The Late Shift (film)

The Late Shift is a 1996 American television film directed by Betty Thomas, based on the book of the same name by Bill Carter. The film chronicles the behind-the-scenes power struggles at NBC following Johnny Carson's retirement from The Tonight Show in 1992. The central conflict revolves around the intense competition between Jay Leno and David Letterman to become Carson's successor.

The film stars Kathy Bates as Helen Kushnick, Leno's aggressive and controversial manager; John Michael Higgins as David Letterman; Daniel Roebuck as Jay Leno; and Treat Williams as Michael Ovitz, the president of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Other notable figures portrayed include Brandon Tartikoff, Warren Littlefield, and Peter Lassally.

The Late Shift portrays the manipulative strategies employed by both Leno and Letterman's camps to secure the coveted Tonight Show hosting position. It highlights Kushnick's influence on Leno's career and her adversarial relationship with NBC executives. The film also explores Letterman's frustration and eventual departure from NBC to launch Late Show with David Letterman on CBS.

The film was generally well-received, earning praise for its sharp writing, strong performances, and insightful portrayal of the late-night television landscape. It was nominated for several Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. The Late Shift remains a significant cultural artifact, offering a dramatized account of a pivotal moment in television history and the complex personalities involved.