Arsenio Hall (Full Episode) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[music]. >> Hi, my name is Arsenio Hall and I feel. >> [music]. >> relieved. about being Conan O'Brien's friend. >> [music]. >> Hey, welcome to Conan O'Brien Needs a. Friend. Sona, did you finish your string. cheese? >> I did [laughter] not. I still have it. >> Sona, I look over. I'm about to start and Sona has string. cheese hanging out of her mouth and. she's shaking her head going, "Don't go.

yet. Don't go [laughter] yet.". >> You hid it so fast, though. >> You hid You jammed it under the table. >> did. I'm holding it. >> Okay, well, be proud of your string. cheese, you know? There you go. >> go. >> Yeah, how is it? Is it good string. cheese? >> It is good. Thank you for having it in. the in the fridge. >> know we had string cheese. >> do the grocery shopping? >> I used to and then about a week ago we I. thought maybe I shouldn't do it anymore. I would always be rushing out just. before guests were here. >> [laughter]. >> Al Pacino's almost here. I've got to go. to the market.

He likes his provolone. >> [laughter]. >> The market? >> Um the market. That's right. I said the. market. [laughter]. That's like where people in a fairy tale. go shopping. Papa Bear's down at the market with. Goldilocks. Sona, good to see you. >> Good to see you, too, boss. >> And uh we're also joined, of course, Matt Gourley is is out. He's on. paternity leave. and we're very happy for him, but David. Hopping sitting in with us. >> Hello. >> Yeah. >> I'm here. >> Wow, you light up a room. All right,

>> [laughter]. >> um. Listen, you had that coming. You know. you did. >> Um no, you're you're a fantastic fellow. >> Hey, thanks. >> Yeah, and you're about to move into a. new apartment. I'm very happy for you, but you made a mistake of showing me a. video of your apartment and all I've. done is giving you a hard time since. >> I was excited. I we were. together whenever I got the email that. we got approved and I was like, "Oh, here's the new apartment." And ever. since then I've regretted everything in. my life. >> used anything I saw in the apartment. It's very nice. It's two floors. It's. got two balconies. And I started to go.

after him like, "Oh, two floors, huh? What am I paying. you? You've got two balconies? I don't. have two balconies." And um. so anything anytime you open up to me as. a friend, I quickly use it against you. >> Yeah. >> Uh. You know what? I don't want to speak. anymore about our trivial matters. because I am. over the moon about today's guest. Very. excited. >> Mhm. >> Um this is a guy who I uh have a lot of. respect for. I have a lot of respect for. him. And um.

we have worked in a similar profession. And uh we have a lot of things I think. in common. Uh and I just I've always. heard he's a lovely guy. And I'm so. excited that we get to chat. So, let's. get right into it. My guest today is uh. an actor. He's a comedian. He's a talk. show host who now has a new book. And. I've read this book and it's great. It's. titled Arsenio, a memoir. I am just uh. Well, this isn't a job. This is just a.

really fun thing I get to do. And I get. to chat with him today. Arsenio Hall, welcome. >> [music]. >> Relieved. >> Relieved? Why relieved? >> Um see, I should have prepared. Uh. [laughter]. Beca- okay. Being totally honest, if you have to. take it out, take it out. Last night me. and Howie Mandel. >> Yeah. >> arrived in Beverly Hills to do a benefit. for abused animals. >> Uh-huh.

>> With um. Jay Leno. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, because this is last night about. 8:00 and I am thinking get to bed, get. up tomorrow, do Conan. And I'm looking at Jay in this green. room. And I don't keep up with all white. folks' business. >> Right. >> [laughter]. >> Well, guess what? I do. I I've I only keep up on white folks. [laughter]. >> But I I do remember.

that you all had friction. >> Water under the bridge. >> Yeah, yeah. Yeah, and and you know, the. Jay is. >> [laughter]. >> Your friends are laughing. >> Water under the bridge. >> But but I I I thought about it and I'm. like, "Wow, I hope. uh Conan doesn't hate me." You know, because. >> What? >> No, no, because I you know, Jay is like. a big brother to me. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> And we fought, too. Me and Jay, we're. like Cain and Abel. We're.

>> Yeah. Yeah. >> brothers, but. >> Which one gets killed? >> Uh he does. >> [laughter]. >> He does. I I I'm the better fighter. >> Jesus Christ. >> No, no, no, no. I I honestly uh I'm I'm. just I This is going to sound so corny, but um I am so happy with my life. uh and I get to do the things I want to. do and I honestly don't think about any. of that stuff. I really don't. >> And and I don't think about.

>> white folks' business. I honestly don't. know what happened, but I do remember. there was something. I was breastfeeding. back in that era, you know. [laughter]. You had just had a baby. >> miracle? How did you. >> [laughter]. >> You're actually lactating right now. >> Yeah, yeah. >> You know, um listen, I am I I I so want. you just to be a happy person in the. world because I was telling. Adam today that I don't know when I've. had a guest I mean, I filled my book.

with things I want to talk to you about. >> [snorts]. >> Um I read your book uh your memoir. It's. fantastic. It's great. I mean, really. great. And you have such a unique story. and you're so honest in this book about. everything, about how you were feeling. And one of the first things you address. in the book is you say I want to write. this book because I want to clear up. some misconceptions and one of the. misconceptions about you is there are. people out there that think you're a. recluse. And you are not a recluse. You know, you.

might be hanging out with the wrong. people but you're not [laughter] a. recluse. And I'm talking about Howie Mandel. >> [laughter]. >> Um no but. No but but but Arsenio um. there is there is uh you wrote this book. to sort of tell your story and it's and. it's a crazy story. It's a fantastic. story. >> Yeah, there are a lot of things that. I'm sure people will read and say.

that couldn't have happened. I mean. he was a magician, Johnny was a magician. so he thought I'll do the. he was outside a park after playing. basketball with Mark Jackson. and he saw Muhammad Ali doing a magic. trick with a Kleenex, you know. Sometimes it sounds amazing and hard to. believe but I think I've just been. blessed with an incredible life which is. why I was so cool. going home after quitting the show and. chilling. First of all. you and I both know.

what these shows take and then you were. dealing with a lot of stuff that I never. had to deal with. So I take my. experience which I thought was really. difficult and I love the job as you did. but it's difficult, it's draining, it. takes everything you've got. and then I think okay but Arsenio is. dealing with. a whole other layer that I didn't have. to deal with. I mean you've got.

when you're doing your show and we'll. get there cuz I want to do a little of. your origin story but I want to get to. um you know, it's 1989 and people forget. that your show starts in 1989 and. even though that sounds like it's the. modern era, there's still stuff. happening. in 1989. where you're getting network notes like, "Don't say brother so much on the show. You know, don't go into the audience too. much because there are a lot of black.

folks in the audience.". Um you're getting notes like that. >> Yeah. >> And that is um I I I think about that. calculation. You dealing with that kind. of stuff on top of everything that I. know about. And I think that's an. achievement. To be present for all that and keep your. spirits up and do a great job. >> And you know, my desire was to do the show. and put people.

in the mix. that weren't in the mix. You know, when. I was a kid, I'd watch. The Tonight Show or or. I don't know, Dinah Shore. >> You also watched a lot of daytime. You. watched Merv Griffin. >> Um and it's it really is. >> [laughter]. >> and Mike Douglas. And you know what? There's a lot of young people who don't. know those people. Those were guys that. had um talk shows in the daytime. and they had a certain kind of energy. that I think you brought consciously or.

unconsciously into late night which is. you didn't have a desk cuz those guys. didn't have a desk. You. >> And by the way, when I took over, Joan. Rivers had a desk and my producer you. know, my dream weaver, she made me get. rid of it because she came to see me do. stand-up one night and she says, "I. don't want anything in front of you. >> Mhm. >> in case you want to stand up, in case. you want to move forward. And it will. create who we are.". >> This is uh. Marla Kell Brown, is that right?

