Description

From well-known programs such as The Tonight Show (NBC, 1954-present) or The Daily Show (Comedy Central, 1996-present) to the more obscure The Arsenio Hall Show (Syndication, 1989-1994, 2013-2014) and A Little Late with Lily Singh (NBC, 2019-2021), late-night talk shows have played a pivotal and powerful role in American culture. The late-night time slot, initially dormant, would spawn one of the longest running TV programs (The Tonight Show), and become the perfect showcase for the biggest movie stars.  It was the obligatory stop for any public figure with something to sell, be it book, album or, in the case of politicians, oneself.  The genre even led to some serious Shakespearean drama when two princes in waiting, David Letterman and Jay Leno, vied to succeed the throne of the king of Late Night, Johnny Carson. During this course, we will look into the beginnings and history of late-night TV, its influence on American culture, and finally its evolution in terms of diversity and new formats.

Suggested reading

Carter, Bill. The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy, Plume. 2011.

Carter, Bill. The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, & the Network Battle for the Night, Open Road Media. 2019.