Arsenio: A Memoir

by Arsenio Hall

An Atria Book. Atria Books has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Memoir

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 1, 2026

Reviews

[Nicholas Mccane · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read the ARC of this memoir. I had such an amazing time going down memory lane with Mr. Arsenio Hall.

The book started out a little slow, but picked up quickly. I found his love for entertaining people intriguing. We learn about his family and how he made it to Hollywood. At this point, I couldn’t put the book down. For six years, (1989 to 1994) Arsenio ran late-night television, and I was there for it all. I remember all of this because I was between the ages of 9 and 14. I loved reading the chapters on two of my favorite movies, Coming to America and Harlem Nights. But I’ll have to say that what I enjoyed the most was reliving his interviews with all of my favorite celebrities.

So this is what I did. Arsenio would talk about a particular celebrity’s appearance on the show. Example: Madonna, Prince, Magic Johnson, Tupac Shakur, Eddie Murphy, etc. While reading the chapter, I would pull up the actual interviews on YouTube. Not only was I reliving my childhood memories in my mind, but because of YouTube, I could visually see them again. That one-two punch mixed with his insider information gave it the perfect immersive trifecta. This was a great read, filled with many outstanding stories.

[SCSoftballMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks in advance to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

I absolutely loved watching The Arsenio Hall show as a teenager! I remember that he always had the coolest musical guests on his show. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his memoir and gaining insight into his television journey. Magician to talk show host...Arsenio rocks!

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me this ARC for me to read and review before it's published.

OK, so I knew of Arsenio Hall from his late night show and his memorable characters from Coming To America. Seeing this book, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. You also don't ever see his name on TMZ doing stupid things!

I had no clue his dad was a preacher (thus, that was the inspiration for one of the characters in Coming To America). His had was also 65 when he was born, mom was 21! Total opposites. His mom ended up leaving his dad, and together, Arsenio and his mom moved around quite often and even change locations.

Despite that, Arsenio shined as a young magician, a comedian, a movie star, and a late night television host. As a comedian, he started at the bottom and eventually opened for some big time people (Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Patti Labelle, just to name a few).

Most of the book is spent on the Arsenio Hall show, where he talked about the beginnings and the end and insight to how it all came together. There is a chapter on Coming To America, and I really enjoyed that section.

There were a lot of name dropping of celebrities (mostly musicians), and most of them were black and got there first star of stardom on his show (quite a few rap stars (Tupac, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, MC Hammer, just to name a few). My favorite stories were about Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Prince, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jackson.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and wish I had watched more of his Late Night shows as it felt like his guests were more up to date on the issues of those times.

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been an Arsenio fan since he stepped on the scene. I was tuned into the Arsenio Hall show, an avid watcher. I was thrilled that he had carved out a late night space that centered us(Black folk), and hip-hop unapologetically. Now, in this candid memoir, Arsenio takes us into the inner sanctum of a late night hit show. But before he does that, he talks about his childhood and his dreams of becoming Johnny Carson.

He takes us, right through his growing years to his arrival as a stand-up comedian that is starting to create buzz that lands him into his own show, his dream job! Late night talk show host. I remember vividly that every night seemed like a party, the music, the comedy, the conversations, and Arsenio’s ability to coax emotions and truths out of his guests.

He talks about all this, as well as the constant balancing act of trying to be “less black” and more appealing to white audiences. Paramount(owners/producers of the Arsenio Hall show) wanted less music, particularly rap music and more white music. For those that don’t understand that racism reaches the highest heights in society, these revelations will serve as eye openers.

Arsenio was intelligent enough to see the hand writing on the wall and tendered his resignation. In an important myth busting explanation, his show was not cancelled due to the appearance of Minister Louis Farrakhan, in fact he wasn’t cancelled at all, he RESIGNED! Read this memoir, gain some insight, and appreciation for the man, the world knows as ArsenioooooO Hall! Book is due March 1, 2026. Thanks to Black Privilege Publishing and Edelweiss for an advanced DRC

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book "Arsenio" from NetGalley. I am a fan of Arsenio Hall, so happy to see he wrote a memoir. This memoir ranges from his birth and childhood in Cleveland Ohio up to writing of his six years talk show Arsenio.
Arsenio grew up in many homes as his parents separated when he was six. he took an interest in being a magician and became good enough to put on shows as a teenager. He eventually ends up in California, booking TV shows and a few movies. He writes quite a few chapters about his six year run on his successful late night show "Arsenio" He is honest about the rough times he has trying to keep his talk show going. Being a black man there is always pressure and criticism. He is either "too black to some white people" are "too white" to black people. so a lot of pressure! He speaks fondly of the friendships he has with other successful people like Eddie Murphy or Earvin "Magic Johnson. { I find that kind of cool since i grew up in the same city as Magic Johnson and saw him in basketball games in high school and MSU. anyway i enjoyed reading about Arsenio. a Good read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Atria Books, for providing the copy of Arsenio by Arsenio Hall. I adored The Arsenio Hall Show, even though I don’t remember many details about all these years later, I do remember talking about each episode with work friends every day! Reading about the episodes sent me to YouTube to watch them.This is a fun book and I loved learning about how Arsenio started on his career at a young age., and how he is thriving now. If you love memoirs, this is the book for you. I loved it! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious, unputdownable celeb memoir from the coolest guy on TV back in my day. Love the bits about his childhood career as a magician. It's easy to see how he made it to the top -- talent, hustle, and individuality! Not the most revealing about personal stuff, but definitely breezy and hip.

Great for fans of Being Eddie, old-school hip-hop fans, and comedy nerds. I'm all three, so this was cakes and candy for me.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic and fun memoir with some awesome writing style and great vibes, and interrogates even times when his attempts didn't succeed. would definitely recommend. 5 stars.

[Steve Lamothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best kind of Biography ! Lots of Juicy Stories !! Really fun and enjoyable ! A very easy read

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arsenio Hall is notoriously private. We are lucky he was upset enough about the false stories, rumours and outright lies written about him that he wanted to set the record straight.

Like all Black luminaries, it looks easier on TV than it is to live it, with all the background bull**** and the stress that comes with it.

Somehow, he managed to pull through.

I love the strategic moves Arsenio and his team made to hustle their way to relevance in an increasingly competitive latenight market. Making a way out of no way.

The book made me wonder how far we’ve really come.

[ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ]