Getting Busy

Item #27: The Arsenio Hall Show

Year: 1989

Circulation: Minimal

A.H. began his career as a stand-up comedian in L.A. who landed plenty of T.V. work including a stable gig voicing Winston for The Real Ghostbusters cartoon. In 1987 he filled the empty seat of Joan Rivers when she was fired from The Late Show and quickly proved himself in the ratings despite cancellation. After starring with Eddie Murphy in Coming to America Arsenio was given his own show in 1989 – Roo, Roo, Roo, Roo, Roo! [while pumping fist in the air]. But by 1994 the ratings for his Dog Pound went to the dog house while he and the network butted heads behind the scenes. Many believe his fate was sealed by inviting a controversial Nation of Islam leader to be a guest on his show who he proceeded to interview for the entire duration of the broadcast. No doubt, Hall’s early years were his best but his entire tenure was an important medium for hip hop given the other mainstream talk shows mostly ignored it. What other host put Vanilla Ice on the hot seat regarding his so-called street cred and called him out for dissing MC Hammer? That was a very important issue that needed to be dealt with.

Brand: Hanes (Beefy-T)

Measurements: 19.5″ (pit-to-pit) 29″ (rear collar-bottom seam)

Condition: Excellent vintage condition.

Variables: None.

Available for purchase here.