Let's Go Behind the Desk

Bill Carter speaks with legendary hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Dick Cavett, the genre's newest star Amber Ruffin, Conan O’Brien’s sidekick Andy Richter and many more to dissect one of TV’s hardest, most challenging jobs - the late night TV host. These individuals aren’t just the stars ...  Show more

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 ni ...  Show more

The jovial host of late night's most iconic program reflects on his journey from doing childhood impersonations to appearing on 'SNL,' how Lorne Michaels recruited him to 'Late Night' (despite opposition from network suits) and then Johnny Carson's old job and, in an emotional ex ...  Show more

Writer Bill Carter (author of The War for Late Night) joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the significance of The Tonight Show for a generation of comedians, the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Conan’s short-lived run at the show, the future of late night televis ...  Show more

Writer Bill Carter (author of The War for Late Night) joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the significance of The Tonight Show for a generation of comedians, the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Conan’s short-lived run at the show, the future of late night televis ...  Show more

Since the disruption of the broadcast viewing experience, late night comedy has gone through some growing pains. It’s no longer must-see TV, but late night water cooler moments remain as fiery political segments go viral online.For more on how the late night landscape has shifted ...  Show more