Back in the day, Arsenio’s show was late night must see TV…I was lucky enough to go to a taping of the show in LA. I still have my t-shirt!!!
Let’s see if he can do it again on a different network, in tandem with CBS and Tribune. His new late night show will launch in the fall of 2013 at 11pm.
“We’re excited to welcome Arsenio back to the family and partnering on his new, late-night syndicated talk show,” CBSTVD president John Nogawski said in announcing the news Monday. “Arsenio had a substantial following with his previous late-night show, and that same 18-34 audience is now right in the middle of the late night core audience of 35-54. Years ago, he transcended time periods and attracted a crossover audience while bringing a fresh perspective to late night. That same need in the market exists today as when we originally launched. We are looking forward to the same success with Arsenio’s seasoned expertise and appeal in this genre.”
Hall told the LA Times this a bit earlier Monday: “In the end I’m a comic, and nothing fits the talk-show mode like a stand-up comic, I know there are a lot of shows, but I think there’s a space for my show.”
According to Sean Compton, Tribune Broadcasting presdient of progamming and entertainment, “We can’t shy away from it. Forty, 45, 50 – those are the sweet spot of our demos. We can get caught up in trying to be hip and fresh, when in really 45 is not old. And these are the people who still watch traditional TV and have traditional viewing habits.”
He further continued: “These viewers have found memories of Arsenio and of him as a personality. Why wouldn’t we want to bring him back?”
As a TV analyst was also quoted about the show that she sees “an opening for a reconstituted Hall to click with multiculturial audiences in a big way than network or cable late night fare. There’s an opportunity there. He’s someone who can appeal to a multiculturial audience and can gave a different favor to late night.”
Sources: Hollywood Reporter, Shadow & Act, Newsday
