When Bill Clinton played the sax on Arsenio Hall’s show, politics and pop culture fused

The future president’s 1992 appearance on ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’ showed candidates could reach voters outside traditional journalism

This article is part of The Poynter 50, a series reflecting on 50 moments and people that shaped journalism over the past half-century — and continue to influence its future. As Poynter celebrates its 50th anniversary, we examine how the media landscape has evolved and what it means for the next era of news.

Arsenio Hall made his entrance as host and glanced quickly to his left. What — or rather who — he saw on stage delighted him.

The camera switched to a shot of a suited Bill Clinton. His eyes hidden behind sunglasses, the presidential candidate pressed his lips to the mouthpiece of a saxophone. His fingers worked the keys to Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel.”

The audience cheered and stood as Clinton got into a groove. Hall laughed and clapped along with them. When he was done, Hall stuck out his left arm and gestured at Clinton, who high-fived one of the band members of “The Arsenio Hall Show.”