Brian Williams apologized on the NBC Nightly News from Sochi tonight, to syndicated late-night host Arsenio Hall after NBC News left Hall’s photo off 
a Brady Bunch-esque photo montage of late-night stars. The montage was part of NBC News’ walk-up story Monday on NBC star Jimmy Fallon’s debut as new host of NBC’s Tonight Show. Naturally, the graphic included photos of of NBC-parent Comcast’s late-night stars: 
Chelsea Handler — Andy Cohen got the middle square — and even Carson Daly was included (NBC’s new “Late Night” host Seth Meyers was not in the montage, but he doesn’t debut til Monday). Also in the collection: CBS’ Dave Letterman and Craig Ferguson; ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel; former NBC star Conan O’Brien, who is now on TBS; as well as Comedy Central stars Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. In a voice-over, Williams was heard talking about all the media types “slugging it out for the turf Johnny Carson used to own.”
Related: Brian Williams Critiques Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’ Set
Tonight, in bringing up the montage, Williams said: “Arsenio is a late-night veteran and he took us to task on his show. He even urged audience members to call our newsroom.” Later, Williams added conciliatorily: “So, in apologizing to Arsenio we just wanted to point out that at least you’re in good company here.” Last July, Williams noted, NBC News left the state of New Hampshire off a map and had to apologize to a U.S. senator, and just last night on the broadcast they spelled the name of the City of Brotherly Love as PHILADELPIA. “So, chalk it up to being on the air at 4 AM in the morning in Russia — but it won’t happen again,” Williams promised.
Williams’ apology came hours after Hall nicked Williams during Tuesday’s The Arsenio Hall Show for leaving him out of the report. “If you’re doing a story about late-night, all I ask is that you mention me,” Hall said on his show. “You don’t even have to use a photo. I know how journalism is these days – use Samuel Jackson – it doesn’t even have to be my photo. Use Laurence Fishburne. Just mention me.” He noted he’s the only current late-night host “who competed and survived against Johnny Carson.” He suggested his studio audience, and viewers at home, call Williams to ask him why Hall’s photo was omitted. A phone number popped up on the screen and Hall read the number out loud. “I hate to be the angry black man so…I have an angry black man who’s going to stand in for me,” Hall continued. Out from behind the curtain came Suge Knight, founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records, co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records — and, by some media accounts, not a guy you want to mess with. Knight told Hall, in re the snub on NBC News: “You are West Coast. We are going to give them so many days, so many hours” to respond. Hall grinned and turned to the camera. “We might just be kidding, Brian,” he said, adding, “You know, sometimes I take the joke too far.” Here’s the video:
Even I know that “four a.m. in the morning” is totally redundant. So much for Nightly’s mistakes.
yeah, he accidentally reiterated himself during a joke…
what a buffoon! why does he still have a job?!
Another example of subtle racism from the media who often forgets there are people besides whites.
Thanks, Brian, for another insincere apology from someone purporting to be a journalist. Hats off to Arsenio Hall for handling the snub with grace and humor.
He handled it with grace by whining about it? Everyone, including people who have the good fortune to have their own show seem to have an odd combination of insecurity and self-entitlement. Yes Arsenio, how DARE the nightly news not include your plugfest informercial in amongst the 30 other shows that also have people come on and tell contrived personal stories but are really only there to hawk whatever latest project they have going on.
that’s what all the late night host do…they all invite guest on the show to discuss their latest projects. genius.
I find it very interesting that they didn’t show KIMMEL who is arguably going to be Fallon’s toughest competition among any of the people mentioned. So Arsenio is not the only one they left off. His I think was accidental but the Kimmel omission seems purposeful to me. But you don’t see Kimmel crying do you – because he is AWESOME.
Yes they did mention Kimmel!!! Watch again, slowly.
Two Jimmmy’s…
With respect to naysayers, I forgive Brian Williams.
No harm done, since nobody watches NBC news anyways.
^^^ tjmla1^^^ Actually, it was Fallon who was not in the graphic of photos. Kimmel was he ninth host featured in the pic.
