The former reigning prince of late-night television has returned from his almost 20-year hiatus with the relaunch of his self-titled show in late 2013. From 1989 to 1994, Arsenio Hall hosted the “The Arsenio Hall Show” and was one of the pioneering black hosts in television.
For Hall, the role of journalist and single father are jobs he takes very seriously. Hall reflected on his time off and what that meant to him and his son.
“It’s different than being a daddy but they’re both important. For a while, I took a break to do something my dad wasn’t able to do, be there for every moment. When God gives you that piece of paper you have to decide what to do with it. I used mine to live a life of a single dad. Now I’m back and I’m loving it. I wake up without an alarm clock to do late night television and my son understands that. He’s my biggest supporter,” he said.
Hall noted his upbringing and personal relationship with his father as part of dedication to fatherhood. “You know I came up feeling like [this]; to be one you have to see one. Many of my traits, my work ethic and my character come from my dad. I had great role models in my home and great role models in my life,” he said.
When asked about what the NAACP Image Awards mean to him, Hall explained that “[It] means a lot. From journalism to the on-air experience, we’re on the front of the show business bus tonight; and image, well what can I say. There is no more of an important word.”
Hall also mentioned his concern about “the diet of negative role models now. We will survive, we always have.” He is one father and business man who is showing his son and men of color who watch him, the importance of both professional and personal character.
