Pop culture has always had a love affair with the sub-guttural — from KMET 94.7's thrilling rallying cry of “Hoo-yah!” to Tarzan's yell to the “yeah yeah yeah” of The Beatles — and Arsenio Hall was no stranger to simplicity's siren call, raising the “Roo! Roo! Roo!” from 1989 to 1994. (During that time, he also hosted a memorable appearance by presidential candidate Bill Clinton, who played “Heartbreak Hotel” on the sax.) Hall's new late-night talk show premieres in September on KTLA, and he's on the lookout for new talent as he goes up against the likes of credit-card panderer Jimmy Fallon and the increasingly bored David Letterman. His Arsenio Hall Show Showcase is a boon for comics everywhere, and you'll get to see them tonight in the rarefied spotlight of the Improv before they fall down the Chuckle Hole in East Orange or wherever, later on down the line. Some purveyors, among others, of timing and laughter: Jay Larson (of podcast The Crabfeast), Brendon Walsh (voted “The Funniest Person in Austin” in 2004, but only for that year), and “Best Comedian to See After a Messy Break-Up” Debra DiGiovanni, although in this context the word “see” remains undefined. Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Hlywd.; Thurs., Aug. 8, doors 9:30 p.m., show 10 p.m.; $5 online, $6 at the door. (323) 651-2583, improv.com.

Thu., Aug. 8, 10 p.m., 2013

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