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Home , Andy Richter, Arsenio Hall, Dick Cavett, Doc Severinsen, Ed Ames, Ed McMahon

Birth of the Late- couch 1951 to 1993: Borscht 1954 to 1957: NBC takes the 1957: Allen also 1957 to 1962: Jack “I kid warfare Talk Belt journeyman Joe locally aired Show Night Stunt: Among hosts a Sunday- you not” Paar succeeds Steve Franklin hosts first late- national, 11:15 p.m. to 1 a.m, and other things, Allen night prime-time Allen as host of Tonight! Talk night , on local rechristens it Tonight!; “Steverino” covers himself show to take on (after 1959, it becomes The station WJZ-TV; The pioneers format of late-night TV: in tea bags and . Tonight Show), Show runs opening monologue, gets dunked in a Sullivan with as Talk: 42 years, introducing (), bandleader giant cup of warm wins; the sidekick. Paar’s intellectual , Streisand, (), celeb guests, the water. Young Dave Allen lasts intellect approach to comedy (guests The Morphing and (briefly and man-on-the-street shtick. original Letterman four years. Jack Paar include William F. Buckley) of the in-house singer). Future successor Steve Allen is watching. , transforms the show into a is a guest. take note. national conversation.

by mike flaherty and mary kaye schilling 4/18/63: Christopher O’Brien born in suburban . hs ) BC/ c N Oc im); T 4/29/65: “I didn’t even know 1964: Carson 10/1/62: Heeeeere’s Johnny! After 2/11/60: Incredulous that network suits Turning Late Night Into : Paar makes : He’s hael c i M you were Jewish,” Carson debuts his occasionally subbing for Paar (who quits would censor a toilet-related joke from his criticized for his chat with Fidel Castro, asks a clearly iny T

quips with typical off-the-cuff most famous for good), the aloof, smooth former show without his approval, Paar quits on live drunk to leave the set (both in 1959), and P ( A aplomb after singer , character, game-show host begins his 30-year stint , walking off the set and grousing, broadcasts his show in 1961 from Berlin, a month after (Carson as Carna IS

displaying his tomahawk- Carnac the helming what is now called The Tonight “There must be a better way to make a living the wall goes up. He also begins the late-night tradition B OR

throwing skills, lands one Magnificent. Show. Johnny Carson introduces new than this.” One month and a mild breakdown of public feuds, tussling with (among others) gossip all & Clinton); H

the P ( directly on the crotch of a sidekick Ed McMahon, the trademark golf , he’s back at his desk. Letterman, columnist over an item about Paar—a Photo Bank/ A godfather 1961: Paar hires young U human-shaped target. Incites swing, and his theme song, co-written who will famously fight on-air with General feud Paar wins, effectively ending Winchell’s career. Starts BC writer . His N one of the longest peals of Johnny with . He soon doubles Paar’s Electric and CBS, is watching again. a shift in power from print to TV. axon/ Carson S

sustained laughter in TV audience. Hi-oh! most famous line: “Here they ett ); v eed history: a solid 43 seconds. are, .” R (Ca IS ens); B b OR eu ull & Willard); Bettmann/C R 1962: Paar tries a Friday-night prime-time show. It lasts three years. Jay Leno, take note. 1965: The term talk show appears in print for the first time, according to the OED. M ers & v tion (

1967: is c reduced by fifteen minutes to an 1969: In one of many memorable 1969 to 1974: The Dick : A Cavett Show debate 12/1/71: Literary catfight! 1972: In a sad echo of 1973 to 1982: On tion (ri hour and a half on January 2. Tonight Show appearances, Cavett Show debuts on between and fellow veteran In one of ’s the middle-class flight October 15, 1973, c

Doc Severinsen arson); Bettmann/C , first trumpeter c

says author December 29, 1969, on John O’Neill over the War so most entertaining episodes, that would characterize NBC debuts its most erett Colle

in the orchestra, takes over as looks like “a ABC. Cavett never comes enrages President Nixon that he asks , , and the decade, The Tonight erudite—and easily Ev bandleader, giving Bob Mackie a truck driver in drag.” He later close to beating The Tonight his staff, “Well, is there any way we Janet Flanner verbally joust Show leaves mockable—late-night yakker, , erett Colle llen); Ev run for his money in the sequin apologizes to truck drivers. In Show, but he gets a lot can screw [Cavett]?” Also this month, as Cavett mediates with his for “beautiful downtown host of Tomorrow at 1 a.m. Eccentric and A ox/

department. Also this year, Carson December, Tiny Tim marries of mileage from health expert Jerome I. Rodale drops usual sardonic cool. Though Burbank.” Johnny stops earnest, the chain-smoking Snyder grows F mages (young the I briefly quits after NBC airs reruns Victoria May Budinger controversial interviews, dead during a taping of the show, pre-YouTube, it went viral in taping Mondays, leaving it famous for unique one-on-one grillings of nyder &

class act S

during an AFTRA strike. He (a.k.a. Miss Vicki) on taboo subjects, and shortly after announcing how great he its own way. to varied guest hosts, then edgy guests (John Lydon, , Ayn etty Dick Cavett G returns after three weeks, with a Rand V/

