The Late Shift backdrop

The Late Shift 1996 Directed by Betty Thomas

Two heads fighting for the late night crown - One head's gotta roll.

David Letterman vies with Jay Leno and his manager to succeed Johnny Carson, retiring from "The Tonight Show."

Country USA
Production Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language English
Gneres Comedy , Drama , TV Movie
Production Companies HBO , Northern Lights Entertainment
Budget $6,000,000
Release Date 24 February 1996
95 mins
Cast
John Michael Higgins David Letterman
Daniel Roebuck Jay Leno
Kathy Bates Helen Kushnick
Bob Balaban Warren Littlefield
Ed Begley Jr. Rod Perth
Peter Jurasik Howard Stringer
Reni Santoni John Agoglia
John Kapelos Robert Morton
Steven Gilborn Peter Lassally
John Getz Brandon Tartikoff
Lawrence Pressman Bob Wright
Sandra Bernhard Sandra Bernhard
Treat Williams Michael Ovitz
David Brisbin Alan Levine
Michael Chieffo Rick Ludwin
Wendy Cutler Reporter #2 Letterman Press Conference
Nancy Cheryll Davis Reporter #2 Carnegie Hall
Paul Elder Rupert Murdoch
Michael Fairman Michael Gartner
John R. Fors Writer #2
Nicholas Guest Robert Iger
Lucinda Jenney Debbie Vickers
Ivan Kane Reporter #1
Ken Kragen Ken Kragen
Susan Krebs Airport Attendant
James Kiriyama-Lem Reporter #1 Letterman Press Conference
Dan Lipe Writer #1
Aaron Lustig Paul Shaffer
Cynthia Lynch Laurie Diamond
Kerry Noonan Letterman's Girlfriend
Penny Peyser Susan Binford
Little Richard Little Richard
Ann Ryerson Betty Hudson
Kevin Scannell Dick Ebersol
Edmund L. Shaff Jack Welsh
Joanne Takahashi Thai Waitress
Arthur Taxier Lee Gabler
Cathy Worthington Kragen's Asst.
Rich Little Johnny Carson
Arnold F. Turner Reporter #3 Letterman Press Conference
Dean Francois CBS Executive to Howard Stringer (uncredited)
Angie Gray Mrs. Wright (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Writers
Producer
Executive Producers
Cinematography
Composer
Editor
Production Design
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Costume Design
Makeup Artist
Hairstylist
Casting
Script Supervisor
Assistant Directors