Business Wars Late Night Wars | There Goes Johnny! | 4
Mar 10, 2021
Johnny Carson's surprise departure from The Tonight Show sets off a late-night showdown. Jay Leno is named the new host, but David Letterman, feeling cheated, plots his revenge. Tensions escalate as Leno's aggressive manager, Helen Kushnick, brutally navigates NBC politics. As Letterman considers joining CBS, both hosts face high-stakes negotiations and shifting alliances. The late-night landscape is forever altered, capturing a pivotal moment in television history with fierce ambition on display.
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Carson's Surprise Exit
- Johnny Carson surprised NBC by announcing his departure during the 1991 Upfronts.
- This left NBC executives unprepared, without a successor lined up.
Letterman Finds Out
- Warren Littlefield was hesitant to inform David Letterman about Leno getting the Tonight Show.
- Letterman, vacationing in Indianapolis, learned about it through his manager.
Letterman's Response
- Letterman, advised by Peter LaSalle, decided to fight for The Tonight Show.
- He demanded to be released from his NBC contract after being officially informed of Leno's appointment.