air. The stunt attracts counterculture guests like feels; it never airs, but to this day, fans (1983–86). ) and a distinctive laugh imitated by T new salary: $1 million a year. 40 million viewers. John, Yoko, Jimi, and Janis. insist they saw the episode. on SNL. BC N eno); 20th Century L ( 1973: Carson recruits professional debunker the Amazing Randi to expose ’s spoon-bending flimflam. Geller promptly experiences one of TV’s most mortifying epic fails. ranklin); TION F C OLLE C 2/1/82: College-educated snark goes : Jerry Spring 1979: 7/4/77: ’s 6/23/76: hotofest (Paar); Photofest ( ’s It’s On the heels 12/19/73: p the 11/8/79: Four Zeitgeist prominence AL B hotofest ( mainstream when Late Night With David Fernwood 2-Night (later BC/

first appearance onThe good to be king. After of his outrageous p innovator days into the Iran meets self-fulfilling prophecy as KO N

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Letterman debuts on NBC at 12:30 a.m., refashioned as America T Tonight Show—one in Carson floats the hostage crisis, ABC Carson jokes in his monologue - David THE OR Letterman replacing Tom Snyder. The acerbic Steve 2Night) validates the Andy V/ a long line of idea of retiring, the appearances, about a looming toilet-paper T 9/18/85: News debuts the first

Allen acolyte favors inventive gimmicks launched by Carson, stock of NBC’s parent late-night talk show Kaufman has his shortage BC ; by noon the next day, ansfield);

serious alternative N

A shtick is born: M

(the Velcro suit), oddball regulars (Chris including Leno (who company, RCA, takes as a genre worthy of a Tonight Show debut gullible hoarders create read, W Letterman recites “The to Carson, The Iran p Elliott), and verbal sparring (notably bombed his first four a noticeable dip—no Crisis: America satirical counterpart (Steve Allen is sitting an acute nationwide

Top Ten Things his s mages ( I Cher, ). SNL’s times), Letterman, Steve surprise: His show … and makes co-stars in for Carson). He T That Almost Rhyme Held Hostage, which TP shortage. serves as sidekick and bandleader. Martin Barr and hs:

, , brings in $115 million remains a late-night p morphs into etty

With Peas.” G Letterman champions frequent guest comedy DeGeneres, Garry a year, or 17 percent of with (host mind-blower until his e/ v

and pal Leno, who finally clicks on TV. Shandling, and . the network’s revenue. until 2005). godheads. death in 1984 at 35. hi c r Photogra Photofest (letterman); A

1992: With Carson gone, NBC reacquires ownership of The Tonight Show.

10/9/86 The Late 1987: With Rivers out of 7/28/87: Loopy Crispin 10/4/88: Fed up with 1/3/89: Arsenio 1991: In February, Leno’s 5/23/91: Without 5/22/92: Carson’s 5/25/92: The Tonight 6/3/92: Amateur Show Starring Joan the way, Leno is named Glover nearly brains Letterman’s ribbing Hall premieres his manager Helen Kushnick warning the network, teary, guest-free Show With Jay Leno saxophonist Bill Rivers debuts on permanent of Letterman doing karate about her New Age–y eponymous late-night plants a false story in the Carson shocks affiliates finalTonight Show debuts with a complete Clinton plays 8/15/92: Late- Fox, making Rivers The Tonight Show, his moves—the most self-help best seller syndicated talk Post that NBC wants to with the news that broadcast (the famous reboot: no sidekick and “Heartbreak Hotel” on night goes the first female killer stand-up act traded spectacular in a series of Out on a Limb, Shirley show, the first to be dump Carson for Leno. he will leave in a Bette Midler serenade as Arsenio, after which meta when Garry host in late night. for one of affable bizarre Late Night guest MacLaine says on the hosted by an African- NBC is embarrassed, Carson year. He repeats the was the night bandleader (Kevin he is named the first Shandling’s The (Guests include inoffensiveness. spots (Madonna, Farrah, show, “Maybe Cher American. Woof! unamused. But the ploy works. announcement that before): 50 million Eubanks takes over “talk show” Larry Sanders Pee-wee Herman.) It’s Joaquin, Drew, etc.). was right. Woof! Woof! In May, Leno signs a deal evening on Late Night viewers watch—the in 1995). Letterman’s president. Show debuts on short-lived: She’s Maybe you guaranteeing him The With David largest-ever late-night dreams of sitting in HBO. unceremoniously are an Tonight Show when Letterman. (Screw audience. Leno is Carson’s chair seem the fired in May. asshole.” Carson steps down. you, NBC!) never mentioned. to be kaput. diplomat Jay Leno

41 12/7/92: 1/6/93: Leno infamously eavesdrops 8/30/93: Letterman moves 9/13/93: After and Letterman— from a utility room at NBC while to the refurbished Ed Sullivan Shandling pass on replacing Letterman, Late distraught over network brass debate snarky, talented Theater for The Late Show Night With Conan O’Brien debuts, bringing losing his dream Dave vs. agreeable, better-rated Jay. With , now a masturbating bear, an insult-comic dog, of inheriting Loath to lose their Leno/Letterman opposite The Tonight and sidekick (drummer Max Carson’s chair—is money machines, they offer a weak Show. The $14 Weinberg is bandleader). Initial reviews are tempted by CBS’s deal: Letterman gets The Tonight million paycheck poor: The awkward O’Brien’s abstract and offer of an 11:30 Show when Leno’s contract expires doubles his NBC the self-referential comedy show. NBC has … in seventeen months! A tortured salary; bespoke absurdist goes over the heads of 30 days to make a Letterman, with veiled advice from suits replace khakis everyone over 30. Conan O’Brien counteroffer. mentor Carson, signs with CBS. and sneakers.

