Season 1

E1. Inventing Late Night

May 2, 2021 · 38m

Steve Allen’s zany spontaneity turns “Tonight” into an unexpected hit, but it’s Jack Paar and Johnny Carson that transform late night into an enduring television staple.

E2. Carson: King of Late Night

May 9, 2021 · 38m

Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate “The Tonight Show” and become the undisputed king of late night.

E3. Eyes on the Throne

May 16, 2021 · 38m

As the 1980s dawn, David Letterman reinvents late night for a new generation and endless speculation begins on who will be Johnny Carson’s eventual successor.

E4. Letterman V. Leno

May 23, 2021 · 38m

Carson’s 1992 retirement touches a nation – and touches off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman.

E5. Late Night Makes The News

May 30, 2021 · 38m

As the 2000s unfold, diverse voices like Chelsea Handler and George Lopez get their seat behind the late-night desk, while Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert take the news into their own hilarious hands.

E6. Reinventing Late Night

Jun 6, 2021 · 38m

Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah follow in Leno, Letterman, and Stewart’s footsteps and new hosts James Corden, Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin, and Desus + Mero confront Donald Trump – and COVID-19.