8 Thought-Provoking Books About Late Night Talk Shows

Host of The Daily Show since 1999, Jon Stewart has firmly positioned himself as a major player in comedy. But his journey to stardom was not an easy one. In his early days, he struggled to stand out in New York’s comedy scene and was routinely passed over for hosting gigs.

Chronicling his rise to the top, Rogak explores how he’s been able to stay there for so long, while also being a significant voice in American politics. 

Using host Stephen Colbert as a character portrait, Brehman analyzes the intersection between religion and mass media. In reflecting on the complex experience of American Catholicism, Brehman points to Colbert as a great example to turn to for centralizing faith in day-to-day life.

As a comedian, he is in a unique position, as both a religious person and someone who can laugh and question, with these reflections and more explored in this account. 

A New York Times bestseller, Bill Carter, host of the CNN podcast Behind the Desk, divulges the drama of Jay Leno and David Letterman’s battle for the late-night spot.

With the stars' drastically different comedy styles and millions of dollars on the line, NBC had to be sure they were making the right decision—even if it meant ruining a friendship in the process.

The comedians, who had once worked the clubs together, were being asked to go head-to-head in a fierce competition, described by The New York Times Book Review as a “powerful story, and ultimately a sad one, filled with casualties as well as winners.”

Widely regarded as the comedic voice of a generation, comedy critic Jason Zinoman mixes reporting and insider knowledge to map David Letterman’s over thirty-year career.

From unpacking the origins of his singular style to his time on TV, Zinoman paints Letterman as a key figure not just in the comedy world, but that of pop culture as a whole. A New York Times Notable Book of 2017, peer into the life of one of America’s most well-known, yet reclusive, figures. 

A scandalous and oftentimes hilarious insider look, Nell Scovell writes about what it was like to be the only woman in the writer’s room—and how, through speaking out, she paved the way for more gender diversity in the late-night space. 

When the David Letterman sex scandal broke in 2009, Scovell made the difficult decision to not only leave but also open the floor for a cultural debate. Now, in this fast-paced, entertaining account, she explores what it’s like to be a woman at the top of her game—in a male-dominated field. 

Before the stars came out and the cameras were rolling, Bob Perlow was sent in to warm up the crowd. In a role he took on for more than three decades, he met television’s biggest names and was there for many a meltdown.

From his close friendship with Alan Thicke to the improv class he hosted with Robin Williams, Perlow divulges all in a personal, pull-back-the-curtain look. 

Infamous talk show host Dick Cavett explores his encounters with some of the world’s most famous people who crossed his desk. From getting to know a young Steve Jobs to stepping in the ring with Muhammad Ali, Cavett spotlights the unique personalities behind these immense talents.

One of Jimmy Fallon’s own “legends and inspirations,” step into the miraculous life of a legend. 

For 30 years, Johnny Carson sat behind his desk, delighting the world as a late-night talk show host. Now, Ed McMahon offers a remarkable account, fueled by over 46 years of friendship with the man himself.

From laugh-out-loud stories to touching memories, McMahon reflects on how his right-hand man left his mark on the entertainment industry.