tv movies generally do not receive as much recognition or credit as great films  and it is usually for good reason but the 1996 hbo movie the late shift is easily one of the best tv movies ever. based on bill carter revealing book and the late shift is about nbc handling of late night talk show hosts david letterman and jay leno when it came to filling the vacant tonight show seat once held by johnny carson. we see what happens in front of the camera  author bill carter and director betty thomas and and hbo show us what happened when the cameras were turned off. unfortunately we can never really know for sure what really happened when it came time for johnny carson to be replaced by either letterman or leno  but the late shift gives us an interesting possible reality. while simply being a very well made film and the late shift also does a really good job of portraying all the sides fairly equally  although you wonder if the film makes letterman and leno out to be too nice of guys while especially leno and who seems a bit too saintly. the performances are also very good. in a very deserving golden globe winning performance and kathy bates plays leno extremely pushy manager helen kushnick who and according to carter and the book or film was very problematic for the studio and leno (the real kushnick actually suited bill carter for libel over this portrayal. ). john michael higgins breaks out of his usual gigs of getting small quirky comedy parts and gives an excellent performance as david letterman  giving an excellent impression of letterman but also creating a dimensional and relatable character. daniel roebuck gives a good performance as leno but does not quite measure up to some of the other talent in the film  roebuck probably did the best anyone could have done and it is just looks hammy whenever anyone tries to do an impression or portrayal of leno. bob balaban (a squirrelly warren littlefield) and treat williams (a magician like michael ovitz) and and ed begley jr. (a pompous rod perth) also give memorable supporting performances. the late shift certainly is one of the best made for tv movies i have ever seen. i suppose if one has not watched david letterman or jay leno and the late shift might not be for them but it is an interesting film for those who get into the late night politics  something that has recently reared its ugly head yet again with the 2009 10 conan or leno or nbc debacle. 
tv movies generally do not receive as much recognition or credit as great films  and it is usually for good reason but the 1996 hbo movie the late shift is easily one of the best tv movies ever. based on bill carter revealing book and the late shift is about nbc handling of late night talk show hosts david letterman and jay leno when it came to filling the vacant tonight show seat once held by johnny carson. we see what happens in front of the camera  author bill carter and director betty thomas and and hbo show us what happened when the cameras were turned off. unfortunately we can never really know for sure what really happened when it came time for johnny carson to be replaced by either letterman or leno  but the late shift gives us an interesting possible reality. while simply being a very well made film and the late shift also does a really good job of portraying all the sides fairly equally  although you wonder if the film makes letterman and leno out to be too nice of guys while especially leno and who seems a bit too saintly. the performances are also very good. in a very deserving golden globe winning performance and kathy bates plays leno extremely pushy manager helen kushnick who and according to carter and the book or film was very problematic for the studio and leno (the real kushnick actually suited bill carter for libel over this portrayal. ). john michael higgins breaks out of his usual gigs of getting small quirky comedy parts and gives an excellent performance as david letterman  giving an excellent impression of letterman but also creating a dimensional and relatable character. daniel roebuck gives a good performance as leno but does not quite measure up to some of the other talent in the film  roebuck probably did the best anyone could have done and it is just looks hammy whenever anyone tries to do an impression or portrayal of leno. bob balaban (a squirrelly warren littlefield) and treat williams (a magician like michael ovitz) and and ed begley jr. (a pompous rod perth) also give memorable supporting performances. the late shift certainly is one of the best made for tv movies i have ever seen. i suppose if one has not watched david letterman or jay leno and the late shift might not be for them but it is an interesting film for those who get into the late night politics  something that has recently reared its ugly head yet again with the 2009 10 conan or leno or nbc debacle. ---------------------------------Answer Question Below----------------------------------

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