Why does it have to be about race. Self fulfilling prophecy stuff
I’d give the video another look, and listen to Williams’ voiceover, if I were you.
I understand how NBC made the mistake. Arsenio’s show is completely forgettable.
As he said before, he show was the only one to survive competition with Carson. & easy as pie, he has return ! CLEARLY people watch his show.
Re: Apology to Arsenio Hall.
Brian Williams could have done better. Arsenio Hall, a veteran and pioneer, deserved better than being lumped in with some lesser known host on some obscure channel. And he certainly deserved better than trivializing the oversight by comparing it to a couple of typos. Philiadelpia? I mean, really. I thought Brian was better than that.
Arsenio sucks
Accidentally on purpose.
Some things never change….it was no accident…arsenio was before them all…so sad people are conditioned the way they are…
Arsenio’s the best and his show will continue to gain momentum in the weeks ahead. Go Arsenio!!
Gaining momentum while losing viewers.
When no talk show host would interview my business partner, Marlee a Matlin after winning her Oscar, Arsenio took her on AND paid for the closed captioning out of his own pocket. This guy was about diversity before it was fashionable and he DEFINITELY deserves to be here. There is a whole segment of the viewing audience that these guys aren’t talking to but Arsenio does.
Arsenio was a favorite guest on Johnny’s show. The rating had to be sky high. Arsenio introduced new comics, entertainers, music, fashions, audience participation, music,,,and the comedy routines were funny.
Why bother including Hall anyways, since his show is going to get shit-canned by the Tribune affiliates in May as his ratings continue to go downhill.
Back in the 1990s, you have a legit and solid argument FOR including him as he helped pioneer latenights but with his latest version of the show, the complete total opposite holds true to form.
The only mistake Williams made was including also-rans like Handler and Cohen under the banner “competition”.
That’s just cold…..They had a bunch of C lister hosts like Chelsea Handler and Andy Cohen (who the heck watches that guy???).
While Arsenio’s show may not be doing so well, the Man is still a legend. He was around well before any of these other people and like he said, went head to head with the legendary Johnny Carson.
All that said, Brian Williams apology was half @zzed. Then again, he works for NBC which nowadays stands for Nothing But Crap…
judging by his ratings, or lack of, all of America is snubbing this talentless so-called late night talk show host.
Why even respond or read the link if you’re clearly not interested in him? WELL this “talentless” host is a LEGEND! He beat all the other late night host and remained standing next to CARSON! He was a reoccurring guest host on Carson’s show! He’s an actual commedian, unlike fallon. Why don’t you read some facts before you just spew out ignorant comments. people should really do some research before they talk.
Arsenio was great
I love the way Arsenio handled it! He has every right to point it out and get his due respect…after all where did tbe ‘dog pound’ come from? The man created a format from which a voice was given to entertainers who weren’t the “mainstream” back in the day. Brian Williams needs to be ashamed of bis half hearted apology, and should go on the show to apologize in person.
This is a personal and professional and personal affront to a host who did what no other had done,and who continues to do so?
He handled it with grace by whining about it? Everyone, including people who have the good fortune to have their own show seem to have an odd combination of insecurity and self-entitlement.While Arsenio’s show may not be doing so well, the Man is still a legend. He was around well before any of these other people and like he said, went head to head with the legendary Johnny Carson.
This whole thing is absolutely ridiculous. I am so sick and tired of phony outrage. You cry racism at the drop of a hat yet get a pass where most would be called out. Truth is, you are just crying wolf. And the majority will eventually become numb to act of real racism—and that’s criminal. Arsenio’s show has struggled since its initial strong debut—that’s a fact. This is simply phony outrage in a lame attempt to get some attention and free publicity. That’s how it works these days. And you morons fall into line like so many lemmings. You don’t even realize you are being played.
?????? What are you talking about????? Who are you??? And why does anyone care what you are sick and tired of?????
You doing your thing arsenio don’t you worry about a thing baby as Stevie says