>> Mhm. >> At who. you're really good friend and your. producer. Sh- The two of you had this mission in. mind, which is and I just want to take. people back for a second cuz we're. talking about it, we might as well talk. about it now and then we can get to the. other stuff. Um. I remember when your show came on and. people can forget how revolutionary that. was. You came out and you were doing a. show that was completely different from. anything that was going on.

>> Yeah. And and in all fairness, you. talked about daytime energy. >> Mhm. >> There was a lot of things um. that I picked up, things on my hard. drive from my childhood. Yeah. Uh there. were times when I remember a specific. day looking and seeing this new rapper. that I knew about but the public didn't. quite know about yet. And his name was. Fat Joe. Mhm. And he was with a friend. who was on the show that day. And I remember thinking. Ed Sullivan used to have Diana Ross. stand up.

So. the mass. public didn't know who he was but my. audience needs to know. And that is what. I thought my job was and I was like, you. know, I didn't say it like. over there in section B. Uh you know, >> [laughter]. >> I didn't do it that way but I said, "Yo, Fat Joe, stand up, take a bow." And that. was from my childhood seeing Ed Sullivan. say, "Diana Ross, take a bow.". >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> It's a horrible Sullivan but uh you know. >> I didn't know that was Sullivan.

>> Yeah, that's [laughter]. I I know you thought I thought it was. the guy. >> He's doing Merv again. >> Yeah. >> Stand up. >> Someone's struggling with a. neuromuscular disease. [laughter]. That's what I was getting and I thought. >> Um yeah, but uh I think. the. the thing that I always. really admired about you and to this day. is that. at a time when everyone thought these. late night talk shows are this certain. kind of thing.

you came along and you said um I'm going. to do what's right for me, what feels. comfortable for me." Now, that sounds. like an easy thing to do. I remember the. one of the first times I met Johnny. Carson and he gave me advice. He said, "Just be yourself.". Until he saw who I was. Then he said, "Have you got anyone else. you can be?". >> [laughter]. >> But. it sounds like an easy thing to do. It's. one of the hardest things to do in the. world and you came along. and you and your producer Marla and. you're like, "This is what the set's.

going to look like. There's going to be. no desk. We're not doing that. This is. going to be a party. This is going to be. everything that I've wanted my whole. life." Because in your book you detailed. that even as a kid, you're pretending to. be Johnny Carson. You're pretending to. be a talk show host. You Oprah would say. you manifested this. And you really did. I mean, it's pretty incredible. >> show in my basement. Um. the ghetto of Cleveland. I'm also a. magician. That is a recipe for getting.

your ass whipped every day. >> [laughter]. >> Every day you walk to school you're. going to get your ass beat. You know. Give me a quarter. But do a trick with. it first, >> [laughter]. >> You know, that was my life. >> They They hit you and three pigeons fall. out of your sleeve. [laughter]. Absolutely. That's so fantastic. No, you. were. I mean, we're going to just jump around. because that's the kind of interview. this is going to be. We're going to jump. all over the place, but. >> This is going to be a jazz interview.

>> Jazz interview and everyone loves jazz. Um [laughter]. You You go in You go in with. the things that you wanted to do and you. you did them right away. You were. completely yourself and it was a. phenomenon. I mean, the show was It's. all anybody was talking about. It was a. big hit. And one of the things that people forget. because TV It so different now. It's not. even called TV anymore. It's just. there's entertainment everywhere on all. these different platforms. Back then it.

was next to impossible. to crack into one of these shows. You do. and you say, "I'm going to do this. completely my way.". And. I remember the guests. I mean, these. were not people you ever saw on. television. >> And these are the people you saw that. they weren't making me turn down. Like I. was. having Ice Cube stop by the studio. and say, "Yo, dog. Look at this and tell. me what you think, you know?" And it.

would be him performing with N.W.A. And. I'm like, "I can't even say the title.". >> Yeah. >> You know. >> Yeah, yeah. with attitude and um. I went to Paramount. I tried to get them. on. So So there were people you didn't. see um because early on before. >> get them on. >> Uh well, yeah. Paramount wouldn't let me. put um N.W.A. on. Eventually, I brought. Ice Cube on and Dre on and. and Eazy-E on separately after they. broke up. But in the beginning,

Paramount would just say no. After the show took off, I would push. harder and say, like like I went through. the same type of meeting. when Ice-T came up with Cop Killer. And I'm like, "I want to do Ice-T. And I want to let. him explain. this whole thing he's going through. right now with this album." And um. they said no and I said, "No, we're. doing this one.". I stopped letting them say no. >> Yeah. >> Uh because I had a little bit of power.

and I'm like, "I got to do this. I I Otherwise, I. merv.". >> You got to get the power first, you. know? And you got the power. And you. start to exercise it. And I'm just going. to cuz this blows my mind. I was. Again, I love the book, but. your guests, Muhammad Ali, Jesse. Jackson, Miles Davis, um Michael. Jackson, biggest star one of the biggest. stars in the history of the world. You. got Mike Tyson, Whitney Houston, Maya.

Angelou, and she was so nervous. Is this true. that you guys. she wanted backstage? She needed a. little something to calm her down. >> Yeah, and um, I think we were at this point where our. green room wasn't supposed to have. liquor in it cuz something had gone. wrong. And. >> [clears throat]. >> she knocked on. my door and she says, "Hi baby, can we. talk for a minute?". >> [laughter]. >> And and she comes inside and. and I offer her a drink of what I have.

cuz somebody a talent coordinator had. told me, you know, Maya wants just a. little toddy to relax her. And it became. a tradition whenever she came on the. show, you know, me and Maya went in and. had a little sip together. It relaxed. us. >> have? I'm just curious. >> It was a brown liquor. I don't remember. exactly what it was, but it was. >> Probably that stuff in the purple bag. >> [laughter]. >> You know, it's that brown stuff that. come I think that's what I had. >> Yeah, Crown Royal, yeah. >> I did that but it was cough syrup.

>> [laughter]. >> What? And it wasn't Maya Angelou. >> It was Al Roker. >> Oh, [laughter] wow. >> That's a party. >> I was working a different thing, you. know. >> [laughter]. >> But. >> you had these people on, you had this. music on and there was I mean I remember. nights where it was an event. I. remembered. I think I think there was I could be. making this up but I seemed to remember. a night where like Eddie Murphy's there.

and you know, Eddie's the biggest thing. on the planet and. um, you know, I think Michael Jackson. comes by and you're looking at oh oh. >> You know, back in the day. um, I used to host the MTV Awards. Yeah. And like I think I did it for 3 years, but one of those years. Michael couldn't come to the MTV Awards. So, we made a deal that the award he was. getting would be given to him on my show.

the next week. >> Wow. Okay. >> And there was also an award in the film. world for Eddie. So, I'm like. let's see if Eddie'll come and Michael. and Eddie can kiss each other's ass. You. know, no. >> [laughter]. >> Uh Michael and Eddie. >> Okay. I'd tune in for that. >> [laughter]. >> Uh Michael and Eddie can each give. the other an award and that's how we did. it. Uh Michael said, "Eddie is the best. comedian in the history of You know, and. Michael gave him an and Eddie is like,

"Yeah, oh, Michael So, this one's for. you." And. >> [laughter]. >> and Eddie gave him and it was the best. segment ever. >> Yeah, so. >> Especially when me and when me and Eddie. are out there and and Michael walks out. >> Yeah. >> We knew he was walking out and it. us up. You know, it's like it's Michael. >> that was an event. People talk about. Everyone's trying to make events happen. on TV and I think they're fewer and. farther between. They don't happen that. often, but you come along at this moment.

and this is. um. just unprecedented. This is. unprecedented and you brought. all these entertainers that meant so. much to you. and you. you bring them you're you're so true to. what you want to do. that you start getting it from both. sides. You get. white people saying or white you know, it's a network note I think sometimes.

They wouldn't It's not a network note. I. shouldn't say that. >> The show's too black. >> The show is too black. >> too black. >> Okay. Was Was that a thing that was. actually said to you? >> Oh, yeah. We we talk in meetings. Nobody. could text back then cuz it hadn't been. invented. And uh. they would. not only tell me you're too black, but. they would give me examples of what I. shouldn't do. And um. you know, you you mentioned one earlier. Stop calling everybody brother. But that. was an interesting meeting because I.

went over to an executive's office and. they said, "I was listening to the. show." Cuz executives would have. monitors on watching everything. And uh. and the executive said to me, "Stop calling your guests brother.". And I said, "What do you mean?" I said, "Tonight, I'm listening to the show and. all I hear is you brother this and. brother that and that sounds like it's. not inclusive to your larger audience. And what they didn't do was pay. attention to who I was talking to cuz I.

was calling Mark Wahlberg brother. >> [laughter]. >> Um. he was with Marky Mark and the Funky. Bunch. And so what they learned with me is. yeah, there are a lot of things I'm. doing that maybe need. to be ironed out or changed, but. pay attention cuz. I call everybody brother and some of. this stuff. Yeah, that's yeah. Me and Mr. Rogers had. identical jackets that we picked out for. the show one night. [laughter] And I'm.

like, this is brother Rogers. Yeah. But you know, that's you get that, okay? Which. people would probably And one more. thing. You know the hardest part you. know, the hardest part is when black. people come at you, they come at you with bars and spit. Like when Ice Cube was mad, he found. something that rhymed with Arsenio. You know, and released a track. You. know, people ask me.

>> [laughter]. >> yeah, you know, when you Now I'm. thinking. See, you when you make Streisand mad, it's not as much of a problem, >> [laughter]. >> you know. But but Ice Cube, that was. sitting. >> what I wanted to talk about. You're. getting [laughter]. you have. >> People ask me if I like the. bicentennial. >> [laughter]. >> I hate it and I hate Arsenio. >> [laughter]. >> It was some like that.

>> It wasn't his best rhyme. Um but you know, that's that's the point. I'm making is that you. Yes, you're getting you're getting these. notes from white people saying it's too. black, but you're also at the same time. getting flak from the black community. saying it's not black enough. >> Yeah. >> And you get some flak from. you know, Spike Lee and you get some. flak from some other people who say. this hasn't gone far enough. >> Or what? >> Why is Ed Asner on before me?

>> Excuse me? >> Why This is the black show, right? >> Yeah. >> I thought things would be different. Why. the is Ed Asner coming out before. me on the black show, too? >> Yeah. >> You know, and it it it was rough. It was. cuz. I have a flaw in my personality. I love. to please. I love to make people happy. >> talking about. >> them to go home, you know, I want Mike. Epps to go home happy. >> Yeah. >> You know, and sometimes you just can't. make everyone happy, but I tried for 6. years. >> well, this is the thing is that you you.

you're in this bind because. um you can't make. everybody happy. You just can't all the. time. >> Spike Lee was angry because I simply. couldn't give him the day he wanted. You. know, sometimes when you're rolling out. a movie. >> Mhm. >> if the movie opens tonight, back in the. day, movie opens tonight in the theaters. Spike wants to be that Friday night. guest, also knowing, you know, and this. is just an example, also knowing, say. for instance, that more people might. watch on a Friday cuz they don't have to. work on a Saturday, and sometimes.

numbers on a Friday are better than. Monday, but he had a specific day he. wanted and we were already booked with. our first guest out. And uh and he got. angry at me. >> Yeah. >> Um. you know, and and and that stuff happens. every day. Back then you you build up a. thick callus on your heart because you. get attacked every day by somebody for. something. >> Okay, that I don't believe. >> [laughter]. >> Because you strike me I I think we there. are some similarities between us. I. think that.

um. I try to pretend things don't hurt me, but they do. >> [clears throat]. >> And I know you and everyone knows you to. be a really decent good person. I think. that. it did really bother you probably to get. It hurts because you're so trying to. make everyone happy with this show. >> Yeah. >> And then suddenly you're thinking, "Okay, I accept that there's a white. executive who doesn't understand.".

But. I I would. >> Why is Spike Lee Why is executive you. say, uh "I want to do two numbers with. Bobby Brown." And they'll say, "The. model?". And uh. >> [laughter]. >> And you realize your struggle is. going [laughter] to go straight uphill. It's going to be hard, you know. >> Going back to your origin story, your your dad was a preacher. >> Mhm. >> and very charismatic performing preacher. and you're looking up admiring this guy.

and you talk in your book about how it. meant the world to you to try and please. him and that you're still trying to do. that. to this day. You go through and I know what you're. talking about because it wasn't that. your It's not that My parents were very. loving, but. I know that I was competing I I I wanted. attention from them. I wanted to make. them laugh, and that is.

kind of the chemistry behind everything. you do. And here I am, all these years. later, and they're gone, but I do think. they're still part of me that's trying. to win them over. And so, there's so. many things in your book where I go. like, "Oh my god, I understand. My dad's. a microbiologist. He's not a preacher, but it's the same thing.". >> Did he want you in the family business? >> Uh he I kind of think he wanted all of. us to get into one of us to be a doctor, and then he quickly saw. these idiots. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> I don't want them operating on me. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So, uh he was happy that I got into.

comedy. >> Well, I I My dad wanted me to be a. preacher so bad, Conan, that he would. bring me, holding my hand, into the. pulpit. on a Sunday morning, and sit me down. next to his guest pastor or assistant. pastor. And so, my life was watching. the. congregation, and watching my dad from the back. As a. matter of fact, in Coming to America, when I told John Landis about the. director my background John Landis, the.

director of Coming to America, he. created these shots. When the preacher's on stage at the. Black Awareness Pageant, he created. these shots. that were really me describing to him my. experience watching people. Yes, Lord, that's what I saw. I saw that lady. I. saw my dad from the back, you know. >> Yeah. Well, you know, I I was again. we're jumping around, but I love this. cuz I have it in my notes, like Coming. to America with. >> This is how my stand-up is. >> Yeah, yeah, I know. >> [laughter]. >> But no, it's just like Miles Davis on.

some kind of fentanyl or something. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's like. >> But this I like. >> [laughter]. [laughter]. >> Yes. >> Um. >> He leaves the stage, and then he leans. back in. >> [laughter]. >> I'm sorry. >> But no, but this is this is. this is how it's going to be cuz this is. the best way. Um. but you know. I have Coming to America like 75. exclamation points because yeah, Eddie's.

great in that film. You are so good in. that movie. That is such a great. performance and I remember when you were. the preacher and I didn't know that your. dad was a preacher and then I read in. the in your book. that. of course you could play that part. But. I think you channeled your dad. >> My my mother was a male barber. So I was able to channel her in the. barber shop. >> [laughter]. >> And and I also didn't know that you made. Coming to America while you're waiting.

to kind of hear about whether or not. you're going to get your own show. >> Yeah. >> And there's this downtime and that's. when you and Eddie who were friends at. the time and he brought you in and then. suddenly you're making this movie. together. That's some project before you. start your big show. >> Yeah. >> And they turned Coming. >> Coming to America down. We We went and. pitched it at Paramount. And they said no, thank you. And we were like. give us some notes. What should we do?

And they were like we're not sure but. you know, it's a fish out of water. We've seen this a billion times and. Coming to America at that time didn't. have the barber shop. It didn't have the. preacher. Didn't have Eddie as the old. Jewish man. >> Yeah. >> It was a guy named Ned Tanen, I believe, who was running Paramount who eventually. gave us notes and he said everybody. wants to see Eddie do characters again. Everybody misses SNL. >> Yeah. >> How about if the people you meet in.

