If you didn’t already know that Arsenio Hall was a completely integral part of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, here’s a fun fact: a segment on his show inspired the 1991 C+C Music Factory song “Things That Make You Go Hmmm...” To celebrate Hall’s return to late night this week, here are 13 of his most ‘90s moments ever.
1. Bill Clinton and the sax, obviously
Those weren’t his sunglasses, by the way. They were Arsenio’s. And so was the tie.
2. Bobcat Goldthwait
At his Goldthwaitiest.
3. Blonde Ambition Madonna
4. Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell
The stars were promoting A League of Their Own in full-on ‘90s attire.
5. Michael Jackson
The King of Pop makes an appearance to present Eddie Murphy with a “Greatest Comedian of All Time” award. And then Eddie gives Michael an award for “The Greatest Video in the History of All Videos.”
6. Macho Man Randy Savage
That’s all you need to know about this one, really.
7. Mary Kate and Ashley
They give Arsenio withering looks and answer his questions with very matter-of-fact answers: “That clip, I assume, is from your video?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
8. Vanilla Ice
In a super uncomfortable interview, Arsenio calls Ice out for feuding with M.C. Hammer, among other things.
9. Marky Mark
Before he got mad about being called Marky Mark.
10. Jim Carrey
At this point, Carrey was best-known as a star of In Living Color. He pretends to be drunk for a good six minutes before he settles down and does a real interview.
11. Tupac
The rapper was promoting Poetic Justice and said rather lewd things about Janet Jackson. Consider yourself warned.
12. L.L. Cool J
He performed “Mama Said Knock You Out” while wearing airbrushed, bejeweled overalls and a bucket hat.
13. Magic Johnson
The basketball player discusses his recent announcement about being HIV positive.