Arsenio by Arsenio Hall

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Arsenio:

For God’s sake, do not take his pocket money.

Quick synopsis:

It’s Arsenio Hall’s memoir. Duh.

Fact for Non-History People:

The iconic “woof, woof” is actually based off the Cleveland Browns.

Fact for History Nerds:

Jay Leno and Arsenio are actually great friends.

My Take on Arsenio:

I love memoirs that have a positive bent. Sure, books where people are thrown under the bus and secrets are revealed can be entertaining, but it always feels like scores are being settled as opposed to looking back on a life well lived. Luckily, Arsenio Hall’s memoir can be summed up in one one word—gratitude.

Hall almost had me going for a second, though. His preface sounds like Hall is looking to tell his story since it has been distorted by other people. However, what follows is exactly that. Hall tells the story of his childhood in Cleveland, moving around constantly after a divorce, and how a “weirdo” (his word, not mine) magician became one of the biggest late-night hosts ever.

The two main threads are Hall’s work ethic and the people who helped him along the way. Whether it’s his mother, her weed selling-boyfriend who is delightfully named D’Light (pun city, baby!), to luminaries such as Jay Leno, Richard Pryor…you know what? Arsenio knew EVERYONE is Hollywood. This is the name-dropiest memoir of all time. Normally, I’d be quite annoyed. However, Arsenio brings these people up to show how they inspired him, supported him, or he did likewise. It never feels like bragging which is a heck of a thing to pull off in a memoir.

I know what you are here for. Does this scratch that sweet, sweet nostalgia itch? Dang straight it does. Hall covers it all from Bill Clinton saxophone-playing, Madonna, and even In Living Color’s parody. If you are too young to know what I am talking about, then I honestly hurt for you, dear reader. The early 90s were awesome. I need a minute. There seems to be dust in this room.

In conclusion, if you see the name and say, “Arsenio!” then yes, you need to get this one. It is precisely what you want it to do. Grab it with the Tim Curry memoir for a double barrel of positivity and nostalgia.

(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Atria Books.)

Verdict:

A feel-good time. Buy it here!

If You Liked This Try:

• Tim Curry, Vagabond