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"I thought it was just putty putts but it was party fun!"
*Arsenio Hall, comedian and one of the best late night talk show hosts ever, prevalent in the 80's, surfaced again recently at the Jim Hill Celebrity Golf Classic held at the Pacific Palm Resort in beautiful Industry Hills. It just goes to show you that you can't keep a good comic down for long.
I remember tuning into Arsenio for years and enjoying his very relaxed style of interviewing guests and then meeting him at a surprise birthday party for him given by my sister, Alicia Bythewood's best friend. In the mid to late 90's I practically lived at the Comedy Store while co-handling comedienne Celia Fox and Arsenio would often show up as a surprise guest in the main room. Arsenio is not only a funny guy, he is darn nice also.
Hall hosted the 2-day get-away golf event and fashion show extravaganza and kept an audience that included many celebrities such as comedian Rodney A. Perry, comedian/actress Roz Ryan, comedienne Beth Payne, 'Idol' star Trenyce (an incredible singing sensation, I might add), actor/comedian/singer Meshach Taylor (Designing Women, Mannequin), TV sitcom star Ella Joyce (The Rock), actor Richard Gant and Jackee' in stitches.
It was wonderful to see Arsenio back after being away from the limelight. Fellow comedian/actor Meshach Taylor (my former employer for years) who was seated at a banquet table nearby the stage was vocal about missing Arsenio and addressed his friend from his table. Arsenio also pointed out to all, his deep and profound respect for Taylor's talents.
There was also genuine camaraderie on stage between Hill and Hall and Rodney A. Perry who offered a devil-may-care Perry style comic interlude and later was a celebrity model. Rodney made the audience shriek with laughter and screams when he tried a peek a boo abs display revealing a mid-drift bulge that was…well… not quite up to Janice Dickinson model standards. It was risky business to say the least and if he had revealed anymore it would have been damage control time, emergency 611 to the PR medics.
There was lots of recreational activities in addition to golf; Monte Carlo casino, wine tasting, a celebrity red carpet fashion show by Runway Rhythm which featured LA's beautiful models of color including sexy fit trainer Sam Bell. A professionals after party featuring MC Lyte on the turntable kept the music R&B funky to dance the night away.
I didn't know a golfing event could be such fun. I thought it was just putty putts but it was party fun.
Jim Hill, NFL legend/community activist and sports commentator was a gracious host and thanked all for participating at his event, which benefited the Los Angeles Urban League.
Now, I'm a bonafide golfing party pro. All I need is one of those stick thingies and I'll be ready for the green (LOL)! Kleo - Out
Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned syndicated columnist/publicist. You may write to her at kleopatragirl117@hotmail.com