The Story of Late Night

For basically as long as there has been television, there has existed the concept of "late night" programming hitting the airwaves after the local nightly news. A host, some jokes, a desk, a guest--the setup is now iconic. "The Story of Late Night" lives up to its moniker and does a wonderful job of telling that entire story.

When it comes to late night TV topics, there are three that will always garner the most attention (at least thus far): The institution in and of itself that Johnny Carson became, the David Letterman vs. Jay Leno feud to replace him, and the bungled plan--by network executives--to hand Leno's reigns over to Conan O'Brien. Each of those topics basically commands its own episode here, and are excellently approached in terms of historical context and new interviews with the key players.

Where "Story" really stands out, however, is its ability to "fill in the gaps", so to speak, outside of those main talking points. For example, the first episode was very informative on how the whole genre started and how certain lesser-known pioneers created tenets of the genre that still stand/work to this very day. Also, throughout each episode, context is given on how the late night genre treated people of color, women, and ultimately evolved into newer formats (current events-based, YouTube-driven, pandemic-surviving, etc.).

Overall, "The Story of Late Night" was a joy to watch each week. It made me reminisce, sure, but it also taught me many interesting nuggets about the hosts, producers, and network executives who were key players in the business for decades. Just an all-around, well-done examination of the topic as a whole.

Terrific interviews, clips, and insights into how and why late night has evolved. Unfortunately CNN in this, and in all its most recent documentaries that I've seen, thinks it's an asset to have nonstop loud, intrusive percussive music (if you can call it music) played on top of ANYONE who is being interviewed - and I mean everyone. The first time I heard it I thought I was watching an SNL parody of Investigative Reports. It is so predictable, so obnoxious, and such an assault on the ears that as soon as there was a scene that wasn't a historical clip, I turned off the sound and just read the subtitles. The music is actually ON TOP of the interviews, not under them. It is HUGELY distracting and unbalanced, with the effect of undermining the impact of the interviews rather than enhancing them - it's like a 5th grade kid's idea of how to make something dramatic that he got from playing video games.

It's painful seeing clips of Carson and Letterman and then immediately going to Fallon and Corden. It's sad how much of a dropoff there has been and now late night is just a contant pandering to the seals that applaud when the applause light goes on. There's rarely any genuine laughter - just a series of applause breaks during the monolgue and then the shilling for whatever movie/tv show is being plugged. And if it's a TV show, then that show is 90% likely to be on the same network that the talk show is on.

But that's beside the point. This is another great, comprehensive series that really goes deep without it seeming like it is stretched out for the purposes of creating more episodes... you know... the way Netflix now does. It's nice to hear from so many people who weren't necessarily the stars, to hear about what was going on in the background of it all.

I would have given 'The Story of Late Night' 10 stars because it's really good but I can't because they only mention Craig Ferguson very briefly to introduce James Corden... Ferguson killed after Letterman for 10 years, his show was amazing and even though the format wasn't very different than other shows, he really changed the way of talking to the audience.

"CNN" has once again done it well with a culture historical like look at entertainment this latest "The Story of Late Night", from the early days of the 1950's and "The Tonight Show" with Steve Allen till the modern day digital computer era these episodes show vintage clips that tell it all. Plus interviews are given with insights and takes from network and studio bosses on the backroom deals and plots to change the landscape. And media critic and author Bill Carter gives his knowledgeable thoughts. From Carson, Leno, Letterman, Conan, Fallon, and Kimmel this is one funny business with constant changes as the series documents in fine fashion. The series goes in depth with time and change with each decade and era, most I can all recall. Really a must watch for any pop culture history buff or late night TV show fan it will bring back memories of yesterday.