The War for Late Night_ When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy - Bill Carter [228]
From The Late, Late Show, thanks to Craig Ferguson, Michael Naidus, and two of the best people I know, Peter and Alice Lassally. From Late Night, thanks to Jimmy Fallon and Mike Shoemaker. From Late Night with David Letterman, I greatly appreciate Tom Keaney’s efforts on my behalf, as well as Rob Burnett’s valuable contributions. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert share a common thread: their irrepressible agent, James Dixon. Big thanks to James and his clients, especially his third one, Jimmy Kimmel, whose extraordinary generosity of spirit has always extended to me.
Jay Leno has never been anything but warm and welcoming to me. I especially thank him for his thoughtfulness to me this year. I also appreciate the help and insights of Jay’s wise and essential producer, Debbie Vickers.
From “Team Coco,” thanks to Gavin Polone, Mike Sweeney, Drew Shane, and Andy Richter, as well as Ari Emanuel and especially the class act that is Rick Rosen. Throughout this effort, Conan’s executive producer, Jeff Ross, was, as he has always been for me, the gold standard for generosity, dependability, and decency.
I have been privileged to chronicle much of Conan O’Brien’s amazing ride through late night. This year, Conan displayed only more openness, honesty, and grace under pressure. He was generous beyond the call. Special thanks as well to Liza O’Brien.
Three people make everything in my life possible. My children, Caela Ellen Carter and Daniel Houston Carter, fill my days with the purest form of joy. Their mother, the love of my life, Beth Keating Carter, remains the wisest editor, most enthusiastic reader, and greatest partner anyone could ever have. No man has ever been more blessed.
INDEX
ABC
proposal to Conan
proposal to Leno
Affiliates
Jay Leno Show failure with
opposition to Conan
Agoglia, John
Alexander, Jason
Bass, Michael
Berger, Alan
Berman, Gail
Bernstein, Nick
Birkitt, Stephanie
Braun, Lloyd
Conan’s shift to 12:05, reaction to
hires Kimmel
network experience of
Brecheen, Leigh
Bromstad, Angela
Burnett, Rob
comments about Leno
and Conan
and Kilborn
on “late-night war,”
Carey, Drew
Carolla, Adam
Carson, Johnny
advice about SNL
-Conan meetings
jokes, sending to Letterman
last show
leaves Tonight Show
Leno alienation
and Letterman
and Seinfeld
successor. See Tonight Show, The with Jay Leno
CBS, Letterman signs with
Charles, Larry
Chase, Chevy
Chernin, Peter
proposal to Conan
proposal to Leno
Colbert, Stephen
as comic, development of
family background
Colbert Report
Comcast, Universal takeover by
Cook, Michelle
Costas, Bob
Creative Artists Agency
Crystal, Billy
Daily Show, The
cost of show
Emmy Awards to
Kilborn as host
Stewart as host
Daniels, Greg
Davies, Michael
“Devil-Bear,”
Dixon, James
as Colbert’s agent
as Kimmel’s agent
as Stewart’s agent
DVDs, impact on ratings
Ebersol, Dick
improving show, suggestions to Conan
Jay at prime time, negativity toward
and late-night programming
as Leno supporter
and NFL deal
post-war position of
Tonight / Conan, negativity toward
Elliott, Chris
Emanuel, Ari
and Conan move to Tonight Show
Conan’s shift to 12:05, reaction to
and Fox/Conan talks
Emmy Awards, Conan as host
Endeavor
and Fox/Conan talks
See also Rosen, Rick
Fallon, Jimmy
as comic, development of
family background
Late Night with
on SNL
upfront week performance
Ferguson, Craig
as comic, development of
family background
Late Late Show host
Ferrell, Will
Finnerty, Dan
Fiorile, Michael
Fox
acquiring Conan, efforts in
pitch to Kimmel
proposal to Leno
See also Chernin, Peter
Friday Night Videos
Garlin, Jeff
on late-night wars
Gaspin, Jeff
on Conan as financial liability
Conan’s Manifesto, interpretation of
expectations of Leno
on late-night wars
Leno leaves prime-time meetings
Leno leaves prime-time strategy
NBC Entertainment under
post-war position of
Glaser, Patty
Gollust, Allison