The return of Arsenio Hall to the late night talk show lineup makes me extremely happy, as his original early 1990s show was the energetic and slightly edgy alternative to The Tonight Show and David Letterman’s offerings. It’s hard to guess just how well a revamped version of The Arsenio Hall Show will do, given everyone and their brother now has a late night talk show. But the full line-up of guests for his first week of shows has been revealed, via The Hollywood Reporter, and fans of all types of entertainment will have something to be happy about here. Let’s just hope they’ll actually watch the show, so that it doesn’t meet an early demise.
The premiere episode airs next Monday, September 9, and will feature actor Chris Tucker, who returned to cinema in a big way for last year’s Silver Linings Playbook. But it’s Wednesday’s episode that is arguably the most important, as it will feature Magic Johnson, who went on Hall’s former show in 1991 for his first public appearance after revealing he was afflicted with HIV, which was huge at the time. Johnson will be joined by comedian George Lopez, whose first national TV appearance was on Hall’s show. The musical guest for the episode will be rap mastermind Nas, who will hopefully use the appearance to talk about his new album.
Tuesday’s episode will feature rapper/actor Ice Cube, actress Lisa Kudrow and rapper Mac Miller. (For some reason, THR says that Kudrow is on Scandal.) Thursday, Hall will be interviewing NCIS’ Mark Harmon and entertainers Penn & Teller, with a musical performance from Earth, Wind & Fire. Angela Bassett (American Horror Story: Coven and pop reggae band Emblem3 will appear on Friday night’s episode. Also, surprise appearances are in store, probably for the nights with only one performer.
"My first week of guests offers a taste of pop culture and represents the mix of talent I hope to have on my show every week," Hall said. "I am honored to welcome friends -- both old and new -- to my show. My goal is to have fun, make people laugh and send viewers to bed with a smile on their face." Hall is one of those performers that is almost impossible not to laugh along with. He could have Putin on and still manage to make him crack a smile.
The rest of September is just as stacked, with Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Dr. Phil, Gordon Ramsey, Allison Janney (Mom), Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels), Russell Simmons, Melissa Leo, Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi, among others. Musical guests include the shit-starting rapper Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and country group The Band Perry. Also, the voice of Siri, but we’re not quite sure how that will work.
Tune in Monday to your Fox affiliate and keep Hall on the air, people!
Below, you’ll find a parody video from comedian Paul Scheer in which he reenacts some of Hall’s classic interviews in a show called The Arsheerio Paul Show. Enjoy.
