Comedian and actress Mo'Nique can pinpoint when she began to fall out of love with late-night television. It was the spring of 1994, when Arsenio Hall, the man who broke the genre's color barrier, walked away from his popular syndicated show.

``When Arsenio left late-night, so did I,'' she says. ``I just hated to see him go. When you watch television, you want to see people who look like you.''

Starting on Monday, Mo'Nique will do her part to make that happen by hosting her own hour-long blend of talk and variety. The Mo'Nique Show is set to air at 11 p.m. Monday through Friday on BET, and she's promising it will be a blast.

``We want you to feel good. It's a party, baby,'' she purrs. ``When you're done watching, you're going to go to bed with a smile on your face. We're setting you up to have the sweetest dreams possible.''

That's a rousing mission statement, indeed. But Mo'Nique won't be the only one looking to bring a fresh look to a late-night scene. Also adding some color are Wanda Sykes and George Lopez, who launch their own programs in early November.

The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox) will air on Saturday nights and feature the irreverent comedian's take on the events of the week, along with discussion panels and comedy segments. Lopez Tonight (TBS), airing weeknights, will offer an ``outdoor street-party atmosphere'' with celebrity guests and musical and comedy performances.

``Change has come to the White House, and now change is coming to late-night,'' says Lopez. ``We can send a message.''

Ask Sykes why it has taken so long to diversify late-night and she offers a sly, tongue-in-cheek response.

``White people,'' she says. ``There are too many of you.''

But back in 1989, when Johnny Carson still reigned over late-night, The Arsenio Hall Show debuted with a hip young host who carved out his own piece of late-night turf. While Carson catered to old-Hollywood types, Hall drew rappers and musicians -- people like MC Hammer and Bobby Brown (not to mention a young presidential candidate named Bill Clinton).

Other black hosts tried to follow Hall's lead. Magic Johnson had his own show, as did Keenan Ivory Wayans, Whoopi Goldberg and Byron Allen. Quincy Jones produced a show called Vibe. All of them, however, flamed out quickly -- and then the well dried up.

Mo'Nique, who says she was inspired by Oprah, says she's looking forward to joining the late-night ``boys club.'' Her show, however, will originate from Atlanta -- not the typical late-night hub -- and will offer a distinct alternative.

``What makes me different is I wear dresses every night,'' she says. ``Now, if George wears dresses, that's his business.''

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