The Arsenio Hall Show Renewed for Season 2, Jay Leno Reveals During Surprise Appearance

The former Tonight Show host surprised Hall with the good news during his appearance on Wednesday night

By Tierney Bricker Feb 27, 2014 2:25 AMTags
Jay Leno, Arsenio HallCBS

What a way to learn you've been renewed!

Arsenio Hall received quite the pleasant surprise on The Arsenio Hall Show's Wednesday night episode: CBS picked up a second season of his talk show!

And guess who got to be the bearer of good news? Jay Leno!

In his first TV appearance since signing off as host of The Tonight Show earlier this month to make way for Jimmy Fallon, Leno made a surprise visit to the CBS late-night talk show. And even joked about taking over hosting duties from Hall!

After sneaking up behind Hall during his monologue, which the host called "gangsta," Leno surprised his "good friend" and the audience with the announcement.

Hall hugged Leno, before saying, "How come I don't get my news first?!" Leno replied, "He's more annoyed that I knew before he did!"

He then joked, "Actually, in the second season, I'm going to be hosting. They didn't tell you that part!" Hall's reaction? Fake-fainting! (Conan O'Brien is somewhere definitely not laughing right now.)

Since its debut in September 2013, Arsenio has averaged 6.7 million viewers per week.

"We are thrilled that Arsenio will be returning for a second season," Joe DiSalvo, president of sales at CBS Television Distribution said in a statement. "We knew Arsenio had a built-in fan base, but he's also reaching a new generation," This season, Arsenio has been the youngest late-night talk show on broadcast television and has given our station partners a real alternative for their late-night lineups."

In a statement, Hall said, "Since 9/9/13, I've been waking up without an alarm clock. Producing and hosting my late-night talk show brings me great joy. I'm back where I belong! Thanks to my partners at CBS Television Distribution and Tribune."