the show. A common feature or unwritten rule of talk shows is to be based on "fresh talk", which is talk that is spontaneous or has the appearance of spontaneity.
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American syndicated late-night talk show created by and starring comedian Arsenio Hall.
Alan Willis Thicke was a Canadian-American actor, songwriter, and game/talk show host. He was the father of singer Robin Thicke. Thicke was best known for playing Dr. Jason Seaver on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains on ABC. In 2013, he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
George Edward Lopez is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is most known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including Mexican American culture. Lopez has received several honors for his work and contributions to the Latino community, including the 2003 Imagen Vision Award, the 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award. He was also named one of "The Top 25 Hispanics in America" by Time magazine in 2005.
Claudia Angela Jordan, is an American talk show host, actress, model, businesswoman, and reality television and radio personality. She is known for appearing as a model on the U.S. version of Deal or No Deal and The Price Is Right, and for competing on seasons 2 and 6 of The Celebrity Apprentice. Jordan appeared on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta for its seventh season.
The Late Show is an American late-night talk show and the first television program broadcast on the then-new Fox Network. Hosted by comic actress Joan Rivers, it debuted on October 9, 1986, under the title The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. It is also the first late-night show hosted by Arsenio Hall.
Thicke of the Night is an American late-night talk show starring Alan Thicke and broadcast in first-run syndication during the 1983–1984 TV season.
Aubrey Morgan O'Day is an American singer and reality television personality who has been a member of the girl group Danity Kane. Following discord among Danity Kane and with her mentor at the time, P. Diddy, O'Day was fired from the group in 2008, but reunited with them in 2013 before a second disbandment. Danity Kane reunited in 2018 as a trio. She also performed in the duo Dumblonde with former Danity Kane bandmate Shannon Bex from 2015 to 2019.
The Jon Stewart Show is a late night talk show that was hosted by comedian Jon Stewart. The program premiered on MTV in 1993 as a 30-minute daily offering and became one of the network's more popular shows.
A guest host is a host, usually of a talk show, that hosts the program in lieu of the regular host if they fall ill, have another project or commitment, or are unable to host for some other reason.
Ross Mathews is an American television host and personality. He rose to fame as an intern and a correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; he was known as "Ross the Intern" on air.
The Celebrity Apprentice was an American television reality competition series. It was a variation of The Apprentice series, hosted by real estate developer Donald Trump from 2008 to 2015, and actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from January to August 2017, when it was canceled.
The Pat Sajak Show was an American late-night television talk show that aired on CBS from January 9, 1989, to April 13, 1990.
The Dennis Miller Show is an American syndicated late-night talk show created by and starring comedian Dennis Miller. The show launched in January 1992 and was hosted by the former Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor as an attempt by syndicator Tribune Entertainment to carve out a niche in the late-night television landscape; an opportunity to do so was anticipated due to Johnny Carson's retirement from The Tonight Show that May and his replacement by Jay Leno. Miller's show was unable to build a significant audience, however, and was cancelled after seven months.
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin was an American television presenter, talk show host, game show host, comedian, actor, and singer. Once called "the hardest-working man in show business", he held the Guinness World Record for the most hours spent on US television.
Lopez Tonight is an American late-night television talk show that was hosted by the comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican-American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The show featured audience interaction using a high-energy format. The program aired Monday through Thursday at midnight Eastern and Pacific, immediately following Conan. On August 10, 2011, TBS announced that Lopez Tonight would be canceled. The final episode aired two days later on August 12, 2011.
A late-night talk show is a genre of talk show, originating in the United States. It is generally structured around humorous monologues about the day's news, guest interviews, comedy sketches and music performances. It is characterized by spontaneous conversation, and for an effect of immediacy and intimacy as if the host were speaking directly to each member of the watching audience. Late-night talk shows are also fundamentally shaped by the personality of the host.
The Celebrity Apprentice 5 is the fifth installment of the reality game show The Celebrity Apprentice. On May 15, 2011, NBC announced that the show would be returning for a fifth season in 2012. The following day, at NBC's annual upfront presentations to advertisers, Donald Trump confirmed that he would be hosting the fifth season. On January 4, 2012, Trump officially announced the cast on Today and NBC issued a press release with more details. On January 13, 2012, NBC announced the fifth season would premiere February 19, 2012, and would be the first season to air each week's finale live. The network announced that it would air a one-hour version of the previous week's episode prior to the airing of new episodes on February 26 and March 4 at 8 p.m.
The Party Machine with Nia Peeples is a half-hour late-night American musical variety show that aired in syndication for one season in 1991. The show was hosted by Nia Peeples and executive produced by Arsenio Hall.