Today’s movie is a biographical drama with a scene that
happens on May 22. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.
THE LATE SHIFT
We see David Letterman’s press
conference when he signs with CBS. We then flashback three years. CBS wants to
emulate the success and profitability of the Tonight Show. Letterman feels NBC gives him no respect,
with Leno as Carson’s permanent guest host. Letterman really wants to host the Tonight
Show. CBS meets with Leno’s agent, Helen Kushnick. There is a change at the
top of NBC and the network makes a deal with Leno to become the host when
Carson leaves. Carson announces his retirement. When NBC says Leno will replace
Carson, Letterman says he wants out of his contract. Letterman hires Michael
Ovitz as his agent. On May 22, 1992 Carson hosts the Tonight Show for
the last time. [37:40 to 41:03] Other networks pitch to Letterman. Leno’s
tenure gets off to a rocky start as Kushnick starts bullying guests and their
agents as well as canceling the show when it appears it might start late due to
coverage of the Republican National Convention. NBC tells Leno either she goes
or he goes. After a bitter public fight, Leno dumps her. CBS offers Letterman $12.5 million a year,
with a $50 million penalty if they don’t give him a show at 11:30. NBC can
match this offer, but since they’ve given the Tonight Show to Leno, if
they match they’ll have to pay Letterman $50 million. The president of NBC
tries to make a deal with Letterman.Letterman says he wants the Tonight Show
or nothing. Leno eavesdrops on an NBC
executive meeting about the late night schedule. NBC offers Letterman a deal to give him the Tonight Show
in 18 months. Letterman calls Carson who says he would walk, so Letterman does.
He signs with CBS.
A good film about an entertainment controversy. This movie
shows the seamy underside of television. Even though you know how it comes out
this film still manages to make the story interesting enough so you want to
keep watching.
Stay Tuned: Television’s
Unforgettable Moments by Joe Garner (Andrew McNeal Publishing, Kansas City,
2002) at page 48 gives the date of the broadcast
Awards – The film was nominated
for the Outstanding Individual Achievement in Casting for a Miniseries or a
Special, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Miniseries or a
Special, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a
Special, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Miniseries or a
Special, Outstanding Made for Television Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actor in
a Miniseries or a Special (Williams), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a
Miniseries or a Special (Bates) Emmys, at the 48th Primetime Emmy
Awards.
Screenplay - George Armitage and
Bill Carter
Producer - Ivan Reitman and Don
Carmody
Director - Betty Thomas
Runtime – 1 hour 35 minutes
Released - February 24, 1996
Starring -
Kathy Bates as Helen Kushnick
John Higgins as David Letterman
Daniel Roebuck as Jay Leno
Bob Balaban as Warren Littlefield
Ed Begley, Jr. as Rod Perth
Peter Jurasik as Howard Stringer
Reni Santoni as John Agoglia
Rich Little as Johnny Carson
Copyright by Ivan Walters 2014
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