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The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, and the Network Battle for the Night (1994)

by Bill Carter

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2755102,654 (3.92)2
New York Times Bestseller: A "gripping" true story of late-night comedy and behind-the-scenes drama (Los Angeles Times).   When beloved host Johnny Carson announced his retirement after thirty years on The Tonight Show, millions of Americans mourned. But inside the television industry, the news ignited a battle between two amazing talents--Jay Leno and David Letterman--who both yearned to occupy the departing legend's chair. For NBC, it would be a decision with millions of dollars at stake. Soon these two comedians with strikingly different styles, who had once shared a friendship as they worked the clubs together, would be engaged in a fierce competition for the prize.   Based on in-depth reporting and interviews with those involved, and updated with a new introduction by the author, The Late Shift is a "vivid, behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow account" of the fight that ensued, as stars, agents, and executives maneuvered for control of the most profitable program in TV history (Chicago Tribune).   "Remarkably gripping . . . Takes us deep into the bizarre high-stakes world of broadcasting . . . A powerful story, and ultimately a sad one, filled with casualties as well as winners." --The New York Times Book Review   "Solid reporting, based on extensive interviews with the principals, lifts The Late Shift into a class of its own. . . . The insights into the people involved are what make [the book] a page-turner." --Orange Country Register  … (more)
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» See also 2 mentions

Showing 5 of 5
#1124 in our old book database. Not rated. ( )
  villemezbrown | Apr 2, 2023 |
The main take away from this book is never assume you have the position you have if you work with NBC. They are so messed up. Reading this 2 decades after it was written is hilarious because NBC still makes huge fuck ups with the tonight show and just handles it horribly. The book does great at giving background on Letterman, Leno and all the behind the scenes people involved in the battle for The Tonight Show after Carson announced he was stepping down. I felt the book was a bit unfair to Leno at times making him come off as a the bad guy, but it does explain why so many people don't seem to like him. But the flip side to that Letterman came off as a complete ass at times, yet he's viewed as the better of the two. I guess because the book is older it captures the feelings at the time and has since changed. ( )
  wellreadcatlady | Oct 4, 2018 |
Great writing about the players behind the scenes of Late Night TV in the 90s. I looked forward to my nightly chapter and frequently cheated and read more than one a night. Flowed nicely, flashbacks were handed very well, and characters introduced and fleshed out nicely as needed.

Reading this after the recent Leno/NBC/Conan shenanigans made it even more interesting. I am left wondering if any of the NBC execs from that time were still left and involved in the recent "I call take backs!" of Leno.

Mr Carter, write another book about the latest incidents! :) ( )
  camelama | Dec 30, 2016 |
While reading this book it feels as if you are a fly on the wall in all of the contact negotiations/network battles. Great read. ( )
  jskotler77 | Jul 7, 2015 |
I don't know how accurate it is, but you really feel like you are right there in the middle of the story. Amazing inside account, I really hope there is a sequel in the works that covers the recent tonight show debacle. ( )
  ntutak | Apr 8, 2010 |
Showing 5 of 5
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Tucked behind a podium on the far left of the deep, elegant stage of Carnegie Hall, Warren Littlefield was finishing up his deb ut as maestro of NBC's entertainment programming. It was May 23, 1991, a sparkling spring afternoon in Manhattan.
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New York Times Bestseller: A "gripping" true story of late-night comedy and behind-the-scenes drama (Los Angeles Times).   When beloved host Johnny Carson announced his retirement after thirty years on The Tonight Show, millions of Americans mourned. But inside the television industry, the news ignited a battle between two amazing talents--Jay Leno and David Letterman--who both yearned to occupy the departing legend's chair. For NBC, it would be a decision with millions of dollars at stake. Soon these two comedians with strikingly different styles, who had once shared a friendship as they worked the clubs together, would be engaged in a fierce competition for the prize.   Based on in-depth reporting and interviews with those involved, and updated with a new introduction by the author, The Late Shift is a "vivid, behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow account" of the fight that ensued, as stars, agents, and executives maneuvered for control of the most profitable program in TV history (Chicago Tribune).   "Remarkably gripping . . . Takes us deep into the bizarre high-stakes world of broadcasting . . . A powerful story, and ultimately a sad one, filled with casualties as well as winners." --The New York Times Book Review   "Solid reporting, based on extensive interviews with the principals, lifts The Late Shift into a class of its own. . . . The insights into the people involved are what make [the book] a page-turner." --Orange Country Register  

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