The Story of Late Night

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 2021-05-02

Last Air Date: 2021-06-06

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 6

Networks: CNN

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Conan O'Brien as Self
Whoopi Goldberg as Self
Billy Crystal as Self
Kliph Nesteroff as Self
Jimmy Fallon as Self
Byron Allen as Self
Dick Cavett as Self
Robert Smigel as Self
Lorne Michaels as Self
Bill Carter as Self

Seasons

Season 1 (2021)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Inventing Late Night (2021-05-02)

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.
Ep. 2: Carson: King of Late Night (2021-05-09)

Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate “The Tonight Show” and become the undisputed king of late night.
Ep. 3: Eyes on the Throne (2021-05-16)

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.
Ep. 4: Letterman V. Leno (2021-05-23)

Carson’s 1992 retirement touches a nation – and touches off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Ep. 5: Late Night Makes The News (2021-05-30)

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.
Ep. 6: Reinventing Late Night (2021-06-06)

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.