America are played. by Eddie? And I was sitting there saying, "Uh. could I get y'all a drink?". >> [laughter]. >> And uh and it's Eddie that said, "Hey, I. saw Arsenio do stand up uh. on this HBO thing. and uh he does this thing about Jesse. Jackson. I know he can do a great. preacher and we can come up with some. barbers and Eddie came up with with uh. the specific characters.

and I just. uh sat there shaking cuz I'm like, I got. to do characters with Eddie Murphy. That's like saying, you know, uh check Jordan. >> [laughter]. >> You know, yeah. Lock that. up. You know. >> I said, "Whoa.". >> [laughter]. >> So so I was a nervous wreck sure going. into Coming to America. >> It's uh you're great. You're great in. it. It really holds up and um.

this I need to explain to people cuz I. don't know if people understand the. trajectory cuz it's really fascinating. Um there's a whole part of your book I. think people should read cuz it's really. lovely about you as a kid. You take up. magic. Um we also have something else in. common. I was a different kid as you can. imagine and you're a diff you were a. different kid. We both had names no one. had ever heard before. Yes. So you're. Arsenio, I'm Conan. I don't know if you. have the same thing but my dad didn't.

even know about Conan the Barbarian. That wasn't a big thing when I was. growing up. It wasn't like a known thing. yet. So people used to get really hung up on. my name and I'm a strange kid with like. a giant pompadour and they're like, what. is what is this Conan guy? And I swear. to God sometimes if they give you a name. like that. it makes you become something. interesting. It's a it's a weird theory. but. you're a you're a one-name celebrity. even when you're a kid. You're Arsenio. >> Yeah. >> And people must have thought, what the.

hell is an Arsenio? >> And yes. >> [laughter]. >> Yes. Cuz Arse No, there are no Arsenios. anywhere. You know. >> There never has been an Arse We've. [laughter] You've a national manhunt for. an Arsenio. >> something like that like a few years ago. and there like 18 of them now worldwide. and a lot of them were born around when. the talk show was on. But back in the. day, you in Cleveland and you at the. basketball court. in the ghetto of Cleveland and people. are picking up and it's like uh I got. Leroy.

uh. let me have no neck. >> [laughter]. >> Tyrone, you with us? >> [laughter]. >> Arsenio? >> And you're and you're there in a. magician's hat. >> Yeah. Yeah. Let's. >> [laughter]. >> Let's finish. >> Arsenio's got a magician's hat yes and. you're like well look what I can do. >> I'm like this with a cape. dunking on people and [laughter]. you know. Uh. >> And you and and people need to know you. were you were really serious about you.

were really serious about the magic and. you took the magic pretty far. You were. good and you were getting up on stage. and you were. >> no TV show? >> getting on TV shows as a magician. I. mean people [laughter] don't know that. You were a uh. the real deal. >> They flew me to They flew me to New York. the first time I ever left Cleveland. They flew me to New York to do a PBS. show and uh and I did my vanishing. candelabra which was uh something I'd. never done on television. >> I mean. >> [laughter]. >> it just so you're you're you're that guy.

and then at one point someone sees you. do your act and you of course. funny is in your bones you were being. funny in between. >> Yeah. >> the the the the the tricks you were. doing or the illusions you were doing. and someone said. more of that the comedy. You should be. doing the comedy. >> my feelings though cuz cuz back then my. soul. is you know I'd had dinner with Harry. Blackstone Jr. Yeah. You know uh my soul. was that of a magician.

And when this guy Hank Moorehouse in. Ypsilanti, Michigan. uh says to me. "You should get rid of the magic." And. "Do you know what a stand-up comic is? You You should be a stand-up comic." I. cuz I would take tricks. Like I had a. trick where you tie two handkerchiefs. together. We call them silks. >> Mhm. >> And uh and I put the handkerchiefs. in your shirt. And. then I take another. silk.

which by the way this. became what Ali was doing in front of. the playground. >> When you saw him you saw him, yeah. >> So So I do this. this silk disappears. >> Mhm. >> and it appears between the two that are. put down here in your shirt. But what I. would do is I would do the trick twice. The first time I'd get a an a lady from. the audience. I'd put the two silks in. her shirt and when I first pull them out. her bra comes out in between. >> [laughter].

>> The. two silks and I'm 10. >> Yeah, you're 10. >> [laughter]. >> You know, let me get this straight. You. were canceled at 10. >> Wow, holy that's hard to do. >> And and now you can't even you can't. even touch a lady's. >> No, no. >> you know. So So this guy. was saying, "You're making adults. laugh." And I I I remember what And And. then I do the trick again and I I make. it happen correctly where where the silk. appears in the middle. And I remember. Tony Lipford a little girl who lived in.

my building when I went to uh. New York to do this and went to Colon. Michigan to do the convention, she would. let me use this training bra. And it was. important cuz my mother's bra and all my. aunts' bras, they were like parachutes. They were huge. >> [laughter]. >> I I had. You know, my my My Aunt Mabel, she never had a. bank account. My Aunt Mabel [laughter]. she used to have $40 and a Kleenex.

>> [laughter]. >> at church and then. >> You pull the bra out. >> 30,000. >> in quarters. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Go flying. >> And two people died from suffocation. But Tony Lipford loaned me a little. training bra cuz we were the same age. and it was one of those bras that almost. has no cup. >> Yeah. >> You know, and that's that was easy to. use and make that trick work. >> So someone sees you you start doing. stand-up and um this is when your life. takes a major change cuz you're doing. stand-up.

you're getting really good. >> in Cleveland. uh while I'm watching TV one night in uh. my grandmother's in Cleveland at the. house I'm living in I'm in Kent at Kent. State. I'm watching TV and I see a. street. you know how they interrupt the news? I. see a street and it's on fire and these. houses are burning. and one of them looks like a house at. the corner of my grandmother's street. And I realize. the whole neighborhood's going up. That's my grandmother's house. I jump in.

the car and I drive from Kent State to. Cleveland. My house burns down that. night and that's where all the magic. equipment was. So so I was forced. to get funny and get more bras. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> It's like. but it's like divine intervention again. it's like okay I'm going to be a. stand-up and you start to get to the. point where you could get potentially a. booking on the show Tonight Show with. Johnny Carson.

but their booker is like yeah you're not. a Johnny guy. You're not a Johnny guy. >> Yeah. >> Which um. you know is. now sounds ridiculous and insane. >> And and. >> But but I get it. The show had a. distinct personality. You know, you have. a station-ality. Uh I wasn't surprised. when I saw Deon Cole on your show. You. have a station-ality that that's very. specific to your brand of humor and and. and and your demographic and everything. And and for me. um. I got that Bobby Kelton.

and Argus Hamilton. uh those were Johnny guys. >> Those are the gatekeepers of the Tonight. Show. >> Yeah, and Johnny liked them. Tom Dressen. had done, you know, 4,000 Tonight Show. appearances. >> Right. >> And uh I waited for Joan to go on one. Monday. And I knew I was probably more a Joan. guy. And I got on the first time with. Joan. and then got to sit with Johnny when I. >> Coming to Coming to America. >> Coming to America. >> So, to to to instruct everyone who.

doesn't know, this interesting thing. happens. Joan Rivers is a frequent guest. on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. She. gets offered her own show. She does it, causes a major feud with Carson cuz he. does not like that. She's on Fox. She does a show, it implodes, it doesn't. work, it comes apart, but you had gone. on that show. >> Yeah, as a stand-up. >> as a stand-up. You'd been successful on. that show. And then when Joan leaves, they need someone to kind of. this thing's still on. >> Yeah, they got 11 weeks with just a set.

