Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Arsenio Hall gets a second shot! He’s been off the scenes for nearly 20 years. His latenight show back then was popular with young folks and Presidential hopefuls. He even had former Prez Bill Clinton on to perform a sax number. Is this generation ready for Hall to bring his brand of showtime back to latenight?

These TV spots are not easy to come by. The veterans Letterrman, Leno and Stewart have been doing their thing for a while. Newcomers like Conan, Kimmel and Fallon stepped up their game. So why would Hall want to do it again? Maybe because it’s in his blood and he’s now driven by a greater purpose.

He’s been away being a Dad and now has a different perspective. It took him five years to convince execs (and himself) he had the right stuff for a comeback. This is not unlike those who’ve had a pit-stop on their career-track. So the timing of his comeback could be a set-up for being at the top of his game.

An initial turning point in Hall’s reset was Celebrity Apprentice. It helped put him back on the map and maybe even introduced him to a new audience. The win might also have helped him retool his business savvy. To make another go at it with all the competition takes building a niche to have staying-power.

Hall describes his show as a ‘party with friends.’ His guest list has been a mix of young talent and deep-money. He’s even called on a handful of friends who appeared on his original show. It’s gonna take a few weeks for things to come together. By then let’s hope it feels like a ‘party with a purpose.’

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Arsenio Hall gets another look. Going back to his latenight playbook. Off the scenes for near 20 years. Stepping past his inner fears. Show back then a must-see for young folks. With lots of celebs and pop-culture jokes. From presidential hopefuls like Prez Bubba. Is gen-X ready for another sax number?

Latenight spots hard to come by. Letterman, Leno and Stewart’s stand-up on the fly. Newbies like Conan, Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Stepped up their game in laughs per gallon. So Hall really wants to do it again? Some think he can’t be serious or sane. Maybe it’s a greater purpose flowing like blood in his vein.

Been away being hands-on Dad. Son moving closer to being a grad. Now looks at things with a different eye. Getting past wanting to cry. Took him five years to convince execs. Maybe even some time sipping a few Becks. Not unlike those who hit a career pit-stop. The comeback could take his game to the top.

Initial return on Celebrity Apprentice reset. No regrets having to beset. Helped put him back on the showbiz map. To a new audience that was on tap. Winning did help his business cred. Showing market savvy isn’t dead. To make waves with the competition. Building a niche with staying-power precision.

Sees show as a ‘party with friends.’ Lots of Hollywood pals to no ends. A mix of young talent and deep-money. And a few skits that bring out the funny. Even calling on a few old-time guests. From original cast of faves & bests. Gonna take a minute to come together. Like a ‘party with a purpose’ in any weather.

Tip: Upping your game is making a comeback by using your passion as a niche with market-savvy precision.

Talkback: What will Aresenio have to do to hang with the ‘big boys’ or even separate from the pack?