Arsenio Hall has enjoyed a successful run in his return to Late Night, and has his son to thank. The talk show host tells AARP that Arsenio Jr., inspired him to get back into show business after more than a decade long break.
“One day we were watching football, and I said, ‘Let’s grab some wings and watch another game.’ It hit me: He knows I’m successful, but he’s never seen me grind. I don’t want him to grow up thinking this is easy. That’s when I knew it was time to go back.” Hall adds, “My new work schedule takes me away from him a bit — but the relationship we’ve built carries us through.”
In addition to giving him the drive to go out and grind, little Arsenio also keeps his dad young. “When I’m in the car with Arsenio Jr., I’ll play ‘My Valentine’ by Paul McCartney, and he’s like, ‘Is this an old Beatles song?’ I tell him, ‘No, it’s new. You’ve got to listen to these lyrics, man.’ He says, ‘Have you heard ‘Bad’ by Wale?’ We put it on, and he says, ‘Dad, you gotta see the video, too.’ So I watch the clip when I get home. My son keeps my ear to the street.” explains the television host.
Arsenio Jr., is Hall’s only child. The teen was born in 1999.
