Ladies and gentlemen! Guess who will be driving in "all the way from Cleveland" again? That's right. He's ba-ack. Arsenio Hall is returning to television.
It's been quite a year for the TV maverick who brought hip hop and a saxaphone playing presidential candidate to late night. Hall won Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" earlier this year. His appearance on the show was not without controversy. The usually good-natured comic felt pushed to the brink by co-star Aubrey O'Day and lost it on-air. Later, he shared a heart-wrenching story about why he was so on edge.
Arsenio's charity of choice was the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV and AIDS awareness. The funnyman revealed that he was grieving the loss of a dear cousin who had battled the illness. Arsenio beat out "American Idol" runner up Clay Aiken for the top spot on "Apprentice," and he fully deserved it. Clay is young with the world and his Claymates at his feet. This is Arsenio's moment.
On the show, Arsenio revealed that he has been busy raising his son. One of the particularly biting comments that the sassy O'Day uttered during one Walgreens' challenge was that Arsenio's tagline for a health campaign could be that he "walked... away from the industry." Arsenio shared a touching moment with Lisa Lampanelli, however. During a vicious fight Lisa advised Arsenio, "Don't ruin your reputation and your career!" Arsenio at the time was spewing a misogynistic rant against Aubrey that included the words "b****." It was good advice from one comic who has often gone too far to another.
Arsenio's new TV contract is with his original TV family. CBS Television Distribution president John Nogawski said in a statement: "We're excited to welcome Arsenio back to the family and partnering on his new, late-night syndicated talk show." The exec added, "We are looking forward to the same success with Arsenio's seasoned expertise and appeal in this genre."
Arsenio broke new ground with his original talk show. We can't wait to see what he does next. Will the dog pound return? Will he do the "Kid N Play" dance? Who knows? It's been a long 18 years. Woof-woof-woof!
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