A CNN ORIGINAL SERIES
THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT
Carson, Leno, Letterman – legendary hosts that changed late-night television. Through good times and bad, they gained America’s trust and kept the country laughing. But it wasn’t all laughter all the time. From secret deals to broken promises, some of the most dramatic stories were the ones that didn’t play out in front of the television cameras.
Inventing Late Night
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.
Carson: King of Late Night
Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate The Tonight Show and become the undisputed king of late night.
Eyes on the Throne
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.
Letterman V. Leno
Carson’s 1992 retirement touches a nation – and touches off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Late Night Makes The News
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.
Reinventing Late Night
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.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Carson, Leno, Letterman – legendary hosts that changed late-night television. Through good times and bad, they gained America’s trust and kept the country laughing. But it wasn’t all laughter all the time. From secret deals to broken promises, some of the most dramatic stories were the ones that didn’t play out in front of the television cameras.
The Story of Late Night is a six-part docuseries, produced by Cream Productions, that will take viewers on a journey back in time through present day of late-night television’s most memorable moments. Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Chelsea Handler, Trevor Noah, Conan O’Brien, Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin, Lorne Michaels, Desus + Mero, Whoopi Goldberg, along with countless industry insiders give first-hand, behind-the-scenes accounts of an art form that changed the face of television forever.
BEHIND THE DESK PODCAST
The Behind the Desk podcast explores the storied world of late night TV. Tune in to hear insights from comedy icons like Dick Cavett, Jimmy Kimmel, Amber Ruffin, Trevor Noah, Desus and Mero, and many more.