After a 19-year talk show hiatus, funny man Arsenio Hall returns to late-night TV on Sept. 9 – as the new old kid on the block.
“There will be less hair and less shoulder pads,” Hall, 57, tells PEOPLE. “Other than that, it’s Arsenio with different guests. Instead of Alan Thicke, maybe it’ll be Robin Thicke. It’s a new generation, but I’m the same guy.”
In its first incarnation, The Arsenio Hall Show ran from 1989 to 1994 and helped launch a number of show biz careers, from Paula Abdul to Mariah Carey, and gave a big boost to a future saxophone-playing president.
So why he’s back with the new syndicated The Arsenio Hall Show? He gives us his five reasons:
1. It’s What Men Do:
“It doesn’t matter if you’re successful and comfortable and financially secure – a man has to do what a man has to do and men like to work.”
2. Giving His Son a Break:
“As much as I’ve loved putting fatherhood first in my life and kind of balancing my personal life out, there isn’t a day when I’m not watching Chelsea or watching Leno and wishing I was there. My son’s 13 now. He’s even sick of me being home.”
3. Embrace New Technology:
“When I hang out with Jay Leno, he’s Tweeting to his audience. I didn’t have to Tweet to my audience. Every now and then I’d just go to a parade and wave. Now you’ve got to say, ‘Good morning’ every morning and ‘Good night’ every night. You’ve got to entertain them all day long. It’s deep, but I’m ready for it!”
4. Keep Honoring the Trump Gods:
“When I did Apprentice, my son said to me, ‘Dad, we could win!’ I didn’t think there was any chance I could win, but the Trump gods shined on me. Apparently he loves black people. I won!”
5. Channel His Inner-Kimmel::
“What really works in this town right now is the word Jimmy. What works in show business right now is the word Jimmy. I’m gonna appear on 9/9/13 as Jimmy Hall. Forget jokes and guests.”
