European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 31, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse A it Hall says he wont fall amid the Leno is. Letter Man War a a a it. A by Greg Braxton los Angeles times in the frenetic world of the late night talk show Host Many a tear has to fall. But its Hall. Who a still in the game. Or so says Arsinio Hall. He argues that reports of his demise in the face of declining ratings the upcoming Jay Leno David Letterman Battle and the potential loss of affiliates that Cany his show have been greatly exaggerated. Speaking in his darkened office at Paramount studios in Hollywood following the taping of his syndicated show recently Hall blamed the Media for perpetuating what he called Quot inaccurate and unfair ratings and for speculating that he would be squeezed out of the late night Arena later this year if lbs and Fox outlets that air his program opt to go instead with Letterman or Chevy Chase. A a in be never been a favorite of journalists and in be never been a prediction for Success by journalists a a said Hall playing with a miniature Slinky behind his desk. Quot but in a Here and in a going to stay Here. I heard somebody say the party a Over Man the party ainu to Over till the people who made me what i am a its Over and that Wasny to journalists in the first place a Hall and Paramount Domestic television executives also said that while his ratings have dipped this season it Hasni to been As severe As some Media outlets have reported and the program remains a hit with key demographic groups. An appearance by a musical performer on his show Hall said generates More album sales than on saturday night live. Quot in a proud to say that other than being in the mtg rotation there is no better Way than my show to reach Young people and to sell albums. And if you re a Young woman this is your show. In be always been the dark sheep for the huddled masses. I dance to a different kind of music and that a going to remain the Kerry Mccluggage chairman of Paramount Tele Arsinio Hall Quot Man the party ainu to vision Quot group said that when All the late night show dust settles Hall will be among the survivors. Quot there is a More crowded landscape but our smaller piece of the pie is More distinct and More Loyal Quot said Mccluggage. A i think Leno and letter Man will cannibalize each others audience rather than Arsenious. We have a lot of Faith and co Iii dance in the Long term future of the Hall said he was not planning any changes on his show in the face of the Competition. He noted his edgier More Urban blend of established celebrities and youth oriented provide a viable alternative to Leno and Letterman. A a in a going to keep doing what in a doing and they can fight Over Alan King Quot he said chuckling. The fist pumping Host appeared to be in an upbeat though thoughtful mood and a far cry from the personality who declared that he was a going to kick Leno a butt a when Leno took Over the tonight Shew last May. He said he received a a really Nice letter from Letterman recently and called him a Quot Cool Hall blasted reports that he might be the big loser in the late night Battle because he would be forced to move to weaker stations or to later less lucrative % % 7s time slots a through providing an Altama Tive in be succeeded. Now All of a sudden people want to create a War again. But you can to have a War when two people done to show up. There is no War Between syndication and Hall said Quot in Man Independent businessman in every City and i can go any. Place i want to. I can end up leaving a lbs affiliate and having Jay Leno As my foreplay on another station. So the Bottom line is this really does no to affect me As much As people Mccluggage said that lbs stations carry tag arse Nio Hall would have to pay a penalty to Paramount if they push Back the agreed upon air time before their contracts run out at the end of next year. Quot frankly we have a lot of lbs affiliates who Are Happy with Arsinio right where he is a Mccluggage. Said. Quot they done to have any desire to change. This Deal with Letterman is not going to be a slam Dunk with lbs affiliates. Its not an easy decision to Hall has More than Leno Letterman and Chase to worry about. Ai cos night inc is the new King of the 11 30 . Time Slot. And Rush Limbaugh has carved out solid ratings with his syndicated show. Mccluggage said that Hall a May have become a victim of his own Success to a certain extent. 1 in showed there was a lot of Money to be made in late addressing the erosion of his a White hot status Over the past four years Hall said it was inevitable and insisted he was not worried. A a it a like a car Accident a he said. Quot when you first come on and you re a Young Black Host people slow Down and they watch but these Arentt the people who arc going to help you who Are going to get out of the car. They re just going to look and then drive away. Then the bleeding stops and you have your True fans. If you look at my numbers now these arc my True fans. And in a very May surface later As the answer for Abc by Rick do brow los Angeles times the third Man of we know Jay Leno is staying at Abc and David Letterman is leaving for lbs in june. But what about Bob Costas the interview series later with Bob Costas which follows Leno and Letterman at 1 30 . Eastern time has helped Abc extend its dominance of late night to since its arrival in 1988. But Costas who branched out from sport casting on the series is trying to stand apart from the Leno Letterman Abc fireworks even though he has been part of the winning Trio. A a in a a very minor figure in All of this a he says. Maybe so. Bunts contract for his series runs out in september Anu the last thing Abc needs is another defection from the Only area of programming a late night Katy ditch it is the acknowledged Leader. Costas says his sports contract with Abc also expires at the end of the year. Asked about continuing his late night show he says Quot i done to know what ill do. In a not being Coy. If in a not Back at some Point Down the Road it will hot be for dissatisfaction with Abc but for personal reasons Only. A i done to want to do As much work As in be been doing. I want to spend More time at Home with my wife and children and we live in St. Louis. Its part. Of the reason i in a giving up nil live and restructuring what 1 1 doing Abc is already Over a barrel these Days trying to come up with a new one hour entertainment series to follow la not a tonight show. But Costas maintains he a not pulling a negotiating ploy. A a there was some speculation that Costas might get the 12 35 . Letterman spot or perhaps figure in it. But Costas says a a in a not a candidate for anything. I do no know yet exactly what 1 want to do. So at the moment in a in no position to commit to anything and it would be presumptuous of me to think that it would be offered in a not an entertainer. �?o1 really done to think that Abc is even thinking of me for the 12 30 spot. And in a perfectly Content to stay where i Arn for the time Bob Costas would Costas have a different More definite Aid Tudic about renewing his series with Abc if letter Man his potent Lead in weren to leaving a no. My decision on this is almost unconnected to anything anybody else docs god bless them All but they have their lives and 1 have on the prowl top ranked lbs has turned quite aggressive in trying to swipe Competition stars and shows As the network builds its ratings. Not Only did it grab Letterman and attempt to lure away abcs Peter Jennings for cd so 60 minutes. It also signed up two longtime Abc hits this season in the heat of the night and the Golden girls retitled the Golden Palace. Battleground terrific piece on the Letterman Abc lbs affair by Ken Auletta in the i be. 1 new yorker. Central casting that three hour lbs version of Gypsy starring Bette Midler goes into rehearsal in March for broadcast next season. The network is modestly Billing it As a possibly the most notable musical event for television since Mary marlins Peter pan. It certainly seems the right vehicle for Midler. But you a five to wonder Why lbs did no to round up Tyne Daly who won four emmy for the network in Cag Ney amp Lacey and starred in Gypsy on the stage to do the musical on television. Return engagement Angela i Sansbu is new Deal to return for at least two More seasons in murder she wrote Means she1 have a few More chances to win the emmy that she has never gotten for the role. Now in its ninth year the show ranks no. 5 among All series this season. January 31, 1933 sunday Page 11
