LOS ANGELES — Sitting near the stage at the famedThe Comedy Store,Arsenio Hall's thoughts immediately travel back to stand-up legendRichard Pryor.
As Hall, 70, writes in"Arsenio: A Memoir"(Simon & Schuster, March 31), mentor Pryor, who died in 2005, ruled the comedy mecca's Main Room and took a liking to him as a young comic who was surviving on Jimmy Dean sausage free samples from the local Ralph's supermarket.
"I tell comics, 'If you haven't learned or stolen something from Richard's stand-up, you're doing it wrong,'" Hall tells USA TODAY. "He was the master. It was the ultimate honor to have Richard watch you work. Richard watched me open forChaka Khanat the Universal Amphitheater. I killed. Haven't killed since."
Arsenio Hall and Ed McMahon goof around at the "2nd Annual TV Land Awards" held on March 7, 2004 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arsenio Hall, Donald Trump and Clay Aiken attend the "Celebrity Apprentice" live finale at the American Museum of Natural History on May 20, 2012 in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arsenio Hall reacts after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on June 11, 2013 in Chicago." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arsenio Hall hosts the 20th Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant at Palms Casino Resort on July 13, 2016 in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy star in "Coming 2 America."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arsenio Hall's career from 'Coming to America' to late-night legend
But seriously, folks. As Hall details in his endearing memoir, the aspiring magician from Cleveland, who recreatedJohnny Carson's "The Tonight Show"in his basement with the neighborhood kids, killed often at The Comedy Store — including one memorable evening in front of his impressed date,pre-"Baywatch" model Pamela Anderson. It was not an epic romance. ("One of my best sets ever. I know I'm going to score twice this night." Hall writes.)
Before exploding onto late-night TV with the syndicated "The Arsenio Hall Show" for six culturally resonant years (1989-1994), the comic crushed it in 1988's "Coming to America" as Semmi, the loyal best friend to Eddie Murphy's Prince Akeem.
Hall recalls the "Coming to America" filmmaking going well until an on-set fight between Murphy and director John Landis resulted in the director quitting. Hall was off the day of the blow-out, but says he zipped over to Murphy's Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home to give support. The night ended with non-drinker Murphy accepting Hall's screwdriver cocktails and marijuana joints.
"I taught him how to inhale; that was the first time he ever smoked," says Hall. "We never discussed what happened with him and John Landis. I think two days later, they talked and worked it out. And we finished 'Coming to America.' But that was a crazy day."
Arsenio Hall weighs in on Bill Clinton's sax appeal
There are so many classic moments from "The Arsenio Hall Show," but none more consequential than presidential candidate Bill Clinton's June 1992 saxophone appearance. The sunglass-wearing Arkansas governor made headlines attempting "Heartbreak Hotel" with the show band.
"You could tell he was no Kenny G," Hall says of Clinton's playing. But the appearance with wife, Hillary, is credited as being pivotal for Clinton winning the 1992 election. Hall makes clear he invited the Republican candidate, President George H.W. Bush, too.
"I got a response from (White House press secretary) Marlin Fitzwater, who said, in essence, 'Get the (expletive) out of here,'" says Hall. "I was told that it was Hillary's (Clinton) idea to do our show, which was a smart political move, because the young demo might have turned that election around."
Hall writes that Clinton told him on Air Force One years later: "Without your help, I might not have become the 42nd president of the United States."
Steven Seagal was 'packing' as an 'Arsenio' guest
Action starSteven Seagalcomes across as a memorable guest on the show who arrived by helicopter for Hall's birthday party. "They open the door, and he comes out, going, 'Hey, young man, Happy Birthday,'" Hall recalls. "Everyone else took limos or nice cars."
On the show, Hall was surprised to feel a telltale bulge while gretting Seagal with a hug. The "Above the Law" star brought his gun.
"I dapped him up, and I thought, 'This motherf----- is packing.' I never got it. What's up with bringing your gun on the air?" says Hall.
Arsenio Hall played 'cupid' for Charles Barkley and Madonna
Hall writes that he played "cupid exactly twice" during his "Arsenio" TV run. He helped make a love connection with the show's musical director, Michael Wolff, and guest, "Thirtysomething" actress Polly Draper.
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"They hit it off, and they're still together," says Hall of the married couple.
Hall saw sparks fly after bringing pals Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell to watch Charles Barkley play for the Phoenix Suns. In the breathless reporting that followed, Barkley publiclydenied dating Madonnabefore the 1993 NBA finals. Hall is coy explaining why he refers to the reported pairing as his second cupid gig.
"I introduced them, I don't know what happened after that," he says. "What's interesting is that the Suns didn't win, but Charles' playoff numbers were very good."
Arsenio Hall gets 'Straight Up' on Paula Abdul
The notoriously private Hall discusses his relationship with the former Los Angeles Lakers choreographer and singerPaula Abdulin the book. For some fans, "it was the Travis and Taylor of the moment. Absolutely magical."
Hall clarifies, saying, "It was two people that everyone knew who took a liking to each other."
Hall was chilling in his car happily listening to a Lakers game while Abdul was in the studio shooting the famed "Straight Up" video with director David Fincher. She urged him to step inside.
"So I come in, and they just happened to have a bomber jacket that fit me. And (Abdul) says, 'You have to be in this,'" says Hall. "So that's how I ended up in the 'Straight Up' video. She just wanted me to move around; she knew I couldn't dance."
Hall describes a light relationship, saying he and Abdul were "hanging out."
Hall writes in his memoir that both parties "pump the brakes" on the coupling before it got serious and "remain friends."
"My timing and innate ability to end things before they're finished may be my superpower," he writes.
Hall wrote his memoir for his son, Arsenio Hall Jr.
Hall says he was inspired to write the memoir for his 26-year-old son, Arsenio Cheron Hall Jr., born to former partner Cheryl Bonacci. The former late-night host writes that spending time with his son was a significant reason for leaving the "The Arsenio Hall Show." (Hall insists he quit by letter before the show was cancelled in 1994.)
Hall Jr.'s business ventures include a bookstore in Los Angeles' Leimert Park.
"I thought it would be cool to have a book and a son with a bookstore," Hall says. "It's full circle."
Hall returned as Semmi for the 2021 sequel "Coming 2 America" and continues to tour comedy clubs, often joining friends and former talk-show hosts Jay Leno and Craig Ferguson on "The Kings of Late Night" tours. Working the Comedy Store stage, the remarkably youthful Hall says he's horrified and delighted that the joke sets are now being recorded for review.
"I was looking at the tape when I got home and I realized that I'm walking like a 70-year-old," says Hall, laughing. "I remember when I played the old preacher in 'Coming to America' and practicing that walk in the Waldorf Hotel. Now, it's how I walk. If we do 'Coming to America 3,' I won't need make-up."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Arsenio Hall talks Eddie Murphy friendship, dating Paula Abdul
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