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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1994)
uesday, April 19, 1994 The Battalion Page 5 rsenio gives it up Talk show host falls victim to late-night ratings war he Associated Press l/77lf Udlli: pectivo, o prevei s of hard g and pro She said e it wiilioi and r e effort, t/f’tiged LOS ANGELES — Arsenic Hall s quirting his fading television [talk show, which fell victim in rat- ngs and pres- e to late- ight competi- David Let- erman and Jay eno, sources aid Monda) - . Hall has [sent a letter to Kerry McClug- gage, chairman of Paramount’s television HALL group, saying he wants to end “The Arsenic Hall Show,” according to a Paramount executive who spoke only on con dition of anonymity. No date for the final show has been determined, the source added. The show debuted Jan. 3, 1989. Another source close to the na tionally syndicated show who also requested anonymity said that Hall planned tell his staff of his deci sion to quit after the taping of Monday night’s show. Telephone calls seeking com ment from Paramount, the show’s producer, and from Hall were not immediately returned. Hall’s six-year contract was due to expire this December and there had not been any active negotia tions with Paramount on renewing the deal, the Paramount executive said. Paramount was considering pulling the talk show after the May television “sweeps,” the Para mount executive said. Hall was clearly a victim of the late-night wars: his national rat ings took a direct hit after Letter- man’s “Late Show” debuted on CBS last August. Hall’s show no longer seemed hip in comparison to the colorful antics of Letterman and Leno on “The Tonight Show.” And Hollywood’s top-ranked stars were no longer making “Ar senic Hall” their first choice on the talk-show circuit. In January 1 993, “Arsenio Hall” posted an average 2.9 rating, according to Nielsen Media Re search. A year later, that had dipped 24 percent to 2.2 (with each ratings point representing 942,000 homes). During that period, the show was dropped by about 20 of the 1 84 stations carrying it. In some markets, such as Los Angeles, it was pushed back to a later time slot because of its ratings. Hall was the replacement host on Fox’s “The Late Show” after co median Joan Rivers left that talk show in the summer of 1 987. Even though he proved an instant hit, Hall’s 13-week contract was not renewed. Paramount picked up the ball and launched “The Arsenio Hall Show” against CBS’ “The Pat Sajak Show,” and Hall quickly trounced the “Wheel of Fortune” emcee. Hall showcased a variety of young musicians, including up- and-coming rap and rhythm and blues bands. When close friend Magic Johnson announced that he had contracted the AIDS virus, Johnson immediately went on Hall’s show to discuss his illness. As a presidential candidate, Bill Clinton played his saxophone on the show. Hall was criticized re cently for inviting Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Hall has appeared in the films “Coming to America” and “Harlem Nights.” Jurors question King’s legal fees The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Jurors considering whether to award Rodney King damages for his 1991 police beating asked the judge Monday if they could consider attorneys’ fees. US. District Judge John Davies said no. Attorneys said the jurors were obviously concerned about how much of their award would be given to King and how much would go to his lawyers. Details of King’s contingency arrangement with his attorneys is private, but they will be paid a share of any award he receives. King’s lawyers have asked for $ 1 5 million in actual damages and the city has suggested $800,000 would be appropriate. The jurors’ note came at midmorning on their third full day of deliberations. “I would assume they’re getting pretty close to coming out with a figure,” said Deputy City Attorney Bon Vincent. “They probably want to give Rodney King a net figure,” said defense attorney Ira Salzman. Said King’s attorney, John Burris: “They’re moving along in the right direction. . . . They want to make sure King gets a certain amount.” King's lawsuit is in its first phase, determining how much he should be awarded in compensatory damages. The city is the sole defendant in the first phase. The city cannot be held liable for punitive damages. The second phase of the trial will determine punitive damages to be paid by 14 individual defendants including four officers who were charged in King’s March 3, 1991, beating and former Police Chief Daryl Gates. Nine other officers who were at the