Late Night Shows

By Thomas Tennant, About.com Guide

The late night format is what most viewers picture when they think of a talk show: comedic monologue, host behind a desk, sidekick, house band and celebrity guests.

Brand X with Russell Brand
Chelsea Lately
Charlie Rose
The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert
Conan
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Inside the Actor's Studio
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Last Call with Carson Daly
Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Show with David Letterman
Piers Morgan Tonight
Real Time with Bill Maher
Tavis Smiley
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell
Cancelled Late Night Talk Shows
Classic Late Night Shows & Hosts

Brand X with Russell Brand

Want to know more about the raucous basic cable talk show hosted by British comedian Russell Brand? Find out here!

Chelsea Lately

Talk show host Chelsea Handler explores the wild world of late night talk shows with her E! network entry, 'Chelsea Lately'. Its mix of interview and topical talk is a bit unique among late night shows. At presently, Handler is the only late night female talk show host in the game.

Charlie Rose

Talk show host Charlie Rose interviews celebrities and newsmakers from his intimate studio in New York.

The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert

One of the few hybrid talk shows out there, ‘The Colbert Report’ mixes political satire with a nightly guest, be they celebrity, politician, author or, in one case, the host himself.

Conan

'Conan', Conan O'Brien's new talk show, debuts Nov. 8 at 11 p.m. on cable channel TBS.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Peabody Award-winning talk show that bills itself as ‘fake news’ while delivering biting political and social satire.

Inside the Actor's Studio

A one-of-a-kind, James Lipton's 'Actor's Studio' is best known for its in-depth interviews and quirky final questions.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Former Comedy Central stalwart has real talk show chops, and is gaining ground on the Big Two – Letterman and Leno.

Last Call with Carson Daly

Breaking through the frontiers of really late night broadcasting, Carson Daly rounds out the talk show day.

Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

One of the most underrated hosts on television, comedian Craig Ferguson is bound to make you laugh, make you think, then make you laugh again.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Former 'Saturday Night Live' actor Jimmy Fallon took over 'Late Night' from Conan O'Brien in early 2009. Since then, he has created a funny and hip show that is all his own.

Late Show with David Letterman

The next best thing to Johnny Carson, David Letterman, regardless of network, is the stuff of legend.

Piers Morgan Tonight

‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ is hosted by journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan. It airs on CNN and replaces ‘Larry King Live’. Find out more about ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’.

Real Time with Bill Maher

Take a look at HBO's premier talk show and its politically incorrect host, Bill Maher

Tavis Smiley

The details on PBS's 'Tavis Smiley' talk show, from who's a guest on the show to Tavis Smiley's biography.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Conan O'Brien was the fifth 'Tonight Show' host since Steve Allen introduced the show in the 1950s. O'Brien took over for Jay Leno. But events in late 2009 shifted talk show hosts again, this time with Jay Leno returning as host and Conan heading off to do something new.

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell

Talk show host and comedian W. Kamau Bell

Why is W. Kamau Bell's show becoming one of the must watch talk shows on late night? Find out!

Cancelled Late Night Talk Shows

Not every talk show lasts as long as 'The Tonight Show' or the 'Late Show'. Here's a list of the good, the bad and the let's-just-forget-'em shows that came before.

Classic Late Night Shows & Hosts

From Johnny Carson to Arsenio Hall, here are all the classic talk shows and hosts you love.

Talk Shows