It turns out that audiences really missed Arsenio Hall. After a nearly two-decade absence, Hall is back and The Arsenio Hall Show debuted to strong ratings.
Arsenio Hall is a syndicated show from CBS Television Distribution and boosted local stations during its timeslot, especially in Los Angeles. According to The Los Angeles Times, early Nielsen data shows that the show earned a 3.2 household rating in LA, where it airs on Tribune’s KTLA. In New York, it airs on Tribune’s WPIX and drew a 1.6 rating, just behind David Letterman.
Nationally, Arsenio Hall beat Letterman and Jay Leno in the key demos, notes Broadcasting & Cable. The show drew a 1.0 in the 18-49 demographic and a 1.2 in the 25-54 demo. Its overall household rating was a 1.9, which was just behind Leno, but ahead of Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel.
It was also up 19 percent from its lead-in nationally and up 88 percent over local news on KTLA. On WPIX, it was up 60 percent over the lead in.
Hall’s first episode featured singer Paula Abdul, rapper Snoop Lion and actor Chris Tucker.
Hall was a major player in early 1990s television with The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran from 1989 to 1994. He has been on a comeback, starting off with his victory on Celebrity Apprentice. His guests tonight include George Lopez, Nas and Magic Johnson.