And Joan leaves, she's not coming back. I think Edgar, her husband, killed. himself. >> He did. Yeah. >> Yeah. So so. that ship had sailed. And they went. through a lot of guys letting them have. the show for one night. From Wally Cox. to Malcolm-Jamal Warner to Suzanne. Somers cuz I remember Suzanne Somers did. very good. And in the end, they were. choosing between me and Suzanne Somers. >> So, you come on and then they more or. less say, "Hey Arsenio, you're really.

good at this. Why don't you just This. show is ending, but why don't you take. over till it ends." Now, here's the. thing you don't know. That show ends and there's kind of a. feeling like, "Wow, that Arsenio guy did. really well. He's going to come back.". Okay? And here's the thing you don't. know. There's a replacement show after Joan's. show. >> Wilton North. >> The Wilton North. >> know this now. >> Okay, so the Wilton North report gets. announced. This guy is going to put on a. show. There's no host for it yet, but.

they get some writers before they even. have the host, which is kind of unheard. of. And I get this call. And my writing partner and I go in and. we get offered jobs to write. We need. work. We haven't worked in a bit. So we. say, "Sure, we'll do it." We don't know. what this is. Who are the hosts? They. say, "We don't know yet. We're going to. find them.". And so one of the first meetings we had. you were still, I think, finishing up. your show and we were just having an. early introductory meeting. I leave and I heard there's and I go, "Is there anything to eat around here?". And they go, "Yeah, there's a snack room.

in there.". I go into the snack room. and I see you. And you were at the. refrigerator getting something and I. said, "Oh, I knew who you were." I'm. like, "That's That's the guy who's been, you know, >> You were holding down the fort. >> You're holding down the fort. And And I. was like, "Oh, hey." And you were so. nice to me. You're like, "Oh, hey. How. you" You're very gracious. >> And you were like, "I am so. >> [laughter]. >> I am so glad this story goes like that.". >> No, no, no, no, no. >> Excuse me, white meat. >> [laughter]. >> Well, you did call me white meat.

>> But you were very nice about it. >> [laughter]. >> You were like, "You are really white. meat.". >> Well, >> white meat. >> Yeah. And then, um, no, but. >> [laughter]. >> I remember you being really nice and I. went back to the room and I went, "Oh, I. I cuz I was, you know, super young and. there's a guy who's been on TV for a. couple of weeks and I knew I recognized. you and that's like a big deal. So I was. like, "Oh, I just saw the, you know, the. guy Is it Arsenio? Is it. >> You were just [laughter] new. >> So we we work on that show. We're way.

behind the scenes. It implodes. It. doesn't work out. >> two DJs from Northwest, right? >> San Diego. >> San Diego. >> There were two DJs from San Diego and. they they hired them and it wasn't their. fault. It was just a weird. You got to start with the person. You. got to start with the person. You can't. >> show, uh you all know cuz you work for Conan, but but that guy is the engine. You can. take a body of a car. We've seen this. done. Uh I saw. Jay Leno. Uh. I.

>> [laughter]. >> Don't apologize. >> I You know, I. >> That's your problem. That's not my problem. >> I I know I got I know this guy who's a. mechanic. Yeah. [laughter] And uh he put. he put a helicopter engine in a truck. >> Sure. Yeah. It ran different than a. Chevy. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The motor. >> Yeah. >> We're the motor. >> So this mechanic, he was like. >> [laughter]. >> he was like Yeah, yeah. I'm going to. take it. a helicopter engine. Put it in a Chevy Chevy Chevette. >> [laughter].

>> Why you doing that? Yeah, I don't know. It just seems like it's going to cost a. lot of money and waste a lot of time. So. I thought that maybe I'll do it. >> [laughter]. >> But anyway, whatever this guy's name is, he's he's having fun. That's the. important thing. >> This is what I was afraid of. >> [laughter]. >> This is what I've been. >> Oh my. But um. so. >> [laughter]. >> this is this could be my favorite. episode ever. Seriously. And I have this man to thank. Um. but but but you know. so I met you, then they decide, okay, uh.

this this. Arsenio kid has something and Paramount. you get the syndication deal and your. show starts. And here's the thing people. have to remember, I remember this very. well, your show started I think at the. very beginning of 1989, like early. January. >> wanted to get away from the September. uh. >> That's when they make That's when they. That's when they make everyone That's. when I had to go, September 13th. That's. when a lot of shows start.

You You show up at it's like second week. of 1989 and it is a smash immediately. And here's the thing that's really. interesting. You talk in your book about um your. ratings were huge. I think you were. second to Johnny that first week. But you what. what you had is you had 35 and younger. Your demo was through the roof. And what's interesting is. that was good news for you then,

but what you couldn't possibly know is. today to have a demo like that, that. means you're on the air for the rest of. your life. The demo is more important. than how many people are watching you. And I think you existed at a time. >> Before advertising. >> For advertising because they, you know, now I mean, for a chunk of my career. it's it's the demo that saved me. It. wasn't that everyone in America wanted. to see me, it's the young people who buy. things wanted to see me, and that's what.

made a difference and saved me. I think. that. you were in a much more difficult time. where you had a great demo, and then. you're also expected to get everyone in. the country watching you, which is. complicated. You know what I mean? >> I mean, first of all, you were I I I. just think that that was a challenge you. had that. >> It's impossible. >> No show can pull off today. No show can. do that. >> Yeah, you you know, even even when you. deal with the world of comedy,

I had an audience. that was loving when I bring on a new. guy like Chris Tucker. >> Yep. >> But if you like Chris Tucker, you probably don't like. Argus Hamilton. You know, it's a different thing. >> Yeah. >> And for me to be a different show every. night. is very complicated. >> Yeah. >> Um. >> It it it was tough to to balance it and. they were telling me, especially around. the time when Johnny was about to leave,

they were telling me, "If you do the. right show, you can inherit the King's kingdom. >> Right. >> They'll come here when Johnny leaves cuz. we don't even know what they're going to. do and who they're going to replace him. with. That was all a mystery. So, they. were really pressing me at that time to. um cuz cuz like like I would get a call. from Michael Bivins of New Edition. >> Yeah. >> And Michael Bivins would say, "I just signed four guys out of Philly.

called Boyz II Men. and I'm not finished with the album yet, but. I would love to tell them that when we. finish they're coming on your show and. it'll inspire them and everything." I. said, "Even better than that, Mike. Bring them next week.". And. I've always wanted to put The. Temptations on cuz I used to tour with. them and they were my heroes. I want to. put Boyz II Men and The Temptations all. together. Like I want to have 40. doing choreography, >> [laughter]. >> you know? And and so so let's have The.

Temptations and Boyz II Men and it's a. beautiful line of men. performing. the old, the new. >> Yeah. >> Boyz II Men's idol, my idols and and. stuff like that. Paramount was like, "You're not going to. get Johnny's audience doing this.". >> Right. >> You know, and and so they wanted me to. change my persona. I remember one time. them saying, "Could you get rid of the. earrings?" You know, um. but that happened and and by the way,

that's not a black thing. I've seen. uh producers tell Howie Mandel to take. off his earrings, you know, or or make. them smaller or whatever. That That's. just what they think the culture. in America wants to see. >> Yeah. >> And I would have like a nice jacket, but. my jeans would be ripped, you know? >> Yeah. >> And uh they were like, "There's no reason to have your jeans. ripped." You know, one time I I carved. Adidas stripes in the side of my head. cuz that was happening then. Not for.

y'all, >> [laughter]. >> but uh. you know? >> Yeah, David, what did you have carved. into the side of your head? >> [laughter]. >> The lyrics from Frozen? >> Yeah, just had Let It Go, Let It Go. >> Let It Go around his [laughter] head. That's hilarious. >> It's just. he was in a different culture. >> in the Midwest. >> But you can imagine when you do. something like that, they're like, "Yo!". >> No, no, no, no. >> But here's the thing, um. they they forget that.

you know, this idea that you have to get. everybody. into the tent is incorrect. If you're you want to be ruthlessly. yourself, which you understood, and it's. been always been my credo, you got to do. your thing, and if it doesn't work for. you, or if it doesn't feel authentic, it's your job not to do it. But you were I mean. you were doing television at a time when. you're at the forefront of a lot of.

this, you know? I mean, there are a lot. of people who the first time they saw. I mean, a black person with their own. show, and it's a late-night show, which. is. it's just unheard of. So, you're the. first person doing that, and the first. is hard. You know what I mean? It's it's And you. must have so many people that have come. up to you. over the years and have said like, "No, I grew up watching you, and I saw. whatever, my values, what I liked. reflected back at me." And that's. massive.

