The Late Shift (1996)

"Gentleman, we are just going from one bizarre circumstance to the next."

Based on the incidents revolving around signing a replacement for the legendary Johnny Carson of the Tonight Show.

David Letterman (John Michael Higgins) and Jay Leno (Daniel Roebuck) were once involved in fierce rivalry to win the seat Carson was vacating after a 30-year reign as the King of Late Night TV.

Leno's aggressive manager, Helen Kushnick (Kathy Bates), fought tooth and nail for Leno's contract and as a producer of the Tonight Show, she also did whatever she could to assure that Letterman remained out of any contention for the job or as a competitor. Meanwhile, Letterman brought in superagent Michael Ovitz (Treat Williams) who negotiated Letterman's move to CBS.

Appearing as various network executives are: Bob Balaban as Warren Littlefield, Ed Begley Jr. as Rod Perth, Reni Santoni as John Agoglia, Steven Gilborn as Peter Lassally, John Getz as Brandon Tartikoff, Paul Elder as Rupert Mudoch, Kevin Scannell as Dick Ebersol. Rich Little portrays Johnny Carson and Aaron Lustig plays Letterman's musical director Paul Shaffer.

Directed by Betty Thomas.

This made-for-TV movie originally played on HBO.

Run time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Rated R for language.

My personal rating: B-