The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, & the Network Battle for the Night

Written by Bill Carter

Narrated by Michael Butler Murray

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).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705217665

Bill Carter

Bill Carter is the author of Red Summer: The Danger, Madness, and Exaltation of Salmon Fishing in a Remote Alaskan Village; Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World; and Fools Rush In: A True Story of Love, War, and Redemption. He is also the director of Miss Sarajevo, an award-winning documentary produced by Bono. He has written for Rolling Stone, Outside, Men’s Journal, and other publications. He lives with his family in southern Arizona.

Reviews for The Late Shift

[maureen gattuso · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Too long for content, terrible ending, hours I cannot get back!