>> Yeah, I get enough love in the streets. that I never have to work again, man. And you forget you you forget Somebody. reminded me in Vegas. I go to see Bruno. Mars. And the dude backstage says, "I remember. when you put him on.". And I forget things like that. Bruno. Mars was like an embryo. You know? [laughter] I mean. You know, they were. >> He was born on your show. Yeah. You. don't You delivered him. >> Oh, he was performing and slipped in. some placenta.

>> [laughter]. >> Uh. when he did. this one. >> Yeah, but you know what? He made it look. cool. >> Oh, yeah. He [laughter] slid all the way. across the stage. >> That's that Bruno. >> But but you know his his his dad and and. the people around him were kind of. secretive about his actual age, but I. think he was like five. >> Mhm. >> You know, and and uh. and I still have people come up and say, "Dude." And and the [clears throat] cool. thing also is they're not always black. Sometimes it's a white dude who's a. lawyer who says, "We used to stay in and.

watch you. Then we'd go out on a. Saturday night back east, you know.". >> Well, here's the thing you you knew. You knew instinctively. uh. you know, human beings can pick up on something. that's real and authentic. >> Mhm. >> And what you did know, because I can't. pretend like, "Oh, this is my life. reflected back at me watching. Arsenio." What I could tell is something. authentic and new is happening here.

And that has nothing to do with race. That has nothing to do with This is just. someone who knows what he wants to do. and has a vision and is expressing. himself and bringing all these different. people in and it wasn't just I mean you. know, you have people like Prince. You. have all these incredible performers. come on who weren't doing other other. shows, but Madonna is coming on. People. that don't do these shows are showing up.

>> on your program. >> Robert De Niro his That was his first. talk show. >> Yeah, I I knew I could get him though. cuz I had a lot of black women on the. staff. >> [laughter]. >> You know. >> Well, yeah. >> And I said, "If he's going to do a show, >> [laughter]. >> it's going to be this show. I got a lot. of sisters named Tookie on the staff. You know. And at the same time. >> [laughter]. >> At the same time while I love Chucky. Hey, we got a Where's my Chucky? Where's.

Chucky? >> [laughter]. >> At the same time while this is going on. and I'm experiencing this this this. life, I'm leaving the lot, you know, and there. are other people on the lot like Ted. Danson doing Cheers or Mary Hart doing. Entertainment Tonight. I leave the lot. one night and the guards. ask if they can search my car. because some instruments from my show, Stage 29, the posse, the band, some. instruments have been stolen. And we're supposed to search all the.

cars leaving the lot tonight. And of course, that's when I become. black. You know, that's when I get too black. Because. >> You're the host. >> Yeah. >> of the most successful show. And. >> And and and don't get me wrong, I'm sure. Mike Douglas steals, you know, uh from. time to time when he was here on Earth. But uh but it was just it. Sometimes you're going through stuff.

and that's the straw that broke the. camel's back in in a moment and I did. things that I should not have done. Um. but I was like, you're not searching my. car. Did you search Ted. Danson's car? You're not searching my. car. Um. I'm a part owner in my show. And the instruments that was stolen, that's money out of my pocket, I don't steal my own. and they give me that free. If you. want a E3 or a clarinet, I You know how. many bass guitars I have at home?

Fender's just We're sending you another. Jazz and a Precision in the You know, so. it it it was just absurd. And uh me and. this guy. that I was rolling with, um. we break the gate, you you know, the gate that goes up and. down. We broke that off. That Those Those are not very strong, those gates. They need. >> [laughter]. >> You know. >> I think everyone's on your side on this. gate breaking thing. >> But But yeah, so so I got in a lot of.

trouble for uh the. the problems at the gate that night. But. But I was just. >> You got in trouble? That's insane. >> Yeah. >> You know, but. >> Lucy So Handy called me the next day and. she's like, "Come over and let's talk about what. happened at the gate last night.". >> I was I was pissed and I didn't handle. it right. And if a young comic asked me. for advice, I'd say, you know, don't get into it with the. guards and don't break the gate off. >> [laughter]. >> uh if they say you can't leave, you. know. But I was like, "You You going to. hold me? You're not going to That's not.

going to happen. You're not You're not. searching my car and you're not keeping. me here.". >> I thought it was amazing. doing your show. and the LA riots start. >> Mhm. >> And I lived in LA then and it was. uh. That was I think I was working on The. Simpsons when the LA riot I was working. on The Simpsons and we're on the second. floor working on The Simpsons and. we can tell things are. It's as you know, the air. >> office?

>> Uh we were on the Fox lot. >> Yeah. >> Cuz you could look You could go on the. roof of some of those buildings and see. smoke from South Central. >> is we started to hear you know, we heard. about the verdict. We hear that that. there's violence breaking out. And of. course, whoever was running the show at. the time was like, "Well, we got to get. this. you know, what does Marge say next? We. don't know what Marge says next." And. some of us are thinking, "Um can we just. go check the TV? Hold on. What's just. Does Does Homer speak here? I think it. should be Marge's line.".

And [laughter] then someone went out to. get. like a couple water or something and was. standing on the balcony and saw just all. this smoke. >> Yeah. >> And then no. >> At some point, we're all watching TV and. we see Reginald Denny dragged out of a. concrete truck. >> He's He's He's dragged out of a truck. and hit over the head. >> Cinder blocks, yeah. >> Yeah. >> And it was you know, it it. uh so I jumped in my car at The Simpsons. and I drive back to my apartment cuz the. the guy said, "Let's. let's figure out that Marge line later. Everybody go home." And so.

it was a very strange. upsetting, obviously, uh time. and. you were advised. well, you can't do your show. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And you said, "I'm doing my show.". And. you had very strong reasons for why you. thought it's important for me to do my. show right now, which were. >> But but yet, by the way, as as an EP, I. understood where they were coming from. They were talking about insurance. They.

were talking about somebody getting. hurt. Uh um. >> Yep. >> You know, I got what they were saying. But I also. got that this ain't the time to shut up. and dribble. >> Yep. >> You know, this is a time for an. entertainer to use his vehicle in some. way. And I understood that at that point. I thought. maybe this is the night I book somebody. like Farrakhan or. I I got to book somebody that can reach. the brothers out in the street.

