The Late Shift

Based on the non-fiction best-seller, The Late Shift is an irreverent, behind-the-scenes look at the conflict over who would succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno or David Letterman. Beginning with Carson's retirement, the made-for-cable film follows the backstage manueverings ...more

Only one thing elevates this behind-the-scenes drama above the ranks of other made-for-TV movies, and that's the performance of Kathy Bates as Jay Leno's motormouthed agent. Swearing like a truck driver, walking all over people, and generally playing against type, Bates is a hoot. Too bad the same can't be said for Daniel Roebuck and John Michael Higgins, who were presumably cast more for their vague resemblance to, respectively, Leno and David Letterman than for their ability to illuminate the ...more