scene are also defendants. The judge told lawyers Monday to begin gearing up for the second phase and scheduled a conference Tuesday to discuss time estimates and the number of witnesses who will be allowed to testify. “Time is going to be very' short,” the judge said. People in the news Kathy Ireland stares down shark, escapes unharmed NEW YORK (AP) — Kathy Ireland is used to people staring at her. A shark, on the other hand, is a different matter. The swimsuit model say's that she was scuba div ing at 100 feet in the South Pacific" last spring, un armed and unnoticed by companions, when a shark came at her. In what she called “the greatest physical chal lenge of my recent life,” she says she held off the killer by staring him down. Another diver eventual ly shot and killed the shark. “It was kind of frightening, but it was also excit ing,” Ireland says in the May-June issue of Fitness magazine. “Maybe fm sick, but I had no problem diving again. I was upset that the shark got shot.” Roseanne files for divorce after argument with Tom LOS ANGELES (AP) — TV star Roseanne Arnold filed for divorce today' from her husband, Tom, a spokeswoman said. Papers were filed this morning for Mrs. Arnold, who is out of town, said publicist Jennifer Allen. The star of the ABC comedy “Roseanne” took the action three days after a shouting match report edly' erupted Friday between the couple on the set of her series. The argument was reported by the trade papers Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. Tom Arnold is executive producer of “Roseanne” and also stars in his own sitcom, “Tom,” on CBS. Allen, of PMK public relations, which also represents Arnold, said they had no com ment from him. The couple were married in January 1990. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Arnolds argued over the parameters of a three-way “marriage” to the couple’s assistant, Kim Silva. The Arnolds have described the “marriage” as a publicity prank. Mrs. Arnold fired Silva and changed the locks to the door of the couple’s production office, the pub lications said. The Hollywood Reporter said Mrs. Arnold also posted a security guard outside to the couple’s Brentwood home. Daily Variety said she stationed a guard outside Arnold’s office. “Roseanne” taped the season’s final episode on Thursday and the events did not affect taping of a pilot of “Cheny Street South of Main,” a new show produced by' the Arnolds, the publications said. Arnold’s series, “Tom,” still has four episodes to tape this year. Mrs. Arnold is the show’s executive producer, but the Hollywood Reporter said her in volvement in the show is minimal. Mrs. Arnold didn’t make a scheduled appearance on a local television news broadcast today'. Daily Variety' reported that she planned to travel to Eu rope on vacation. Toothache forces Tucker to cut performance short PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — A hurtin’ tooth took a bite out of Tanya Tucker’s concert. Tucker cut short her Sunday night performance after 30 minutes because of a painful toothache. She apologized to the crowd, got into her tour bus and left Pittsburg. Several people in the crowd booed. Concert offi cials did not say whether they’d give refunds. Robert Haynes, Tucker’s tour manager, insisted that Tucker had tried her best to complete the show. “She tried hard,” he said. “She doesn’t like to disappoint fans at all.” Harding places ad in paper to thank fans for support PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Tonya Harding still has some fans, and she’s not letting them go unno ticed. The fallen figure skater took out a $480 ad in The Sunday Oregonian sports sec tion with the headline: “Tonya Says Thank You.” “I appreciate the thousands of cards, letters, faxes, gifts and phone calls I have re ceived,” the ad reads. “You will always be very special people to me, even if we never met in person.” Harding pleaded guilty last month to hindering prosecution in the Nancy Kerri gan attack and agreed to quit competitive skating. She was fined $100,000 and put on three years’ pro bation. Harding Vflls Go to Al’s Formal Wear for your Ring Dance Tuxedos. Al’s has the greatest looks for Ring Dance. We carry 50 NEW tuxedo styles and 100s of accessories from top designers. Ai’s never runs out of tuxedos! We can fit you & yourfriends perfectly, in any number, in your style. Ask about our A&M Group Discounts. $ 10— off your Ring Dance Tuxedo Rental with this ad. Al’s has plenty of the latest tuxedo styles ready for rental. No lame excuses or waiting! 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