Because I think we're about to tear up. our own neighborhoods. >> Yeah. Yeah. And uh. obviously. >> everybody thought that would distract. from what I'm trying to do and what's. going on and it would be bigger than the. riots. And I said, "Oh, yeah, yeah, no, I get that." And so. we got Tom Bradley. >> Mhm. >> Sean Penn popped by. uh Sinbad Everybody. And then I invited. like 200 members of First AME, my. church. So I put my church They signed. waivers and everybody sat in the.

audience and we did the show that night. Which a billion things are going through. my mind cuz I also remember uh. uh. Tom Bradley, Sean Penn brought a guy. with him and Paramount sent a lawyer out. to say, "The guy with Sean Penn, we can't talk to him. So, don't go over. there." And to this day I I I said, "Okay, okay." I had so much on my mind. To this day I I wonder who that guy was. And it's also interesting because from. Ice Cube to Minister Farrakhan, uh I.

look now at what you guys are going. through. and being told what to do, what not to. do, who to book with Colbert and who not. to book. And Trump wasn't in my mix, but. it's funny cuz. I never thought to publicly talk about. me being censored. >> Yeah. >> or publicly talk about them not. letting me have someone that I want to. have because politically that person is. wrong or whatever. I I also remember. when I booked Bill Clinton,

I grew up thinking that. you always bring the other side. And I thought that was a law, but I. guess it's changed or it's vacillated a. little bit these days, but I remember. putting an offer out to Mr. Bush. >> Yeah. >> You know, cuz I wanted both of them. >> But he can't play saxophone. >> He can't play saxophone. >> that Talk about another thing that's in. history books. Bill Clinton. with the with the Ray-Bans playing. saxophone. >> My Ray-Bans and my tie. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> On your show, that hadn't happened, you.

know, I mean, all these things were. happening. that were. um. I think. resonating, you know, throughout the country. I. mean, that's a moment that's going to. endure. And the thing I'm thinking about. is your instinct about have the other. side. I think you had this idea of let's. open up the house, invite everybody in, and see what happens. >> Mhm. >> And if you lead with goodwill, and. that's the. because you were always about goodwill. If we lead with goodwill and we get.

everyone together in a room, I don't. have to agree with everybody, but this. is going to be interesting. And to me that's that's uh that's a nice. sentiment and sometimes now people get. so locked into being angry about. everything. that we're not inviting the other people. in. >> Yeah, I I remember having the first. openly gay stand-up comic on, a young. lady named Lea DeLaria, who went on to. do Oranges and New Black. >> She's great. She's terrific. >> She walked out and she said, "I'm a big.

dyke." You know what I mean? >> [laughter]. >> And I'm like, "Whoa, I know Paramount. will be over later after the show to. talk to me.". >> They're no longer worried about the. gate. >> Yeah, [laughter] yeah. What about the. gate? What the hell was that? Yeah, it was So [laughter] so it was it. was tough. It it it was a tough time. because. um. they didn't want any of that. They. wanted me. to just cool out, dude, and wait for. Johnny to leave. >> Now, one of the things. that I didn't know. is that.

you decide, you do this for 6 years, which is a real stretch. These are hard. shows and you're doing it, as I said, you're carrying. you know, you're you're carrying a heavier. backpack. than um. certainly than myself and and other. hosts. >> Or a different backpack. Cuz I I don't I. I also don't like to put myself in a. position where oh, it's tougher for me. Everybody has some burden to bear.

>> Okay, that's fair. I'll give you that. That's fair, but I reading your story. and and seeing what it is that you were. dealing with. um I have crazy respect. I'll put it. that way. >> Thank you. >> Crazy respect for what you did and that. you always kept it um. uh like I say, the emphasis on goodwill. and let's try it, you know, that spirit. of let's get Boys II Men and The. Temptations and see what happens. That's. a beautiful thing.

What I didn't know. is that you start to burn out. You're. like, I think I've got to stop doing. this. I've got to stop doing this. I I. need to put this down. Um and you go to Paramount and you write. them a letter and you say, "I'm going to. leave." And they they say, "Okay, well, don't say anything about it yet." And. they sit on the letter. >> Mhm. >> And they don't they tell you you can't. tell anybody. >> Right. >> So, you keep doing your job, but you. have every intention of leaving. And then they announce.

that they're ending it, which is in. I don't have another word. It's just a. shitty thing to do. Uh. >> Yeah. I I I don't think they realize how. important truth is. in the long run. You know, in that moment it's like, "Haha, we beat you." But they don't. realize I'm a human being. I'm a person. with a legacy and I want to inspire. people to know, not just black kids, but. to know dream. and you can win. And I want my story to reflect the truth.

of what that journey was like and what. that ending was like. I've seen two. books My My son is involved with a. bookstore in Leimert Park. And you know, I raised him right. He could have done. it in Beverly Hills, but he's doing it. in Leimert Park and doing a lot of. business over there. And one day he. shows me two books. that are about me. And it's one of the. times when I said, "I got to write a. book." I just didn't know how to go. about it. Because I realized. I don't even know. these books exist or who these authors.

are. Um we tried to search one of the. authors and. it's not even a real name. It was. written under an alias. And I'm like, she didn't even want me to know she was. telling this. uh. stuff about me, you know. Uh so, I I really wanted to leave a book. on this earth. that I wrote about me. >> And it's also it's really important. people to know that you were like this. now needs to end and I want to end it. and go out on on my note and then. >> I put the letter in the book. Oh, it's.

there. And it's remember when you used to fax. things and it was on that kind of paper. that like a like a cocaine dollar bill. rolls back up after remember that paper? >> I know. >> [laughter]. >> Do I know? >> It was that kind of that old. horrible paper and it doesn't last well. >> And that that creates a misconception. that oh. because you know. uh. um you. you know very publicly disagreed with a.

lot of the things that Farrakhan was. saying and rightfully so but you wanted. to. confront him about those things and talk. about it and of course that got. everybody freaked out. And so there was. this perception that Paramount was. saying because you talked to Farrakhan. your show has to go when you had sent. them. a letter long before saying I'm ending. this show. >> Yeah and and and they told me they said. let's get together with a publicist.

Let's decide the way to position this. and how to send out a back then we would. send out a press release you know. Now. you tweet. Yeah or you do Snapchat so. they don't have it next month you. [laughter] know. I didn't quit. What the y'all. talking about? Show me. >> Yeah. Show me where I quit. [laughter] I. want receipts. But. yeah so. they they kind of me over. It was. like a relationship that.

>> That's how these things tend to end. I. have to tell you these these these talk. shows. >> Yeah. >> They tend to end that [laughter] way. >> of been through yours with the network. >> Yeah you go through this stuff but and. then they have more power and more ink. than us so they're always going to but. then you realize that you know I think. like you I've always tried to take the. attitude I was I mean. I was really lucky. Just very lucky. person that easily could not have come. my way and I think I'm a hard worker and. I think I have some ability, but.

mostly it's a lot of luck. >> People need to hear that. >> Yeah, and I. >> It's not just talent. I saw Prince uh. get booed when he first hit. I think he. was opening for the Rolling Stones. Nobody had more talent than Prince, but. it's luck and timing that goes with that. talent. I know a lot of talented people, funny people, great musicians. that are struggling. >> Yeah, and trust me, I have made it a. life's mission to say um. you can maximize your chance of getting. luck.

by working really hard and by being a. pleasant person to work with, but this. book also makes it clear. that you were. you were working so hard and you had all. these different arcs before we got to. know you. You know? [clears throat] And I mean, I. didn't know anything about the magician. stuff. It made me want to cancel this. book. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I love too that's in the. book? The time that you're outside a comedy. club and it's you don't know Eddie.

Murphy that long. You guys are just in. you're like hanging out by a parking. meter outside the comedy club. >> Hadn't met him at all. >> Hadn't met him at all. And. >> [laughter]. >> And and Keenen Wayans Keenen Keenen. Wayans is. going to introduce us. >> Yeah. And you're chatting with him and. you confess to him that you. were uh spent a lot of your career as a. magician and then he confesses to you. >> that he was a ventriloquist. >> [laughter]. >> Yes. >> And and here here's another crazy part. I talk about this in the book. There's a.

night and you'll relate to this. This is. just for me and you right here. >> [laughter]. >> You ever ask the guest that question and. they've decided that what their. pre-interview. um had in it or whatever their publicist. told you, they don't want to talk about. that. >> Yep. Yep. >> So, I say to my friend, uh, cuz I know this is a gray area. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> You know, and I know that he, you know, at home, I know we've smoked a. joint at some point, and he's done send. your wenches. >> Yeah, yeah.

