The Late Shift

The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno & the Network Battle for the Night by Bill Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is a relic from a time when late night television was still a major deal: a factor in lives that did not yet have the internet or hundreds or even thousands of other viewing options. Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show. He was once the undisputed King of Late Night in a uniquely American invented television format. When he announced his retirement in 1993, it sent a shockwave through the industry. The race was on to determine who would succeed him. In one corner, was the clear front runner: Jay Leno, a comic’s comic, a company man, a unique talent. Leno was nothing if not solid, on-time, hardworking, broad and obvious and palatable to middle class America. In the other corner was off-beat and mildly cantankerous host of a late-night show that came on well after most normal people are asleep. David Letterman was regarded as a once in a generation talent…if only he could get out of his own way.

The story of the behind-the-scenes machinations reads like the 90’s version of a Shakespeare play. The prize is the big chair at the most-watched late night show, a prize that held two men in its grasp. And the lengths to which each would go (Jay Leno hid in a closet to get the dirt on what his NBC colleagues were saying about him) is at times fascinating.

This is about show business, and people doing business things for the people for whom they work. It is a time capsule and a historical document. I already have the next chapter of this lined up to read. Very enjoyable.




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