The Arsenio Hall Show Canceled

“The Arsenio Hall Show Canceled”

By Glenn Peppers                           May 30, 2014

Doggone it, I just heard that the Arsenio Hall Show has been canceled! That to me is so sad! I really hate to hear that! And as I sit here writing this article, I am remembering that just a few months ago, I had this eerie feeling from day one that this would happen to him, and soon. Mainly because Arsenio's late night show for some reason seemed sadly dated somehow to me!... So very 1990’s! It was clear that Hall had been away from late night television far too long! The many many wonderful guest that made his show shine years ago were and are either dead and gone, much older in age or just not hip anymore! Some of them even have their own talk shows (,. Queen Latifah) now days. 

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon came out of the starting gate RUNNING after taking over Jay Leno’s spot as host of the iconic, Tonight Show! The PR campaign to boost Jimmy Fallon was vast, and was a complete white wash, causing even David Letterman to recently announce his retirement from Late Night with David Letterman, up and coming next year, 2015! 

Arsenio's bad time slot (11pm), weak guest roster, and "not so hip, non-ass kicking band” just wasn't holding a younger crowd or audience like Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon! Then there was Conan O’Brian holding up the back end of the Late Night party train! I feel bad for Arsenio, because Arsenio Hall really is a great host and personality. He just didn't have that dazzling and amusing rabbit to pull out of his hat with the Rihanna/Bieber/Beyoncè/One Direction crowd! 

I think over his many years away the talk show spotlight, Arsenio planned on what he would do if he were to ever get his talk show back. I don’t think he thought that through well enough! In 20 years’s time, I think Hall missed his calling in acting, directing and mainly movies! I think Arsenio Hall really is quite funny on film! He was a scream in “Harlem Nights!” Arsenio also has great production skills. It just seemed to me that Arsenio just wanted his old show back, and the big wigs at Tribune and the Sinclair Broadcast Group said, “Awe hell, give the guy back his damned show!...” A whole whopping 20 years later! 

Bill Clinton on Arsenio Hall Show in 1992

A lot of stuff can change in 20 years, believe me! In that time, Bill Clinton (who played sax on his show before being elected President) has served as commander and chief, and has moved on to other things. Jennifer Lopez went from dancing as a “Fly Girl” on TV’s “In Living Color” to becoming an international singing, acting and media superstar.

Snoop Dog and all of Arsenio’s other West coast Compton, Hip Hop friends are much older too! Michael Jackson has passed on, and Liz Taylor is no longer with us, and Ice-T and Ice Cube occasionally play police officers on TV, and they both make movies and television appearences, while others like Paula Abdul have gone on to do other things like hosting American Idol, and other projects. I also find it disappointing Arsenio losing his show because Arsenio Hall has so much to offer entertainment wise, yet he's stuck in that 1990's, pumping his fist, “Woff Woffin” mode that has had its day ages ago! 

At one point, at the outset of his shows premiere, Arsenio didn’t look well at all. In fact he looked thin and gaunt and tired. I noticed at times as the season progressed, he looked a bit unsure of himself, very lack luster. Maybe it could’ve been me, but I felt strongly that the energy needed to pull off a great show every night like he did 20 years ago just wasn’t there anymore! Well, when you think about it, for that matter, who’s energy is still what it was twenty years ago? I know my energy isn’t!

There comes that time in one’s life when you just have to let go of the past and try something different! Arsenio Hall is tough! He’s been run over, and splattered by Hollywood’s corporate big wigs many times! Hollywood frequently ask multi talented guys like Arsenio Hall to jump through some pretty big hoops sometimes. Yet at the same time, this kind of thing has to also rest on ones own shoulders! That being said, a little bit of humbleness goes a long way! Though Arsenio keeps getting knocked down, one thing I’ll say for sure; he keeps getting back up on his feet! So in conclusion, I'm sure one day Arsenio Hall will one day land on his feet again!

Being somewhat of a comedian myself, I know that “Humor is pain, and pain is Humor!” Back that up with talent, and you’ve got mad determination, persistence, and desire! God bless Arsenio Hall!

Glenn Peppers