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Late Night (franchise)

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Late Night (franchise)

Late Night is an American late-night talk and variety show airing on NBC since 1982. Late Night has had four hosts: David Letterman (1982–1993), Conan O'Brien (1993–2009), Jimmy Fallon (2009–2014), and Seth Meyers (2014–present). Each iteration of the show was built around its host, and maintained distinct identities aside from the title, time slot, and network. The longest-serving host to date was O'Brien, who hosted Late Night with Conan O'Brien for almost 16 years, from September 1993 to February 2009.

Infobox

Genre
Talk showVariety show
Created by
David Letterman
Presented by
David LettermanConan O'Brien Jimmy FallonSeth Meyers
Country of origin
United States
No. of episodes
1,819 (under Letterman)2,725 (under O'Brien)969 (under Fallon)1,747 (under Meyers)Total: 7,228
Running time
Varies
Production companies
Carson Productions (1982–1993)Worldwide Pants (1991–1993)Broadway Video (1993–present)Conaco (2001–2009) Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions (2014–present)NBC Productions (1982–1996)NBC Studios (1996–2004)NBC Universal Television Studio (2004–2007)Universal Media Studios (2007–2011)Universal Television (2011–present)
Network
NBC
Release
February 1, 1982 (1982-02-01) –present

Tables

· Hosting history
David Letterman
David Letterman
Host
David Letterman
Start date
February 1, 1982
End date
June 25, 1993
Episodes
1,819
Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien
Host
Conan O'Brien
Start date
September 13, 1993
End date
February 20, 2009
Episodes
2,725
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon
Host
Jimmy Fallon
Start date
March 2, 2009
End date
February 7, 2014
Episodes
969
Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Host
Seth Meyers
Start date
February 24, 2014
End date
present
Episodes
1,747
Host
Start date
End date
Episodes
David Letterman
February 1, 1982
June 25, 1993
1,819
Conan O'Brien
September 13, 1993
February 20, 2009
2,725
Jimmy Fallon
March 2, 2009
February 7, 2014
969
Seth Meyers
February 24, 2014
present
1,747
· American television ratings (late-night talk shows)
1981–82
1981–82
Season
1981–82
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1982–83
1982–83
Season
1982–83
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1983–84
1983–84
Season
1983–84
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1984–85
1984–85
Season
1984–85
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1985–86
1985–86
Season
1985–86
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1986–87
1986–87
Season
1986–87
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1987–88
1987–88
Season
1987–88
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1988–89
1988–89
Season
1988–89
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1989–90
1989–90
Season
1989–90
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1990–91
1990–91
Season
1990–91
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
1991–92
1991–92
Season
1991–92
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
3.2
Tied with
N/A
1992–93
1992–93
Season
1992–93
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.8
Tied with
N/A
1993–94
1993–94
Season
1993–94
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.0
Tied with
N/A
1994–95
1994–95
Season
1994–95
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.2
Tied with
N/A
1995–96
1995–96
Season
1995–96
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.2
Tied with
N/A
1996–97
1996–97
Season
1996–97
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
1997–98
1997–98
Season
1997–98
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
1998–99
1998–99
Season
1998–99
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
1999–2000
1999–2000
Season
1999–2000
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
2000–01
2000–01
Season
2000–01
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
2001–02
2001–02
Season
2001–02
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
Politically Incorrect
2002–03
2002–03
Season
2002–03
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.6
Tied with
N/A
2003–04
2003–04
Season
2003–04
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.6
Tied with
N/A
2004–05
2004–05
Season
2004–05
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
2005–06
2005–06
Season
2005–06
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.5
Tied with
N/A
2006–07
2006–07
Season
2006–07
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.4
Tied with
N/A
2007–08
2007–08
Season
2007–08
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.0
Tied with
N/A
2008–09
2008–09
Season
2008–09
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
2.0
Tied with
N/A
2009–10
2009–10
Season
2009–10
Nielsen rank
5
Nielsen rating
1.4
Tied with
The Daily Show, The Colbert Report
2010–11
2010–11
Season
2010–11
Nielsen rank
3
Nielsen rating
1.8
Tied with
N/A
2011–12
2011–12
Season
2011–12
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
1.7
Tied with
The Daily Show
2012–13
2012–13
Season
2012–13
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
1.7
Tied with
N/A
2013–14
2013–14
Season
2013–14
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
1.9
Tied with
N/A
2014–15
2014–15
Season
2014–15
Nielsen rank
4
Nielsen rating
1.5
Tied with
N/A
2015–16
2015–16
Season
2015–16
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
2016–17
2016–17
Season
2016–17
Nielsen rank
N/A
Nielsen rating
N/A
Tied with
N/A
2017–18
2017–18
Season
2017–18
Nielsen rank
TBD
Nielsen rating
TBD
Tied with
TBD
Season
Nielsen rank
Nielsen rating
Tied with
1981–82
N/A
N/A
N/A
1982–83
N/A
N/A
N/A
1983–84
N/A
N/A
N/A
1984–85
N/A
N/A
N/A
1985–86
N/A
N/A
N/A
1986–87
N/A
N/A
N/A
1987–88
N/A
N/A
N/A
1988–89
N/A
N/A
N/A
1989–90
N/A
N/A
N/A
1990–91
N/A
N/A
N/A
1991–92
3
3.2
N/A
1992–93
4
2.8
N/A
1993–94
4
2.0
N/A
1994–95
3
2.2
N/A
1995–96
3
2.2
N/A
1996–97
4
2.5
N/A
1997–98
4
2.5
N/A
1998–99
4
2.5
N/A
1999–2000
4
2.5
N/A
2000–01
4
2.5
N/A
2001–02
3
2.5
Politically Incorrect
2002–03
3
2.6
N/A
2003–04
3
2.6
N/A
2004–05
3
2.5
N/A
2005–06
3
2.5
N/A
2006–07
3
2.4
N/A
2007–08
3
2.0
N/A
2008–09
3
2.0
N/A
2009–10
5
1.4
The Daily Show, The Colbert Report
2010–11
3
1.8
N/A
2011–12
4
1.7
The Daily Show
2012–13
4
1.7
N/A
2013–14
4
1.9
N/A
2014–15
4
1.5
N/A
2015–16
N/A
N/A
N/A
2016–17
N/A
N/A
N/A
2017–18
TBD
TBD
TBD
· Broadcasting milestones › Schedule › First run episodes
February 1, 1982
February 1, 1982
Begin date
February 1, 1982
End date
May 28, 1987
Nights
Mon–Thurs
Start
12:30
End
1:30
Notes
Letterman
June 1, 1987
June 1, 1987
Begin date
June 1, 1987
End date
August 30, 1991
Nights
Mon–Fri
Start
12:30
End
1:30
Notes
Letterman
September 2, 1991
September 2, 1991
Begin date
September 2, 1991
End date
February 7, 2014
Nights
Mon–Fri
Start
12:35
End
1:35
Notes
Letterman, O'Brien, Fallon
February 24, 2014
February 24, 2014
Begin date
February 24, 2014
End date
present
Nights
Mon–Fri
Start
12:36
End
1:35
Notes
Meyers
Begin date
End date
Nights
Start
End
Notes
February 1, 1982
May 28, 1987
Mon–Thurs
12:30
1:30
Letterman
June 1, 1987
August 30, 1991
Mon–Fri
12:30
1:30
Letterman
September 2, 1991
February 7, 2014
Mon–Fri
12:35
1:35
Letterman, O'Brien, Fallon
February 24, 2014
present
Mon–Fri
12:36
1:35
Meyers

