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Season 1 – The Story of Late Night

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Story of Late Night May 2021 Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tracing the history of late-night TV from its inception.

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The Story of Late Night — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times 05/08/2021
3.5/4
The docuseries beautifully captures the provocative stars of the wee hours, from Johnny Carson to David Letterman to Conan O'Brien to Amber Ruffin. Go to Full Review John Doyle Globe and Mail 05/03/2021
The Story of Late Night is a rich, smart and surprise-filled chronicle of American late-night TV. Go to Full Review Roger Catlin rogercatlin.com 05/03/2021
Consistently entertaining. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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05/23/2021 This is a great show. Interesting to see the evolution of late night. See more Read all reviews
The Story of Late Night — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Byron Allen

Self

W. Kamau Bell

Self

Meredith Bennett

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Elayne Boosler

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David Bianculli

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Zack Bornstein

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 2, 2021 Inventing Late Night TV At the dawn of the TV era in the 1950s, Steve Allen's zany spontaneity turns "Tonight" into a funny and unexpected hit; in the early 1960s, it's Jack Paar's captivating, quirky personality and Johnny Carson's hip humor. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 12, 2020 Carson: King of Late Night Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate "The Tonight Show" into a cultural touchstone, enshrining himself as the undisputed king of late night; his success begets competition with the emergence of Dick Cavett, Merv Griffin. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 19, 2020 Eyes on the Throne As the 1980s dawn, David Letterman reinvents late night comedy for a new generation, rescuing comedian Jay Leno's nearly flamed-out career in the process; but Johnny Carson's enduring comic appeal spawns speculation over his eventual successor. Details Episode 4 Aired May 23, 2021 Letterman vs. Leno Carson's 1992 retirement touches a nation and sets off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman. Details Episode 5 Aired May 30, 2021 Making the Headlines As the 2000s unfold, diverse voices like Chelsea Handler and George Lopez get their seat behind the late-night desk; Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert take the news into their own hilarious hands. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 6, 2021 Reinventing Late Night TV Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah follow in Leno, Letterman and Stewart's footsteps; new hosts James Corden, Seth Meyers, and Samantha Bee join the late-night TV ranks. Details

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The Story of Late Night — Season 1

The Story of Late Night The Story of Late Night The Story of Late Night View more photos

Season Info

Director
John Ealer
Executive Producer
David Brady, Kate Harrison, John Ealer, Jennifer Harkness, Bill Carter, Amy Entelis, Lizzie Fox
Screenwriter
John Ealer, Robert Eaton
Network
CNN
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 2, 2021