Plot Synopsis

Executive produced by CNN contributor and former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter, THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT is a six-part documentary series 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 to and influencing our rapidly changing society, late-night television has grown into a thriving entertainment phenomenon and vitally important cultural institution. The docuseries features archival footage of late-night legends such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and David Letterman, alongside interviews with today's popular comedic voices including, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Chelsea Handler, Trevor Noah, Conan O'Brien, Seth Meyers, James Corden, Amber Ruffin, Desus & Mero, Whoopi Goldberg, W. Kamau Bell, and many more. Behind-the-scenes decision makers including Lorne Michaels and Jeff Zucker are also featured giving their first-hand accounts of an entertainment medium that changed the face of television forever. After debuting on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT on CNN, a new one-hour episode premieres each subsequent Sunday, culminating with an extended series finale examining the present day, diverse generation of hosts reimagining political comedy for the Trump era only to confront the format's greatest challenge yet: COVID-19.

CNN Audio also launched a companion podcast for THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT, offering listeners an original audio experience that goes even deeper into the world of late-night television with more immersive, audio-first interviews from series guests. Hosted Carter, the "Behind the Desk: Story of Late Night" podcast explores late-night television from its inception to present day, and look ahead toward the genre's increasingly digital and more diverse future. The podcast, produced by CNN Audio and Cream Productions, released its first two episodes on Thursday, April 22 on all podcast platforms, with subsequent episodes released every Thursday.
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On Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 9-10:15pm ET/PT, CNN premiered "Reinventing Late Night TV," the finale of THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah follow in Leno, Letterman and Stewart's footsteps. Plus, new hosts James Corden, Seth Meyers, and Samantha Bee join the late-night TV ranks.