>> [laughter]. >> You know, I know I've seen the. >> he has. >> Right? And that is funny. And this guy. could afford a dummy. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, but instead, little lipstick right here. You know, and uh, and and so, so I say to him, and I know I can I can lay back cuz he. this is going to be 2 minutes. And I say, "So, you were a. ventriloquist.". And that says, "No.".

Mhm. >> Yes. >> And move and move like but you were a. magician. And. yeah, yeah. And we go from there. And I couldn't believe he bagged me like. that, but he didn't want to do that. >> Yeah, yeah. >> You know, he didn't want to talk about. me, but recently, I've kind of been exonerated from the. house of lies because [laughter] uh, because he did a documentary. >> Yes, that's right. >> Yeah, and in the documentary, decides to tell the. [laughter] truth. You know?

>> But there law on TV, in that moment, he. left you hanging. >> Oh, man. And I you have no idea. I. didn't feel exonerated until recently. when he's on his little uh, what a documentary, and he's got a. Richard Pryor and a Bill Cosby. ventriloquist dummy. [laughter]. I don't know why this put. people to sleep like [laughter] that. And and he's doing this, and I'm like, "Yes! Yes! I told you,

[laughter] He was a ventriloquist. lying bastard!" You know? >> That's when you're yelling at your TV at. 3:00 in the morning. >> Yes. Yes. >> They have to take [laughter] you away. >> Oh, yes. Yeah. My woman puts me in. another room. Let me go. Let me go. >> [laughter]. >> This is just insane. We got to I mean, we got to do a part two sometime. We. really do. >> Yes. How long have we been in here? >> Hour and 5 minutes. >> Hour and 5 minutes. This is much more. than we do. >> [laughter]. >> I wish my stand-up would go like that.

>> you know what? Uh. we got to we just got to do a part two. sometime. I just want to make sure you. got to get this book. Arsenio A Memoir because it's beautiful. It's really funny. Uh just in It's an incredible story. >> And even if they don't read, get the. book. >> Get the book cuz you can you can If. you've got a table that's uneven in your. home, >> [laughter]. >> or the microwave you want it to sit on. something sturdy. >> Or I I I I I hate to quote other comics. because sometimes that can be perceived.

as stealing. But, um. I love Chris Rock's. take on books. You know, it's like, "Hide your money cuz that's the last. place a going to look.". >> [laughter]. >> You know, so get the book and put. something in it to hide. >> [laughter]. >> It is uh I was so excited today for you. to. come in and I'll tell you this, too. I. have so many friends, so many writers of. mine, people I know who are stand-ups,

and they've worked with you, they've. bumped into you. Universally, everybody. says you are unfailingly nice person. You're a really good person, and that. means the world to me, too. >> Except that guard at Paramount. >> Oh, come on. >> [laughter]. >> I think I'm on your side on that one. >> I I try to I try to treat people. the way God would want me to treat. people, and I know that sounds corny. >> No, it doesn't. It doesn't. >> Okay, you know, I but that's the way I'm. from. That's who I am. And I try.

I've fallen short in my life many times, but when I came up. um. nobody says good things about Cosby. anymore, but I remember a time. when you could pop by Cosby's dressing. room in Atlantic City or in Vegas, and. I've had Jerry Seinfeld agree with this. He would sit and talk to you for 4. hours, give you advice, we'd have. conversations. Um. Richard Pryor, I remember one time I. opened for Chaka Khan at the Universal. Amphitheater. And I was so proud to tell.

Richard I got a gig, you know, and we're. at the Comedy Store, Richard's working. on his special and he says, "I'd like to. come to that.". And [snorts] I I say. "Really? I. I can leave you tickets." And I leave. him and his guy Rashaan, his body man, uh two tickets and Richard comes early. and watches me, and then when Chaka. comes on stage, "Why don't you get. started?" Uh uh uh Richard gets up and. comes in back, and I know he loves Chaka. Khan on a couple levels, you know, not.

just music, but uh. >> He's a renaissance man. >> He's a renaissance man, he and a coxman, and [laughter] uh. and and. and he loved him some Chaka, but he came. backstage to to [laughter] tell me, "You. did a great job, that was wonderful.". And that's the greatest moment of my. life, that Richard took the time to come. to the Amphitheater and then got up and. came backstage after the opening act. left the stage. Uh so, I try to treat. young comics and young entertainers that. I meet the way the legends taught me the.

way the legends treated me. I remember having. Quincy Jones come to watch me at the. Roxy. The next day he calls me, has me. come to the studio, and I sit with him. while he masters. something called Off the Wall. >> Oh, wow. >> That we didn't even know. And and he's. going he's like, "Listen to this, this. is Sheila E hitting. uh different. uh. soda bottles with different levels of. water in it, and it makes. um. different no and it's tink tink tink but.

it it tink tink tink but it it and he. just plays that part. And I think it was the beginning to. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough. or one of those. But but. and he said, "Yeah, man, Michael coming. back, man. He coming back hard." You. know, and then he played a song. He. says, "You're from Ohio, right?" This is. the first time I've ever met him. "You're from Ohio, right?" And I'm like, "Yeah, John Levy told me you're from. Ohio. Let me Let me play you something. else." He plays a song called Find 100. Ways. >> Mhm. >> And he says, "This is just a scratch. track uh by a guy who's letting me hear.

how how it can sound." And I said, "What's his name?" He said, "His name is. James Ingram. He's from Ohio. He's from. where you're from.". And I'm saying, "Let him sing it." You know, and he he. says, "Yeah, yeah, this is my first day. with the demo." And and he uh puts on. his album Find 100 Ways and Just Once. and allows the guy on the scratch track, the demo, uh James Ingram to sing it, and James becomes a huge star. Those kind of moments. are incredible blessings, and all I can. do,

in fairness, is try to return them every. time I get the opportunity with a young. man or young woman. >> always hear you do that. You do that uh. relentlessly and with great kindness. And Arsenio, we're going to have to do a part two at. some point because you have. there's so much more to talk about. There really is. You've got so many. great stories. >> like they say in our business, we get. off script. >> This was not a script. This is. >> me loving the book and then talking to. you about it. >> I appreciate. >> And being really excited that you're. here and uh fanboying uh a lot. So,

that's me being me. >> I'm a fan. You remember I came up to you. >> Were you outside the Four Seasons Hotel? >> Yes. And you came up to me, and I was. like, "Arsenio walked up to me.". >> Yeah, but so nice to me. >> Yeah, and I'm always that way. >> You're you're above all the crowd. wherever you are, you know. There's a. lot of little guys with with uniforms. running around. and like, "Look at Conan. above all the uniforms." [laughter]. How are you so I didn't I didn't realize. you were that tall. >> Uh no one does. I have the personality. of a very small man. >> Yeah. [laughter].

>> Um but in the paint. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Um. >> in the paint. >> Arsenio, please come back, okay? Cuz. people are going to love this episode. and we got to keep it going, okay? >> for letting me come. >> Are you kidding? >> Thank you all. >> This. >> He looks like um. one new kids on the block. You know the. Which one do I look like? >> [laughter]. >> Which one? >> Oh, there's a. there's a dude in New Kids on the Block. who look. like you.

>> You know what I'm saying? >> I look like a. >> [clears throat]. >> My sisters loved New Kids on the Block. >> Yeah. >> You look like his son cuz he's he's. about 50. >> I think he's 80. >> [laughter]. >> But you look like the son of one of new. one one of Mark Wahlberg's guys. Anyway, but I hope we're off the air at this. point. >> [laughter].