'Arsenio Hall Show' Taps Executive Producer Neal Kendall

Arsenio Hall's upcoming late-night talk show, which CBS Television Distribution is launching into national syndication Sept. 9, has hired Neal Kendall as executive producer.

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Kendall has spent the past 10 years as executive producer of Tavis Smiley’s PBS talk show.

“The late-night talk show environment has changed dramatically in recent years,” said CTD executive vp programming and development Maureen FitzPatrick, “and I’m excited to bring a new perspective to the table. … He’s a veteran talk show producer and will be great leading the team."

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Kendall essentially will function as the showrunner, overseeing most day-to-day operations.

“I am a longtime fan of Neal’s work,” said Hall. “His unique and diverse track record made this a very easy decision.”

Kendall’s credits include NBC’s Later, CBS’ The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder and CNN’s Larry King Live. He  also has produced talk shows with Carrie Fisher for Oxygen Media, with Jesse Ventura for MSNBC and with Kevin Nealon for TNN/Spike. He began his career at NBC.

“I have worked off and on for nearly 20 years with Neal, and he’s a brilliant showrunner,” added John Ferriter, who manages Hall and also is an executive producer on the show.

Hall’s return to late-night talk will be anchored on the Tribune stations in the biggest markets but is cleared in most of the rest of the U.S. as well. The five-night-a-week one-hour show will start at 11 p.m. in most markets.

Kendall is represented by the APA talent agency.