The Party Machine with Nia Peeple: Inside The Forgotten Arsenio Hall Spinoff →

Before TikTok dance trends and MTV’s TRL, there was The Party Machine with Nia Peeples—a short-lived but unforgettable late-night music and dance show that hit the airwaves in 1991. Spun off from the massive success of The Arsenio Hall Show, The Party Machine aimed to be the after-party for America’s night owls, mixing R&B, hip hop, club vibes, and high-energy dance floors all under one neon-lit roof.

In this High and Low Retrospective, we revisit the electric atmosphere of The Party Machine, its place in early ’90s pop culture, and how Arsenio Hall’s trailblazing influence helped launch one of TV’s most unique experiments in late-night programming. From guest appearances by rising stars to its connection with Black culture, club scenes, and televised music performances, this retrospective uncovers why the show burned bright—even if just for a moment.

Before Fallon, before Kimmel, The Arsenio Hall Show was the revolution. From its iconic “woof woof” audience chants to groundbreaking moments in pop culture and politics, Arsenio changed late night forever. In this retrospective, we dive into how Arsenio Hall built a movement — from his early days in stand-up, to Eddie Murphy collaborations, to hosting a show that welcomed everyone from Tupac and Madonna to Farrakhan and future President Bill Clinton.