The Late Shift (1996)

The Late Shift (R)

"Therrrrre... goes Johnny!"

HBO pulls back the curtain behind the Letterman vs Leno debacle of 90s late night television and blows up NBCs skirts in the process.  Based on the book by media journalist Bill Carter, the insider view into the machinations between Dave, Jay and management are both entertaining and interesting and bring a mostly impartial eye to the proceedings.  The actors portraying the stars try their best with somewhat shaky results (the real life David Letterman particularly hated his doppelganger, calling him a "psychotic red haired chimp" on many a weeknight monologue), but only Kathy Bates as Jay's foul mouthed pitbull of an agent with an eye on the late night throne deserves any notice (and was awarded a Golden Globe for her effort).

Parties interested in the proceedings/backstabbings sponsored by the incompetence shown by NBC executives, a genial Jay and his pushy agent-ess and an underachieving David Letterman may be better served by reading the minutia filled  novel, but the movie serves as a great crib-note version and quick fly on the wall view into one of the most bizarre infights in television history.

6 Prelude to Conan's Situation out of 10 (GOOD)