8.0/1082 votes#1 - Inventing Late Night
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 5/2/2021
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/1077 votes#2 - Carson: King of Late Night
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 5/9/2021
Johnny Carson deftly navigates the turbulent 1960s to elevate “The Tonight Show” and become the undisputed king of late night.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.5/1075 votes#3 - Eyes on the Throne
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 5/16/2021
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1070 votes#4 - Letterman V. Leno
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/23/2021
Carson’s 1992 retirement touches a nation – and touches off an epic late-night war between Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1069 votes#5 - Late Night Makes The News
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/30/2021
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.2/1066 votes#6 - Reinventing Late Night
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 6/6/2021
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
If you like The Story of Late Night, check out...
The Best Episodes of The Story of Late Night Season 1
Every episode of The Story of Late Night Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Story of Late Night Season 1!
A six-part docuseries that takes viewers on a journey through late-night television’s most memorable moments. Spanning a more than 60-year history of engaging with, adapting...
Genre:Documentary
Network:CNN
Episodes
6
Avg. Rating
7.8
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.0
8.2
8.5
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Inventing Late Night" is the best rated episode of "The Story of Late Night" season 1. It scored 8/10 based on 82 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 5/2/2021. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Carson: King of Late Night".
