The monologue, the desk, the guests, the band. The ingredients of the late night TV formula are familiar, yet fickle. Get them just right and a show can last for decades. Make one mistake and your career is over – fast. In this episode, we explore the alchemy that turns a late night TV show into ratings and social media gold. Jimmy Kimmel, Desus & Mero, Davi ... Show More
May 2021
The Comics
For as long as “late night” has been an institution, stand-ups, sitcom stars, and even future hosts have begun their careers as late night comics. With insights from Trevor Noah, Jimmy Kimmel, Ray Romano, Byron Allen, Carol Leifer, Jimmy Brogan, Brian Regan and Elayne Boosler, ho ... Show More
46m 35s
Nov 2013
The Colbert Report
Head-writer Opus Moreschi (Craig Kilborn; Li'l Bush) and writers Eric Drysdale (The Daily Show), Nate Charny, Michael Brumm, Meredith Scardino, and Aaron Cohen discuss how the show is put together, writing jokes, and just how good Stephen Colbert really is. Sitting in on the disc ... Show More
1h 3m
Oct 2023
Roald Dahl, Wes Anderson Style
This week, the panel begins by reviewing The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson’s faithful adaptation of a 1977 Roald Dahl short story, that doubles as a sumptuous meta-commentary on the director’s exacting approach to his craft. Then, the three discuss The Super Models ... Show More
57m 55s
Jun 2019
David Letterman - 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction'
The standup and late night comedy legend, who rarely grants interviews, opens up about why he pursued a public life despite immense shyness, why he adored Johnny Carson and has mixed feelings about Jay Leno, why he retired from 'Late Show' only to return two years later with a lo ... Show More
1h 13m
Apr 2024
Aron Eli Coleite (Spiderwick Chronicles; Atlas)
Aron Eli Coleite (creator/showrunner, The Spiderwick Chronicles; Atlas) discusses dialogue and action, helpful Aron-isms, our goldfish attention spans, key differences between TV and movie writing, why development takes so long now, and lots more.Come see Retrospecs on Sunday, Ma ... Show More
48m 37s
Jun 2022
The Tonight Show & Electric Hot Dog: Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon may talk like a comedian, but he thinks like a restless entrepreneur. In addition to his day job as host of The Tonight Show, he runs a TV production company, writes best-selling children’s books, and creates products you never knew you needed, like all-day pajamas a ... Show More
1h 11m
Jan 2021
18 - Saturday Tonight Live
After failing to book Jimmy Fallon on the podcast, Connor instead talks to his good friend, comedian Alex Song-Xia, whose brief time as a writer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ended before her contract was up. Also, Rolling Stone’s chief TV critic and Band of Brothers ... Show More
41m 13s