The ArScheerio Paul Show
Where to Watch The ArScheerio Paul Show
The ArScheerio Paul Show is an avant-garde re-imagination of the legendary Arsenio Hall Show of the late 1980s and the early 1990s. This series was introduced to viewers by JASH in 2013, featuring comedian and actor Paul Scheer in the key role of Arsenio.
Being a passion project for Paul Scheer, the show brilliantly extricates select moments from The Arsenio Hall Show's iconic catalog, drawing viewers into a glorious time capsule filled with pleasing nostalgia. Given the fame and cultural impact of the original show, The ArScheerio Paul Show doesn’t shy away from implementing a level of peculiarity that can only be appreciated by the niche, yet special, set of viewers who remember the original. It accurately depicts the 90s television era with a twist of endearing ridiculousness that complements and contrasts the era perfectly.
Scheer's portrayal of Arsenio, with his distinctive quirks, outlandishly exaggerated mannerisms and dialogue delivery, is the backbone of this venture. Each episode is eight to nine minutes long, making it a bite-sized delight that serves up a comedic feast using the host's vivacious energy and devout mimicry. Side by side, the show tactfully navigates atypical interview runs and comedy skits, making for a humorous stroll down memory lane that zeroes in on the idiosyncratic outputs of talk show culture of the time.
Delightfully absurd, The ArScheerio Paul Show, reinvents classic Arsenio Hall Show interviews by breaking them out of the traditional late-night interview mold. The beautifully erratic exchanges are the essence of this show and give it substantial comedic charm. The episodes revolve around Scheer’s interview with various guests who impersonate popular figures that once graced Arsenio Hall's couch, from Bill Clinton to Paula Abdul.
With talented stand-ups and guest actors on board, the viewer is quickly introduced to a world where each character presents their exaggerated versions in delightful parodies. Comedic heavyweights and well-known faces such as Will Arnett, Jack McBrayer, Seth Rogen, Jordan Peele, and Alison Brie enhance the show significantly due to their uninhibited performances, adding to the comedy's charisma.
Apart from its whimsical nature, this show reflects the heady spontaneity that was the basis of the original Arsenio Hall Show. Through Scheer’s persona, viewers are provided an exaggeratedly flamboyant look at Hall's charisma. The recreations of Hall's interviews often come with an absurd spin that strays from verbatim transcriptions, offering an exaggeration of the 90s era each episode.
The set of the show is created to match the original show’s aesthetic – reflective of the traditional late-night scenario with a simpler setup that captures your classic talk show feeling. Meanwhile, the costuming and make-up accentuate the re-imagination of these iconic characters delightfully, reeking of the purposeful exaggeration that's become trademark of this charm-filled series.
The show also leverages elements of improvisational comedy. This impromptu flow coupled with the intentional awkwardness results in a laugh-inducing environment that doesn't abandon the original framework of the Arsenio Hall Show but adds unexpected twists and turns to keep the viewers entertained.
Despite the humorous ribbing, the admiration for the golden age of late-night television is evident through The ArScheerio Paul Show. The attention to detail, despite its parody-like nature, indicates an unmistakable sense of homage. Thus, the show provides an intricate balance of nostalgia, laughter, and quirkiness that makes it a unique addition to JASH’s anthology and a celebration of an iconic piece of television history. Despite its concise runtime, the series guarantees a fun ride for fans of comedy, 90s nostalgia, and iconoclastic reinterpretations of iconic pop culture moments.
In conclusion, The ArScheerio Paul Show thrives in its absurdity and infectious humor, providing a charmingly distorted reflection of the iconic Arsenio Hall Show. Its unruly take on nostalgic interviews does not fail to entertain and leaves viewers immersed in a sea of laughter and fond memories.
The ArScheerio Paul Show is a series categorized as a returning series. Spanning 2 seasons with a total of 13 episodes, the show debuted on . The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 5.9.