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Mar 2021
26m 22s

Late Night Wars | Late Night Explodes | ...

Wondery
About this episode
Johnny Carson – the man who defined the Tonight show – is nearing retirement. But NBC has yet to settle on an heir. And that sets the stage for one of the most painful moments for the late night rivals battling for the throne. It will prove enormously embarrassing for Carson, Leno and Letterman. And they will vent their sentiments on stage. Meanwhile, Arensi ... Show More
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Mar 2021
Late Night Wars | There Goes Johnny! | 4
When longtime Tonight Show host Johnny Carson shocks NBC with the surpriseannouncement of his departure, Jay Leno is anointed as the next host of the network’s flagship franchise.But there’s a problem: after a decade hosting Late Night at 12:30, David Letterman thinks Carson’s jo ... Show More
25m 17s
Mar 2021
Late Night Wars | A Darker Night Ahead | 5
CBS makes David Letterman a very attractive offer to leave NBC—a move he’s very willing to make—but his long-time network is desperate to keep him. So desperate they dangle the prize that Letterman felt he deserved all along—the Tonight Show. That doesn’t sit well with Tonight ho ... Show More
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Mar 2021
Late Night Wars | Late Night Stars Collide | 6
Jay Leno takes it on the chin from NBC when the network informs him his future as Tonight Show host has a looming shelf life. He needs to hand the keys to Conan O’Brien, who doesn’t want to be stuck in the 12:30 slot forever. As Letterman’s ratings at CBS decline, NBC makes a biz ... Show More
29m 13s
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