The Late Shift Audiobook By Bill Carter cover art

The Late Shift

Letterman, Leno, & the Network Battle for the Night

Preview
Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Late Shift

By: Bill Carter
Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

New York Times best seller: 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 30 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).

©1995 Bill Carter (P)2020 Tantor
Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Comedy Funny Witty Stand-Up
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup
In-depth Story • Well-explained Story • Immersive Storytelling • Comprehensive Coverage • Thorough Narration
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I liked it all. The constant back and forth. The egos. The deviousness of the networks

devious networks

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I enjoyed the book and the internal perspectives. It was entertaining and found myself wanting more of it each day. I was a fan of both Jay and Dave so I don’t have a dog in the hunt, which made it even more enjoyable

Very interesting and insightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Bill Carter’s writing and in depth level of intimacy with the books characters allows you to become completely immersed in the world of late night television.

Brilliantly Written Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I recall watching the HBO movie 30 years ago. Getting deep into the details of this book was excellent. Well researched and written. If you want to know about American late night, this book and this author is a must read.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Of course, it’s impossible to recap this “TV scandal“ without a whole lot of things that could be considered gossip or hearsay, but this does a good job of seemingly separating fact from fiction. Was a little surprised that they didn’t delve a little bit more into the aftermath – by also discussing Conan and the other potential competitors in succession – but I realize that the main focus was on Jay and Dave, and that’s where they kept it.

Well-played

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

For a story with so many moving parts, this was an in-depth and very well-explained story. I was born in 1995 and vaguely knew about some of the details around Letterman-Leno. This painted an entire picture, and I’m glad I picked it out! Narration was also great.

Highly detailed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

"The Late Shift" is thorough and complete. While, the movie of the same name and subject matter is splashy, engaging and quite interesting. This audiobook is that much better! This book explains the character of all the characters involved in this very public behind the scenes drama for the battle for nightly viewership in the mid-90s. This book while comprehensive on the subject, doesn't have any drag. The choice of narrator is a perfect compliment. "The Late Shift" is well worth your time!

Very detailed, spectacular, and riveting!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I know this book was updated to be more current but it seemed to end a little ubrubtlly...other than that it was a great story.

Choppy Ending

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The Late Shift is a classic book about the war between Leno and Letterman. I don’t think there’s very many books about TV, movies or music that’s better than this book. You get to see behind the curtains at a very tense time in the history of television. The late night God Johnny Carson was hanging it up, and thus began the squabble between Leno and Letterman for the show, with many other people pulling the strings and stoking this feud. There will never be another book like this. Epic!

One of the best books about TV

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I have seen the documentary HBO put out last year. I have seen the movie and this is hands down better than both put together! Great read and great performance by the narrator.

Great book even if you’ve seen the Doc or Movie on HBO

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews