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

Bill Carter has written an extraordinary book.Structurally-given the mass of information,biographical detail and anecdotes involved-this could have ended up as a mess,but in fact it is clear,coherent and quite exceptionally well-balanced.Carter has to tell a fairly complicated (certainly very convoluted)story,and he does so brilliantly.He also has to find space to acknowledge and evaluate a broad range of opinions,and,again,he does so with remarkable discipline and even-handedness.Even if one knows little about the magnificent Letterman and the super-professional Leno,this book is still too interesting,too insightful and too fair-minded to miss.

A thoroughly entertaining and insightful look at these two personalities and the even more entertaining and often comical workings of corporate broadcasting. A must for anyone who mixes business and talent relations for a living.

Bill Carter has done an excellent job of telling the tale of how Leno got the coveted Tonight Show gig over Letterman. Of course its much more than that because the selection of Johnny Carson's replacement is arguably one most important decisions made in TV history. Not only do get to meet Letterman and Leno up close and personal, we also get to be a fly on wall inside the offices and boardrooms of some of the most powerful people in America --the entertainment czars. We learn about the differences of philosophy between the East Coast and the Left Coast (California)and learn that there are actually some pretty decent suits among the snakes. Carter does a really good job at keeping himself out the story, but it still often reads like satire --funny and cutting. The people are fascinating especially Jay and Dave. I'm thrilled that NBC was forced to make the right --and most profitable-- decision by sticking with Jay (a truly nice guy -- I speak from experience having met him and he comes off that way in the book) even though at the time the book was finished it looked bad for the Peacock Network. The updated paperback edition is the one to buy because an added chapter tells about the Hugh Grant incident on Jay's show which of course was the turning point for The Tonight Show. This is a great book about the industry.

Amazing. Absolutely Amazing. There's somethign for everyone. Leno Fans tried of their hero's good guy image get to see him squatting on a box, spying on a GE Board Meeting. Letterman Fans get to see their hero angry as heck when NBC let's him know that they've given his lifelong dream to chin-boy, after 10 years of faithful service on their network. Johnny stuck in the center, with NBC begging for his help, obviously siding with Dave, but committed to stay out of it. There is no better story for E! True Hollywood or any fan of Late Night.

Johnny Carson will forever be KING OF LATE NIGHT, for 30 years his wit and charm set a standard in after evening programming. In this excellent book Bill Carter analyzes who will get the late night institution; "Nice Guy" Jay Leno or "Razor Sharp" Dave Letterman. It also explores how when Johnny left he not only set NBC on fire he put ALL of late night programming up in flames. GREAT BOOK! Must Read!