References

  1. Total number of episodes for all four hosts combined as of October 10, 2025.
  2. Late Night
    https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/business/media/seth-meyers-to-succeed-fallon-on-late-night.html
  3. "The TV Ratings Guide: Before Late Night Became A Toilet of Trumpster Fire Jokes -- The 1991-2015 Late Night Talk Show Ratings"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185721/http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2017/12/before-late-night-became-trumpster-fire.html
  4. "Watch David Letterman's Return to 'Late Night' For Show's 40th Anniversary As Trove Of Classic Clips Drops On YouTube"
    https://deadline.com/2022/02/david-letterman-late-night-anniversary-youtube-channel-1234925070/
  5. New York Post
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110929162529/http://pqarchiver.nypost.com/nypost/access/781543221.html?dids=781543221%3A781543221&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Jan+20%2C+2005&author=Post+Wire+Services&pub=New+York+Post&edition=&startpage=102&desc=CARSON+FEEDS+LETTERMAN+LINES
  6. Chicago Sun-Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080314015546/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030914/ai_n12516995
  7. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, May 29, 2009.
  8. "When Late Nights Collide! The First Letterman/Conan Crossover Event!"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140725103012/http://splitsider.com/2012/08/when-late-nights-collide-the-first-lettermanconan-crossover-event/
  9. Conan, TBS, broadcast of May 20, 2015
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://web.archive.org/web/20060513105825/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/interviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1954736
  11. Late Night with Conan O'Brien
  12. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-25-jimmy-fallon_N.htm
  13. Late Night
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/02/27/ST2009022701856.html
  14. O'Brien to succeed Leno as 'Tonight' host in '09, a September 2004 article from The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000642741
  15. Late Night
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130728163156/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/05/jimmy_fallon_headed_to_nbc_lat.php
  16. December 8, 2008 from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon video blog
    http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/clips/first-video-blog-12808/869181/
  17. December 11, 2008 from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon video blog
    http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2008/12/december-11th---meet-our-announcer/
  18. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090223120717/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i83b3be812614cf99012f6f54d583db13
  19. "NBC Sued Over Font License - 2009-10-12 09:04:14 MDT - Graphic Arts Online"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091015045007/http://www.graphicartsonline.com/article/357694-NBC_Sued_Over_Font_License.php
  20. "Font Licensing — Free Software Foundation — working together for free software"
    http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/20050425novalis
  21. Jimmy & The Muppets Say Goodbye To "Late Night" (w/ "The Weight" from "The Last Waltz")
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otRr23Brir8
  22. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2013/05/seth-meyers-named-host-of-nbcs-late-night-lorne-michaels-to-executive-produce-496986/
  23. The Toronto Sun
    http://www.torontosun.com/2014/02/23/seth-meyers-ready-to-push-boundaries-on-late-night
  24. Glamour.com
    http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2014/02/the-late-night-with-seth-meyer.html
  25. WordPress.com
    http://bobobabushka.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/live-from-new-york/
  26. "Jimmy Fallon Gets the Late Show Giant Plastic Pickle"
    http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/03/jimmy-fallon-gets-the-late-show-giant-plastic-pickle-video/
  27. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jimmy-fallons-late-night-pickle-675144
  28. "Jay Leno Bows Out With Biggest 'Tonight Show' Week In Decades; Ditto Jimmy Fallon's 'Late Night' Swan Song"
    https://deadline.com/2014/02/jay-leno-bows-out-with-biggest-tonight-show-week-in-decades-ditto-jimmy-fallons-late-night-swan-song-682805/
  29. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/26/AR2009022603677_pf.html
  30. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-jimmy-fallon-leaves-678542
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