The Late Shift

TV Movie
1996
R
1h 35m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A dramatization of the rivalry between David Letterman and Jay Leno over which of them would succeed Johnny Carson as the host of "The Tonight Show".A dramatization of the rivalry between David Letterman and Jay Leno over which of them would succeed Johnny Carson as the host of "The Tonight Show".A dramatization of the rivalry between David Letterman and Jay Leno over which of them would succeed Johnny Carson as the host of "The Tonight Show".

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

3.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys
- 5 wins & 10 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
A few days after the film's premiere, John Michael Higgins was booked on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) to talk about the movie and what it was like to portray Letterman. Letterman's A-guest that night was Julia Roberts. During the commercial break, Letterman reportedly asked the star if she wouldn't mind staying longer as a favor to him. Higgins sat in the green room watching the show, hearing Letterman occasionally plug his "coming up" interview (at commercials breaks). At the end of the show Letterman apologized to Higgins for "running out of time", pointedly saying he hoped the actor could "come back again soon." According to producer Rob Burnett, Letterman fully intended on going through with the interview but his insecurities got the better of him; Burnett confirmed Higgins would not be invited back.

Goofs
The network lineup chart in Littlefield's office shows prime time between 9:00 and 12:00 p.m. Prime time is between 8:00 and 11:00 in the Eastern and Pacific time zones and an hour earlier in the middle of the country.

Quotes
Michael Ovitz: Peter, I know Dave's circumstances, and so I know why you're here. Dave is a star of such compelling stature that frankly it makes me personally angry he finds himself this abused. We pride ourselves here at CAA in developing a career plan for our clients that protects them as much as it enriches them. David has set such an incredibly high professional standard and yet he is going disturbingly unrewarded. That just doesn't make any sense; it's simply bad business practice. Obviously, we have an interest in establishing a business relationship with you Dave, and you Peter. Frankly, we have worked out a career plan for David, and it includes securing everything for Dave that he wants. EVERYTHING. Of course that means an 11:30 television show. Dave will be offered an 11:30 show, and he will be offered it by every network. The geometry of the deal will be far larger, the studios will be in, the syndicators, the full range of the entertainment industry. We shall frame a deal that will make you one of the giants. And if you give us the privilege of working with you, CAA will take care of everything your talents deserve, and our spirit desires.

Alternate versions
Subsequent airings after the initial release have added an additional epilogue on how the Hugh Grant interview boosted Jay Leno's ratings past David Letterman's.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: City Hall/The Late Shift/Happy Gilmore (1996)

Soundtracks
Johnny's Theme
Written by Paul Anka and Johnny Carson
Chrysalis Standards, Inc. / Here's Johnny Music / Songs of Polygram Int'l

User reviews38

Review

Featured review

7/10

solid TV movie about a fascinating TV story

It's a behind-the-scenes movie about the battle between Jay Leno (Daniel Roebuck) and David Letterman (John Michael Higgins) for the Tonight Show on NBC. Jay's hard-charging agent Helen Kushnick (Kathy Bates) schemes to get him the show. They are approached by CBS. Then she gets him a secret deal with Warren Littlefield (Bob Balaban) and John Agoglia (Reni Santoni). When Johnny Carson surprises everybody by announcing his retirement, Leno is given the show. Letterman hires agent Michael Ovitz (Treat Williams). Kushnick steps on some toes as Tonight Show exec and starts making enemies.

This is a solid TV movie from HBO. The minutia of each piece of information can be pulled apart by those involved. Kathy Bates is great and I'm sure Kushnick has plenty of bones to pick with this movie. Jay Leno doesn't come off well either as a naive puppy desperate for approval. Letterman comes off much better. This is overwrought but the material allows for it. It's a fun take on a fascinating story.