7/22/96: Fake news 1995 to 1999: Pursuant to 7/10/95 Prompted by Leno’s simple May 1994: The enters the late-night fray Letterman’s CBS deal, his yet priceless query—“What the hell Show is canceled by Fox. when shingle, , were you thinking?”—Hugh Grant Some believe it’s because debuts on gets dibs on producing his apologizes for his Divine Brown of Hall’s decision to have with host . lead-out. The result: debacle on The Tonight Nation of Islam leader Louis ques ama & The Late Late Show c Great concept … ’Tis pity , with Show. Leno’s big get Farrakhan on the b

he’s a boor. host Tom Snyder, which marks a turning point: show in February. (o v echoes Tomorrow’s By year’s end, he’ll Fox denies it, ando

minimalist, one-on- be outdrawing claiming L one interview Letterman, even among slipping arzenegger); Ja ning / w w format. younger viewers. ratings. h o Sc D ( immel) v K arry L / ando L BC/Photofest (

1/11/99: 1/26/03: Live! 9/27/04: With the 10/17/05: Comedy A art ); o/ red Prouser/ w c

takes over as host of debuts on ABC, but not in threat of O’Brien and Central F / te mi S A The Daily Show (Kilborn the 11:30 slot, thanks to an his younger-skewing debuts The ’ D

replaces Snyder on CBS), outcry from Nightline fans. viewers’ moving to Colbert b tion (

10/15/07: REUTERS

The c Report which now downplays the If Letterman and Leno are another network, , a showbiz content in favor of your dad, Kimmel (formerly NBC names him Daily Show rant ); Bo

Times reports allon); G an emphasis on politics. And, of Comedy Central’s The Man Leno’s successor in spinoff F that Leno is P ( A erett Colle

oh, yeah, quality. Stewart also Show) is your fratty older 2009, when Leno’s sending up ./ c having second Ev n I proves to be the best interviewer brother—the one who gives Tonight Show right-wing TV eniro & thoughts about D . ( ert ); c on late night. you a noogie after your dad contract expires. blowhards. b

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late night. ni U ersal, BC tion (Col v N c ni 8/6/03: Arnold Schwarzenegger announces he’s running for governor on The Tonight Show. U BC N orton/ N

3/2/09: Conan’s successor, Late 2/20/09: On his final 1/29/09: According to 12/9/08: NBC announces 9/24/08: When erett Colle Ev Night With , debuts Late Night broadcast, , Leno’s prime-time show. presidential hopeful argaret ourtesy of M with as guest, O’Brien offers tributes ABC is considering He’ll get a hefty pay bump John McCain skips his c plus super-hip the effusive Lorne( Michaels moving Kimmel into (to a reported $20 million scheduled visit at the delson/ Roots to $30 million . (leno);

. Fallon—the antithesis of “single-handedly made Nightline’s 11:30 time ), and NBC last minute, a peevish E c n Letterman (he’s a puppy dog!)—is my career in television”), slot, to compete with gets a cheap alternative to Letterman cuts to a I ana D

the first host to incorporate adoring (Letterman: O’Brien and thus, scripted TV. -show live feed of McCain .; c ersal, n v I

Twitter into his show. “one of the most brilliant finally, become a real format continues to be a at the CBS Evening nyder); Comedy Central/ S ni

broadcasters”), and, um, late-night player. cash cow: In 2007, Leno News studio. U BC tion ( N adequate (Leno: “I owe ABC strenuously and Letterman’s shows ’Brien), c that man a great deal”). denies it. each gross $200 million. O hter & c i R ourtesy of erett Colle c Ev / S ersal ( oley/ v F ni in 3/19/09: Leno has the last laugh 6/01/09: Conan 6/15/09: On the 9/14/09: The U v e BC K ’Brien); CB when appears on O’Brien heads night he apologizes to Jay Leno Show N The Tonight Show, the first sitting to Sarah Palin for a joke debuts. O

president to do so. On May 29, the for his new about her daughter, tion ( c

Chin passes the torch when O’Brien gig, with Andy Letterman—who arrakhan); F guests on the final Leno- Richter, gone routinely trailed Leno

led episode. since 2000. by a million or more ater/Courtesy of ertt Colle mages ( I w v

Reviews mixed; viewers—beats O’Brien e E rink etty D

ratings best by his biggest margin hs: G even Leno, then yet: 3.9 million vs. 3.2 p quickly drop. million viewers. . Chenet/ eno); Paul M L Photogra