(b. circa 1956) Cleveland-born former-stand-up comedian and actor (Coming to America with pal Eddie Murphy) who changed the face of late-night talk TV with his syndicated Arsenio Hall Show. Debuting in January 1989, Hall Show marked the first time a black entertainer had ever hosted a late-night program. While critics sniped at Hall's obsequious interviewing style, he managed to carve out a distinctive audience by regularly featuring such previously unthinkable guests as hardcore rappers, professional athletes, and African-American political figures. (In June 1992, President-to-be Bill Clinton famously donned sunglasses and played the saxophone.) When Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson as the host of the Tonight Show May 1992, Hall's famously vowed to "kick [Leno's] ass," but Leno began to attract younger viewers away. Further doubts over Hall's future were raised by his refusal, in February 1994, to drop controversial Muslim minister Louis Farrakhan from his show. The final Arsenio Hall Show aired on May 27 1994. In the wake of the cancellation, Hall kept a very low profile, although he appeared on David Letterman's show in late 1995, prompting Variety to comment on the "vivid reminder of the void that has existed. . . since his departure." In March 1997, after much behind-the-scenes turbulence, Hall's prime-time romantic comedy Arsenio premiered on ABC. It was cancelled within the month.
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