Welcome back to my blog. Here’s my recommendation of a movie to check out today and hope you punch your “Ticket to the Movies!” OK, let’s go with simply wonderful HBO effort called “The Late Shift,” which is the story of the behind the scenes look at the David Letterman-Jay Leno controversy as to which would succeed Johnny Carson and is a showcase for Kathy Bates in an over-the-top effort of an over-the-top character.
“The Late Shift” is remarkable because it was part of the later-1990s vanguard of movies produced in a non-studio manner – and by what was considered “just” a tee-vee network. Such non-conformist filmmaking has now become the norm with such networks and independents churning out just as much crap as the studios ever accomplished. “The Late Shift” was nominated for seven Primetime Emmys and Bates’ effort earned her a Golden Globe.
“The Late Shift” is set all the way back in the early 1990s as the long-running “Tonight Show” with Carson behind the desk was facing transition. Leno, who’s played by Daniel Roebuck, and Letterman, who’s played by John Michael Higgins, are viewed as being in line to get the permanent job. However, skullduggery by Bates has already guaranteed Roebuck the job, while all the pundits believe Higgins is more talented.
From the same-titled non-fiction book by a New York Times television critic, “The Late Shift” shows all the machinations, back-stabbing and simple but cruel economics that went into late-night decisions by scuzzball and incompetent network executives.
Of course, Leno ultimately turned out to be the populist favored by the late-night audience, while Letterman was obviously more talented, but attracted a different but smaller viewership.
Other than Bates’ most watchable effort that won her the Globe playing “Helen Kushnick,” “The Late Shift” doesn’t feature much in the way of supporting characters, but the stubborn, ultimately proved-correct NBC executives (Bob Balaban and Reni Santoni) do a solid job as does Treat Williams as then-super agent “Michael Ovitz.” I put quote marks around real individuals’ name (the story is taken from non-fiction, after all) because they are “characters” here.
We all know how the war for late night tee-vee played out (two battles for Leno), but it’s OK since Bates’ effort is worthy of an Oscar – and today such movies are eligible for that award.
So, I say punch your “Ticket to the Movies!” and watch “The Late Shift.” It is available on the Max platform and other streaming platforms. You will thank me later, if you find and watch “The Late Shift.”
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