The Story of Late Night

6.6(5)|2021-05-02|1 seasons, 6 episodes

Documentary

Overview

A six-part docuseries that takes viewers on a journey through late-night television’s most memorable moments. Spanning a more than 60-year history of engaging with, adapting to and influencing our rapidly changing society, late-night television has grown into a thriving entertainment phenomenon and vitally important cultural institution.

Episodes

Season 1(6)

S1E1 · 2021-05-02 · 38m

Inventing Late Night

Steve Allen’s zany spontaneity turns “Tonight” into an unexpected hit, but it’s Jack Paar and Johnny Carson that transform late night into an enduring television staple.

S1E2 · 2021-05-09 · 38m

Carson: King of Late Night

Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate “The Tonight Show” and become the undisputed king of late night.

S1E3 · 2021-05-16 · 38m

Eyes on the Throne

As the 1980s dawn, David Letterman reinvents late night for a new generation and endless speculation begins on who will be Johnny Carson’s eventual successor.

S1E4 · 2021-05-23 · 38m

Letterman V. Leno

Carson’s 1992 retirement touches a nation – and touches off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman.

S1E5 · 2021-05-30 · 38m

Late Night Makes The News

As the 2000s unfold, diverse voices like Chelsea Handler and George Lopez get their seat behind the late-night desk, while Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert take the news into their own hilarious hands.

S1E6 · 2021-06-06 · 38m

Reinventing Late Night

Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah follow in Leno, Letterman, and Stewart’s footsteps and new hosts James Corden, Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin, and Desus + Mero confront Donald Trump – and COVID-19.