The Story of Late Night Season 1 Episode 4 Letterman V. Leno

The Story of Late Night is a docuseries that explores the history of late-night television and the personalities that shaped the genre. In season 1 episode 4, titled Letterman V. Leno, the show dives into the infamous battle between two of the biggest names in late-night TV: David Letterman and Jay Leno.

The episode begins by giving some background on Letterman and Leno's careers leading up to their time as hosts of The Late Show and The Tonight Show, respectively. Viewers get a sense of their different styles, with Letterman known for his irreverent humor and emphasis on satire, while Leno was known for his affable charm and good-natured comedy.

The episode then delves into the highly-publicized feud between the two hosts, which started in the early '90s when Johnny Carson retired from The Tonight Show and NBC had to decide who would replace him. Both Leno and Letterman were in the running, but NBC ultimately chose Leno, prompting Letterman to leave the network and start his own late-night show on CBS.

From there, the rivalry only escalated. The episode features interviews with a number of late-night insiders who offer their perspectives on what happened behind the scenes. One common thread is the idea that both Letterman and Leno were fiercely competitive and driven to be the best in the business, which inevitably led to clashes.

We also get a sense of how the public perceived the feud, with viewers taking sides and some even going so far as to boycott one host or the other. The episode covers some of the most memorable moments from this era, including Letterman's scathing monologue after Leno was chosen over him for The Tonight Show, and Leno's surprise appearance on Letterman's show in 2010 to bury the hatchet.

Throughout the episode, The Story of Late Night does an excellent job of balancing entertainment with insight. It's fascinating to revisit this iconic rivalry and learn more about what was really going on behind the scenes. At the same time, the episode is never too heavy or bogged down in details; it keeps moving and provides plenty of great clips and anecdotes to keep things interesting.

Overall, Letterman V. Leno is a great addition to season 1 of The Story of Late Night. Whether you're a fan of late-night TV or just interested in the history of media, this episode is a must-watch.